She was just sitting there, staring. A vacant expression covered her face, it was like she was a shell. Daryl didn't understand why Merle being missing would cause this reaction. Zoey and Merle fought more than cats and dogs. Yeah they had their moments where they got along, but most of the time it was all claws and teeth. Hell he had witnessed one to many times when Zoey ripped chunks of hair out of their oldest brother's head, hence why he started keeping it really short. So why the sudden bout of depression.
The group had already began to clean up the massacre. Gathering the bodies in to two separate piles at the very emotional request from Glenn. While in the process Daryl walked around with a pick axe making sure there would be no more walking corpse. Zoey observed many things about those they were about to leave with. Yes she had heard the conversations on where they would head. It had started as an argument about whether the CDC was better than Fort Benning. Not that it mattered, in Zoey's mind they were abandoning someone important to her. So she sat there and waited, when finally the camp had grown quiet as they took the bodies of their own into a make shift grave yard that the man named Jim had started.
Zoey watched calmly from a distance, arms folded across her chest as her fire red hair shifted in the soft breeze. Soft crunching noise from behind her had her tilting her head listening to the distinct footsteps. Zoey didn't bother to turn around the person behind her was living she could tell. When the person reached her side, the familiar shirt let her know Daryl was standing next to her. She watched out of the corner of her eye as her brother pulled out a crinkled pack of cigarettes with only a few left. After he had pulled out a smoke of his own Zoey grabbed the pack and pulled one out as well.
Daryl let out a snort that sounded more like he was complaining than anything. Even so after he had lit his he handed the lighter over. "Don't know why you acting like a three year old." He snorted. "'s not like you two got along all the time anyway." He took a long drag from his cigarette before turning to her waiting for her silent reply. Glancing over at him Zoey took a defiant drag of the smoke she had stolen right out of his hand. Placing the cigarette in her mouth so she could use her hands she signed 'he is still my brother, one of the only family I have left that didn't treat us like worthless pieces of shit.'
"Don't worry 's not like anything can kill him… well 'cept himself." Finishing his cigarette and dropping it on the ground before deftly stomping it out. "Keep that in mind, lil' shit. Ain't no reason to get worked up." He turned around and wondered back to what was left of the camp.
It had taken little less than two hours to be packed up and on the road heading towards the CDC. Zoey remained silent as always staring out the passenger window. When the convoy began to slow and then come to a stop, Daryl jumped out of the cab and headed towards the front of the line of vehicles. Zoey took this time to get out and stretched her legs as well as check on the bike in the back making sure it was still secured to the bed of the truck. When she looked back towards the front she watched as they took Jim and leaned him up against a tree on the side of the road. Zoey frowned and she took a few steps forward towards the scene. She noticed that everyone was saying good bye. It seemed as if they were going… to leave him.
Taking a few steps forward again her feet landed in the grass causing her to stop a moment. Nope she was not going to say good bye, she didn't even know the man. Turning back around she trudged back towards the truck and climbed back in. shortly afterwards Daryl climbed back into the truck and turned the ignition. When they began moving again her eyes followed the tree that the man they were abandoning was resting against.
Several hours later she was woken with a sharp shaking. Jumping up she rubbed her hand against her eyes and glanced around. Her brother was jumping out of the truck already with crossbow in hand. Taking this as a hint she jumped out and reached into the bed of the truck next to the front wheel of the bike and grabbed her own bow. Following closely behind Daryl she eyed the bodies lying hap hazard around the court yard. When they reached the door Rick began banging on the door yelling for them to let everyone in.
It took a few minutes but a walker was spotted behind them. One at first then another and another. She grabbed Daryl's shirt on his back a slight panic settling in her chest as she watched the dead come for them. Once the danger was realized everyone was trying to encourage Rick to leave and get back in the vehicles, but the man did not stop and kept insisting on trying to get in. yelling at the camera, "your killing us!"
