I should be doing some homework, but the editing for my film project is more stressful than I thought it would be. I miss doing my own projects, hope to get some films submitted to the Film Festival in Philly this Summer. Anyone around Philly? If so, follow my Twitter in case you wanna see my filming life and any updates on my films in the festival! Currently shopping for a camera to use for the ideas I got over this semester. Anyway, enjoy!
With Rick's word on helping the convicts to clear a cell block for them, Angela was given the opportunity to go with them, as they were down by three people. Maggie and Glenn stuck with the others as they were still tending to Hershel. Unable to really check in, Rick made it quick that they find the cafeteria to also find an infirmary for Hershel.
Angela just had hoped that he was going to be alright. She learned from T-Dog that he was bit and they had to cut his leg off to keep the infection from spreading. She didn't know if that would work, feeling dread wave over her at the thought of Maggie and Beth losing their father. To Angela, it would feel like looking Dale all over, and another father figure for her and Kaylee.
They soon learned of the convicts names. The Hispanic leader was Tomas, the blond man was Axel, the thinner man was Andrew, largest man was Big Tiny, and the man that mentioned having kids was Oscar. Tomas lead them back to the cafeteria where they were held, Angela and Daryl kept their weapons on hand and half raised in case any plans were changed.
"Pantry's back here." Tomas said, heading over through the doorway.
The four gave a look around, the men didn't take in their surroundings from the rush of Hershel before. Garbage bags and other trash was filled in the corner taking almost 1/4 of the room currently.
"You never tried to break out of here?" T-Dog asked, eyeing the windows up that gave them light and a possible exit.
"Yeah, we tried to take the doors off." Oscar told. "But if you make one peep in here, then those freaks'll be lined up outside the door growling, trying to get in. Windows got bars on there He-Man couldn't get through."
Axel gave his input, "Bigger than a 5x8." his arms folded and spaced from the others.
"You won't find me complaining." Big Tiny shook his head. "Doing fifteen. My leg can barely fit in one of those bunks."
Oscar nodded, "Yeah, they don't call him Big Tiny for nothing." he added.
Angela honestly had zero idea what they were talking about at this point. She mostly looked around the room, still amazed they survived down here for almost a year with all these walkers all over the place.
"You done jerking each other off?" Tomas asked. Angela now wonder how they didn't drive each other many by his choice of words, she rolled her eyes at him. "Sick of waiting back here."
Rick himself was started to detest him as well. With a tilt of his head, he followed with the others, placing his hand over the grip of his Colt. They rounded the corner to the back, finding much more than half amount of food Tomas claimed. Bags of breadcrumbs, oats, cans of vegetables and even buckets of lard. Daryl entered, flashing his light to get a good look at the containers, boxes, and bags.
"That's enough to feed an army." Angela commented, peeking in to take a look at the bags of oats on the top racks.
Daryl nodded in agreement, "This what you call a little bit of food?" he questioned as he approached Tomas.
"Goes fast." He countered, Daryl hummed at his words. He maneuvering around him to check with Angela. "You can have a bag of corn, some tuna fish-"
"We said half." Rick said. "That's the deal."
"Not to mention, we got more mouths to feed than you got bellies to fill." Angela muttered, checking the dates on some cans as Daryl shined a light on them for her to see. She ignored the look Andrew shot at her.
Rick spotted a metal door to his right, thinking more food might be hidden away in there. "What's in there?" He asked, everyone seemed to focus as the convicts flinched when he reached for the handle.
"Don't open that."
Instant regret blasted Rick in the face with a horrible smell that caused his to cough and gag, trying not to puke as the scent he had just inhaled. Angela glanced over, at his reaction. Were there bodies in there, she grew tense as she looked over at Tomas who got a kick out of it.
"He wanted to know." Tomas chuckled, as Rick slammed the door shut trying to convey what had just happened.
"Can't wait for my own pot to piss in." Axel muttered, answering Angela's questioned that she now wished she hadn't had.
