The prison group barely had time to react. They were under attack and they knew wholeheartedly who was to blame.
"Everyone, c'mon!" Rick called, not missing a beat, much to the surprise of his friends. Glenn and Maggie ran out into the guard tower, trying to spot their attackers. But it was hopeless. Woodbury wasn't that stupid. They were tucked behind trees and bushes, using walkers as decoys, making it almost impossible for anyone to get a clear shot. The fence was slowly caving under the weight of the added walkers.
"There's hundreds of them!" Maggie moaned, pressing her head into Glenn's shoulder.
"I know," he muttered, regretting instantly for siding with the wrong side of the group.
Rick was silently cursing himself for banishing his most dangerous group members. He knew instantly that it would have been Harleigh, Merle, Michonne and Daryl out there in the midst of the fighting had he not so stupidly sent the away. He looked into the distance, his eyes locking on something only he could see.
"Rick, what do you wanna do?" Carol called, her arms protectively wrapped around Carl's shoulders. The young boy looked at his father in disbelief. Rick said nothing, just stared vacantly into space. "Rick? Rick!"
I was overly aware of someone poking and prodding at my side. I groaned, my nose crinkling against the sensation. I began to wiggle under whoever's grip.
"Harleigh?" a woman's voice called. I instantly froze. Something wasn't right. Why was there a woman hovering? I forced my eyes open, my hands instinctively looking for something to use as a weapon.
"Easy, Leigh," Daryl's calm tone soothed my tension. I turned my head, catching sight of Michonne, who had taken a step back, giving me space to readjust. Daryl's hand clasped down on mine, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Hey, Leigh," he smiled.
"Ouch," I muttered, the room spinning ever so slightly. This time it was different. This time, the spinning sensation passed quickly, leaving me feeling more lucid than I had been in what felt like forever.
"Is she a'right?" Merle's voice asked. I turned my head, smiling at the older man. He cocked his head before flashing me a grin. "Well, now that's a sight for sore eyes."
"Shove it, Dixon," I said hoarsely, a smile now playing on my lips. "How long was I out?"
"Almost a week," Michonne informed me. "Thankfully your little girl and her dog knew what to get to help ya out."
"Alana?" I asked, grinning at the sound of my daughter's happy voice.
"Mommy!"
The next thing I knew, tiny hands were around my neck, a very teary little girl hugging me with all her strength.
"Lana," I smiled, kissing the side of her face.
The entire mood of the room seemed to change when I stood up carefully, an arm wrapped around Michonne's shoulders. She led me up to the bathroom, helping me keep from tearing the stitches all over again.
"You're tough, ya know that?" she chuckled as she waited outside the door.
"Uh-huh, been getting that a lot lately," I laughed. I spared a glance out the window, something catching my eye. Something that didn't belong. "Shit!"
"Are you okay? Need me to come in there?" Michonne called.
"I'm fine," I said, turning all too quickly. My balance was still off and having spun so quickly, I wound up on the floor. I groaned, pressing my eyes shut long enough to steady my vision before clambering to my feet, my hands searching blindly for something to grip onto.
"Michonne?" I called, still swaying. Next thing I knew, I was on the floor again, this time with the mysterious woman standing over me, calling for help. Another minute passed. My vision returned to normal in time to see Daryl rushing through the door, his arms around me as he picked me up. "Stop," I said against his chest. "Look out the window and tell me what's wrong with that picture." Dumbfounded, Daryl did as he was told, all with me still in his arms. I hated feeling so useless. I knew it would take time for the antibiotics to fully fight off the infection, even longer for me to regain my strength, but in that moment, I felt completely helpless.
"We're being watched," Daryl said grimly. Michonne joined us at the window, a look of disgust forming on her face.
"Rick?" she asked, looking at Daryl and I.
"No," I said carefully. I surveyed the scene once more. "This is too careful," I looked at the way the bush was bent. No, this hadn't been Rick or anyone from the prison.
"Governor?" she tried again. This time, I nodded.
"I'm almost sure of it," I said with a sigh. "But it could be a red herring," I countered. "A set up."
"You mean…?" Daryl started.
"The prison might be in danger," I finished his thought with a grim nod. The three of us made our way back downstairs. Once I was back on the couch and no longer a danger to myself, we filled Merle in on the scene outside. Merle's face darkened at the news.
"Like hell if ya think we're going back," he grumbled.
"We aren't," I said carefully. "Y'all are gon' stay put," I clarified. "I, on the other hand, owe it to them to at least check it out."
"Ain't owe them nothing Leigh, open your eyes, they let you walk just like that!" Merle spat.
"I know," I shrugged. "But so did you. An' I went back for you."
"You knew Merle would be there," Daryl mused, looking at me with sad eyes. "When we went for Glenn and Maggie."
"I'd hoped," I nodded. "Merle was one of the good guys there. Him and a handful of others. We just got lucky 'nough that his head wasn't up his ass when we got there."
"Hey!" Merle growled.
"Is for horses," I said out of old habits. I smirked up at the older man, the smile reaching my eyes, earning a grin from Michonne and Daryl.
"Enough small talk," Daryl said quickly, the mood once more turning serious. "We have to do something."
"He's right," I said, shoving my head into my hands. I took several deep breaths before looking up.
"We have to do something. It's not Rick or Glenn or Carol I'm worried about. It's the others. Judith, Carl, Beth. They're all kids still," I said, my eyes filling with tears. "One thing I refuse to change 'bout who I was 'fore all this started, is I won't stand by and let innocent children die."
"Beth's not a kid anymore," Daryl pointed out.
"Regardless," I shrugged. "I'm going back. You two," I nodded at Merle and Daryl "Head in whatever direction your hearts lead you. But leave some sort of signs. I'll meet up with ya if I'm alive after all this shit blows over."
"Ain't leaving you behind," Daryl said sternly. I glared at him but allowed it.
"Then we're all going back?" I implied. Merle grumbled something under his breath about us being morons, but didn't argue. I nodded once and forced myself to my feet. Daryl hovered next to me while I retrieved the bag of medical supplies.
"Alana, I want you to make a run to the van, right? Straight shot. Merle's gon' be right behind you," I told my little girl.
"But mommy," she looked at me with fearful eyes.
"Honey, if I can't make it to the van on my own, there's no point in me going back to the prison. But I need you to be brave, alright? Do like I say and get to the van. Blade'll be right next to you," I said, choosing my words carefully.
"Van won't start," Daryl reminded me in a hushed tone.
"I know," I said softly. "You'll take a look at it when we get to it. I need'ta get something done first."
"What?" he asked, his voice soft. Michonne was too busy gathering anything we could make use of, while Merle took the bag and was ushering Alana out of the front door. After Michonne took off, I turned to Daryl, forcing myself to look like I had a backup plan if this all hit the fan.
"Listen, if something happens out there, your first concern is yourself and Merle and my little girl, ya hear me?" I said softly. "Don't worry about me. If I'm gonna die, I wanna die like this, not laying on a couch somewhere with y'all worrying about every breath I take."
"Ya ain't gonna die," Daryl argued.
"I hope you're right," I nodded. "But if you're wrong, you have to promise me something."
"Anything," he said, his features softening, the hardass exterior finally gone.
"Promise me you'll look after my little girl," I whispered, my voice hitching. "I need to know you'll be there for her."
"Alright," he nodded. I nodded, satisfied with his answer. Together, we left the cabin and hurried through the trees. My pace faltered a few times, but I forced myself to keep going. When we reached the van with no problems, not even a single walker, Daryl quickly went to work on the motor while I slid in the front seat, my heart racing in my chest.
"Mommy, are we gonna die?" Alana asked me, fear written all over her face.
"No, honey, we're not," I said firmly. "We're going on a little rescue mission, then we'll be all safe and sound by nighttime," I vowed. I knew I shouldn't make a promise I couldn't keep, but how do you tell a child that you're almost certain you won't live to see sunset?
Michonne climbed into the back seat, pushing Blade out of the way.
"How're you feeling?" she asked me, her face full of concern.
"Better than the last few days," I said truthfully. "But still not 100 percent."
"If it comes down to a fight…" Michonne let the statement fall, overly aware of the little girl sitting beside her.
"Then we do what we have to," I said firmly. "All for one and one for all," I shrugged. Michonne nodded, understanding what I meant. After what felt like an eternity, the van purred to life. Merle grinned his sly grin before climbing into the back seat with Michonne and Alana. Blade growled softly, clearly annoyed by the tight seating arrangements.
"Blade, up front," I said to the dog. He jumped over the seat, his claws digging painfully into my thigh. I pushed him onto the floor in front of me, smiling when he tried to snap at my hands.
"What about Riley mommy?" Alana asked.
"Riles is gone, honey," I said softly, turning so I could look at her. "He pushed himself to stay alive long enough to bring Michonne to us. He served his purpose."
Tears welled in her eyes as my words sank in. I patted her knee before focusing on the road in front of us. Daryl wasted no time, speeding down the road with little caution or care. The closer we got to the prison, the tenser the van became.
A/n - Okay, so originally, I was going to send someone out to beg for the group to return and help with the threat at the prison, but I decided against it, for now at least. The next chapter is when things get a bit hairy. Try to keep in mind the times lapse. Harleigh's been in and out of a coma like state for at least a week, whereas the events at the prison took place on the 3rd or 4th day. ;) That helps with the next chapter a lot.
Also, the little "Calm before the storm" scene was important. I wanted to form some unlikely bonds, and who better than the Dixons, plus a hardheaded huntress, a mysterious Samurai warrior chick, a little girl and a stray dog? Haha, plus, I like writing Merle as a softer character, but alas, that too has to change soon. :D Merle can't stay a soft sweetheart forever! As much as I wish he could!
Oh, a minor warning/spoiler. The next few chapters are fairly dark, and include character deaths, blood, guts, and gore. Also a little abuse from the eldest Dixon is on the way. So if stuff like that bothers you, turn back now. Things are about to get real hairy, real fast. Cheers!