When finally he stopped yelling and pointed at what seemed like a lifeless camera to Zoey. "It moved! The camera moved!" that's when Shane walked up and grabbed a fist full of Rick's shirt and yelled. "It's dead there is no one there!" struggling in a blind panic she watched as Rick shrugged his way out of Shane's grasp. Yelling at the camera once again when the door shuttered and lifted up revealing an almost blinding light. With a shout Rick ushered them all in setting up a perimeter inside watching for walkers in the halls just in case. The door slid shut locking them inside.
Zoey felt immediately smothered. A locked door behind them and an unknown at their front. A voice accompanied by a body down the hall. "Is anyone infected?" she looked around and when the only one that moved was Rick, everyone seemed to take a breath. "Just one but he didn't make it."
Zoey took a deep breath when she realized what she had missed. She hadn't even notice the man had been bit. She had been to out of it to notice. She took a deep breath and refocused back on the group when they began moving further into the building. The group was taken to a room and waited along the walls. 'What are we waiting for?' she asked Daryl while she looked around the room and watched as Andrea sat down first. The man that had opened the doors sat down in front of her and placed a tourniquet.
Her brother took that time to reply. "He wants to draw blood for us being here." He looked down at her and smirked. "I think he's a chicken shit." That caused Zoey to smile back. Everything went by rather quickly for drawing blood. It had taken maybe and hour for everyone to have their blood drained before they were shown the placed they would sleep, and told the rules about the electricity. When Dr. Jenner announced that everyone should go easy on the hot water everyone got excited and split off into different dirextions. All Zoey could do was shrug and follow after Daryl.
About the middle of the hall way her brother stopped and opened a door to reveal a decent size room that had a couch in the corner as well as a recliner in the other. Not taking any chances Zoey burst into the room and jumped on the couch with a wide smile as she stretched out and crossed her legs. Daryl snorted before entering after before dropping his stuff by the chair. Once he had gotten himself comfortable in the oversized recliner he said "hey," before sighing in her direction. 'you're a shit head you know.' Zoey let out a quick breath of air, her way of laughing out loud, as she smiled up at him. 'What are sisters for?'
Daryl launched a pillow at her before jumping up. "I call first shower!" as he ducked out of the room searching for the shower rooms. As he left he dodged around a small form as Carl quickly ducked into the room followed by small girl that Zoey realized was Sofia. She lifted her eyebrows and quirked the side of her mouth up. Carl came to a bouncy stop as he smiled down at Zoey. "Show her what I taught you Sofia." He said excitedly as he looked back in forth between the two girls in the room. So, slowly Sofia lifted her hands and with immense concentration she signed, 'hi my name is Sofia.' Stumbling slightly over spelling her own name. Zoey smiled and sat up before signing back. 'Hello Sofia. My name is Zoey.' She smiled slightly before adding. 'It's nice to meet you.'
Carl laughed at his little friend as she frowned down at the lady with fire red hair. "What does that last part mean?" she asked aloud. Zoey smiled and before she could ask Carl for some pen and paper he answered for her. "I think that means, 'it's nice to meet you'. Am I right?" he asked cautiously just in case he was wrong. Zoey smiled and nodded enthusiastically. The young boy thrust his fist up into the air in triumph with an excited whoop. "Will you teach up both some more?" Carl asked again becoming more excited. His excitement to learn new things cause her to smile wider and she nodded.
Rick had just finished his shower and for the first time in weeks felt clean and relaxed. Turning the corner in search of his wife and son he ran smack in to Carol's back. "Oh I am sorry." He said with a smile. "Rick! Have you seen Sofia?" she asked sounding almost panicky. "No as a matter of fact I haven't. Maybe she is with Carl, I was just going to find him myself why don't you follow along." He suggested as he walked down the hall looking into open rooms. When he reached about the middle of the hall on his left he stopped and smiled.
In the room sat Daryl's little sister and in front of her sat both Sofia and Carl. She was signing something at them and they would both pop of a sentence that they thought she was saying. Backing up a bit Rick placed his hand on Carol's shoulder and moved her in front of him so she could see her daughter. With a smile Carol place her hand on his shoulder and moved back down the hall allowing her daughter some time to play with her new friends. Rick smiled as well and leaned into the room knocking on the wall hoping not to startle them. When all three looked up Rick announced that Dr. Jenner would have dinner waiting in about a half an hour.
