Heavily inspired by missmischief's Spn/TWD crossover book.
She is amazing, go check our her work and show her some appreciation.
⚝──⭒─⭑─⭒──⚝
The apocalypse wasn't easy for anyone. Maybe some knew how to survive more so...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Jenny sat down on the pipes as everyone stared at the severed hand. Seeing the limb made her recall the ghost ship, and how people had drowned on dry land, and it was all tied to the severed hand of a hanged man.
Daryl whirled on T-Dog to kill him, but Rick pulled his Python on Daryl.
“I won't hesitate.” Rick said, “I don't care if every walker in the city hears it.” Rick threatened and Daryl frowned. He knew Rick was serious, he see it in his eyes. Daryl huffed and lowered the crossbow.
“You got a do-rag or something?” Daryl grunted. T-Dog reached into his pocket and withdrew a rag. Daryl knelt beside the gore and picked up Merle's severed hand. It was already decaying, turning grey and stiff.
“I guess the saw blade was too dull for the handcuffs. Ain't that a b****.” Daryl said and put the hand in Glenn's backpack. “He must have used a tourniquet… maybe his belt. Be much more blood if he didn't.” Daryl said and gestured to the trail of splattered blood.
“He got out.” Jenny said and gestured to the line. The group started to follow it. T-Dog picking up the tools on the roof.
“Merle? You in here?” Daryl called as the group headed down the stairs. Jenny stayed in the front, dagger in hand.
A loud gurgling caught Jenny’s attention and they rounded the corner heading into the office. A zombie turned and growled, staggering towards them.
“Mine.” Jenny said and walked over to the creature. She raised her dagger and slammed it down to the hilt in the zombie’s head. A snarl died in it’s half eaten throat and it collapsed, staining the short blue carpet of the office with blood.
“Had enough in him to take out these two. One handed.” Daryl said and turned to look at Jenny, “Toughest a**hole I ever met, my brother. Feed him a hammer, he'd crap out nails.” Daryl said.
Jenny continued to scope out the place. He may be able to crap nails but could the idjit crawl out of h***? Only the Winchesters.
“Any man can pass out from blood loss, no matter how tough he is.” Rick said.
The search for Merle continued, Daryl calling for him every so often.
“We're not alone here. Remember?” Rick said, trying to quiet Dixson.
“Screw that.” Daryl spat, “He could be bleeding out. You said so yourself.” Daryl pointed out. Jenny didn’t blame him for shouting. If she lost Sam or Dean again she’s shout too.
They come upon a kitchen where a stove sat, the small blue flame dancing in the light breeze. They found Merle's belt sitting on the top of it. There was a flat iron and Jenny picked it up examining the blackened mess.
“What's that burned stuff?” Daryl asked.
“Skin.” Jenny said and looked at Rick who nodded, “He cauterized the stump.”
Daryl surveyed the charred skin with a newfound respect, “Told you he was tough. Nobody can kill Merle but Merle.” Daryl said.
“Don't take that on faith.” Rick spoke up, “He's lost a lot of blood.”
“Yeah? Didn't stop him from busting out of this death trap.” Daryl growled.
“He left the building?” Glenn asked, “Why would he do that?” They found to a shattered window and they realize Merle left.
“Why wouldn't he? He's out there alone as far as he knows, doing what he's got to do. Surviving.” Daryl said and Jenny picked up some of the glass stained with blood. It was sticky, but not fully dried. Not too old, probably been there all morning.
“You call that surviving? Just wandering out in the streets, maybe passing out?” T-Dog spoke up, “What are his odds out there?”
Daryl looked sideways at Rick, glaring, “No worse than being handcuffed and left to rot by you sorry pricks. You couldn't kill him. Ain't so worried about some dumb walkers.” Daryl growled.
“What about 1,000 dead dumb walkers? Different story?” Rick asked.
“Why don't you take a tally? Do what you want.” Daryl spat, “I'm gonna go get him.” Daryl said.
Rick stepped forward, not wanting let him go out there by himself. “Daryl, wait.” Rick said grabbing Daryl who whirled on him
“Get your hands off me! You can't stop me.” Daryl shouted.
