I stood by the fence, staring out into the darkness. Everyone else was sitting around a small fire, except Rick, Carol, and Daryl. I pulled my eyes away from the darkness of the woods to see Daryl and Carol in the distance. It looked like he had his hand on her shoulder. Rifle must've kicked back hard. I thought, looking back toward the woods. My thoughts swirled around the events of the day, and all I could wonder was 'why'.
Why now? All the times we could've been safe... Now we find it, but we're too late. Like always. I thought of Cheyenne and frowned. Trying to keep her out of my head, I turned on my heels and headed toward the group. I heard the mumbles of them talking, followed by Beth's voice floating through the air. The words hit my ears, and I immediately recognized the song.
"Of all the money, e'er had, I spent it in good company. And all the harm e'er I've ever done, alas it was to none but me. And all I've done, for want of wit, to memory now I can't recall. So fill to me the parting glass. Good night and joy be with you all." She sang, as I walked up and sat by Glenn and Maggie. I saw Carol and Daryl walk up quietly.
"O'er the comrades that e'er I had, they're sorry for my going away." Maggie joined in, her and Beth's voices echoing. "And all the sweethearts e'er I had-"
"Would wish me one more day to stay." I sang along quietly. I felt the eyes of the others look my way. Maggie and Beth smiled. "But since it falls unto my lot, that I should rise and you should not. I gently rise, and softly call. Good night and joy be with you all. Good night and joy be with you all." I saw Daryl watching me with soft eyes.
"Beautiful." Hershel said quietly.
"Better all turn in." Rick instructed. "I'll take watch over there. We gotta big day tomorrow."
"What'd you mean?" Glenn asked.
"I know we're all exhausted. This was a great win. But we gotta push just a little bit more... Most of the walkers are dressed as guards and prisoners. Looks like this place fell pretty early. Could mean the supplies may be intact. They have an infirmary, commissary, an armory.." Rick continued on with his rant. I blanked out momentarily, thinking how great that sounded.
"We're dangerously low on ammo. We'll run out before we make a dent." Hershel advised wearily.
"That's why we have to go in there... Hand to hand. After all we've been through... We can handle it, I know it. These assholes don't stand a chance." Rick looked down at Carl with a reassuring face. Then, he was up and walking away. I saw Lori walking after him and I sighed.
"Come on, girl." Daryl's hand was in front of my face. I grabbed it, allowing him to help me up.
"I ain't tired." I mumbled, wrapping my arms around myself.
"Walk?" Daryl nodded toward the fence. I nodded and we walked in a comfortable silence. Something about the woods surrounding us kept my eyes glued to outside of the fence. Walkers here and there, but they couldn't get to us. I did my best to ignore them, just watching the darkness of the brush. "You're quiet."
"I..." I stopped, looking around. "Look at the place... Daryl it's...it's that safe haven. The one that Rick told us about. One he swore we'd find... Here it is. We find it now." My voice was caught somewhere between disbelief and anger.
"Not 'xactly safe, yet." His voice was gruff.
"Why now, huh?" The anger poured from my voice. "Why the fuck now? Why couldn't we find this place before?" I turned and kicked the fence hard, the chain clinking against my boot.
"You need to stop. Now." Daryl's voice was calm, but cold. "Stop feelin' sorry for yourself. Stop blamin' yourself. Just stop. It's rough... I get it. I know, Spencer. Believe me, I know... You ain't the only one who misses her. Wish things coulda been different, but they ain't. Now, ya heard Rick. Gotta long day tomorrow. Finish up this walk and get some sleep?" His hand was reaching out for mine.
"This's gotta be it..." I took his hand. "Tell me we're safe."
"Ain't gonna lie. I dunno that for sure." He admitted.
"Can ya lie a little?" I asked, cracking a slight smile.
"Lyin' ain't in my nature." Daryl and I began to walk back toward the group.
"I know that. What makes you a good person." I glanced over at him. He glanced back.
"Wouldn't go that far." He chuckled.
"You just cain't take a compliment, can ya?" I studied his face, watching his lips perk upward as he smirked.
"Hn." He grunted playfully. We walked over and I watched as Daryl made an area for us to sleep. Tilting my head, I looked at the makeshift sleeping bag.
"That's a damn sad excuse for a sleepin' bag." I looked up at his face, then began laughing.
"Now you're makin' fun of our bed, huh?" He cut his eyes at me.
"No! Never!" I teased. He shook his head and I saw a hint of a smile. Laying down, I settled in beside him and looked up at the sky. The stars were bright, twinkling like glitter throughout all of the black. Putting my hand on his chest, I snuggled closer to him. "Night, Dixon."
"Okay, everyone. Listen up." Rick was standing in front of us. I glanced over at Glenn, who glanced back. His face looked weary, tired. Looking at the ground, I listened to Rick's words. "We're gonna stay back to back. Do not break formation unless you have to. We need to stay tight, keep all sides guarded. Watch each other's backs, understood?"
"I still don't like the idea of you going in." Glenn looked at Maggie, then at me. "You either."
"Watch what ya say. Women are dangerous." Daryl warned, causing Maggie and I to laugh.
"We got this." Maggie said firmly. I nodded in agreement, looking at Rick.
"We're ready." I waited for him to speak.
"Then let's go." We walked over to the gate, where Hershel stood. "Ready?" Rick looked at him, then opened the gate. Walkers came at us, and I jumped forward, stabbing one through the head.
"DARYL!" Rick called. I could hear the others yelling to snag the walkers attention. Rick was shouting orders, and I heard Glenn say something as I jumped forward, killing another walker. "Almost there!" Rick shouted. We went to round a corner, and Rick stopped short, cursing. We went for it anyway, and I saw the group of walkers. Jesus Christ...
