A/N: Hello all! Aren't you happy another chapter already, they should show a marathon of The Walking Dead more often it's a good motivational tool. So I hope you all like this one; I put a lot into it. I just hope I'm not rushing it all that much. I have an awful lot planned for when the prison falls. I'm thinking of doing a chapter devoted to each character and their POV. So that might help slow it down a bit. I do need to know who you want Riley to end up with, or who she shouldn't end up with…does she go it alone for a bit? Please let me know I love hearing your thoughts. Review please please please…thank you=)

Chapter 19: Running Out of Time

The night went by slowly and Riley wanted nothing more than to get inside and check on everyone. The feeling of dread didn't leave all night. As soon as the sun peeked over the horizon Riley was on her feet and heading out of the tower and back towards the cell block.

As she entered everything seemed quiet, Carol was up and preparing breakfast, Beth was coming out of Rick's cell with Judith who while still looked sleepy wore a smile on her face as she played with Beth's braid. Riley breathed a sigh of relief. She walked over to Beth and kissed Judith on the forehead "hey little one" she mumbled she then looked up and gave Beth a smile "morning"

"good morning" Beth replied

Riley looked around the cell block everyone was there, slowly raising for the morning, she saw Daryl coming down the steps swinging his crossbow over his shoulder; then Rick and Carl also made their way into the common room. Riley smiled, she spent the whole evening worrying and feeling like the end was approaching when everything seemed fine….seemed fine

Riley was just about to take Judith out of Beth's arms when screams and shouts come from the direction of block D. Riley was the first to react swinging her crossbow in front of her. When she got to the block it was mass chaos. People were yelling and running from one cell to another, blood lay in puddles on the floor and Walkers were everywhere coming in and out of cells. Riley moved further into the block

As she did she noticed Lizzie with a Walker coming up to her. The girl walking backwards with tears in her eyes. Riley raised her bow and an arrow landed right in the center of the forehead sending the Walker to the ground. Lizzie turned and saw her savior, Riley didn't stick around she continued on doing what could be done. Rick, Daryl and Glenn also made their way in helping to bring order back to the block.

Things were finally starting to calm down; the Walkers that were there were put down. Everyone looked around Daryl searching for Riley, he saw a glimpse of her back in a lower cell and walked forward Rick and Glenn quickly following. When they got to the doorway they saw her kneeling next to a Walker. This wasn't just any Walker though it was…Patrick

Riley looked up into the eyes of Rick "he was the first" she then stood and pushed her way out of the cell Daryl quickly following "we need Herschel" Riley spoke before coming to a halt at the entrance and exit to the cell block.

Daryl stopped behind her glancing back at Rick with a look of worry "well let's get him then"

Riley froze 'how had Patrick turned, he was a teenage boy, something wasn't right was this airborne now' then all the blood drained from her face 'Judith' she thought

Daryl pushed into her in the back breaking for from her thoughts. Luckily Riley didn't have to move much as Herschel appeared at the cell block door. Riley quickly stepped out of the way and let the doctor walk into the cell block, soon Dr. S the Woodbury doctor joined him and they looked over Patrick's body

"looks like he died of the flu" Dr. S spoke looking at Herschel, who nodded agreeing with the young man

Riley looked at the people around her "the flu…how'd he get the flu and in one day die from it?"

All eyes snapped to Riley, then they all looked to the doctors

Dr. S was the first to reply "food, water, air even…"

Rick looked down and then back into the eyes of Riley, both thinking the same thing.

Riley looked up and over at a cell "makes sense.." she spoke making all eyes come over to her

"Charlie…" she spoke pointing to the cell "was a sleep-walker, locked himself in at night; he wasn't bit, he turned though, he must have had the flu too"

Dr. S nodded agreeing with her statement

Rick looks to Riley who nods her head "One of the pigs died a couple of days ago, she was one of the pigs we found in the woods"

"back before all this some diseases were spread by pigs and birds" Herschel states "could be the cause no way to know for sure"

Riley then asked the question that everyone was probably thinking "does that mean we're all infected by this sickness…now that we've been in the block"

All eyes scanned over to the faces of the doctors "most likely" Dr. S concluded "best if we try to stay away from those not exposed"

Everyone nodded. Riley looked to Rick and she knew he was thinking the same thing 'Carl and Judith'

Riley left the cell block and goes in search for Carl; she finds him along with Maggie both helping Michonne who was injured on her return. Carl makes sure Maggie has hold of Michonne before running to see Riley

She quickly holds out her hand "no Carl NO!" she yells at the boy halting him.

