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» KILLER WITHIN «

I Have Such Bad Timing

The prison was dark and cold, the grey stone walls absorbing any light that came through the barred windows. But I knew it was our home now. Rick took a group out to clear the bodies from the fields, hoping to use them for crops. It sounded like we would be here for a long time. Time to start unpacking.

I heaved my bag onto the top bunk, tipping it upside down so the contents could spread out. There wasn't a lot that belonged to me. A few T-shirts, another pair of jeans and some balled up socks in the bottom. Sandwiched in between the clothes, however, were the few things I possessed.

I grabbed Sophia's doll from the pile, dusting it off and correcting it's hair and dress, placing it on my already made bed. I shoved articles of clothing to the side to reveal Beth's book. We had finished it three times on the road, leading to her officially handing it down to me. I could now read it front to back with almost no mistakes. The pages fluttered between my fingertips until I landed on one in particular. Pressed between two pages was a flower. A Cherokee rose. It had dried out by now, the only thing holding it together was the force of the shut book. I placed the book underneath my pillow and started folding the clothes I took out. When I came across Daryl's poncho, I flicked it out in front of me, getting the dirt and dust off.

"Hershel's walking!" Carl scurried into my cell. I hauled the poncho over my head and dashed out after him, making it to the room. I watched as Lori helped him off the bed, stumbling before leaning against the pair of crutches Beth held. They held his shoulders as he got a feel for them.

"You know, I feel pretty steady." He made slow movements towards the exit, the feet of the crutches making a dull click against the concrete.

"Wanna take a rest?" Lori asked.

"Rest?" Hershel incredulously replied. "Let's go for a little stroll." He smiled. It was nice to see him feeling so positive after such a terrible thing happened to him. It was like nothing could stop him. We were surprised at how quick he was moving, trying to keep up as he left the building. He paused for a moment, soaking in the sun. He struggled down the steps, eventually making it into the courtyard.

I heard the crunching of gravel as Maggie and Carol moved the cars, and Glenn's yell from outside the fence.

"Alright, Hershel!" He cheered. He was going out with Rick and Daryl to burn the bodies, getting rid of them once and for all.

"You're doing great, Daddy." Beth encouraged Hershel, still keeping her arms slightly out to catch him in case he fell.

"Ready to race, Hershel?" Carl joked. It was nice seeing everyone so relaxed and happy, especially after the events of the last few days.

"You give me another day. I'll take you on." Hershel challenged in return. I shut my eyes, taking in the pleasant atmosphere. It was so peaceful for once.

"Walkers!" Carl yelled. I spoke too soon. There were dozens of them, all coming from behind us. I whipped out my gun and started shooting, never letting them get too close.

"Get outta there! Go!" Rick and Daryl raced in our direction, but they would never get here in time. Hershel headed back to the cell block, but the stairs slowed him down greatly. A walker came at him from behind and he hit it with a crutch, knocking it to the ground where I shot it dead.

"Hershel, get inside." I pointed to a metal cage, knowing it would protect him. As he jumped up the stairs I kept my gun raised, letting a bullet go every time I saw a walker get too close.

"Beth!" I yelled. She didn't have a gun on her as she ran through the herd, so I kept an eye out until she eventually reached me, helping Hershel up the stairs. I couldn't see the others. Maggie, Lori and Carl had disappeared in the panic. Rick, Daryl and Glenn were still on their way.