“I don't blame you.” Rick started, trying to keep everyone calm, “He's family, I get that. I went through hell to find mine. I know exactly how you feel. He can't get far with that injury. We could help you check a few blocks around but only if we keep a level head.” Rick said, successfully convincing Daryl.
“I could do that.” Daryl grumbled.
“Only if we get those guns first. I'm not strolling the streets of Atlanta with just my good intentions, okay?” T-Dog stated and Jenny nodded, siding with him.
“That ammo is sounding pretty good right now.” Jenny agreed.
“You're not doing this alone.” Rick said to Daryl who grumbled.
“Even I think it's a bad idea and I don't even like you much.” Daryl said and Glenn stepped forward.
“It's a good idea, okay, if you just hear me out. If we go out there in a group, we're slow, drawing attention. If I'm alone, I can move fast.” Glenn said as he knelt down, drawing a map of the street on the ground and marks the tank and the bag of guns.
“Look. That's the tank, five blocks from where we are now. That's the bag of guns. Here's the alley I dragged you into when we first met. That's where Daryl and I will go.” Glenn listed off.
“Why me?” Daryl asked.
“Your crossbow is quieter than his gun.” Glenn explained and Jenny shrugged. “While Daryl waits here in the alley, I run up the street, grab the bag.” Glenn continued.
“You got us elsewhere?” Rick asked and Glenn points down the street.
“You and T-Dog, right. You'll be in this alley here.” Glenn said as Jenny waited patiently to hear of her role.
“Two blocks away? Why?” Rick asked.
Glenn gestured to the map, “I may not be able to come back the same way. Walkers might cut me off. If that happens, I won't go back to Daryl. I'll go forward instead, all the way around to that alley where you guys are. Whichever direction I go, I got you in both places to cover me. Afterwards, we'll all meet back here.” Glenn said, and everyone looked at him with surprise.
“Hey, kid, what'd you do before all this?” Daryl asked and Glenn smiled a little.
“Delivered pizzas. Why?” Glenn asked.
“Where am I?” Jenny asked, leaning over the map and everyone looked at her as of they had forgotten she was there.
“Oh, you’ll be in this building,” Glenn said, “You’re pretty handy with that rifle. If things so south, we’ll need eyes up high.” He said and Jenny nodded.
“Right… and why do you call them Walkers?” Jenny asked and they exchanged a glance, “I’m genuinely curious.” She added.
“They’re the walking dead.” T-Dog said, as if it were obvious.
“When I hear Walker, all I can see is a bunch of people running in brightly colored joggers and sweatbands.” Jenny said and Glenn chuckled.
“I can see that.” T-Dog chuckled and everyone stood up, getting ready for their task.
⚝──⭒─⭑─⭒──⚝
Jenny had walked down the backwards alleys with Glenn and Daryl. A walker gurgled and sue turned, seeing the half eaten thing dragging itself across the ground. She walled over and stared at it as it tried to crawl towards her.
It’s bottom half was missing, its organs stretching out behind it, trailing dirt and blood after it. Jenny frowned and bent down, stabbing the thing through the head.
“This is where you’re gonna be?” Jenny asked and turned to Glenn and Daryl.
“Yeah.” Daryl grumbled and Jenny saluted before turning and strutting away. Glenn stared after her.
“She adjusted well.” Glenn said, and Daryl nodded. It was true. Jenny didn’t look at the Zombies or rather, Walkers, with fear. To her, monsters were part of daily life, and with these she didn’t need hand to hand combat or analytical thinking. The Walkers wanted food, they had no tactic, and Jenny had faced monsters who knew how to fight, how to kill, and how to escape.
Jenny found her place in one of the building, her eyes on the bag in the street as she set up the rifle.
Daryl loaded his crossbow and looked sideways at Glenn, “You got some balls for a Chinaman.” He said.
“I'm Korean.” Glenn corrected.
Daryl shrugged his shoulders, grunting, “Whatever.”
Glenn ran down the street. Several Walkers noticing him, but don't aggressively chase him, just wanting, mouths gapping open as their rotted tongues rolled over their decaying teeth.