Riley looks at all three "there was a problem in D, some people got sick and died, they turned and killed many others" Riley spoke gripping the strap of her crossbow "everyone that was in there could be infected"

Carl looked at Riley fear filling his body "Riles…" he whispered out

"I'm fine Carl, so is dad" Riley looked quickly to Michonne and Maggie

"we just have to be careful right" Riley spoke forcing a smile to grace her lips "can't let you or Jud.." Riley's voice cracked "we can't take that chance"

Maggie looked at the girl; Judith and Carl were her life "I'll watch out for them" she spoke

Riley nodded her head and turned from the group, she rubbed her eyes and jogged from the scene

"RILEY" she heard Carl call out, however she didn't stop or turn.

She was about to head back towards D to help out when Sasha called her over. Riley walked towards the woman who was standing near the fence

"the herd is getting bigger" Riley commented

Sasha nodded her head "this is probably why" Sasha spoke pointing to what looked like carcasses of dead rats

"who the fuck would…" Riley narrowed her eyes, she spun on her heel and spirited back towards the cell block. Sasha looked from the dead rats to the running girl and took off after her

"wait…RILEY"

Riley pushed her way into the cell block. Daryl and Glenn were still moving the dead, Riley paced up and down the cell block "where is she" Riley hissed through clenched teeth

Daryl looked at Glenn before responding "where is who" he asked. He nodded to Glenn and they lowered the body. Daryl slowly made his way towards his sister. At that moment Sasha entered the block breathing heavily

"where is that psycho…" Riley began.

When Daryl looked back at her unsure of what she was talking about, Riley got even more pissed

"do I need to spell it out for you? Where is LIZZIE" Riley said with such hatred that it put her father to shame

Daryl looked to Sasha for some help "we saw a litter of rat carcasses by the fence and the build up of Walkers is getting worse…Riley I guess thinks it's this Lizzie girl who did it"

"she's just a kid Riles" Daryl spoke turning his attention back to his sister. Riley shook her head

She made for the cell block door, but Daryl stood in her way "she's just a kid" he repeated

Riley looked up at him and pushed him out of her way, unprepared for that Daryl stumbled back

"Carl and Judith are just kids…she is…she is a killer" and she was out of the cell in a flash

Daryl ran after her "RILEY DIXON" he screamed, Riley turned but continued to walk

"NO Daryl, I'm not letting another Shane happen to this group" and she turned and walked away

Sasha walked by Daryl "I'm on it Daryl…I won't let her kill anybody" the woman spoke with a grin

Daryl nodded his thanks, he would have gone himself but this job needed to be done and when Riley had something set in her mind, there was no way for Daryl to talk her out of it. 'if only Merle was still here' he thought. Merle was always able to some how defuse the tension and make Riley see logic

Sasha followed Riley back outside. She was headed towards what looked like Carol talking to Mika and Lizzie over by one of the side fences.

Riley stopped though when she saw Maggie alone at the fence trying to dispose of the large herd of Walkers that were starting to pile up. Riley looked back at the three talking about something before looking back over at Maggie she huffed out "damn it" before choosing to help Maggie; Lizzie could wait, the Walkers not so much

Riley walked over to the fence and picked up a fence tool, Sasha breathing a sigh of relief that she didn't have to stop Riley from killing someone, she truly doubted she would be able to stop that woman when it came to anything. Riley Dixon was tough, she may look small and tiny but heaven forbid you cross her

Sasha quickly joined the two girls, taking out Walker after Walker.

Half an hour went by and while the girls had taken out more than their fair share of Walkers they were hardly making a dent in the pile up

"we need more help" Riley hissed out as she pushed the poker through the eyeball of a female Walker.

