A/N: So I hope this one is good, it was weird not having Riley be the main character to write for, but hopefully I did okay because later on I think I'm going to do different POV's of different characters. Anyway I hope you like it, and as always let me know what you think. I love to hear your thoughts. I never really thought this story would get the following and love it has and it's really awesome and makes me so happy because it started as just a little idea. It means a lot so thank you! As always please review!

Chapter 20: Left Behind

Daryl had one thought on his mind; his sister. He needed to get to that school find what Herschel needed and get out. Of course though just like anything in life that has a deadline, everything that can go wrong will go wrong. This time was no different. They got overrun by Walkers and had to go by foot for a bit. They were able to find a garage though and Daryl got to work on hotwiring a car

Daryl looked up and glanced at Bob who was leaning against the building

"you never told us about the last group you were with"

Bob pulled the cigarette from his mouth "which one"

Daryl looked down biting at his lip

"I almost kept walking when you found me on the road"

"why" Daryl looked over at the man before pouring some water into one of the hoses

"it was always some sort of sick joke ya know, like I was meant to see it over and over…I was always the last man standing, I didn't want to do it anymore…use to be I would drink a bottle of whatever just to sleep at night, being in the quiet….that run at the Big Spot was for me…I picked up that bottle held it my hands, and then placed it back on the shelve, put it down so hard, brought the whole shelve with it, that's what cause the crash that's what brought along the Walkers that's what killed Zach" Bob ended puffing some smoke out of his mouth

Daryl looked over refusing to let this man take the blame and harbor it, he has seen what that can do to someone and it never ends well

"Sasha and I picked that spot, don't take it all on, how were we to know…now go check it out" he spoke gesturing to the car "connect the green to the red; ain't rocket science…give it a little gas"

Bob opened the door and did as was instructed when the car started Daryl turned and whistled getting Tyresse's and Michonne's attention 'finally we can get this show on the road' Daryl thought

It didn't take long after that to reach the Veterinary school. They located the supply room and set to work collecting all that was on Herschel's list plus some extra.

As Daryl and Ty returned from sweeping another room he glanced over and saw Bob shoving some medicine into Michonne's bag "you got everything" Bob spoke seeing the two men had returned

"clamps, tubes, IV bags….everything that was on the list" Ty answered

Daryl glanced around "you guys good in here"

Bob looked to Michonne who was doing one last look through "yeah think we got it all"

"ok then let's getting going"

With that Daryl lead the way out of the room swinging his backpack onto his shoulders as he went. They had barely made it halfway down the hallway before the sounds of Walkers filled their ears. Quickly Daryl turned the group around and pushed them into another room. Bob was the last one to enter pushing the door closed behind him "hey…hey the doors stuck it won't close all the way"

"damn it" Daryl mumbled as he moved towards the door at the end of the room. When he looked into it Walker hands pushed through the opening created by the chains

"how many ya think" he questioned Michonne

Michonne placed a hand on her sword "hard to tell"

Ty made a grunting noise "let's figure it out guys" he spoke as he finished hammering in a Walker skull that had pushed it's way through the broken door

"do it" Bob yelled. Daryl quickly broke through the chain allowing Michonne to behead two off the Walkers that came tumbling out. The team quickly made their way up a flight of stairs and were able to get to a window that lead to another rooftop. Daryl pushed the window open and help Michonne get up and out, next was Ty followed by Daryl last was Bob.