One came close, but it had a helmet on. Daryl shot it with his crossbow, but it just seemed to bounce right off. Rick pushed it back hard, and it fell on the ground. I turned to see another one coming, so I did the same. Then another, but it didn't have on a helmet. The smell of decaying flesh was all around me, but it didn't bother me as it once would have. Swinging my arm back, I plunged the knife into its grayish blue forehead. The walker dropped to the ground.
Another was coming at me quickly, and I stumbled backward, catching my balance. Rushing forward, I let out a grunt as I smashed my knife through the walker's head. It's orangish, filmy eyes were lifeless and dull as it hit the ground. Spinning on my heels, I welcomed another one, thrusting my knife up under its throat. Slinging it to the ground, I saw Rick running towards the fence with walkers surrounding it.
"DARYL!" Rick knocked a helmeted walker to the ground, before cutting another one's head off, and I saw Daryl rush over to help him close the gate. "We're good!" I looked over to see Maggie struggling with a helmet walker, when she suddenly plunged her knife under it's face shield. The walker dropped.
"See that?!" Maggie's face was full of excitement. Glenn and T followed her lead, along with Daryl and I. All I could hear was the walkers that we had trapped behind the other fence. Looking around, I realized we had cleared the area. We did it... We actually fuckin' did it. Glenn began jogging toward the others and we followed.
"Stop." Rick called out to us.
"What? Looks...secure." Glenn mumbled.
"Not from the look of that courtyard over there." Daryl said, and I followed his gaze. He pointed down at a dead woman. "And that's a civilian."
"So the interior could be overrun from walkers from outside the prison." T-Dog stated wearily.
"Well, if there's walls down, what are we gonna do? We can't rebuild this whole place!" Glenn voice was rising with panic.
"Can't risk a blind spot. We have to push in." Rick instructed. I looked at Daryl, who gave a short nod. We followed Rick into a narrow gated walkway and up the stairs to the door leading into the prison. Daryl looked at Rick before opening the door. Nothing.
Cautiously, we walked inside the dark building. Windows gave us light from the outside. Looking around, I saw nothing, only empty cells. A few dead bodies littered the floor as we continued searching the area. Rick walked up some stairs, and within a few moments he appeared with some keys. Continuing on, Rick unlocked another cell door, leading us into a cell block.
The floor was littered with papers, but otherwise it looked decent. Upon further investigation, Rick and Daryl found a couple of walkers in cells, but killed them with no trouble. Keeping my knife held firmly in my grip, I walked around, looking at the new found area. Home. It was our new home. A hand on my shoulder made me jump, turning quickly on my heels. Glenn caught me by surprise, but I recovered quickly.
"Sorry. Gonna go get the others." Glenn's voice was tired.
"Yea, let's go." I mumbled, taking one last look around the prison block. Home, sweet home my ass... Better than nothin' I guess. Following Glenn back outside, I truly hoped this was what Rick had been looking for all along.
We walked outside to get the rest of the group. Glenn looked at me, and I suddenly felt tired. I thought about all we had accomplished the last two days and I felt weak. Sleepy. Exhausted. No more, Rick.. I need a week's vacation before we get back to business. The others seemed to breathe with relief when they saw Glenn and I round the corner. Leading them back toward the inside of the prison, I smiled when Carl appeared beside me.
"Whatd'ya think?" Rick asked as we walked toward him.
"Home sweet home." Glenn mumbled, as Rick came down the stairs.
"For the time being." Rick agreed.
"It's secure?" Lori asked, looking around.
"This cell block is." Rick confirmed.
"What about the rest of the prison?" Hershel asked, stepping toward a cell. I looked around for Daryl, but didn't see him.
"In the morning, we'll find a cafeteria, an infirmary." Rick planned.
"Will we s-sleep in the cells?" Beth asked.
"Found keys on some guards, Daryl has a set too." He replied.
"I ain't sleepin' in no cage." Daryl's head popped over the rail from upstairs. I looked up, trying to hide my smile at his words. "I'll take the perch." He walked along upstairs. Adjusting my bag over my shoulder, I looked around. Everyone began their search for a cell, but I walked quietly toward the stairs. I saw Daryl spreading out a blanket as I stepped up to where he was. He laid down, but sat up when he saw me.
"Gonna bunk with me?" He teased gruffly. I laughed.
"Guess so." I played back.
"C'mere, girl." His voice was softer. I sat my bag to the floor with a soft thunk and sat on the blanket beside him. My black tank stuck to me, and I wished for a long, hot shower. Daryl pulled me closer to him, and I felt his lips on my shoulder, his stubble prickling my skin. Another light kiss against my skin. I turned my head, my face close to his. "You all right?"
"Yea." I whispered, watching him. He looked me over, as if to reaffirm my answer. His hands skimmed over my arms, shoulders, back.
"You're all in one piece." He said, his voice low.
"That I am." I leaned back into him. Laying down beside him, I saw Rick sitting against the wall downstairs, looking just how everyone else did. Tired, exhausted. Thank you for pushin' us, Rick. Rest now... Just sleep. We all just need sleep.
Oh, yay ! They are now in the prison. Oh, my, this means characters will be returning soon ! I am so excited to do the 3rd season... Man, oh, man. I been waiting patiently for this ! I am so sorry for torturing you all with long update waits, but I have been killing myself at work. I hope this chapter is enough to hold you over til next update ! Things are gonna get crazy, that's for sure.
I would like to thank everyone for the amazing support. Every reader, review, follower, favoriter. You guys rock fanfic, legit. Thank you so very much. The positive feedback I have received from this story is crazy. Thank you !
~Kaila