A/N: Guess who's back? I am so sorry for being so slack and abandoning you all. I've been busy and lazy which is never a good combination. Anyway, I have about three chapters written that I haven't published because I don't really like how they turned out but I decided to go ahead and put this one up for you guys. Hopefully my muse will start talking to me again so I can get those other ones right and put those up. I'll try to update again soon now that I have a new computer and proper internet. Anyway, I hope you enjoy and once again I am sorry. Read and review!
It was dark and smelly inside once we opened the door. I used the collar of my shirt to cover my nose, the foul smell churning my stomach. We were still in a tight formation, unsure of what was waiting for us inside. This prison could easily become a tomb. Daryl and Rick fanned out to climb up the metal stairs into what looked like a guard's office. This part was empty but I was listening intently for the sound of the walkers' death groans.
Off to our left was Cell Block C and that's where we went once Rick fished the keys off a dead guard. Inside was a small area with concrete tables and benched where the prisoners must have sat to eat. There was a row of cells too, some with dead walkers inside and some empty save for blood splatters. Another set of stairs led up to more cells an we heard moaning up there. I looked at Daryl and he gave me a half smile that made my heart flip. We could do this. We could secure this place and be safe. Rick, Daryl, and I headed up there, weapons primed. All the cells were shut which was good for us and made the four walkers easy prey for us. Once they were dead, we threw them over the railing and the others dragged them outside. We scanned the area again and it all looked secure.
"I'll go get the others," Glenn called and jogged outside. Everyone came in after a moment, carrying our bags.
"What do you think?" Rick asked them from where he was standing on the stairs.
"Home sweet home," Glenn said bitterly.
"For the time being," Rick added.
"It's secure?" Lori asked. As if we would have brought her in here otherwise. I rolled my eyes at her stupid question.
"This cellblock is."
"What about the rest of the prison?" Hershel asked.
"In the morning, we'll find the cafeteria and infirmary."
"We sleep in cells?" Beth asked.
"I found keys on some guards. Daryl has a set, too," Rick said, fiddling with the key ring.
"I ain't sleeping in no cage. I'll take the perch," Daryl said and I couldn't help but smile at the familiarity of the statement. The others quickly began searching for a cell to sleep in but I followed my redneck to the perch where he was spreading out a blanket to lie on.
"Mind if I room with you?" I asked with a smirk which he returned and he scooted over on the blanket to make room for me.
"Get your butt down here," he ordered in his rough voice.
"Hmm, it's not as nice as some of my other options. I might have to think on it a few days and get back with you," I joked, lifting my chin and talking in a funny accent. He glared at me but then grinned devilishly. He shot up and lifted me off my feet, playfully slamming me down onto the pallet, careful to not lean any of his weight on me as we went down.
"Well now that changes things," I laughed and craned my neck to kiss him quickly. He rolled off of me and we both got comfortable. I sat my bag behind my head for a makeshift pillow and he handed me another blanket to cover up with. It was chilly in the prison, the metal holding in the residual winter air.
We were all exhausted and the prison fell quiet as we all got accustomed to our new home. After all that we had been through, we adjusted quickly.
"Keep your knife close," Daryl muttered, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me closer. "Just in case."
I flashed it, showing him that I always kept it within reach. "Always." He nodded and we looked at each other for a moment.
"Better get some sleep. We have another big day tomorrow," he said, readjusting on the blanket and closing his eyes. I did the same and this time sleep took me quickly.
…...
The next morning we were all up early again and Rick, Daryl, T-Dog, Hershel, and I were standing around a table looking at the weapons and gear we had pulled off of the guards. Rick was making an audible list of all the weapons while Daryl and I examined the uniforms that were covered in slime. I wrinkled my nose in disgust and dropped the boot back on the table top.
"I ain't wearing this shit," Daryl voiced my thoughts after looking at the helmet.
"We could boil 'em," T-Dog suggested.
"Ain't enough firewood in the whole forest. No. Besides, we made it this far without 'em, right?" Daryl said, picking up a gun to inspect it more closely before putting it back down and grabbing his crossbow.
"Hershel," Carol called from the doorway.
"Everything all right?" Rick asked.
"Yeah. Nothing to worry about," she answered vaguely and I could see the frustration on Rick's face.
We went back to looking at weapons so we would be ready to go once he got back. Our attack force consisted of Rick, Daryl, T-Dog, Glenn, Maggie, Hershel, and me. Daryl handed me a box of ammo to load up my gun and then a larger gun in case we ran into a large group of walkers. My knife was tucked into my boot in case I got caught in a tight spot. It wasn't long before Hershel came back and I saw Lori standing up on the balcony. She looked scared and tired but I still found it hard to feel pity for her. I had lost my ability to empathize with others. The winter had robbed me of that.
Rick explained to Carl why he needed him to stay behind and he accepted it gracefully. Carol and Beth opened the cell door and we all walked out. Once we were gone, they were to lock the doors and not open them until we got back. The lock clicked, we all shared meaningful looks, and we headed into new, uncharted territory.