As Bob jumped he stumbled and fell forward, his backpack swung over the edge and was grabbed at by the Walkers below. Quickly Ty was on him trying to pull him up "let the bag go man" Ty said holding onto Bob's legs. Michonne and Daryl also tried to help pull him up "just let it go" Michonne hissed out

With on last pull Bob was able to pull his bag up and free it from the hold of the Walkers, as he did it flung sideways and opened making a bottle of wine roll out. Daryl looked over at Bob then to the bottle. He walked over and slowly picked it, rolling it over and over in his hands. He then turned to Bob, holding the bottle over the edge above the heads of the Walkers

"don't" Bob pleaded "please…just for when it get's quiet"

Daryl walked towards Bob getting right in his face

"this…this is what you looked for…no medicine in your bag for our people…my people. That's our family back there…our sisters" he spoke gesturing to Ty "your right" Daryl hissed through clenched teeth shoving the bottle into Bob's chest "you should have kept walking"

Rick and Carol had reached the complex they were going to search. Stepping out of the car Rick looked to the woman "we go house to house" Carol nodded her head.

The two of them were about four houses down when Carol finally broke the tension "you aren't going to ask me about it" she spoke taking a quick glance over to Rick who was clearing out the bathroom, while she looked through the dresser drawers in the adjoining bedroom

Rick looked into the mirror, seeing Carol staring back. He looked down and walked out of the bathroom shutting off the light "what is there to ask…why did you do it…why did you feel you had to do it"

"I did it because it needed to be done…I wanted to prevent it from spreading" Rick looked at the woman. The woman who was once so broken and meek. The woman he thought would never kill another human being

"I killed them before they could kill others" Rick narrowed his eyes at that statement

"you couldn't know for sure…plus others got sick as well…if…if Glenn and Riley were the first ones would you have killed them too"

Carol looked back at the man "Riley…Riley is sick….does Daryl know"

Rick lowered his head tears starting to form; he hating thinking about Riley being sick and the possibility that…that…

"yeah…he knows…he's making a run to a school Herschel knows about…" Rick stopped not wanting to talk about it anymore

Rick stared back as Carol stood making her way towards the door

"you never answered my question.."

Carol stopped

"would you have killed Riley and Glenn if they were the first"

Carol looked at the man as he rose to his feet as well

"I would have done what needed to be done" and with that she walked down the stairs

It was getting late and Rick made the call that they had gathered enough, for Rick this run was more then just supplies sure he had gathered enough of those, but he gathered something much more important… information

As the two reached the car, Rick opened the trunk loading in the supplies. When he took a backpack out and dropped it by Carol's feet the woman looked up

"I can't take you back…I won't take you back"

Daryl sat in the passenger seat while Bob leaned against a wall and Ty and Michonne looked over a map that was spread onto the hood. He listened to the words the two spoke but his mind was a million miles away. He rolls a piece of jasmine in his fingers, he told a boy back at the prison he would keep an eye out for it.

All thoughts went to Riley though. He prayed to God she wasn't dead. She looked so pale, so small when he had seen her last. He knew Herschel was there and wouldn't let anything happen but the man could only do so much. He needed the medicine. He glanced sideways and saw Bob advert his eyes… it made his blood boil. This man was only focused on getting a fix; it reminded him to much of his old man… his sister could very well be dead could have become…he needed to get back.

A moment later Ty walked by "taking highway hundred"

"I heard" Daryl spoke as Michonne got into the drivers seat closing the door, she looked over at Daryl before bringing her eyes to the windshield "your right…about the trail running cold…I don't have to go out no more"

"good" Daryl stated before slamming his door closed

Carol looked at Rick with a mixture of fear and sadness

"you'll be okay on your own; you're not the same scared woman you were before, you're a survivor"

Carol wipes her face removing any traces of tears "maybe" she replies

Rick looks at her taking a step forward

"I can't have you there…with my children; Riley, Carl, Judith….I won't allow it"

"come off it Rick; Riley ain't your child so stop pretending she is"

Rick was in Carol's face before she knew what happened "what you say to me"

Carol took a step back "I just meant…"

"I know what you meant" Rick cut her off anger lacing each word "that girl…is my child…and I won't have you there with her; with any of them"

Rick then walked over to the car, got in and drove off, looking in the rearview mirror as Carol stood on the curb watching him go

Rick arrived back at the prison Maggie opening the gate for him. Once inside he stopped the car and stepped out.

