Note: Studying is finished so now I get to spend more time writing...Enjoy! (p.s. I'm not good at writing an accent like Daryl's so there isn't much of that, plus it's a bit easier to read when it's not all redneck-y...)
"When are you due?"
"Any time really. Hershel has done what he could for me but now that's all messed up. He taught Carol some things and I'm sure Maggie knows about it."
"I'm here until Hershel is stable and awake so if you pop before then, I can help. Let's go do our womanly duties, cook breakfast, and then help the menfolk clear out another cell block for the prisoners."
I helped Lori and Carol cook breakfast but chose to have one of my protein bars instead. It didn't feel right eating their food but if we did split what was left in the kitchen with the prisoners, then maybe I'd take some extra for the road.
"We'll clean out a cell block and any hallways in between. Then we'll make our way back to the kitchen and take stock of what's there. I want this place as secure as we can get it before the end of the week," Rick said, addressing us and the prisoners on the other side of the barred door.
"When I was running around yesterday, I saw a section that had collapsed in. I couldn't see the fence from the courtyard so we might have to go through the building to check it out," I offered.
"If we can find a map of the prison, we can mark down what sections have been cleared," Dix suggested.
"Good. Finish up and we'll go. Daryl, you have point. Glenn and T-Dog, you're watching our backs. Your group and I will be in the middle. Warning you now but if any of you try something, we won't hesitate to kill you."
The prisoners nodded and raised what weapons they had. Obviously since Rick hadn't mentioned where I would be, I was to stay behind. I didn't see the point in staying behind since this cell block would be all locked up from either end and no one could get in unless Carl unlocked the door.
"If you don't mind, I'll patrol outside. Doubt any of them got in but they might have worked their way from somewhere in the building to the courtyard."
Rick nodded and I ran to get my bow and quiver. Some of the bolts had been made from tree branches but I still had a few real ones. As long as they were sharp enough and pierced their brains, it didn't matter if they got a splinter or two. Carl unlocked the door and we moved into the outer room with the prisoners. Dix handed another set of keys to Glenn who walked me to the door leading outside.
"If for whatever reason you get overrun, head up into the tower and block the door. We'll check on you later," he said with little emotion behind it.
I took a sweeping look as I exited and waited while the door was locked behind me. I did a round of the main courtyard and checked under the vehicles. I could see the dozen or two walkers who were pushing themselves into the fence on the outer perimeter but there was no way in. I checked on the rolling gates and saw the makeshift locks.
"Must have been Dix's idea for those," I chuckled.
Making my way up to the gun tower, I had a clear view of this side of the prison. I still couldn't make out the collapsed section. I pulled the binoculars from my pocket and scanned the open fields and tree line around the outer fence. At first I thought I was seeing more walkers but I watched and saw the difference. The small group of 4 men were trying to blend in but once they were around the walkers, they pulled out their weapons.
The slaughter of the walkers around the group was quick and quiet. Most knew not to use their guns and had sharp knives or axes. One had a device strapped to his arm with a blade on the end. When the man turned around and the sun caught his face, I swore. I guess it's true that no one but a Dixon can kill a Dixon because there Merle stood alive, surviving the brutal amputation. One of the men was staring up at the prison with interest. His gun belt hung low on his hip and he was wearing a vest over a shirt and jeans. I watched as the other men looked to him for information.
I should head in and tell the others but there's no way inside and if Merle's group watched the courtyard, they would see me. At this distance they wouldn't know who I was but would know that I'm alive and not a walker. I stayed in the tower and watched them as they slaughtered walkers and walked the outer fence. I swore when I saw them reach a section of the fence that had been wired closed.
Hurrying down the stairs, I stood straight against the tower to check their position again. Their focus was on the fence so I ran full speed to the wall on the other side of the courtyard. Checking again, I shifted myself to a window that was near the cell block. Since Merle's group couldn't see me, I turned and tapped the glass with my machete. Doubting Carl or the others would understand Morse code, I did a few taps, waited, and tapped again.
After a minute or two of tapping, the outer door opened and I ran in. Maggie locked it behind her.
"Where are the others?"
"AJ, what's wrong?"
"Scouting party. Only four of them but they found where you clipped the fence to get in."
"Shit. They haven't come back yet."
"Open the door and I'll find them. We need to know what we're going to do."
Maggie unlocked the door and I hurried through. I had my bow raised and my knife in my hand in case I needed it quickly. The machete was tucked into my belt but easily accessible. I was careful clearing each corner and listening for anyone. I could hear movement ahead but unsure if friend or foe. It was one of the prisoners fighting off a walker. No one else was around so he must have been separated. I shot a bolt and took the walker out.
"Where are the others?" I demanded.
"It's been years since I've seen a woman," he leered as he stepped closer. "Almost as long since I've been with one."
"Like I'm just going to strip down and fuck you because of that. Now where are the others before I decide that the world needs one less pervert in it?"
He still advanced and I couldn't afford the time to reload so I let it drop on the strap around my chest and pulled up my machete. His skin was so shiny and as he moved closer, I caught the stench. I couldn't help myself.
"Jesus Christ, man. When's the last time you showered? I doubt if you were the last man on Earth surrounded by nymphomaniacs, you would get any."
He charged at me howling in anger. I planted my feet and swung the blade up from the floor. It got him where it counted but didn't slice through his body like in the movies. It took a bit of muscle to rip the blade free from his bleeding pelvis. Rather than watch him suffer in pain, I swung the blade in the opposite direction, right down into his head.
"I guess I'll just have to find them myself."
I hurried through the next couple hallways before heading to the kitchen. I knew they would be going there eventually. Peaking around the door, I spotted several guns and one Horton crossbow aimed at me.
"Such a great welcoming committee. Rick, I need to talk to you."
Rick and Dix came over while the others continued separating the food.
"There's a scouting party outside the perimeter. I watched them for a bit and they found the entrance in the fence. All men with close combat weapons, guns too, hanging from their hips."
"Anything else?"
"One seemed to stare up at the prison most of the time. I recognized one but not sure where he'd stand if we had to fight."
"What ya mean, AJ?" Dix asked.
I sighed and looked Dix straight on.
"It's your brother Merle."