Once half the food was indeed delivered upstairs, they finally got updates on Hershel's condition. He was still unconscious, but they managed to stop the bleeding of his leg. All they knew was he lost a lot of blood and didn't know if the infection was stopped by their quick thinking. Kaylee was helping Beth cut pant legs for her dad, wanting to be supportive the best she could to the teen. Rick was informing Lori of sweeping the other cell block for these prisoners, who felt unsafe having them next door. Angela was in her cell, looking for something in her bags when Carl peeked in.
"Are they really staying?" He asked, overhearing his parents talking.
She turned, pondering why he was asking her. But then thought on how the others were tending to Hershel or getting some weapons for the convicts to help clear the walkers.
Angela nodded, "Yeah, much to my displeasure." she said, turning back to her bag.
"What are you looking for?" He asked, tilting his head to try and see over her shoulder.
"Just a small thing," She replied, taking out her beanie and placing it over her head. Her hands felt around the side, and tugged down a bit more.
Carl looked at her questioningly, "Did they say something?" he concluded.
Angela could sense the protectiveness in Carl's tone when he asked. He had grown to be extremely protective of the group, mostly to Beth and Kaylee. She bit her lip to keep from smiling, but decided to give him one of assurance.
"Nothing worth getting a fuss over." Angela told, standing and giving his head a flick his hat.
He adjusted it as she left the cell to head down the steps. Daryl was standing by the door as Rick was placing the weapons down on the table, T-Dog watching them. Angela tilted her head, and spotted a riot chest plate in his hand. She gave him an exasperated look, but he lifted it up as a means to wear it.
"Ya ain't goin' in there without it." He told.
Angela sighed, and took it. She slipped it through her head and found it was adjusted fine to her shape. It must be Maggie's, since they were build the same. Daryl reached around, helping her buckle it on as she adjusted the front somewhat. Her eyes fell on the cell where Hershel was being taken care of. Daryl had noticed Angela was wearing her beanie again, the words were hurting her more than she would admit. He didn't want her to revert back to hiding her pretty face over something she had to bare to everyone without stares being brought to her.
His eyes fell onto her face, seeing her sharp cheekbones shape the curves of her face. Despite the dirt and sweat, her skin looked smooth as marble. Now taking her face in, Daryl noticed how almost every feature of her was as sharp as a knife. Her nose, chin, even her eyes held sharp green eyes as they glanced toward him. Feeling embarrassed for staring, he looked away as his cheeks felt warm.
Once the gear was on, she and Daryl rejoined the others as Carl followed them, locking the cell door after her. Many hand held weapons were strewn on the table; crowbars, hammers, axes, even a bat they had found at a house one time. Angela didn't like the idea of giving them weapons, but trusted Rick's word that if anything went wrong, they'd take care of it.
Tomas didn't seem to like the offers, as he held the crowbar up. "Why do I need this," He then pulled his gun out. "When I got this?"
"Ya don't fire guns." Daryl told. "Not unless yer back's up against a wall. Noise attracts 'em."
"One fire, and you won't even be able to pull the trigger a second time." Angela added, arms folded. "They'll group up on you."
"We'll go in two by two." Rick said, "Daryl will run point with T." He then pointed to Angela. "I'll bring up the rear with Angela."
Tomas scoffed when she was mentioned, earning a look from her. "Something you'd like to share with the class, Tomas?" She questioned, her tone was as if talking to a child.
He shook his head, "Don't understand why we gotta bring a girl in all this. Men can handle it fine, so you don't ruin that pretty face even more."
The comment made Angela attempt to look away, her arms tightly around herself. Daryl's fists tightened around his crossbow strap, knuckle white as he glared at the son of a bitch.
"She stays." Rick told firmly in her defense. "Stay tight, hold formation no matter how close the walkers get. Anyone who breaks ranks, we could call go down. Anyone runs off, they could get mistaken for a walker, end up with an axe to the head."
"That's where ya aim." Daryl told, holding his tongue to add more venom in his tone to them. "These things only go down with a head shot."
Tomas scoffed again, "You ain't gotta tell us how to take out a man." he told them.
"They ain't men." T-Dog told, trying to reason with them how dangerous these things were. "They're something else."
"Just remember to go for the brain." Rick instructed. Tomas didn't seem to like the lecture they got, as he put his gun away.