"Carl, Judith?"

Maggie quickly looked into the windows of the car before replying

"fine…where's Carol"

Rick walked forward a step "Riley she still…"

Maggie nodded "daddy say's she's doing okay"

Rick looked Maggie in the eye "Rick where's Carol…"

"I had to leave her behind…she confessed to killing Karen and David" Rick decided it was best to leave out the part about how she would have killed Glenn and Riley if they came down with the sickness first. Both people being important to Maggie as well. "I thought with Tyresse coming back it would be best for everybody involved."

Maggie looked over at the man "she said she killed them"

Rick nodded his head "…would you have left her behind"

Maggie answered without hesitation "yes, if she said she killed them then yes"

Rick nodded; he knew he could always count on Maggie. He picked up two bags and started to make his way towards the prison

"RICK" she called "the pile up is getting bigger the fences can't take much more, we got to do something"

"we will" Rick called making his way towards the cell block

Daryl stared out the window as Michonne drove. He thought about a lot of things; how much life has changed, the things people needed to do now, the things he had to do now, the things Riley had to do and did…all thoughts somehow led back to Riley, he couldn't help it, she was all he had left. He made a vow that when he got back, he would spend more time with her, help and support her, make sure she was truly okay. He had been a lousy big brother. Riley would never say it, hell she probably never thought it. Daryl knew that Riley believed in him, trusted him, loved him and would do anything for him. It was time he repaid the loyalty. Daryl replayed the words Riley whispered to him before he left and knew that no matter what he would do whatever he needed to in order to protect his baby sister

'I know you'll save me Daryl…you always have and you always will'

"Carl….Carl" Rick hissed out down the hallway. A second later Carl appeared

"how is everything…you didn't have to"

Carl looked at his dad and sighed "I didn't have to use my gun dad"

"how's Judith" Rick asked next wanting to get off the subject of guns and Carl using them

"fine…she's with Beth"

"good, I brought back some food" Rick spoke throwing a bag over to his son "there's some fruit lather in there…just make sure everyone brushes their teeth after"

Carl picked up the bag "when can I come out and help"

Rick held up a hand "no yet Carl it isn't safe"

Carl raised his voice a little "I've been exposed already dad…I was with you, and Herschel…and Riley" Carl spoke his voice returning to normal

Rick locked eyes on his son. Carl had not taken the news of Riley being sick all that well. Rick had made Daryl tell him thinking it would somehow be better if he heard it from her brother.

'Daryl and Rick walked into the cell block it was early morning and not many people were up yet. Daryl and Rick stood at the door waiting for Carl to emerge from the cell. Once he did his eyes landed on the two men "dad, Daryl have you seen Riles, I know she was exposed but usually she'll come to the common area to at least peek in on Judith...it's been two days" Rick looked at Daryl and nodded "Carl" Daryl began and that was all it took for Carl to put the pieces together "no…no dad…Riley…dad she can't" Carl spoke voice cracking every time he said her name. Rick looked at his son and repeated the words Riley spoke to him "Carl…she said...she wanted you to know 'only a Dixon can kill a Dixon and they always keep their promises' Carl looked up and over at Daryl. Daryl looked at the boy and nodded his head agreeing with the words spoken. Carl nodded his head and looked down for a moment, he raised his head as Beth walked by with Judith…"she better not die" was all he said before heading towards the isolation block

"how is she…did Herschel say anything" Carl questioned

Rick looked at his son "he says she's doing okay…told you she's a Dixon nothing can kill them"

Carl nodded and gripped the bag

"I have to go now…keep an eye on things here"

Carl watched as his father walked away. He looked down at the bag and then back at the spot his father just stood. What would Riley tell him if she was here 'we all have things to do Carl, no job is unimportant, this is your job now…do it and do it well' Carl smiled and looked into the bag, grabbing a handful of the food his dad had brought back, he then went from room to room delivering to the people.