Riley looked up and saw a flash of somebody she took a step back and saw Rick

"DAD" she yelled. Rick looked up and saw Riley waving her arms

"we could use some more help"

Rick turned and shouted something to somebody that Riley couldn't see, a moment later though Daryl and Glenn appeared and the three man made their way down to the fence line

The six group members worked for another hour until Riley pulled away "fuck this" she mumbled and looked around. For every Walker they put down three move filled their place

Riley looked over at the pig pen, she then looked over to her dad. She knew that this was going to be a hard pill to shallow for him the farm had become his life

"dad" Riley softly spoke to the man beside her

He looked up and then followed her eye line, he noticed she was looking at the pig pen, he then looked back at her and she nodded gesturing her head from the pig pen to the fence.

Rick lowered his eyes and then threw his fire poker to the side

"Riley's right this isn't working…Daryl get the trailer Riles gave me an idea"

Riley watched as Daryl ran off to grab the trailer and then turned her attention back to the man beside her

"it's the best solution" Riley mumbled to him

Rick looked over and nodded pulling her into a side hug "I know" Rick says before running off towards the pig pen and meeting Daryl.

The group watches as Rick collected all the pigs and loaded them into the trailer, he then instructed Daryl on what to do and the men set off. Riley watched as Rick slaughtered his pigs leaving them to the Walkers, it helped to lessen the pile up at the fence but for how long was the one thought going through Riley's mind, how long until the pile up got so big that the fence couldn't with stand the weight anymore. Maggie and Riley came up with the idea to place tree trunks along some of the weaker points to help stabilize it. 'hopefully this will hold for a more than a day' Riley thought

The night wore on and Riley chose to take watch, it was better than having to move to a different part of the cell block, she couldn't stand being away from Judith, it literally made her heart hurt. At least this way she could somehow trick her mind into believing it was just a normal night.

The following day came and Riley wasn't feeling all that great, she refused to think that it had anything to do with the "sickness" instead she told herself it was because she hadn't sleep in two days and spent the pervious day slaying hundreds of Walkers down by the fences. She kept her cool and didn't let anybody know she was under the weather.

Riley headed down through the field and headed towards the fence, if she went into the cell block and laid down Daryl would be all over her, she couldn't and wouldn't allow that. As she got closer to the fence she saw Maggie, and Glenn along with Sasha a huge gap separated the former from the latters. Riley pulled her bandana over her mouth and went over, picking up a poker and joining the fight.

Riley had only got through twenty or so Walkers before she was over taken by dizziness, once again to not draw attention to it, she merely stepped back and looked at the poker for a moment before walking back towards the fence and lining up her shot. From the corner of her eye she saw Glenn step away from the fence as well and rest his hands on his knees. He looked up locking eyes with the Dixon. She gave him a nod and then focused back on the task.

A few minutes later and only a handful of Walkers down, Riley was overcome by a fit of coughing. She back away from the fence and looked over at Glenn, together they shared a look... the two of them had it.

Riley looked over at Maggie who also froze in her movements, she looked between Glenn and Riley and tears filled her eyes, she went to move forward when Glenn shouted "no" in the process he too was overcome with a coughing fit.

Riley removed her bandana "you can't let Carl know, or dad and especially Daryl" Riley pleaded with tears shining in her eyes

Maggie brought a hand to her mouth tears starting fall "I can't they deserve to know"

"they need to be focused…please Maggie…please" Riley whispered

Maggie looked at the girl and then to Glenn she couldn't believe this was happening two of the most important people in her life had the sickness and all results ended in death

"what do I tell them then when they ask about you….and you know they will"

Riley looked at Glenn they both knew what was happening, Glenn shook his head

Riley looked down when she raised her head she was biting her lip "you tell them I went hunting…when that doesn't work anymore…you tell them…you tell them I went after the Governor" Riley then doubled over and starting coughing again.

When she felt a hand on her back she looked up and saw Glenn looking down at her.