Daryl and T-Dog took lead down to get to the cells, while the convicts stayed in the center, Angela and Rick in the back. She kept baton on her, keeping her stance tight for anything to jump them from behind. So far, it was going without a hitch of not a walker in sight. It only made Angela anxious as they could be saddled up all together somewhere down there. The darkness didn't help, they shined their lights to try and get a better look around every corner.
Rick saw the black mass of a beanie on her head, looking forward again. "You're letting him get to you." He whispered, indicating to talk among themselves in the back.
"No, I'm not." Angela told, her eyes sharp as they tried to adjust to the darkness.
Rick shook his head, she was doing fine for a while, feeling alright with her scar exposed as everyone within their group didn't stare or comment. They hadn't expect to find survivors, if more people were out, she might hide it until her hair grows long enough to hide it all. The comment Tomas had given her, and the looks the men gave not only troubled Daryl, but Rick as well. A big brother instinct came into play at times with her and Kaylee, thought he didn't show it with how calm Rick has been so far, he was disgusted by the stares looks she was given.
"Man, it's too damn dark in here." Oscar said, in which Daryl turned and corrected him in holding his axe.
Finally, a shadow of a walker around the next corner came into view. Axel felt frightened as he yelped, "It's comin'!" at them. Rick and Angela shushed him, hoping the convicts would handle this better than they expect as it approached with a second in toe.
Daryl help up a finger, waiting for them to get closer to take them out. Without any warning, the prisoners gave out a battle cry and ran at the walkers. Oscar and Andrew knocked one down in the corner and started kicking it relentlessly. Big Tiny held back the second as Tomas beat at it, then Axel pulled out a shank from his sock and stabbed at it. The only problem was, they weren't aiming for the head. The four watched as they just beat the ever crap out of the walkers, refusing to take the brains out. They all looked to one another, wondering if this was a good idea.
"Should we stop them?" T-Dog asked, as Rick just sighed at the sight before him.
Angela sight, stepping forward. Rick reached out to tug her back from getting close, but she rushed over in silence as Tomas was beating more out of the walker in Tiny's arms. She went to the one on the floor and slammed her baton down on the walker's skull, it crushed like a watermelon with blood and brains pouring out. Oscar and Andrew stepped back, she turned and did the same with the second walker. With a second slam, Tiny let go and he fell down to the ground like a sack of flour. Not even out of breath, she looked to the convicts who were shocked that she had just done what they claimed to be able to do.
Angela batted her baton against her boot to get the drippings of blood off the tip. Looking up, she tilted her head with a challenging brow at Tomas. "Shall we?" Daryl bit back a grinned, proud of he proving herself of these guys.
They continued on, remaking formation as the found a wide opened door way. A walker emerged, but Rick stopped them from attacking again as Daryl aimed his crossbow at the snarling creature.
"Not the stomach, not the heart- The brain." He told sternly, pulling the trigger and the bolt ran right through the skull. It fell with a thump as he stepped back with his knife out.
"I hear you." Axel nodded. "The brain."
Oscar jumped forward, his axe slamming into the next one's skull and it fell instantly. "Like that?" He asked.
"Exactly." Angela nodded, another following as the walkers slowly filed in one by one.
Axel stepped forward, shoving the pipe into the eye socket and yanking it out. "Good job." Angela praised him, finding him the most innocent of the group. Though, she questioned the hidden shank he had before.
Rick stabbed his machete through the following, then stepped back. "Stay in tight formation. No more prison riot crap." He ordered.
Seeming to understand, the convicts slammed and stabbed the heads only as the walkers poured in at a faster pace. They were keeping up with it well, all but Big Tiny. He was in the back, stepping away as he was unable to do what they were expecting him to. Unlike the others what had no problem killing these once were cell mates, Big Tiny was slowly easing back in fear. Just as anyone would expect, a walker in handcuffs snuck up behind him. Tiny shoved him back, and hit his head with the hammer, but not hard enough to stop him. One managed to squeeze through the group, heading towards Tiny.
Angela had noticed Tiny struggling. She rushed over and beat the walker's head in with her baton and looked to him.
The first walker must have freed itself from the handcuffs, as what remained of bone like claws scratched Tiny in the back. He screamed as the flesh was ripped by it's claws, Rick ran over as a walker was behind Angela and stabbed it through the skull. Angela shoved the walker off him, Rick tugged her back just as a gun was fired behind them. The bullets zoomed past her head and into the walker's three times before it crumbled. The echoing of the gun fire startled the two, staring back at the hard stare Tomas was giving them.
Tiny reached back, feeling for the wound he was given and found blood on his hand. Angela went over, "Turn around, let me see." she said.
Tiny did as told, Rick shined his light for her to see, examining the torn flesh on the big guy. The two stepped back, though it wasn't a bite mark, he was scratched by them instead.
"I'm telling you, I don't feel anything. It's just a scratch." He tried to reason.
"I'm sorry, man." Rick muttered, making Tiny panic.
"I can keep fighting!" He argued.
"You cut that old guy's let off to save his life." Andrew said.
"Look where the bit is." Rick retorted.
"Guys, I'm fine! Just-" He took a breath and said again more calmly. "I'm fine. Just-Just look at me. I'm not changing into one of those things."
Angela grimaced, "You're not now. But, it takes time for the change to happen." she explained.
"Look, there has to be something we can do." Oscar tried to reason, showing concern for Tiny. "We could just lock him up."
"Quarantine him." Axel added.
"Rick, we don't know what scratches can do." Angela said, he looked to her then to Daryl.
"Well, we gotta do something." Andrew barked at her, then to Rick. "Why you just standing there?"
"There's nothing we can do." He told him.
Andrew shook his head, bat bloody in his hands. "You son of a bitch."
"We've never seen anyone scratched, it's up in the air if he'll change or not." She told the others, then looked to Tiny. "How bad does it hurt?"
He just shook his head to her. "I'm all ri-"
Tiny suddenly was slammed in the back of the head by the crowbar in Tomas' hand. Everyone stepped back, shocked by his actions. He eyed up his crowbar then stared Rick and Angela down. Tomas slammed, stabbed, and pummeled Tiny's skull into nothing but mush on the ground. Blood spewed and splattered, everyone took a few steps back to avoid the splash zone. Angela's hand covered her mouth as Tomas looked up, covered in Tiny's blood, hair dangling in front of his face.
"Shall we?" He questioned, eyes piercing at Angela directly.
No one could say a word, as he panted and stepped over the body ready to continue. Rick and Angela looked to one another, then to Daryl who had the same thoughts for sure. The man now was unstable, Angela was once again surprised he didn't kill them or vise versa of being locked in together for so long.
Despite the episode that had happened, they moved on with different formations. Angela, her concern now on Daryl's mind, was moved up front with T-Dog. The convicts were kept in the middle with Tomas following in rear. Daryl and Rick kept the back safe, needing to discuss what had just occurred before them, watching Tomas' head swerved left and right for any walkers.
"Ya see the look on his face?" Daryl asked in a low voice. "He makes one move, just give me a signal." He told, wanting an arrow through the guy's skull more than ever.
T-Dog opened the door to what used to be a laundry room, Angela peeked in beside him, her bloody baton up and ready. Angela lead the mean in as she did a sweep, checking behind the machines and racks until she found double doors. She went up against it, hearing walkers on the other end but weren't banging against it, unbeknownst to their presence on the other side. Rick saddled up once he saw Tomas approach the door with Angela.
T-Dog shut the door as Daryl unhooked his keys and tossed them to Tomas' feet. Angela looked up, getting a look from Rick as she backed away to stand by him and Daryl. Tomas seemed to question the keys on the floor and looked to them.
"I ain't opening that."
"Yes, you are." Rick countered. "If you want that cell block, you're gonna open that door. Just the one, not both of them." He pointed his flashlight at the door. "Because, we need to control this."
Without any more argument, Tomas bent down and picked up the keys. He shared a look with Andrew, Angela glanced between the two, seeing some sort of communication going on. Tomas went through a few keys, trying to find the right one for the lock. Once the click was heard, he grabbed the handles and looked to them. "You bitches ready?"
Their stances proved they were, Tomas yanked at the door, but it didn't'[t budge. He pulled another time, glancing to the others. "I got this."
Without warning, he pulled both doors wide open, everyone jumped back as the walkers poured right in with their large entrance. "I said one door!" Rick barked.
"Shit happens!" Tomas countered.
Daryl didn't have time to load his bow as Angela covered him, slamming her baton into any walkers that came close. Everyone smashed and stabbed as fast as they were coming. Angela ducked down, feeling a pat on her shoulder so Daryl could shoot one that got too close to Rick. One walker got between Rick and Tomas, he swung the crowbar, causing Rick to duck away from the hit that he was sure was intentional. He gave Tomas a look to which the man reached for a walker and shoved right at Rick as he fell with it on top.
"Rick!" Angela shouted, as he came around the other end to help him.
"T! Mind the gap!" Daryl shouted as he saw Angela head out over to Rick.
She grabbed the walker by the shoulders and rolled it off of Rick. With him out of the way of her possibly hitting him, she stomped her boots down on the head as it smashed into pieces like a pumpkin. The last walker fell to the ground, everyone taking a breather as Daryl helped Rick to his feet. Angela rushed right up before Daryl could stop her, as she glared right at Tomas.
"What the ever loving shit was that just now?" She questioned at him.
"It was coming at me." He excused, shrugging at her carelessly.
Angela was about to say more, but Rick gently moved her aside with a hand on her back. His stare at Tomas was even as he nodded at the man. "Yeah, yeah, I get it." He told, giving Daryl a glance then back to him. "I get it. Shit happens."
The two stared at one another, waiting for a word to be put in by either of them. Andrew suddenly screamed as Rick raised his machete and slammed it down the middle of Tomas' head. The man never saw it coming, as he stared in shock, Rick kicked him to the ground, pulling his blade out. Andrew, in retaliation, raised his bat to him, as Angela ran over and shoved the tiny man to the ground. She kicked the bat away, Daryl raising his crossbow at him in case he made a move to hurt her.
"Easy, now." He growled, daring him to do something.
Andrew saw his chances at zero, so he scrambled to his feet and bolted into the room they had just opened. Rick gave chase, "I got him." he called as he ran after him.
Angela removed her gun and aimed it at Axel while Daryl has his sights on Oscar. They didn't know if the other two would attack or try to get out like Andrew had attempted. They couldn't risk it after the events that had just occurred.
"Man, get down on yer knees." Daryl demanded at Oscar.
He looked over, raising his hands to show he was no harm as he did as told. Angela got a innocently questioning look from Axel, as if asking if he should to do the same thing. She used her free hand to shove him down as he grunted, head ducked down to star at the ground with a bit of force. He dropped the pipe, Angela kicked it away and just glared down at him.
"We don't have no affiliation to what just happened." He told, nodding to his friend. "Tell 'em, Oscar."
He only shook his head, hands up and axe on the ground. "Stop talking, man." He told with Daryl's bow trained onto him.
Doing as told, Axel looked down trembling at his knees. T-Dog looked up at her, she sighed and just kept her gun trained on him. Soon, Rick had returned, looking fumed as he walked over the pile of walkers and went right to Oscar aiming his Colt at his head. Judging that Andrew did not return, he either was walker meal or Rick killed him himself.
"This whole damn time, it was a set him." Rick accused, Daryl stepped back seeing the angry side of Rick coming out.
"We didn't have nothing to do with that." Oscar calmly told him.
"You didn't know? You knew." Rick growled, tilting his head with doubt at him. " Daryl, Angela, let's end this now." He spun around aiming the gun at Axel as Daryl took his knife and held at Oscar's throat.
"Sir, please! Please, listen to me!" Axel begged, his voice cracking at the fearful sight of the barrel in his face. "It was them that was bad. It wasn't us."
"Oh, that's convenient." Rick dismissed.
"You saw what he did to Tiny. He was my friend." He shook his head, Axel looking between Rick and Angela who held the guns at his head. "Please, ma'am, we ain't like that. I like my pharmaceuticals, but I'm no killer. Oscar here, he's a B and E, and he ain't very good at it neither."
He sniffled, crying and pleading for his and Oscar's life. "Please, I swear to God! I wanna live!"