When Carl got to Beth's room, he knocked on the door. "come in" he heard called out

Carl opened the door and saw Beth sitting on a rocking chair, holding Judith in her arms. Beth looked up from the baby and into Carl's eyes "I think she misses Riley…I thought maybe since the blonde hair and all she wouldn't be able to tell the difference but she can, she wants her" Beth laughed out.

"yeah well once Riley is better we can all expect to never see Judith again, she'll probably never let go of her. Judith will be five and Riley will still be holding her" Carl laughed out Beth joining him. Carl then stopped and looked at Judith tears starting to form in his blue eyes; Beth sensing the change in the room spoke out

"she'll pull through she's a Dixon….they were made for this world; plus she's still not done teaching me how to use that crossbow"

Carl smiled at that "you know she said I was better then you…at hunting"

Beth simply laughed at Carl's statement; he needed this, he needed to keep his mind on happier times and thinking positive.

The sun was starting to set and the prison was within their grasps. "go a little quicker" Daryl mumbled to Michonne the woman didn't respond but the car sped up. Daryl looked out the window 'hold on Rye bread….we're almost there'

Things in block A were not looking any better. Herschel was doing all he could but people were going down a lot faster then he hoped for. When he checked on Dr. S; the man was close to the end himself. He warned Herschel to make sure all cell doors were closed.

As Herschel was completing his rounds Riley approached him "anything I can help with"

Herschel looked at the woman "not right now dear you should be resting" Riley looked around

"I saw them again Herschel" Riley looked up into the old man's wise blue eyes "not just Merle and Lori, this time it was all of them"

Herschel pulled the young girl into a hug "it was probably just the fever talking sweetie, let's not add that stress onto everything you're already dealing with"

Herschel felt Riley sigh and shake her head

He smoothed her hair "it's okay honey….it's going to be okay. Daryl will be back soon, we'll get some medicine in all of you and then we'll deal with this" Herschel pulled away "you're a strong girl Riley Dixon; strong, capable, loyal a fighter. You are going to be just fine. I promise you that"

Riley pulled away "thank you Herschel" Riley spoke, she then stopped and looked at the man "you're not made for this world…you're to sweet, to kind…you always see the good in people"

"sometimes it's the only thing that keeps you breathing"

Riley looked at the man "or it could be the only thing that kills you" before Herschel could reply Mr. Adams dropped down onto his knees, chocking on his own blood. Seeing there was nothing that could be done Riley ran into the viewing room and grabbed the gurney rolling it back towards Herschel, together they lifted the man onto it, Riley then leaned against the wall, bringing her hands to eyes

"I got it from here" Herschel spoke "can you make it to your cell"

Riley nodded her head and Herschel started to push the gurney away "Herschel" Riley's weak voice called out

"don't change…even if it could kill you; this world it needs people like you…to balance out the rest of us"

Herschel smiled at the Dixon and beckoned her to her cell. Herschel continued to push Mr. Adams towards the viewing room. Once inside Herschel pulled out his knife and raised it above the mans head. He hesitated though and stopped; pulling the sheet up and over the mans head. He then raised the knife again and with a trembling hand brought it down. Herschel stared at the blood stain that started to form in the stark white sheet

"Herschel"

The man turned and came face to face with Rick. Herschel looked back at the body "I don't want them to see this; this part it's…it's something they don't have to witness"

Rick nodded his head "how's Riley"

Herschel smiled at the farmer "you care deeply for that girl"

"she's my daughter Herschel" Rick knew that Herschel was well aware that Riley was his kid blood or not

Herschel held up his hands "I know I know…it's cute is all; and she's fine, she's resting now."

Rick smiled at the man "Daryl should be back any time now"

Herschel nodded his head. He waited for a moment knowing there was more Rick wanted then to just check on Riley

"I need to talk to you about Carol"

Herschel left the viewing room after hearing what Rick had to say…all of it. Herschel had told Rick he had done the right thing…that she couldn't be around if this is what she had become. It wasn't safe to always be walking around in fear; they did enough of that on a daily basis.

