A/N Thank you so much everyone! In this chapter we're busting into the prison, and we meet a new friend.
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Emotions are mixed as the group prepares to leave for the prison. Although it makes sense to leave the children and the older men behind, no one is comfortable with it. They'll be okay, of course they'll be okay. Hershel and Dale are both more than capable of handling firearms, and they've proved they're survivors. Even the kids can handle weapons, but shit, they've always said the group would stay together and this just doesn't feel right.
It's Morgan who suggests, "Now that we know it's the dead we're dealing with and not some roadside bandits, what does it matter if we get them closer? Dale could park his camper...I don't know, say a half mile or so from the prison. They all just need to keep themselves inside and out of sight. They can play cards or one of those games he's got, Yahtzee or checkers. The important thing is, we won't be leaving our kids too far from us."
Before the proposal can even be discussed Carl speaks up, "We don't want to wait here, we want everyone to stay together, besides, we're not babies and it's not like we don't know what's going to happen today. Duane and I could help clear."
Sophia's a bit offended, "Well gosh, I could help too, you know."
Rick jumps in, "No, you're not going to be fighting, but I do think Morgan has a good plan." The group quickly agree, Dale, Herschel and the children will wait just half a mile away. No one wants to leave anyone behind.
The camper has been slipped off Merle's pickup and the warriors all ride together, Merle, Carol and Amy up front, Maggie, Glenn and Morgan in the back. Daryl, Beth and Rick ride together in the bed, along with weapons, ammunition, the bolt cutters they're going to use to cut through the chain link and a few provisions.
They don't pull up right in front of the place, they don't want to alert the walkers they've arrived. Daryl smiles down at Beth, "Element of surprise, right girl?"
"That's right Mister Dixon."
The group tries to be both silent and invisible, walking crouched down and low as they make their way toward the prison. They encounter a small group of four walkers just outside the fence and quickly put them down with noiseless weapons. Daryl using his bow to kill one, while Maggie, Merle and Rick plunge their knives into the brains of the other three.
The group is single file as they follow Daryl's lead, hurrying over to the side of the yard where there's a large breezeway built just wide enough to accommodate one vehicle. This fenced area runs between the outside, and a second chain link fence which leads directly into the prison yard.
The group all watch as Rick uses the bolt cutters to cut through the fence links, making a hole just big enough that all members of the group can squeeze through and enter the breezeway. Once they're in Glenn and Daryl move quickly, stringing wire through the links to close and secure the opening.
They all wondered why there would be walkers in the large grassy area, and now they see the problem, the gate leading into the field from the parking lot and prisoner's exercise yard has been left open. This allowed the grassy area to become populated with walkers. The only way to properly clear it will be to somehow get the gate closed and kill the walkers in the field.
Rick's mind is going a mile a minute as he suggests his idea to the group, "If we can get that gate closed we can clear this whole yard. Then we can start on the rest of the prison."
The obvious question is asked, "Yeah, but who's going in there to close the gate?"
Glenn volunteers, "I will. I'm the fastest."
Maggie immediately opposes that idea, "No Glenn, that's a suicide run."
Rick says, "I'll go," and he begins to give orders. Maggie, Beth, Glenn and Amy are told to try and draw the interest of the walkers away from Rick and toward the far end of the fence, "You should be able to just pop em right through the fence while I make a run to the gate."
Daryl and Carol are told to go up in the near guard tower and shoot at any walkers trying to get to Rick. Merle and Morgan will take the other tower and do the same. Just as everyone is about to run to their stations, out of nowhere a stranger holds up his hands as he announces, "I'm here to fight with you, not against you. I been trying to figure a way in this place for a week."
All weapons now point at the muscular young man, it's Merle who asks, "Oh yeah, and just who the hell are you?"
"Theodore Douglas, they call me T-Dog."
Merle nods in recognition, "College football player, weren't ya?"
"Yeah, I was, in that other world."
The group is ready to act on their plan and Rick makes a quick decision, "Alright, you go with Daryl and Carol, but just know, if you make one false move Daryl will kill you instantly."
The man nods, "Yessir."
The time has come.
Glenn hands Rick the chain to lock the gate leading from the exercise yard, and Maggie slides the entry gate open letting Rick onto the grassy field.
The group is no longer trying to hide. They're here to kill and clear. It seems the prison walkers have sensed the family's arrival anyway, as a large group start coming toward them. The undead are making their terrible growling sounds and flailing their arms as they quickly approach. Although the members of the family have all seen this sort of thing before, it seems more frightening than ever. There are so many walkers and so few fighters, and the group's whole future is at stake.
As soon as Rick is in the yard the action begins immediately. Arrows are flying, pistols and rifles are being shot, and huge knives are being thrust into the skulls of the prison walkers. Daryl's loading and firing arrows as quickly as he can, shoot, reload, fire again.