"you promise Maggie"

The green-eyed girl stared at her blue-eyed counterpart she didn't know what she would do if anything happened to these two people. Slowly Maggie nodded her head

"I'll do it for as long as I can" the girl spoke her voice weaving

Riley started to walk pass Glenn and saw his eyes getting shining

"shit man, we ain't dead yet…God have a little faith…Jesus" Riley mumbled as she passed

Glenn looked down and chuckled leave it to a Dixon to add some sort of sarcasm even to a dreadful situation. Glenn looked over at Maggie

"love you" he softly spoke to her

"you too" was her softer reply

Riley and Glenn slowly walked to cell Block A otherwise known as Death Row, kind of ironic Riley thought, this is where all the sick and infected where being quarantined. They were luckily enough to get there without being seen

Glenn looked over at Riley as the two slumped onto a bunk together "you know Daryl will find out sooner or later"

Riley nodded her head "I know…hopefully by then though everything that is needed to be done is done" Riley paused and placed a hand to her head "he needs to be focused"

As the evening wore on Rick and Daryl finished up in block D and headed out to the courtyard, there they saw Maggie and Sasha heading up the hill, Maggie staying a few feet away from Sasha

"where Riles at" Daryl yelled "thought she would be down there"

Sasha looked to Maggie seeing that they farmers daughter looked like a deer in headlights

"she said something about hunting… not really sure" Sasha spoke out. Maggie looked over at the woman then back to Daryl and Rick

"hunting" Daryl question "she never goes hunting at night" Daryl looked at Rick

"something ain't right…you don't think she's seeing things again" Daryl asked getting worried

Rick looked at the two women in front of him and knew they were hiding something "where's my kid at" Rick asked moving forward a couple of steps

"Rick…Rick you have to understand…" Maggie started getting nervous backing up a few paces

Sasha stepped in between the farmer and the girl

"where is my daughter" Rick hissed out through clenched teeth

Sasha looked back at Maggie before speaking "the Governor…she didn't want you to know, said she would be back by midnight"

Daryl ran a hand through his hair biting at his thumb nail. Something didn't add up, but for now he would play along.

"if she's not back by midnight….we hear the truth" was all the hunter said before heading towards the guard tower

Rick watched as Daryl walked away, he then turned back to the girls

"anything I should know" he spoke out "that's my kid" he lowly spoke

Maggie and Sasha looked at each other. Turning back to look at Rick Maggie's heart hurt, she had never heard Rick call Riley his kid, sure everyone knew... it was just there, the two loved each other, Rick was protective overly so and she called him dad, it may not be biological but to the two of them... they were family. Maggie stared at Rick for a moment, her green eyes filling with tears was all the answer Rick needed

Riley looked over at Glenn who was leaning against the wall

"this sucks" she heard him mumbled

Riley nodded her head "I don't feel anything…am I suppose to feel something"

"don't know I'm a little achy but nothing much"

Riley nodded her head, she looked out of the cell and saw others starting to file into the room, she looked out a little further and saw some people in cells, coughing and gasping for air. She leaned back and placed her head against the cool brick

"Riley…" a girl about fifteen spoke from the archway

Riley's head snapped up and she looked over

"there's someone at the window to see you" and the girl was gone

Riley looked to Glenn and then back to the spot the girl just stood. She brought a head to her face and rubbed her eyes, she then fixed her ponytail and stood. With a shaky breath she entered what was once the room where inmates would be put to death, it was separated by a glass window 'the viewing room'.

Riley walked in and came into view of someone's back, she knew right away it was Rick. She walked a little closer

"dad" she murmured

Rick slowly turned around and his world collapsed. Riley stood looking paler then usual her blue eyes overtaking most of her small face, they were tired looking and held unshed tears

Rick walked forward "Riley" he spoke voice breaking

"you can't let Daryl know"

Rick looked away for a moment he couldn't believe this was happening, how was he going to tell Daryl and Carl…Carl this would kill him.

Riley looked through the glass "I'll be okay dad" she said trying to give him a grin

"Rye…" Rick began bringing his hand to his head and rubbing it over his face. "Riley how…you…what do I tell Carl"

Riley lowered her head she had forgotten about the boy.

"tell him…tell him only a Dixon can kill a Dixon and we always keep our promises" Riley finally come up with.

She looked up into her dad's eyes and saw that his eye too held unshed tears

"I'll be okay dad" she spoke softly voice breaking

Rick walked up to the glass "you promise me Riley….you promise you ain't leaving me…us yet"

Riley let one tear fall "I promise dad…like I said got to teach little one how to be a badass" she said earning a small smile from the man.