As Herschel left the room, he began walking from cell to cell closing each door. It wasn't until he saw the boots of Sasha laying on the ground did he stop all tasks and move to the woman.

Riley made a short stop in her cell, but sitting around was never her strong suit even when sick, as she stood to leave her cell and see if anybody needed anything she grabbed her crossbow and swung it over her shoulder; something told her to bring it along

'always have this with you Rye' Daryl spoke placing Riley's crossbow back into her hands. She had placed it down her a moment to show Carl how to go about changing Judith 'come on Daryl it was for one minute' Riley sighed. Daryl looked back at his sister as he made his way out of the cell block 'one minute is all it can take'

As she walked up the stairs she saw Glenn still working on pumping air into the lungs of the man that he and Herschel helped to save earlier. He glanced up at Riley and gave a weak smile.

"need a break Glenn"

The Asian shook his head "go and check on the others, make sure the cell doors are closed"

Riley nodded her head and with one final look made her way down the catwalk peeking into each cell; closing any door that was left open. As she reached the end of the block, she turned around and saw that something terrible had happened. Glenn had taken a turn for the worst in the mere minutes she was gone. He was on the floor gasping for breath chocking on his own blood and the man he was trying to save at turned.

Riley watched in horror as Lizzie lured the Walker away from Glenn.

"LIZZIE" Riley yelled

The girl looked back and smiled "it's okay Riley look he's listening to me"

Riley looked down and noticed that Herschel had a Walker down below as well. The old man was busy trying to save Sasha and didn't notice. Riley looked from the Walker closing in on Lizzie to the one nearing Herschel. She wouldn't have time to reload her crossbow so she pulled her gun out from the back of her jeans lined up the shot and fired. An alarmed Herschel glanced up and saw the Walker on the floor a bullet hole through the forehead, he looked above him and saw Riley looking down at him, she couldn't waste time filling Herschel in as she looked back to the Walker nearing the little girl.

Rick had moved outside now, and was helping Maggie place tree stumps along the weaker points on the fence. They were halfway down the line when a gunshot was heard coming from the cell block both members stopped and looked towards the sound; both had family inside. Rick looked into the eyes of Maggie and saw the fear and panic

"go…I got this"

Maggie looked to Rick "no, it's fine let's keep going"

"someone has to go and check….now GO"

Maggie dropped the log she was holding and ran towards the block. Rick looked towards the fences and saw some of the tree trunks starting to buckle underneath the weight.

"shit" he mumbled out before turning and running towards the prison.

"Carl….Carl" Rick hissed out in the dark quiet hallway. Carl appeared hand on his gun

Rick looked at his son "I need your help with something"

Working together father and son were able to stabilize the fence with the logs. They were nearly done and took a moment to look at what they had accomplished. It looked like this might work, until Rick watched as one log started to snap, then another and slowly another. Rick pulled Carl out of the way as the fence began to come forward, Walkers piling on top of it lowering it even more to the ground.

"run Carl… RUN"

Riley watched as Lizzie talked to the Walker like she was training a new puppy, saying things like "good boy" and "you're almost there". Riley had thought she made the girl understand, she thought that maybe she had broken though the girls twisted thoughts on what these things were.

'Merle led Riley to Lizzie's cell. The girl was awake and looked up at the sudden shadow that was caste along her wall. "Riley…" Lizzie began. Riley held up her hand and walked into the cell, glancing behind her to see Merle leaning against the archway. "I didn't came her for that Lizzie" The girl looked at the Dixon with fear filled eyes "I wanted to talk to you about the Walkers…I know you think their just different, just different versions of who they once were" Riley stopped and looked up at Merle, who gave a sad smile to his little sister "believe me I wish you were right" Lizzie looked at the older girl and saw the tears in her eyes "….Merle…he was different he became a different version of himself, one that wanted to kill me…eat me; the real Merle the one that was alive, and had feelings and had a heart would never do something like that" Riley looked at the girl "do you understand what I'm saying…they, they can't be changed they can't be your friends, they can't be who they once were, they can't be" Lizzie looked at her hands before turning to the girl "I understand" Riley looked at Lizzie long and hard. "You have to be strong Lizzie, if not this world will kill you faster then any Walker could" Lizzie nodded her head "I understand"