While Daryl waited behind the trashcan, a young man walked down the alley. With a crinkle of trash beneath his boots, Daryl turned, spotting him. He pointed his crossbow at him and the man held his hands up.
“Whoa, don't shoot me! What do you want?” The man asked.
“I'm looking for my brother. He's hurt real bad. You seen him?” Daryl asked in a low growl. Instead of answering Daryl the man raised his hands and shouted.
“Ayúdame!” He shouted.
“Shut up! You're gonna bring the geeks down on us.” Daryl hissed, jutting his crossbow at the man. “Answer me.” Daryl snapped.
Glenn noticed the Walkers start to converge on him as he grabs the bag of guns and Rick's sheriff's hat. He runs back down the street he came.
“Answer me.” Daryl snapped again.
“Ayúdame! Ayúdame! Ayúdame!” The man shouted so loud that Rick and T-Dog heard the yelling and started to run over to Glenn and Daryl's alley.
“Help! Help!” the man screamed as Daryl snapped at him to shut up repeatedly. Two other men, came down into the alley and they started to beat up Daryl. Knocking the crossbow away they managed to get Daryl on the ground as Glenn came back with the guns and saw what was happening.
“That's it. That's the bag, Vato. Take it! Take it!” One of the men shouted.
A man started to run towards him and tried to grab the bag of guns. They grabbed Glenn and held him hostage. Daryl shoots one of the men in the rear end with his crossbow and he cried out in pain.
“Get off me! Get off me! Daryl! Daryl!” Glenn screamed.
Jenny had heard the screaming and was on the fire escape. She jumped down and one of the men turned to her. She drew her dagger and slashed him across the forearm. He screamed, but didn’t let go of Glenn. He kicked out, and Jenny stepped aside, only to have the bag of guns knock against her, sending her back a couple steps, but it was enough.
A car pulled up and they started to back up. One of the Walkers closing in was crushed by one of the men. Jenny turned and killed two more Walkers, trying to keep them off her and Daryl. With no guns, but Glenn as a hostage, the group fled leaving one of their own behind as well.
“Come back here!” Daryl shouted, grabbing the gate and shutting it before the Walkers can get at them.
Rick & T-Dog arrived to see what happened. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Stop it.” Rick said, trying to pull Daryl off the punk he was beating senseless.
“I'm gonna kick your nuts up in your throat!” Daryl threatened.
“Let me go.” The guy whimpered and Jenny walked over, her jacket sleeves dappled with splatters of zombie blood.
“Chill out.” T-Dog said.
“They took Glenn. That little punk and his little homie friends.” Daryl fumed, “I'm gonna stomp you’re a**!”
“Guys! Guys! We're cut off!” T-Dog said as the gurgling moans increased.
“Get to the lab. Go.” Rick said and Daryl grabbed the guy by his collar, dragging him.
“Come on, let's go.” Daryl spat at the kid as Rick picked up the bag of guns and his hat and the group ran back into the building.
As they got to safety they set up. They strapped the stranger into a chair and circled around him.
“Those men you were with, we need to know where they went.” Rick said and the guy, named Miguel scoffed.
“I ain't telling you nothing.” Miguel said.
“Jeez, man. What the h*** happened back there?” T-Dog asked.
“I told you, this little turd and his douche bag friends came out of nowhere and jumped me.” Daryl snapped and Miguel looked at Daryl with a scowl.
“You're the one who jumped me, puto, screaming about trying to find his brother like it's my d*** fault.” Miguel defended himself.
“They took Glenn.” Daryl said, and Rick looked sideways at Jenny as she shifted uncomfortably. “Could have taken Merle too.” Daryl added.
Miguel chuckled, “Merle? What kind of hick name is that? I wouldn't name my dog Merle.” At this Daryl lunged at Miguel, ready to boot him into tomorrow land, but Rick held him back.
“D*** it, Daryl. Back off.” Rick said and Daryl pulled away, reaching into Glenn’s bag and pulled out Merle's hand.
“Want to see what happened to the last guy that pissed me off?” Daryl said and threw the severed hand into Miguel’s lap. Miguel jumped and shouted in terror and disgust. “Start with the feet this time.” Daryl threatened as Rick held him back.
