Don't Fear The Reaper (R. Grimes & D. Dixon)

29

kit sat in a chair between Daryl and rick at the 'council table' in the library

"Patrick had a mild flu yesterday, and he died overnight," Hershel started

"we'll have to separate and quarantine everyone that's been exposed," kit added,

"for sure, we know that's everyone in that cell block. that's all of us, maybe more." Daryl gives an example

"we know that this sickness can be lethal. We don't know how easily it spreads yet. is anyone else showing symptoms that we know of?" Hershel asks

"We can't just wait and see. This is a viral sickness that evolved for the new world. It's fast-acting and life-threatening. And if more people drop dead, they now are a walking danger to everyone else. We can't risk it. We don't have the time to risk it. quarantine is proper procedure even for veterinarians." kit said sternly, staring at Hershel, who nodded understandingly

"We need a place for them to go. they cant stay in D, and we can't risk going in there to clean it up" Hershel looks around to everyone else

"death row?" Glenn suggests, "I'm not sure that's much of an upgrade."

"it's clean; that's an upgrade. you think that will work?" ricks asks, looking to kit, who nods

"I'll help Caleb and kit get it set up," Hershel offers "then we need to talk about where-" a woman's cough cuts kit off. Getting up, she approaches the hallway, screeching of chairs and the footsteps of the rest following.

"you okay?" Tyreese asks Karen

"I'm okay," she says, still coughing as they pass

"you don't sound so good," kit says, stepping into the hallway

"we're just taking her back to my cell so she can rest," Tyrese says, his arm around Karen

"Tyreese, I don't think that's a good idea," rick says behind kit

"why? what's going on now?" Karen asks. Everyone hesitates,

"it's a viral or bacterial infection. Caleb and I haven't narrowed it down yet, but we know it's contagious. It's also how Patrick and we think chad died. We're going to be quarantining everyone who was exposed as a safety precaution," kit explains, horror and concern crossing their faces.

"she's going to be okay. now that we know what they died from, we can treat it, right?" tyreese panics

"don't panic. We're going to figure this out. But we should keep you separated in the meantime. Caleb or kit will take a look at you. Caleb is already looking into the medications we have on hand to cross off kits list of what we'll have to make a run to get." rick calmly tells them.

"David from the Decatur group, he's been coughing too," Karen tells them

"I'll get 'em-" Glenn offers, "-there are some empty, clean cells in the tombs, right?"

"Yeah, we'll meet you there," Sasha says as Glenn runs off, and she steps towards her brother and Karen "come on. let's get you settled," she said, escorting them there, rick and kit moving out of their way.

"have to call another meeting later," Hershel mumbles, leaving

"alright," Daryl says. Kit and rick nod

"I'll get to burying the dead ones," Daryl says

"gloves and a mask Daryl. I'll meet up with you in a bit." rick says to him before kissing kits forehead 

leaving only kit and Daryl in the hallway "you all right?" Daryl asks her

"I'm worried about Lizzie, mica, and the boys. They were around Patrick more than any of us. And Patrick was handling the food the other day. god and you shook the kid's hand." her eyes welling with tears, calloused hands cupping her face