After hearing that there was going to be a dinner for everyone Zoey sat up straighter and smiled. She hadn't realized how hungry she was until food was mentioned. Standing up she guided the children out of the room and towards the dining hall. Right before she reached the end though she spotted Daryl, who seemed to be oblivious to her so she stuck her fingers in her mouth and let out a blistering whistle. Carl and Sofia both jump and covered their ears and giggled. Zoey smiled and when she noticed her brother staring at her she signed 'food will be ready shortly. Dining hall in thirty.' He nodded and head towards the food, obviously hungry himself. Zoey smiled both of her brothers could be endless guts if they wanted. Shaking her head she continued towards the smell of food.
About fifteen minutes into dinner someone had busted out some wine and whiskey. Zoey smiled as she grabbed hold of the nearest bottle of whiskey in hopes of getting some before Daryl yanked it out of her hands with a smirk. "Hold on there little sister it might be poisoned." Zoey smiled and slapped him hard on his bare arm just as Lori handed her some red wine. Smiling she nodded her thanks and opened the bottle and chugged for a few seconds before coming up for air.
Everyone one was laughing and joking. Daryl had even told Glenn that he was going to continue drinking and he wanted to see how red he can get. Yep her brother was smashed, it was a wonder that he could even continue to walk around. About that point Carl had asked if he could try some and in the end Lori reluctantly aloud him a sip. Carl's face smashed up into a face that resebled only a baby trying a sour lemon for the first time. Zoey couldn't help herself, being pretty well buzzed herself, she threw her head back letting out a rush of air followed by a squeal tjat closely resebled the sound of what a dyeing rabbit would make. Bringing her face forward she covered her mouth and her flaming hair fell over her face.
She had fought for so long to make sure as to not make any noises. Well getting drunk didn't help with what motif action covered her face. She looked out from under her eye lashes to make sure that no one was listening. The only one that had seemed to notice to her surprise was Rick who was discreetly looking at her and smiling like he was trying to make her feel better. Daryl had seemed to snap out of his drunken stupor slightly and had placed his ruff hands on her shoulders. With a slight release of air she looked at her brother. 'I am going to bed' she told him silently and gently pushed herself back up and staggered to the room she would be sharing with her brother, totally embarrassed.
Later that night her brother stumbled lazily into the room and flopped down into the chair while simotimeously pulling the lever the lift the foot stool. "Everyone was asking where you went." He stated throwing his hands up behind his head stretching. "jus' so you know. Don't think anyone noticed, lil shit. Well 'cept me." He smiled slightly as his heavy alcohol laden eyes closed.
The next morning when she left the room she headed for the dining hall. Once again it was full of wonderful smells that almost made her forget the dead that walked around up top. Rubbing the heal of her hand into one of her piecing blue eyes as she stumbled in to what look very similar to breakfast. A headache was pounding relentlessly behind her gaze. She went to the end of the table and flopped down and leaned back. If she could have groaned, like a normal person, she would have. After a few moments of displaced conversations Lori tapped her on the shoulder, "here take some of these, sweetie." Looking down she saw a bottle of aspirin and with an excited gasp she took three and swallowed them dry.
Once she got her plate of food more people fell into the dining hall groaning and mumbling. Aspirins and water was passed around making sure that everyone was taking care of. Breakfast went by fairly quickly and to Zoey's relief no one mentioned her annoying little hiccup last night.
After breakfast Carl and Sofia followed Zoey down the hall teasing and laughing as the continued to learn what she might say. The morning went by quickly with the two children keeping her busy when all of a sudden the air conditioner turned off causing Zoey to stop midsentence as she looked up. Frowning she stood up and stuck her hand out in a silent sign for the children to stay put. Sticking her head out the door she watched as a commotion of people moving towards Dr. Jenner as he walked down the hall. Every one chattering about one thing or another none of it sounding all too pleasant.
