20

Remember when I said that I hated funerals? Well, for the first time in months I thought we wouldn't have another loss to grieve. And the sad part was that since we did not have a body to bury, or a grave to dig. I found myself in the middle of the field with another symbolic wooden cross along with the others of our fallen friends. First was T-Dog and Lori, then Axel and Oscar, and the last one was for Andrea. Thing is that Andrea was the only one buried in the small cemetery of the prison. But now, seeing at the cross with Zack's name I heard Beth's words running in circles in the back of my head.

The archer was the one who gave her the bad news. And thought he asked me to wait outside her cell I felt a little bad for hearing without Beth knowing. She didn't really react that much, just said that she didn't cry anymore and that she was glad to be able to know him. I didn't really comprehend how she was so fine with it. If it was Daryl the one who died I would have lost my mind. I know it wasn't the same as the relationship Beth had with Zack. Or maybe I'm overreacting, and my sister's philosophy was right. Maybe we shouldn't cry or grief, because right now, death is part of us.

I couldn't sleep that night. Thoughts were running in my mind like crazy and I just couldn't stop them. Rolling in my bed over and over the whole night, when the first light of the day was visible I stood up silently making myself sure not to do anything too noisy that could wake up my hunter roommate. Sneaking out of my bed, I wore a clean pair of jeans and my leather jacket. While changing my clothes rapidly, I put on my boots and I almost jumped out of my skin feeling a hand grabbing at my ankle. Clumsily and without couldn't help it I tripped falling forward and crashing against Daryl's chest.

- You idiot! What the hell? — I hissed moving aside so I could sit down next to him. He chuckled shortly and started to get up.

- Catch ya — Daryl said with a smug shine on his eyes. I snorted and attempted to punch him in the arm, failing in the process.

- Yeah, finally. — He moved into the cell grabbing some clothes and then the bag he used the day before. — What're you doing Dixon?

- Got ya somethin' — He pulled out a velvet case and handed it to me I frowned a little taking it.

- What is this? — He motioned to me to open the case.

I pulled it off the top of the package finding a new and shiny knife. The blade was perfectly sharp and colored in litmus; I almost gasped because it was a beautiful knife, and I don't know how but I had to contain the urge for jumping at him and hug him. The fact that Daryl brought something to me only made my stomach flutter. Though my knives were fine, this one was just perfect.

- I got one for me too, saw this and knew ya'd like it — Daryl mumbled still shy.

- I love it — I stood up with my new gift in hand checking on the weight — Thank you, Daryl.

He nodded slightly grinning to me. For a moment I let myself feel the lightness of this little action. Daryl just brought me a gift, in his own way this was how he showed me that he was a little sorry for not letting me go out on runs lately. Deep inside I knew he was just trying to protect me since I got shot. I figure it out that I didn't like Daryl because he was nice with me; I liked him because we cared about each other like friends, we were partners and together we were a team.

Maybe you don't really need to get all weird and awkward with having a really close male friend. The archer and I got along well. Even more after we had that argument about him leaving with Merle.

- S'nothing — He replied and I could not help but smile at him.

Before I could say anything else, a horrible scream broke the quietness of the early morning. We looked at each other for a brief second and then he grabbed his crossbow automatically as I loaded my shotgun and we ran out to the prison aisles.

...

I shot at the last walker trying to not think about in the person that it was before. We found cellblock D in all chaos. Someone had turned into one of the dead and attacked the cellblock, and people died. I was panting, catching my breath and wiping my brow in an attempt to calm myself after the crazy and rushed situation we just had to control. Bob and Hershel were looking at the dead people trying to find out what on earth was going on.

Rick passed beside me looking at the walker on the floor. His face impatient and his eyes were so full of concern that I thought he'd explode in anytime.

- No bites, no wounds. I think he just died. — He stated, while Daryl dragged a second body from the cellblock. Doctor Caleb, an Indian man that Glenn found in the roads came out of the cellblock too and looked with a critic eye at the dead man.

- Horribly too. Pleurisy aspiration — He explained.

- How's that possible? — I asked watching the corpse, noticing in that exact moment how the dead eyes were bloodshot just like the mouth and nose.

- Choked to death on his own blood — Hershel said walking with his prosthetic leg — Caused those trails down his face.

- I've seen them before on a walker outside the fences — Rick said, pacing nervously. Now this was a problem. I wasn't a doctor, nor I had this much knowledge of medical diagnosis or anything else, but I knew something about virus and bacteria, and this wasn't good news.

- Is like a virus that makes people bleed to death? — Caleb glanced at me and nodded.

- They're from the internal lung pressure building up... like if you shake a soda can and pop the top. Only imagine your eyes, ears, nose, and throat are the top.

- It's a sickness from the walkers? — Bob asked.

- No, these things happened before they were around— The doctor explained trying to hide his concern — Could be pneumococcal. Most likely an aggressive flu strain.

- We don't have enough medicines — I mentioned, Daryl glanced at me. — And how's spreading?

- I had a sick pig, it died quick — The sheriff countered — Saw a sick boar in the woods.

- Pigs and birds — Hershel mumbled —That's how these things spread in the past. We need to do something about those hogs.

- Maybe we got lucky, maybe these two cases are it — I looked at Caleb after he said that, I knew he was being too much optimistic about it.