Rick nodded his head "…good…I love you kiddo"

"love you too"

Daryl was pacing back and forth in the guard tower something wasn't right; Riley wouldn't go looking for the Governor, especially now after everything that has happened, plus Michonne was here, she wouldn't go at it alone.

Daryl stopped his pacing when someone entered the tower. He turned and came face to face with Rick and Maggie "it's midnight" was all the leader said but something in his eyes made Daryl believe he already knew the truth

Daryl looked over at Maggie and saw the fear and tears and in her eyes

"where's my sister" Daryl spoke his voice trembling

Rick looked at Maggie and pushed her forward

"her and Glenn…they…it started…their sick" were the rambled words Maggie spoke.

Daryl looked at Rick and saw the sadness in his blue orbs

"Riles" Daryl whispered, Rick moved forward and embraced Daryl in a hug

"she's going to be fine Daryl…you know Riley most stubborn person we know, puts you to shame" he spoke pulling away.

Daryl nodded his head "I gotta see her"

Rick held up his hand "we have to be logical about this Daryl…she doesn't want you to know; you're going to finish this watch and then we'll figure things out in the morning; chances are she's probably sleeping anyway"

Daryl looked over at Rick and nodded he was right, it was well past midnight now and Riley was most likely sleeping, Daryl just wanted to see her and make sure she was okay. She was his baby sister after all.

Riley lay asleep on one of the lower bunks, Glenn passed out on the other

Riley's eyes snap open and she gasped for air. She searches the room her eyes landing on Glenn, she swings her feet over the side of the bunk "only a dream" she mutters

"that's what you think Rye bread"

Riley's head snaps up "hey baby sister" Merle drawls out

"Merle" Riley replies

Merle holds out his one good hand, Riley stands and grabs it, Merle then leads her from the cell, and up the stairs, all is quiet, only the sounds of people coughing fill the void

Merle stops in front of one cell and points inside, Riley walks around Merle and her eyes land on Lizzie. She looks up at Merle and he smirks, she looks back at the sleeping girl and smirks too.

Glenn wakes up and it must be sometime close to noon as the light pouring into the cell says that's it way pass morning. He looks to the bunk next to him and see's it's empty. He rolls out of the bunk feeling a little light-headed but he refuses to let this sickness over take him.

He walks out of the cell and looks around for the Dixon, he can't find her on the lower level and as he slowly makes his way towards the stairs the same girl from yesterday comes over

"have you seen Riley there's someone at the window for her"

Glenn shakes his head "Riley" he calls he wait's a minute and nothing. Someone from one of the cells walks out "she ain't up here I checked all the cells this morning"

Glenn shakes his head fear filling his body, he slowly turns and walks towards the viewing room

Once inside he see's Daryl on the other side. When Daryl sees the Asian man his heart drops

"where is she Glenn" Daryl whispers out

Glenn shakes his head "I don't know…she ain't dead but she's not in here anymore"

Daryl looks at Glenn "how the hell did she get out"

Glenn looks around and the grabs hold of a chair that sits in the room as a wave of dizziness over takes him again

"shit" Glenn hears Daryl mutter "I'm heading over to the veterinary hospital Herschel knows about, going to bring back some medicine…if Riley shows up….don't let her die"

Glenn nods his head

"and you don't die either" and with one last look Daryl walks from the room

Riley sat on the rooftop of cell block D her feet swinging off the side. Se looked to her left and there sat Merle, next to him was Andrea, next to her Amy, to her left sat Lori, next to her Sophia and finally Dale. Riley looked at all those around her and then back out staring at the blue sky

"am I gonna die"

Lori looked over wrapping an arm around the girl, kissing the side of her head

"not yet sweetie"

Riley lowered her head then looking at those to her right and those to her left she softly spoke letting her words drift across with the wind

"why are you all here then"

Rick was pacing up and down the courtyard. Before Tyreese left on the run, he showed Daryl and himself the charred remains of Karen and David. Somebody had killed them and burned them. All Tyreese saw was red. It ended in a fight. Rick beating Tyreese until Daryl was able to pull him off.