At this point Herschel had Sasha in a good condition and moved upstairs to help work on Glenn, when he saw the state Glenn was in he knew he needed to intubated him; only problem the Walker that was now walking after Lizzie had the only one left still attached to his mouth

"RILEY" Herschel yelled as he turned Glenn over in hopes of opening up the airway a bit "I need that intubate bag…NOW"

Riley looked from the cell with Hershel working on Glenn to the Walker chasing Lizzie, without thinking she swung her crossbow in front of her aiming at the Walker, and with one shaky breath pulled the trigger. The Walker went down and Lizzie stopped shouting "NO" before turning around seeing Riley lower her bow

Herschel was on his feet and grabbed the airbag out of the now dead man's mouth before quickly turning around and running back over to Glenn. All movements stopped as everyone heard glass shatter. Moments later Maggie appeared from the viewing room cell. She looked up and saw Glenn laying on the floor with her father working closely over him. She flew up the stairs and was kneeling beside her husband looking to her dad to tell her he was going to be okay.

Herschel had the intubated bag in and was slowly pumping air back into Glenn's body. Maggie looked from her father back to Glenn tears rolling down her face. "he'll be okay" Herschel whispered brushing back a piece of Maggie's hair. The girl smiled at her father, before either could figure out what to do next they stopped when the sound of one gunshot rang out in the otherwise quiet block

Rick and Carl were out in the courtyard, stepping over and killing any Walkers that weren't dead yet. The fences had caved in allowing hundreds of Walkers to litter the ground of the cell block. Rick and Carl put down everyone of them. Rick knew he couldn't stop Carl from what had become his biggest fear. Carl needed to do what he needed to do in order to survive in this world. As they walked among the mass of scattered Walkers Rick looked over at his son and saw how grown up he was, and knew that he needed to come to terms with the man he was becoming.

Both stopped working when headlights were seen coming up the gravel road. Rick and Carl ran down and opened the gates allowing the van access to the inside. Before the vehicle was stopped Tyresse was opening his door and asking about Sasha

"I'm not sure. I'm sorry" was the only thing Rick could tell him, the man nodded and took off, followed closely by Bob, the one person other then Herschel who would know how to supply the medicine

Daryl stepped out next followed by Michonne. Daryl looked from Rick and Carl to the Walkers that lined the courtyard. Michonne looked at all three man knowing they were all thinking the same thing "go…go see her, I'll finish up here" she smirked

The three man looked at her and smiled. With that they all ran to cell block A. Michonne watched with a small smile on her face, she then looked down and her mouth set into a hard line, tears filling her eyes 'Riley Dixon, you are so loved, I hope you know that….what those men wouldn't do for you'

Daryl entered the cell block first with Rick and Carl right behind him. Before they could even began their search for the girl; Herschel approached looking tired, drained and broken.

Herschel watched as the men's eyes all widened and filled with panic "she's fine…she's fine; Bob's already seen her"

"what's wrong then" Rick questioned pushing his way forward

Herschel looked between Rick and Daryl, while Carl glanced up and saw Riley sitting on the catwalk leaning against the wall. Her hands were covered in blood and a dead body lay next to her

"she killed Lizzie"

WHAT! Yeah I killed Lizzie (hope that's okay), I went back and forth on this A LOT, but I'm going to have it play a role in chapters to come I think. Now comes the real question; I need your idea's and suggestions on who Riley should end up with when the prison falls. That will either be in the next chapter of the one after; I'm planning out some things. So please let me know your ideas! PLEASE!