He's worried about Beth and quickly glances toward the breezeway. He sees Beth, Glenn, Amy and Maggie banging on the fence and calling out to the walkers, drawing them away from Rick and close enough to kill. Glenn has a wooden rod he pushes into the mouths of the beasts, while Maggie, Beth and Amy fire their pistols or stab with their knives.
Beth feels Daryl's eyes on her, looks up and gives him a quick smile and a thumbs up, then they're both back to the work at hand, killing the dead.
It's that way every time he glances in her direction, Beth is holding her own against the walkers and Daryl marvels at how things have changed. She's not the same woman she was when he found her in Atlanta. Beth's firing her handgun and using the knife as if she's been doing those things for years, not weeks. He takes comfort in knowing she can adapt, she's a survivor.
Merle Dixon has always enjoyed a good fight, but he prefers those fights to be a knockdown drag out brawl against other men, and preferably in a loud and raucous honky tonk. This shit is more like work, no damn fun at all. It's combat with an enemy you don't really understand. An enemy who could have been your drinking buddy in some other life, but who can now kill you with one little scratch, one small bite.
What's making this battle especially difficult for Merle is Carol. He's concerned about her even though she's probably perfectly safe up there in that tower. She can shoot a little, but dammit, he didn't have enough time to really train her, not yet, but by golly, that woman is holding her own. Then it happens, she fires at a walker but her aim is way off and she comes within a couple of inches of hitting Rick instead. When the deputy looks up at her she smiles shyly, shrugs and says "sorry'" and it's all Merle can do not to laugh. She's a good one that lady.
Rick is balls to the wall, taking out walkers while trying to secure the gate with the chain. He finishes just in time, the hungry walkers have descended on him. There's a red door leading to another guard tower, and he escapes inside as walkers clamor to get in behind him. He slams the heavy metal door shut and finally takes what might be his first breath since entering the field.
Once up in the tower he and the group finish off the last of the walkers remaining in the grassy field. When it's done spirits are high, but they all know their work has just begun. Still, Rick takes a minute, surveying the field and already imagining the life they can have here. His eyes drift to Amy and he wonders if it's possible, maybe he can heal enough to start this new life with her.
For now, the first order of business is to get rid of all the walker bodies cluttering up their new home. They drag those bodies into a large pile to be burned later. Then they rest up so they can fight again. They've come this far and they're anxious to get the big parking lot and adjacent exercise yard clear. It's also a good time to vet their newest arrival. Rick asks, "So T-Dog, don't you have a camp already? A group you're traveling with?"
A sad look comes over the man's face when he answers, "I did at first, until...I've kind of lost track of time, but I think about 10 days ago. We got jumped by some jerks and while all that was goin' on a bunch of the dead ones showed up. Everyone was killed, good guys and bad guys, except for me and a few dead ones. They were trying for me, but I got lucky. I ran and I came across some kinda county workshop with a cinder block well-house. I managed to get in and hid inside til the trouble passed. I was there two nights, no food no water, but I'm not complaining. I lived."
"After that I hit the road, I just started walking cuz what else could I do? I managed to find some edible plants and even killed a couple rabbits. But I haven't had much to eat or drink. I came across people, you know, spied on em. There was no group I wanted to be with. Mostly bad guys, it seems like there are more of those since the world ended. Still I kept telling myself how lucky I was, and then I came across this place."
"I remember just standing out there on the road looking at it, I thought if a man had a group maybe he could clear this place and turn it into something, but I was alone so I kept walking. Something drew me back though, I just couldn't give up on the idea. It seemed so perfect and I was trying to think of a way I could make it happen. You know, like maybe I could find some good people and maybe between us we could take the place. Then you all came along and it was like my prayers were answered."
Beth smiles, "Well we were glad to have your help T-Dog. My name is Beth." She begins pointing to the other members of the group, "This is Amy, Glenn, Maggie, Daryl, Rick, Merle and Morgan." Daryl almost smiles, there she goes being Beth again, all sweet and welcoming.
"I'm glad to meet you all, I hope you'll let me join up with you. I'm strong as an ox and a good fighter. I mind my business and I believe in the Lord."
Rick nods, "How many walkers have you killed?"
"Walkers?"
Rick explains, "That's what we call the dead ones."
"Oh, sounds about right. I can't say for sure, including today probably about 16."
"How many humans have you killed?"
"None, I've only killed walkers, even that day we got jumped."
Rick nods, "You can stay with us for now, we'll take it a day at a time and see how things go."
T-dog agrees, "That's fine, all I want is a chance."
They start talking strategy, how are they going to clear the parking area / exercise yard? They make the decision to eat something, sleep on it, and take the yard first thing in the morning.
They brought a few supplies and Merle and Morgan take T-Dog with them back to the pickup for the blankets and a box of food. The group sits in a the grassy field, all together in a circle as they nibble at the provisions and warm themselves by a fire.