Rick looked to Angela, she looked to him and shook her head which made Axel flinch at her notion. Though, what she was saying with her expression was to spare him. She hadn't seen him show any intention that he would be dangerous to the group. Yes, there was that hidden shank and stabbing the walker, but seeing how he crumbled before them now, he wasn't as risky or dangerous like Tomas or Andrew were. He was scared, as Angela had noticed with his stance from the others and his huddled folded arm position, Axel was not dangerous.
But Oscar, Rick turned and aimed his colt at him earning an even stare. It wasn't a threatening one like Tomas had, just calm and collected. Axel gulped, looking up at Angela as she glared him down hoping her reading of him was correct.
"What about you?" Rick asked Oscar.
"I ain't never pleaded for my life. And I ain't about to start now." He nodded at Rick. "So, you do what you gotta do."
Rick stared long and hard at him, trying to find a bluff. When none was found Rick stepped back, wiping his upper lip as he paced around for a few seconds. "Let's just get this done."
Angela grabbed Axel by the back collar of his shirt and yanked him up. He scrambled to his feet as Angela shoved him forward, keeping a grip on him in case he tried to run. T-Dog kept watch of Oscar as Daryl and Rick took lead.
They managed to find the cells, doors locked as predicted. Daryl unlocked the cells and opened the door as it banged against the bars on the window. Rick shoved Axel inside from Angela's grip, finding the horrors of the convicts he once knew now dead. They were handcuffed and laid outside their cells, old stains of blood from the holes in their heads. T-Dog followed with Oscar on watch as they all looked around the dead silent cell block D. Angela took a few steps, now looking to see they weren't handcuffed, zip ties were used to keep them restraint. Execution style.
"Oh man…" He muttered, "I knew these guys." he told as Oscar stood beside him. He folded his arms, a habit. "These were good men."
Daryl and Angela looked to one another, seeing how shaken up Axel still was. "Let's go.' Rick told, ready to head back and check on Hershel and the others.
"So, you're just gonna leave us in here?" Oscar asked, Rick looked to him. "Man, this is sick."
"We're locking down this cell block." Rick told. "From now on, this part of the prison is yours. Take it or leave it. That was the deal."
Angela and Daryl stepped to the side, ready to leave as well. "Ya think this is sick?" Daryl asked, nodding to the bodies. "Ya don't wanna know what's outside."
"Consider yourselves the lucky ones." Rick added, taking his leave to head back to block C.
Daryl looked to them, giving a hesitate step to leave. "Sorry 'bout yer friends, man." He told, Angela standing beside him, sort of surprised by his sincere words.
He looked to Angela, nodding her as the two made their leave side by side. "Word of advice-" T-Dog spoke, last to head out. "Take the bodies outside and burn them." He told, leaning off the bars and four shut the door and walked back to Cell C.
"Think they'll listen?" Angela asked T-Dog, hearing his advice to the two.
"If they want a comfortable place to sleep, they should." He responded, as she rubbed her head and took her beanie off.
Once back at Cell block C, they made a beeline for Hershel's cell. Glenn and Carl were outside, turning as they entered.
"Hershel stopped breathing." Carl said, which put the four on edge. "Mom saved him." He added.
"It's true." Glenn nodded.
Rick handed his son the Colt and keys, and entered the cell to see for himself. Angela followed, standing behind Carl seeing Hershel's wrist handcuffed to the bed. She swallowed, seeing he was still unconscious, his leg now wrapped. She saw Kaylee inside by Beth and Maggie, her hand holding Beth's in comfort and support. Daryl creeped up, peeking over her shoulder.
"Still no fever." Lori informed, standing by the corner keeping watch.
Rick nodded, passing by Beth giving her a pat on the back then Maggie standing by her. The thought of losing someone in their group since the farm was something they managed to avoid for months. Finally, finding safety, it only brought danger to them. Maggie and Beth losing their father like this was a heartbreaking thought, to everyone.
Angela felt like she was going to relive the death of Dale again. Her hands knotted about with the hat in her hands. She couldn't go through that, not another father figure person to be taken from her. She glanced to Daryl who was watching her, her eyes were pleading and helpless. In an attempt to comfort her, knowing what she was thinking, he reached and held her hand, squeezing it tightly. She leaned into his side, giving a sigh as they watched for Hershel to hopefully wake up. Her grip in his hand was just as tight, thankful to have him by her side.
Lori moved, everyone looked over seeing Hershel's eyes open as he looked around. He found his daughters by his side, Beth letting out a sob of a laugh as she felt her walls of emotion crumble. Rick quickly unlocked the handcuffs, his arm possibly asleep. Hershel looked over at his teary eyed daughters, then to Rick as he held his hand up to him. Angela bit back a teary smile, Kaylee covered her mouth as everyone watched Rick grip his hand and knelt down to him. Hershel was thanking him, thanking for saving his life.
Beth and Maggie hugged one another, crying in each others arms. Carl smiled, Angela wiped her eyes as she looked to Daryl who nodded at her, assuring her everyone was going to be alright. Lori took her leave, passing by Angela and Daryl. Rick stood, letting Beth and Maggie tend to their dad and followed his wife. Kaylee approached her sister, hugging her tightly as Angela returned it letting Daryl's hand go.
Despite the bad that had happened, everyone was now safe and sound. The prisoner was theirs and now their knew home. The convicts were down to two who didn't seem a threat, food was found enough for everyone and Hershel was alive.
Angela turned and headed toward the steps. She wanted to give the Greene family some time, Hershel needed rest and probably to get caught up in recent events. Angela reached her cell, had pressed on the doorway as she took in a deep breath. Everyone was alright, they hadn't lost anyone, all was fine.
So, why did she feel this dread in her heart? Angela rested her head against the stone wall, closing her eyes to try and convince herself all was going to be okay. She tried to find the optimism somewhere, only to keep repeating to herself how everyone was safe.
"Angie?" She turned, hearing her name being called from below. Walking over, Angela leaned over the railing seeing her sister looking up at her. "I'll be making dinner, want me to wake you up when it's ready?"
Oh, Kay must have assumed she left to get some rest. Angela pressed her chin into her palm, propping her elbow on the railing. "I'll be awake, just call me when it's done." Her brows than furrowed, wasn't Carol always cooking? "Where's Carol?"
"She went outside to take care of something. Glenn said she's fine and will be back." Kay assured.
"Alright." Angela nodded, watching her sister leave the cell room and toward where they kept the food organized. Carl was standing by the barred door and followed her, Angela grinned at that.
"Hey," Another voice to her left caught her attention, finding Daryl slowly approach her. His crossbow and quiver were at the perch he claimed as his area. His hand skimmed over the railing, leaning on it as his other hand was shoved in his pocket.
"Hey." She responded, turning to her as she stood straighter with her elbow on the metal.
"Ya a'right?" He asked, tilting his head to the side.
She smiled tiredly, giving him a nod. "You?" He grunted with a nod in response. "Did you tell Rick to let me off on the hook on clearing the halls down there?"
Daryl shrugged, earning a small laugh from her. He'd never admit it, seeing how his focus fell to picking at his fingers told Angela he was growing reserved at the moment. "We're doing good."
He looked up, nodding as he shifting his weight. "Yeah, we are." Daryl agreed, he glanced down at the others as voices were heard talking to Hershel. "Got a lot to do."
"We do, gotta ready for the baby and make this place properly livable." Angela sighed and stepped up to Daryl. "Hershel mentioned the soil was well enough to start planting and growing foods. Maggie and I can give a try, since she was on the farm."
"Shouldn't be too hard." He said, earning an exasperated eye roll from Angela. Daryl raised a brow at her, "Not a gardenin' type?" he asked.
"It's not that I'm not." Angela shook her head, smiling to herself. "I just have the tendency to never keep plants alive. I used to try and keep mint leaves or strawberry plants, but they lasted about maybe a week."
Daryl watched her, he turned away letting out a laugh. She looked to him, giving a childish glare. "What's so funny?"
He shook his head, folding his arms. "Can take out walkers without blinkin', but can't keep leaves livin' for a week?"
Angela smacked his arm, he flinched still grinning at her. "It's not my fault I don't have a green thumb."
"Nah, just stick to doin' what you do best." He told.
She placed her hands on her hips. "And that would be?"
Daryl gave her a look over, thinking of a response. "Kickin' ass."
Angela shook her head, shoving his shoulder. "Same to you." Daryl nudged her back, getting a grin from her.