- Haven't seen anybody be lucky in a long time — Bob commented — Bugs like to run through close quarters. Doesn't get any closer than this. — Hershel stepped forward and he glanced at all of us.

- All of us in here, we've all been exposed. — Hershel said. I knew it since they said that it was a flu, but it didn't matter because I felt my heart racing at the sound of those words.

- Well, we need to do something about it, there could be others already sick. — Rick nodded to me before speaking.

- The council will discuss that. — the sheriff replied — Mary, make sure no one here go back to cellblock C.

I nodded, realizing then that I wasn't able to get back to my cell in I don't know how many time.

...

After Rick and Daryl dragged the corpses to be buried outside I help the kids to stay away from cellblock D, including Carl who was all reluctant about staying with a bunch of kids. Funny thing is that he was a kid all the same. I felt relieved that Effy, Beth, little Judith and Sophia weren't in the middle of this mess. And I hoped that they were okay and away from that weird sickness wandering the prison's aisles.

There was a closed door that leaded to the administrative department of the prison and thanks to that door Maggie found a way to talk with Beth. I used the small free time before the council meeting and I got to talk with Beth and asked her to call Effy. I waited a little bit getting really impatient but finally I heard a knocking on the other side of the door.

- Eff? — An unmistakable husky chuckle was heard and I rolled my eyes automatically.— Merle, I called for my sister, not you.

- You're being too rude with ol' Merle, biscuit — He said almost in a jokingly way.

- There's no time for jokes, There's a flu in the other cellblock killing people, look I never thought I'd say this but I need you to watch over my sisters while Maggie and I are here, okay?

- Copy that, biscuit — I could have sworn he had a smirk on his face — Will you take care of my baby brother on the other side?

- Yeah, always.

- Huh, the pretties Ross sister is here — Merle chuckled again and then a smack was heard followed by Merle cursing. — Damn it gorgeous, thought Mary was the tough one.

- My name is not gorgeous, now go. — The sound of a snort was heard and heavy footsteps echoed disappearing in the other side hallway. — Mary?

- I'm still here, how's everyone?

- We're fine but worried, what's happening? — She asked.

- There's a sickness, some people died, the only one we know is still sick is David, he's in cellblock D for now — She mumbled an "okay" — Look, I need you to stay strong for Beth and Sophia.

- I'm calm, Mary, although Sophia is concerned about Carol.

- Carol is okay, she's with the kids right now. We're going to find a solution for this — She didn't say anything — Effy?

- Yes, I listened. Just, just be careful — Effy took a deep breath and I heard how she paced.

- You know careful is my second name — I managed to make her chuckle before leaving.

...

After the meeting I walked outside for a moment. The ones who were showing any symptoms of the flu will be located in Cellblock A. And for now just David and Karen were having cough and some of high temperatures. All the kids will remain in quarantine. And for the ones exposed, we would not be back in Cellblock C until this was over. The thing is we were low of medicines. I left Carol cleaning the attacked cellblock; she was worried about Lizzie and Mika. The two girls unfortunately lost their dad, Ryan. He was a good man, always taking care of his two daughters and helping in everything he could in the prison. It was another name added to the list of dead people. And honestly it made me feel unsettled.

I found myself in the middle of the backyard garden. Letting my mind and thoughts clouded my head I wandered around and got there. Tyreese was there with a small number of lavender flowers and daisies in his hands; he noticed me and greeted me with a nod.

- I hope you don't mind if I took some for Karen.

- It's fine, Ty — I replied.

- I'm gonna see her. — he said a little nervous.

- Tell them I hope they get fine soon, I know they will. — Tyreese nodded again, a glint of hope shinning in his black eyes.

- Thank you, Mary.

I wasn't a religious person, my parents were though. And in that instant I prayed for Karen and David, I prayed for all of us. Things were getting difficult but I knew and I felt deep inside that we will get through this. It was a little spark of hope, but it was enough for me to keep going.

I entered the prison again, walking through the hallways to get to the library and wait for how things were going. I was approaching one of the aisles that were close to the exit. And to my surprise Daryl stepped inside sweating and panting. I feared the worst, watching him like that only meant one thing.

- Are you sick? — My voice almost cracked. Daryl glanced at me and frowned.

- Hell nah. We had a little trouble outside with the walkers — He wiped his forehead and I breathed out in relief.

Without even thinking I stepped to him, he looked at me with doubt but he did not walk away from me. I felt a little hesitant to get too close to him but at the same time I needed to do it. My hand found the way to his face and I cupped his cheek, I felt the rough of his beard with my fingertips and it tickled against my skin. He didn't move a centimeter, his gaze captured mine and I didn't find any word to say. He had his ways of showing that he cared about me, but I had my own ways too.

It took me aback when his big hand grabbed mine still cupping his face. His blue eyes flickered and he parted his lips like he wanted to say something. He kept my gaze for a couple of seconds but to me it felt endlessly. I didn't comprehend the fact that Daryl and I were like water and oil, and somehow we were too much alike too.

- So, what trouble...

He took his hand away and I couldn't finish my sentence, before I got to speak, a scream echoed inside this side of the prison.

It wasn't a horrid scream like the ones we heard this morning, it was a grieving one.

Hey guys! new chapter here ;)