I felt like I needed to at least attempt to finish this story. So, here it is.

I own only my characters, sadly, I do not own The Walking Dead.

Prison

Carol guarded the cell that held their new inhabitants or as everyone else was calling them, their own ticking time bombs.

When Carol and Daryl had found the teen girl in the old daycare center she had immediately ran to her side. Something about the young girl called out to the mother in her, the mother in her that she had desperately tried to bury deep inside of herself after Sophia had died. She had carefully but with enough pressure placed her hand on the wound to stop the blood loss. A small, chubby hand had covered Carol's bloodied one, as she looked up she finally noticed the small boy clinging desperately to the girl's body.

Daryl had tried to pry her away from the young girl but like the small boy she had clung to her in resistance. The shot that had attracted them to the scene had also attracted walkers and Daryl had no choice but to pick the girl up in his arms as Carol took the small boy's hand in her own and followed out to the car.

The whole way to back to the prison she fought to keep the girl alive, every few minutes she would open her eyes and look around in a daze and fall back into unconsciousness. Carol watched as the small boy clutched at the girl's pant leg with a tight grip, his chubby face smudged with blood. Her heart broke, this was no place for a small child.

As soon as the gates to the prison opened Carol was already shouting for Hershel and Maggie. Daryl helped her carry in the girl all the way to a clean cell.

It had all been a close call, Hershel and her had stopped the bleeding but the girl stopped breathing. After a few tries of cpr Hershel had declared it a lost cause but in a moment of rage and panic Carol pounded the girl's chest once and a sharp intake of breath was heard through the entire cell block. A steady rise and fall started from the girl's chest.

That had been nearly a week ago, her miracle, if they still existed of course. Carol had tried to talk to the boy numerous times but with no success. Although, he didn't talk to her the boy never left Carol's or the girl's side, he had even started to reach for her hand when they roamed the prison halls.

"Any change?" Carol turned towards the voice, Hershel's caring eyes watching the young girl.

"No. I thought she had squeezed my hand back last night but I think it was just wishful thinking." She had lying to herself about the girl's state, she really was a lost cause.

Hershel checked her over. "There's nothing else we can do, Carol, only wait. This is up to her and God." He gave Carol a reassuring pat on the back and made his way out of the cell.

Carol tucked the girl's wild curls behind her ears and smoothed her hair sweetly. A hand shot out and grasped Carol's. Wide, bright green eyes locked onto Carol's.

"Wh-Where is he?" Her voice cracked. "Atticus?" So that was his name.

Carol loosened the girl's grasp and held it gently. "He's alright. He's right next door, poor guy hadn't slept in days. He wouldn't leave your side. He's safe."

The girl visibly relaxed.

"What's your name?" Carol watched as she closed her eyes her head shaking, confused. "Do you remember what happened to you?"

"No. All I remember is being scared, so scared. I could hear him cry out for me but I couldn't do anything, I couldn't move. And…" Hot, fresh tears escaped from her green eyes.

"And?"

"A woman's voice, telling me to hold on, not to give up. I think- it was you, wasn't it? You saved me."

Carol rose from her spot and let go of her hand. "You should rest, you've been out for almost a week. I'm gonna see if I can find you something to eat and drink, you need it."

"Wait!" Carol turned to look at the girl. "I'm Teddy."

"Carol. Now, rest. You and Atticus will be safe here."

Teddy watched Carol go and a small voice in her head, a voice that she had drowned out a long time ago screamed out in happiness. That small voice that wanted desperately to love and be loved by a mother. Maybe, after all this pain that she had lived through she was getting a second chance at life, her and Atticus.

Okay, I know it's not much but it's all I had. Hopefully, I can give this story more because this has been on my to-do list for a long time and I want to give it all I have. Anyways, to whoever is reading this thank you for giving me some courage to write more.