They're all deep in thought as they contemplate what's to come. It's Glenn who suggests to Maggie and Beth, "You ladies ought to sing for us, I could use some soothing music right now, I bet everyone else could too." The rest of the group encourages them as well, and soon the sisters begin to sing an old Celtic folk tune, The Parting Glass.
Daryl's supposed to be patrolling the yard, but it's so difficult. He hears her singing that tune and he can't take his eyes off of her or walk too far from her sweet voice. He's grateful that when it's time to bed down for the night Morgan and Rick offer to take watch. Neither can think about sleep anyway. All the two of them can think about are their boys and how they should be with them now, but the decision has been made. They'll wait until the yard is clear before bringing them to the prison.
Merle's laying with Carol trying to reassure her, "Don't worry now Honey, we'll go get Sophia n them boys tomorrow, you'll see then, them kids are doin' just fine without us. I seen that Dale had a six pack a cokes stashed away, I bet he let them kids all have one. They're probably havin' plenty a fun right now, gettin' them old men ta let em stay up late playin' n whatnot." Merle just wishes he could believe his own bullshit, he's as worried as Carol.
Daryl's got himself and Beth all rolled up in a thick blanket. He's holding her close when he whispers in her ear, "Ya kicked ass today girl. I just wish we was fightin' side by side. I don't like it when we ain't together."
She smiles when she whispers back, "I don't like it either, I always feel safer when I'm with you."
"Yeah? Well you're gonna feel safer tomorrow then cuz when we bust in that yard we're doin' it together, an we're stayin' together til the fightin's done."
"That's what I want too Daryl."
They kiss and they touch and tease each other a little, but it's not going any further than that. There are too many other bodies lying way too close to let this go too far.
Rick twists and turns uncomfortably. The whole family is laying close to one another and that's okay, it's good, except shit, Amy's laying so close to him he can hear her breathing. He has to fight the urge to roll over and just hold her while they sleep.
It's not quite daylight, but that doesn't matter. They've all been up most of the night while various scenarios play over and over in their heads. In the end, this day will have either brought great success, or terrible loss. There's no other way, no in-between.
It's time and they assemble at the gate. This action will be all about teamwork, all of them fighting together as one. Rick loosens the lock on the gate to the yard entrance and the others hurry in, once the last of the group is in, he re latches the lock to ensure no walkers escape the yard.
They form a tight circle, backs to one another and weapons ready. The walkers descend almost immediately and the battle for the big lot and exercise yard begins. The family members are stabbing with the blades of their huge knives, piercing the soft skulls of the dead, but soon the walkers seem to be charging at them and the battle becomes more and more chaotic. Daryl shoots the big crossbow as Beth fires away with the the gun he gave her.
By far the toughest combatants they encounter are the former guards, they transformed into walkers while wearing riot gear and their heads are protected from the warrior's weapons by helmets that include face shields.
It's Maggie who has the first success with a helmeted walker. She bravely lifts the face shield of a guard, jumps high and brings her knife down into the opening and through the skull of the walker. She's empowered now, almost giddy as she takes out guard after guard.
The whole group is having great success but the walkers keep coming. It seems there's no end in sight. Suddenly it begins, gunfire is coming in from behind them. Not one gun, several people are shooting into the yard and walkers are dropping to the ground. Not all are dead, but they've been slowed enough for the warriors to easily finish them off.
The members of the group turn to look, trying to find the source of the gunfire. Who in the world could be aiding them in their fight? Rick, Morgan and the rest of them can't help smiling at what they see. Dale, Herschel, Carl, Duane and Sophia are just outside the fence and all of them are armed. They made their own decision and came to do their part to help clear the yard.
It's just the extra burst of firepower and incentive the group needed. Soon they have control of the big concrete lot and exercise yard.
Walker bodies are being drug away, placed in a new burn pile as Rick, Morgan and Carol run to hug their children, and Beth and Maggie hurry to their Dad and let the older men and children inside the breezeway, then onto grassy field. Now, more carefully than ever they secure the opening cut in the fence. They don't want any uninvited guests.
Once inside the kids immediately begin burning off the energy they've been storing up these past few weeks. They've been forced to stay inside and to be quiet, unable to do the things kids like to do. Now in this big open space they chase each other, running and laughing over every inch of grass and the boys cheer with delight as Sophia even does a few cartwheels.
Once the concrete exercise yard is cleared of walker bodies, Rick leads the group back to the field. The intent is to use the soft dirt of the breezeway to draw a map of the inside of the prison, with Merle's help. Rick knows the basic layout, but Merle's the one who has actually been inside the facility. Carol can't help smiling as she teases, "Gee, I've never felt more proud."
He smiles back, "Yeah, well ya should be. I's a real good boy when I lived here before. I even got out six months early on good behavior."