Rick had his thoughts, he prayed he was wrong, but when Carol walked by he had to ask

"Carol…" the woman stopped looking at Rick "did you kill Karen and David"

Without hesitation the woman answered "yes" and then continued to walk

Riley made her way down from the rooftop just as Daryl closed the trunk of the car. He looked over to Michonne who was staring internally at something in front of her. Daryl turned his attention to what had the woman so focused and his heart dropped.

Riley walked forward, turning slightly she saw Merle, Lori and Sophia followed by all the rest

"Daryl" she called out

Daryl was in front of his sister in two strides. He pulled her into a hug, he kissed the top of her head, he was already exposed what did it matter. Riley then pulled away and whispered something so quietly that Michonne who was standing only a few feet away couldn't hear. Daryl looked at his sister tears forming. He quickly shook his head, but Riley had already pulled away and was heading back towards block A.

Daryl turned "let's go" he said jogging to the car

Rick had to make a decision, something he gave up doing long ago. He found Carol and asked her to come on a run with him. Carol questioned why he wouldn't just take Maggie as the girl had done countless runs before

"I need her here" was the only thing Rick said before walking towards the car.

Carol watched as the former leader opened the door. She lowered the buckets she was holding and walked over as well. Looking Rick in the eye before climbing in and closing the door. Rick looked back over at the prison, thinking about his children one of whom was sick. He knew Daryl would do anything and everything in his power to bring back those meds and when he did and Riley was safe and healthy again he couldn't allow a killer to walk among them not with Riley, Carl or Judith here. He wouldn't allow it.

Riley got back to cell block A to see Herschel walking around. As she entered he looked at her

The Dixon gave the older man a smirk "thought some fresh air would help"

The doctor looked at the girl and noticed that she held the door open longer then needed. She simply nodded at the girl and beckoned her forward. He watched as Riley looked back for a moment and then joined the old man.

Riley was thrown right into it when she returned, she walked into a cell to see Sasha has now become ill and her and Glenn were working on helping a man to breath. Riley looked between her two friends and down at the man. Herschel watched the girl for a moment

"want to join me on my checks" Riley looked up and nodded at the man, with one last look at Glenn and Sasha and the man on the ground Riley walked out.

The first cell held Mr. Jacobson Riley went over and looked at the man, he had blood trickling out of his eyes. Riley looked up at Herschel. The man left the cell and a moment later returned with a gurney. Together they lifted him onto it. They then slowly pushed him towards the door.

"what are you doing" came the quiet voice of Lizzie

The older man looked up and then back at Riley

"bringing him to a quieter place" Riley spoke walking forward

She kneeled in front of the little girl "go into the cell I share with Glenn, my backpack has a book in it I want you to read it"

Lizzie looked at the girl blue eyes to blue eyes

"I won't finish it"

Riley looked up "and why not"

"it will get too dark" Riley smiled at the girl

"read till you can't" Lizzie smiled and threw her arms around the girl. Riley froze for a moment before wrapping them around her as well.

Riley stood and gave the girl a gentle push towards the cells. Herschel watched a small smile gracing his lips

Riley turned and they continued to push the old dead man out of the cell block

Riley looked down at the body then to Herschel "you haven't had to do this yet have you" she watched as he shook his head

All of a sudden Mr. Jacobson started to move. Riley threw her arm over his neck and stabbed the man in the head.

She then looked up at Herschel

"you can't get around it forever"

Next Chapter: I'm thinking I will most likely write the next one from Rick's POV and Daryl POV. I will jump from Rick's run with Carol, to Daryl's run to get the medicine. Showing both their thoughts on what is happening on their runs, and their thoughts about what is happening at the prison. Riley will be mentioned and there may be a few scenes back at the prison. I just don't want to rush things too much, so I thought I would break it up this way. I might even through a Carl and Maggie POV maybe Herschel. We might even find out what changed between Lizzie and Riley. What did Riley whisper to Daryl who knows…do you want to? This could all change as well, you'll just have to wait and see. As always review! Pretty Please! I want to hear your thoughts it helps when making choices! I will say I'm watching Too Far Gone right now and I really really want to get to this part! I have so many ideas!