15
- He's losing his mind.
Glenn muttered to me while we clean up the yard. After the last night Rick had been wandering around the prison without talking to any one of us. Things were getting tense because our leader seemed to be passing through post traumatic stress. Or at least that's what I wanted to think. And because of that, we've been in a discussion about what to do with the Governor and Woodbury. Glenn, he just wanted to go back to that place and kill the man. Michonne agreed and I wasn't surprised at all. I understood that but despite the fact that I did, I didn't feel comfortable with the idea of go and shoot to whoever cross our way just to get rid of one single person.
- He lost Lori just two days ago — I replied walking to the truck. The sun was shining bright and I already was sweaty and internally complaining.
- Yeah I get it, but we need to attack Woodbury, is the only way to have a good life here — Sighing I stopped near the car.
- Look, I know you're angry for what that man did to Maggie and I'd kill him myself if I had the chance. But we need to focus in protect this place first, all this that we're doing is the right thing to do for now.
He frowned at me, I know he was angry and wanted to spill the Governor's blood but if someone was really going to attack we needed to get this place ready for anything that could happen.
- You think I'm wrong? — He asked me out of the blue.
- No — I responded wiping the sweat of my forehead.
- Then back me up — I stopped, paying attention at his words — First, we need to find out how the walkers are getting into the tombs. We fix it and then we can plan how to attack them — Glenn countered firmly. I thought it was just the heat of his rage, but I was wrong.
- Have you talked with Maggie? — The Asian stiffened giving me a glare. He wasn't mad at me, I knew Glenn. He was blaming himself for what happened to Maggie and he needed to let it go. — I'm aware that we're in a tense moment right now with all this happening and things doesn't seem to be getting better. You want revenge, I want it too. But as I said, I think we should end up with this first and then we focus on the other problem.
He sighed in annoyance and shook his head. Rage was something that you could not let go of too far. And furthermore I was mad too, I was concerned because Rick was passing through a hard moment, I was mad because Maggie had been almost assaulted by that sociopath. And oh right, Daryl was gone, because he decided to be with his brother who was the one that almost killed Glenn. Just by thinking about him my stomach twisted and not with a warm feeling, it was with anger burning inside me. Yes, I was in rage too but I knew how to control myself even if everything around us was falling apart.
- Glenn!
Moving aside, I saw Hershel approaching us. He walked to us pacing with his crutches.
- Everything okay step-dad? — The old man gave me a nod and stopped when he was close to us.
- You're not going back to Woodbury, are you? — Hershel asked and looked at Glenn. My Asian friend suddenly seemed even angrier.
- No, we're just going out there — Glenn explained.
- How can you two possibly think that's a good idea?
- Is okay, we're just going to check out the back side of the prison. — I tried to explain but Hershel didn't seem too convinced.
- You went on a simple formula run and got the crap beat out of you. Maggie was attacked. — Hershel reminded to us.
- I did what I could — Glenn hissed.
I felt uncomfortable with this conversation happening around me and for a moment I thought that maybe we shouldn't go out there. But the truth was that we needed to find the reason of why the walkers were appearing inside the tombs. So I moved away a little bit so they could have this talk, I used the excuse that I had to look at the truck first and I walked focusing my attention on the vehicle. Somehow I understood Hershel, I understood his worries and with Rick being distraught all his concerns increased. And on the other hand I understood Glenn; he wanted revenge and that was it, because I wanted it too.
From the side where the truck was parked I could watch a second level of the prison where Carol and Axel were moving some barricades against some fences. They were talking, and to my surprise even laughing. Well, at least Carol was feeling a little better than all of us, and I knew everything was about attitude and how you affront a problem that's happening, maybe we were too worried, or maybe there's always a good way to see things. I don't know if I was wrong, but something inside me was telling me that yes, we needed to get rid of the Governor. But we first have to pull ourselves together again.
- Daydreaming? — I turned around finding Sophia near one of the fences, she had her dark blonde hair braided and I noticed the knife on her belt that now she carried all the time.
- Honey what're you doing out here?
- I... I want to help; I'm doing nothing being inside the cell block. Carl is doing watch, Beth's taking care of Judith and Effy's checking on the guns with Maggie — She explained with her girly voice. I sighed in understanding; even Carol's daughter had a better attitude.
- Your mom knows? — Sophia shook her hear and I couldn't help but chuckled. Grabbing her by the hand we walked to a spot near the second level. — Hey Carol! — Catching the attention of the woman she gave me a warm smile.
- You're talking to me Mary? — Carol teased while moving a barricade.
- Oh, sorry ma'am. I'm going to look for the other Carol — Sophia giggled by my side, Carol then turned around and gave me her attention.
- What's up?
- Glenn and I are going to the backside of the prison; do you mind if Sophia comes with us? — The woman hesitated for a moment but then she nodded.
- Fine, be careful! — She replied and came back to her work.
Glenn approached us afterwards and we got into the truck. He wasn't really sure about taking Sophia with us but when I told him that Carol agreed he kept his cool. He drove taking a side road that lead to the back of the building. We didn't have to drive that much because the first thing we saw was the broken wall. Bricks were spattered here and there, and it wasn't just the hole in the wall but the open and broken metal door that could lead anything inside the building. Glenn explained how we could rebuild the wall and obviously repair the door. But, first things first.