Daryl snickers, "I still don't know how the hell that happened."
"C'mon now little brother, I can be sweet when I need ta be."
Carol smiles, "I'll just bet."
Daryl shakes his head, a little embarrassed and his tone a little harsh when he says, "C'mon then, get on with it. We're burnin' daylight."
Merle and Rick crouch down, each with a small stick in his hand as they draw a map of the prison layout in the dirt.
At this point a decision must be made, do they continue their move forward into the prison now, or do they go for the vehicles, park them in the prison yard and continue their mission in the morning? It's agreed, they should get their things before someone finds their camp and they're lost to them forever.
They consider the grounds as safe as anywhere can be nowadays, but Rick and Carl, Morgan and Duane stay back to guard the prison while the others ride first to Dale's camper, and then to the group's campsite to retrieve their rigs and belongings.
They all feel safer and more secure once the group are back together with the rigs safely parked in their customary circle in the concrete lot. A couple of trash can fires are set and it's as if all at once the family breathes a huge sigh of relief as their dinner is warming. Off in the yard and out of sight, fire is set to the two piles of walker bodies.
They discuss their situation over dinner and it's agreed that cell block D is the best option for their new home. D block is where prisoners deemed not to be a threat were housed, the prisoners on good behavior like Merle was. That's how he knows so much about that wing.
It's smaller than the other blocks and was considered safer for personnel, that's the reason the kitchen, laundry, library and infirmary are close by, and most important of all, the Warden's office. The Warden's office is where they'll find the control panels for locking down and for opening the cell blocks. Rick points out that the armory should be close too, hopefully there are still weapons and ammunition housed there.
Rick warns, "I think we can expect the place to look like a tornado went through it. When these guys and the guards started getting sick it had to be a living hell in there. Obviously there was rioting, we're bound to find the place a shambles. Be prepared for that."
Over their meal there's plenty of chatter, no one really knows what to expect or what they'll find, but they're all realistic enough to know it won't be paradise. There's going to be plenty of work ahead. They talk about how they can fix the place up to make it more of a home, and how long it might take to clear the entire place. There's anxiety but there's also plenty of excitement.
It feels good to be back in the van and alone with her. It's become their home and where they feel comfortable, but they want this new life too. They want to be with the family and to be a part of the group. It will be good to have everyone living together in the same place, it's just seems like every day there's another change. Beth sighs, "Everyone seems to be so excited about fixing up their own little cell and turning it into a home. I'm trying to be positive, I'm trying to be happy about that too. I guess if I can add enough of my own touches, and with you there with me, it will be fine."
He takes a step over to her, gently pushes a curl off her forehead and says, "Yeah, whatever. For now, come ta bed with me. I missed ya last night."
She smiles, egging him on, "What do you mean you missed me, Daryl? I was laying right there next to you."
"Yeah, and you're lucky I didn't forget everyone else was there too, now quit bein a tease," and as soon as the words cross his lips his fingers have hold of the hem of her t-shirt and he's pulling it up, over her head and off.
She giggles, "Oh yeah Mister Dixon? Well how about this?" and she reaches for his belt buckle and quickly has it open.
He smiles, "You're gettin' pretty good at that."
The fire in them is building as they quickly remove what's left of each other's clothing, and Daryl lifts her in his arms. Her hands clutch his face and she kisses him eagerly, causing their fever to grow as he lays her on their bed.
They make the kind of love that says they've been apart for too long, been denied each other's touch too long. Even though it's only been the one night it felt so much longer. They hungrily lick and nibble at each other's bodies, anxious to taste and touch every inch of one another, and to feel that oneness. When he slips inside her they both moan with lust and relief. Now they're truly together.
Their release has their bodies shaking and then relaxing completely. They lay in each other's arms and their skin is damp as their fever cools. He wraps her up in his arms, his lips next to her ear when he whispers, "I want ya ta be happy, but I can't sleep in a jail cell Beth. I don't want you sleepin' in one either."
She knows him and she's not surprised, "Maybe once we're in there we can find some other spot to make our home. As long as we're together I can be happy sleeping in the corner."
He pulls her closer, "I promise I'll find ya sumthin' better than that." Then he's concerned, "I ain't bein' mean to ya about this, am I?"
"By not wanting me to sleep in a prison cell? No, that's not mean Daryl."
"Did I tell ya lately that I love ya?"
"No, but I kind of thought you might."
"Well hell yeah I do, an I'ma remember ta tell ya more."
"You always show me Daryl, and that's what counts. I hope I show you how much I love you too."
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A/N We're so close! Please leave a comment and let me know your thoughts. There's a chapter photo on my tumblr blogs, gneebee and bethylmethbrick, please have a look. I'll be back next week as we all bust in the joint, and we find out what Daryl and Beth decide about living arrangements. I hope you'll be here too. Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee