Chapter 7

As we reached the CDC the sun had begun to set. There were bodies everywhere.

"Alright, everyone move slowly and quietly. We don't know if they're still moving." Rick said.

We moved as fast as we dared to go and made it to the doors of the CDC. They were closed tightly. Rick banged on the door.

"Rick there's no one there!" Shane said.

"The camera! It moved!" Rick said.

I looked at the camera and then saw a walker. I took a knife from inside my vest and threw it into its head.

"Rick please!" I said.

As Shane pulled him away the doors opened. I looked inside and then pushed Carol and Sophia inside.

"Come on!"

We all went inside with some of us watching the door. I heard someone loading a gun. I turned quickly and a man came forward with a shotgun.

"Is anyone infected?" He asked.

"One of our group was. He didn't make it." Rick said.

"What do you want?" He asked.

"A chance." Rick answered.
"That's asking an awful lot these days." He said.

"I know."

He looked at all of us and then back at Rick.

"If you have other things you better get them now. Once these doors close they will not open again." He said.

I ran and grabbed my deerskin knapsack and came back. The doors closed and the man introduced himself as Dr. Edwin Jenner. We followed him to an elevator.

"Doctors always packin' that much heat?" Daryl asked.

"I familiarized myself. You all look harmless enough. Except you. I'll have to keep an eye on you." Jenner said to Carl.

He smiled and I smirked. He led us down a hallway and to our rooms.

"Pretty basic. There's a wreck room down the hall that you kids might enjoy. Just don't plug in any of the video games. And when you folks shower go easy on the hot water." Jenner said.

Glenn looked at us.

"Hot showers?"

"That's what the man said!" T-dog said.

I smiled and ran into the nearest room. I immediately got into the shower. Being an outdoor girl I liked bathing in rivers and lakes…..but a hot shower…well there was no price on it. As soon as I got out I threw on fresh cloths and headed to dinner. On my way I stopped. I heard Daryl in there.

"I feel kinda bad."

"Why because you snapped at Prue?" T-dog asked.

"Hell no! 'Cause I let her keep me company! Ain't want no one round me! Don't need no one!" He snapped.

I opened the door and looked at him. T-dog was slowly looking from me to Daryl. I looked Daryl straight in the eyes.

"You can think what you wish! Hell maybe you don't need anyone…I sure know you will not have me for anything! Maybe the others were right. Maybe you really are heartless! So do what heartless men do and drink and bang women and whatever!" I snapped.

I refused to let him see any tears. However I knew they were there. T-dog walked forward to comfort me but I turned on my heel and ran back to my room. I passed Dale on the way. A few minutes after Dale knocked softly on my door.

"Prue?" He asked.

I didn't answer and he came in. I was sitting against the wall holding back tears. He came over and looked at me with concern.

"Prue what happened?" He asked.

I didn't really know how I should answer. I started to cry and Dale put his arm around my shoulders.

"Daryl…..he thinks so little of himself! I know not why!" I said.

"No one does. He's…a complicated man. But he is still a man." Dale said.

I looked at him.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Every man has feelings whether they show them or not. And I saw you two talking that day. He looks at you differently from everyone else. You…like when I looked at my wife before she passed. Cancer. You treated him differently. You didn't judge him and you just stayed near him. I don't think he is used to that. I mean…..you didn't know his brother." Dale said.

I laughed a little. Shane had told me a little about Merle. Dale stood up and then looked at me.

"Are you coming to dinner?" He asked.

I shook my head. I didn't even want to look at Daryl.

"I'll get something later." I said.

He nodded and then left. I went to the wreck room. I smiled when I saw all the books. As I went forward and looked through them. I found one of the Lord of the Rings books and sat down.

I walked back to my room later and found someone already there. Daryl Dixon.

"Can I help you?" I asked.

"Came to apologize." He said.

I turned and looked at him. He stood up and walked closer to me.

"That old man told me what happened. I ain't too good at these things."

I smiled and shook my head.

"I am also sorry. I meant not to say the things I did." I said.

He smirked.

"Ye had every right and it ain't like they weren't true." He said.

I frowned.

"They weren't true. You are not heartless." I said.

He scowled.

"Ye can stop playing nice woman!"

I stood my ground and stared him down.

"I am not 'playing' nice! I like you Daryl. You are a good man. Why can you not see?" I asked.

He stood up and looked at me with anger in his eyes.

"Ye listen here woman! I ain't asking for your sympathy or yer company!" He snapped.

"Not what you said the other day at camp! Mind staying! Were tjose not your exact words?!" I snarled.

"Maybe I did then! Don't mean I mean it now!" He challenged.

"Prove it!"

"Come again!"

I narrowed my eyes.

"Prove it! Prove you don't care about anything! Prove that you're heartless! Hurt me go ahead!" I said.

What he did next….well let's say I did not expect it.