We moved the door to its proper place so the entries to the tombs were completely sealed. Sophia and I helped in carrying some bricks and rocks to keep the door shut. And after a moment we finished fixing that mess as best as we could. I couldn't help but snort in annoyance when the inhumane moan of some undead were heard. Sophia took her knife but I stepped forward taking a couple of my own knives in each hand.
- I got it — I informed when the first walker emerged from the trees.
Taking a step back, the horrible thing limped getting close and I lightly grabbed the knife by the sharp point and seeing the distance between me and the walker I tightened my grip. Lifting my arm a little bit, the knife flew stabbing the walker in the eye. Another one came out and I threw the second knife, this time it was quicker and the undead dropped to the ground.
- Can you teach me that? — Sophia asked when I turned around. Glenn lightly chuckled behind us and then he walked to the truck.
- Yeah, but we'll ask your mom first. — She made a face and reluctantly nodded.
Before we hop on to the truck again, a detonation destroyed the quietness of the day. Watching the concerned expression taking over Glenn features, i realized that he knew the same as me. The sound came from the prison. I almost pushed Sophia inside the vehicle and we drove back to the prison as fast as possible. While he drove, I loaded my shotgun and I handed my revolver to Sophia, she grabbed the gun hesitant at first but I could tell she understood this wasn't a moment for hesitation.
I saw the fences, but before we could reach them a truck stormed inside the yard tearing apart the gates. My heart was pounding uncontrollably inside my chest, this could not be real. The gunshots came from a fence near one of the watchtowers and I barely spotted a car there. Glenn stopped halfway and for a second I thought that everything was over.
I was dead wrong. A man came out the truck opening the back part and letting a bunch of undead coming out and filling the yards we cleared just a week before. I didn't have to wonder who was attacking us; I was completely sure that it was the Governor. I heard how Sophia gasped in the backseat, and then I watched again at the field seeing at the blurred image of Hershel coming towards us. With my weapon in hands and a crazy confidence taking over me, I opened the door to jump out of the truck without even thinking about it.
- Mary! — Glenn shouted behind me but I was already running and shooting at every walker that got in the way.
Rick's words were running in my mind. He told me not to do anything too reckless, but this wasn't reckless to me, Hershel needed my help and that was the right thing to do. The field seemed infinite to me, but I finally reached Hershel and with all the caution, I got him to the truck. Glenn helped the old man and I turned back immediately aiming at the walkers in the yard. Glenn said something behind me but I completely ignored him by running again to the field, I think he knew I wouldn't listen because he drove off getting inside the prison.
Killing the walkers was not the difficult part. Absolutely not, the difficult part was avoiding the bullets flying in the air. I didn't know how I managed to cross the field without getting shot in the process but I did and I felt grateful because I was near the fences in time to find Rick being surrounded by almost a dozen of walkers. I'm perfectly aware that sometimes I don't think things, but sometimes you just can't stop and think. If I see that one of the people I care about is in danger I won't think, I just do.
Running and approaching Rick, I shot and I shot until I ran out of ammo but all the walkers were on the ground. He noticed me and gave me one of his significant nods, we saw how five more walkers were coming towards us and I chuckled under my breath. One of it got close enough so I got to stab it right in the head and when I turned Rick was fighting with two others. I grabbed my knife ready to throw it when the walker's skull was pierced by an arrow.
It surprised me seeing at Merle Dixon getting rid of the remained undead and saving Rick. But what almost stopped my breath was when I turned around and found Daryl just a few feet away from us lowering his crossbow. He was looking at me, and all the mess that happened around us a few seconds before were nothing to me. Daryl was here. I still felt mad at him but this wasn't the right moment to talk about it. So I stepped forward ready to head back to the prison feeling relief that this was over.
The second I felt the sound of a gunshot again, a sharp pain cut through my back and right under my collarbone. All of a sudden I noticed how the wetness and metallic smell of blood was filling my nose. My head felt dizzy and my legs suddenly were too weak and numb. I reached with my hand trying to stop the dark liquid from soaking my shirt.
- No!
Daryl's voice was everywhere, spinning around me like an echo. Strong arms stopped me from falling to the ground when my legs failed and then I wasn't standing anymore.
- Yer gonna be okay, stay with me Mary — He was so close I could reach out and touch his handsome face and I don't know why but I wished I had done it before, because in that moment I was too weak to make my thoughts a reality. But I was closer than I've ever been before, his arms were carrying me and my head was on his chest.
- Hershel! Hershel! — Someone was yelling.
The pulsing pain was beyond all bearing, it slipped through my chest and I felt tears falling from my eyes. I gasped for air feeling nauseous, because all that I could smell was blood. My eyelids were heavy, and the only thing my mind wanted was to close my eyes and sleep.
- Hold on — His voice said almost in a whisper — Mary, don't close yer eyes! — Daryl's voice pleaded. Why he was asking me that?
In a last effort I looked up to the sky. But instead I was greeted by Daryl's eyes. His beautiful orbs were filled with concern, with worry and something like fear. I must have been dreaming because he was never afraid. His eyes looked back to me and I got lost in those mesmerizing blue orbs. I felt weightless, light. And all I could see was blue.
Even when I closed my own eyes everything was blue.
New Chapter here :D
Next one this monday.