Angela felt like a magnet pulling her towards Daryl, but resisted from taking his personal space from him. At times, Angela wanted to just pat his arm, hold his hand, even give her a hug. The closest she has gotten to him was when she carried him or that peck on the kiss she gave back on the farm the one time. It wasn't that she wanted to cling to him or just stick to his side, she just felt comfort when in his presence. The need or want to hug him was there, but she bit back the feeling for his sake.
Later that evening, Kaylee with Carl's help cooked up dinner to which the group rejoiced in having a full meal for all. What was made was out of what the two could make, resulting in rice and vegetable soup that could be reused the next day. Everyone ate at the tables Maggie and Carol helping Hershel giving him some soup.
Kaylee looked around as it seemed some people avoided the rice. She noticed Rick had some, then watched his jaw clench as if finding it difficult to chew the grains. Her eyes fell to Carl who sat next to her on the steps sipping his soup. She stood and went to the pot of rice and taking a spoon full and shoving it into her mouth. Chewing it a few times, she felt a few crunches in her teeth and flinched at how hard some pieces were. It also seemed to have a weird taste to it, the teen took the box checking out to make sure it was alright. It was dated perfectly, and she followed the instructions fine. Maybe it was the water they used since it was the supply of it with the food they found.
"What's the plans for tomorrow?" Angela asked, sitting with Daryl and Rick as she turned to him.
He chewed a carrot piece, placing his spook in the bowl. "Clear out the walkers we took out." He nodded toward the dark window. "Would want to try and move that bus so we can get the vehicles through."
"With the amount of walkers, it'll take a lot of burning to get rid of how many we took out." T-Dog commented.
"That include the laundry room and dark halls?" Angela asked, remembering the pile they left behind.
As much as Rick would rather ignore them, he nodded. "Get all the bodies out. Once that's done, and the bus is moved, we can focus on making this more livable."
Angela nodded, "I was thinking, we could start planting if we seeds." she suggested. "We can go for a run next time and give a look. There has to be a place that has gardening supplies."
"Daddy had said the dirt was good to grow things." Beth said, poking at her rice.
Rick knew Hershel would be unable to do so, maybe he could learn a bit of it himself. "For now, let's focus on the bodies and bus. Starting tomorrow."
Thank you elljayde, Kara315 for the follows and favorites
Bruna Pereira- Ohoho, right on the money! Her scar will be mentioned more, because more people will be met and just as she felt okay not having to cover it, more people emerge and judge her of it. If you remember, in season 3, we learn of Daryl's scars and childhood of abuse. Her scar plays a huge important part for this season. I'm glad you loved that! I'm trying to be subtle of Daryl's care for Angela, but I want it to be known where he is in each scene or such when Angela is there. It's like that, kind of his body is moving on its own out of protective instinct and he doesn't even realize it. It's happened before to me when with my friends. When I visited them in Philly, this one time these two guys were fighting while waiting for a friend outside the apartment. I assumed the one guy was going to pull out a gun and my body just shoved my friend inside as I pretty much blocked her as a shield. I was mistaken and they were just drunk and he was looking for his wallet. I managed to do so, WOO! Seems I had to rewrite this chapter and add a bit more for a good length.
Thanks again!
Gryffindor Rat- Yeah, took me a while to get used to writing the action again. I agree, I hate those as well. Let the love develop over time, which makes sense. Exactly! Look how close Daryl and Carol got from the end of season 2 and the beginning of season 3. OVer the months they got comfortable with each other and learned that they were more than a group, but a family. Right? Hahaha! These were comments I myself made when watching the episode with my mom's comments coming in now and again. Angela has the tendency to run her mouth, which causes her to get into trouble. No filter whatsoever. Oh, it drives me insane when writers just have the OC say what Carol would say! It drives me mad, I rather do originality. The way I see Carol with Daryl is she makes sex jokes around him and such, but later on it feels more motherly as the seasons progress. Daryl is someone I can connect to on a emotional level, so that makes me easier for me to relate to him. I sympathize with him and see from his eyes, which makes it a secret skill for me to write characters. Though, I feel I will struggle LARGELY when Eugene arrives… Thanks so much!