Just as she began to step out of the room Daryl walked up her to her and said, "Keep them kids busy. Us adults need to have a talk with the man in charge." She watched as her furious brother strutted down the hall after everyone else. Zoey frowned and slipped back into the room and attempted to keep Carl and Sofia busy. Not even ten minutes later Andrea popped her head into the room with a quick order to collect there things.
With a nod she grabbed Daryl's stuff as well as hers. Urging the kids out of the room she escorted them to their mothers who were collecting their stuff. When she reached the main room with all the computers where they had entered before the blood test. There was a lot of yelling and Rick had Shane on the ground with a shotgun in his face. When she looked around again Daryl was against a metal door she hadn't noticed before swinging an axe with all the effort he had, even more the caged animal that she had witness when she was a child.
Turning her attention to those still on the podium she overheard the computer describing to the desperate individuals exactly how they were going to die. In gas and fire. Right then Glenn popped off with a very deft laments terms, "it sets the air on fire." That caused a whole new torrent of panic as everyone begged Dr. Jenner to open the door. Zoey tuned it out, there was no way in hell she was going to sit around and allow others to tell her how she was going to die. She turned to look at her brother. Daryl and stopped his pacing for only a moment to assess what she might be thinking, but finding nothing better to do he charged at the door once again slamming the useless axe against the metal door.
She walked up onto the podium her arms crossed as she glared at the doctor who sat at the computer screen spouting some nonsense about there being nothing to live for. Zoey couldn't help herself, walking silently around Lori and a couple other people she ducked around Rick. She raised her hand and before anyone saw it happen she let it fly. A sudden smacking noise echoed off the walls causing everyone to fall silent. She didn't care who understood her at that point she let the doctor have it cursing his ten ways from Sunday. When she was done she heaved an irate breath of air as she backed away and down the podium towards the door. Everyone stared for only a moment more before they erupted a slew of curses and arguments for the door to be opened.
When the door finally did open everyone was in full panic. Zoey only waited long enough to watch Lori and Carol and the children leave before she ran up the ramp herself. After reaching the main entrance she noticed the outside door still wasn't open and even more panic set in as she watch Daryl and Shane beat the glass next the door, to no avail. She turned around in a circle, searching desperately for an escape route. When shot rang out she turned back to the window to see Shane unloading his weapon into what seemed to be bullet proof.
Carol rushed up out of nowhere calling for Rick just in that moment. "Your first day in camp when I was doing laundry. I found this." She stated as she pulled out a grenade. Rick grabbed the object of their survival with a look of hope. Running up to the window she watched as Rick shooed the others away and ordered everyone down. Daryl came running up beside Zoey and pushed her down while covering her head with both of arms and whispered, "hold on lil shit, 's going to be loud." And with the last word the world exploded with glass and fire.
In a hurry Daryl yarded her up in one motion along with both their weapons and bags and ushered her out the window, urging her to run. Within moments at a dead run they had reached the truck and were yanking open the doors. Zoey was in first hiding herself along the floor boards, her small frame barely taking up any room at all. Slamming the door behind her she covered her ears just as her brother threw himself down on the seat almost in the fetal position. They heard the others running for their vehicles, for safety. Shouting a calling for those who were straggling to hurry to catch up. Just as the calling seemed to stop a loud explosion rattled the truck and a burst of heat blasted across the air making it seem like it had been cool only moments before.
It took a few moment when all they could hear was the roar of the fire that was consuming the building both Zoey and Daryl sat up, glancing over the dashboard. Red flames engulfed what was left of the CDC leaving broken windows to spray fire like an angry demon. Daryl took no time and started the truck and put it in drive following the others back out onto the road. Zoey took this time to crawl back into the seat beside him, glancing over she watched as he chewed on a hang nail next to his thumb. With a hefty sigh she dug threw his bags and pulled out the pack of cigarettes that he had been half hiding from both of them and half nursing the last few, tying to make them last longer. There was only two left, pulling one out she placed it in her mouth and lit it before handing it over to him. Once he grabbed it and took what looked like a calming drag she took the last one and lit it for herself before staring out the window as they left the city.