“The men you were with took our friend. All we want to do is talk to them, see if we can work something out.” Rick said, trying to reason with the kid, who sealed his lips.
“That’s it.” Jenny spoke up and walked over to the kid, “You’re not going to get anything out of him unless someone trained to extract information handles this. Ya idjits.” Jenny said and pulled out her dagger.
Before anyone could stop her she pulled up a chair and sat down, fiddling with the knife. “You’re gonna talk, and I’m going to listen, that’s the easy way.” Jenny said and the kid swallowed hard, eyeing the knife.
“And the hard way?” He asked timidly.
“You scream, and I still listen.” Jenny said and pointed her knife to his face, running the tip down his jaw to his throat where she pressed, drawing a single droplet of blood. “Take your time, think it over.” She mused and the kid nodded.
“Okay” He said and looked down at his shoes, “I’ll take you to them…”
⚝──⭒─⭑─⭒──⚝
“You sure you're up for this?” Rick asked T-Dog who nodded.
“One wrong move, you get an arrow in the a**. Just so you know.” Daryl growled at Miguel.
“G's gonna take that arrow out of my a** and shove it up yours. Just so you know.” Miguel retorted.
“G?” Rick echoed.
“Guillermo. He's the man here.” Miguel informed Rick.
“Okay then. Let's go see Guillermo.” Rick said.
They walked up to a building and the doors opened up. A man who was presumably Guillermo walked out into the sunlight. He looked calm, expressionless.
Taking notice of Miguel, Guillermo spoke, “You okay, little man?” he asked and Miguel shuffled his feet, looking ashamed.
“They're gonna cut off my feet, carnal. Cut off my feet and cut me up into little pieces.” Miguel said and Guillermo tilted his head.
“Cops do that?” Guillermo asked.
Miguel shook his head, “Not him. This redneck puto here, and some crazy chick. He cut off some dude's hand, man. He showed it to me.” Miguel said, looking pitiful.
“Shut up.” Daryl growled as more men came out of the hideout.
Felipe, one of the men, came out and pointed a gun at Daryl. “Hey, that's that Vato right there, homes. He shot me in the a** with an arrow.” Felipe snapped, “What's up, homes, huh?”
Guillermo Held out his arms, trying to keep his men as calm as he seemed. “Chill, ese, chill. Chill.” Guillermo said and looked at Rick. “This true? He wants Miguelito's feet? That's pretty sick, man.” He said.
“We were hoping more for a calm discussion.” Rick said.
“That hillbilly jumps Felipe's little cousin, beats on him, threatens to cut off his feet, Felipe gets an arrow in the a** and you want a calm discussion? You fascinate me.” Guillermo said.
Rick nodded, regret seeping into his eyes, “Heat of the moment. Mistakes were made on both sides.” Rick said as Guillermo watched them carefully.
“Who's that dude to you anyway? You don't look related.” Guillermo said, and Rick nodded.
“He's one of our group, more or less. I'm sure you have a few like him.” Rick stated boldly.
Daryl couldn’t hold back anymore, “You got my brother in there?” Daryl asked, blurring out the words.
“Sorry, we're fresh out of white boys. But I've got Asian. You interested?” Guillermo said casually as if he were trading baseball cards.
“I have one of yours, you have one of mine. Sounds like an even trade.” Rick said.
Guillermo shook his head, “Don't sound even to me.”
Miguel’s shoulders slumped, “G. Come on, man.” He whimpered.
Guillermo ignored Miguel and stared undaunted at Rick. “My people got attacked. Where's the compensation for their pain and suffering? More to the point, where's my bag of guns?” Guillermo asked.
“Guns?” Rick echoed.
Guillermo nodded, “The bag Miguel saw in the street. The bag Felipe and Jorge were going back to get. That bag of guns.”
The air hung heavily with tension as Rick stared at Guillermo, “You're mistaken.” Rick said.
“I don't think so.” Guillermo said.
“About it being yours. It's my bag of guns.” Rick said.
Guillermo narrowed his eyes, “The bag was in the street. Anybody could come around and say it was theirs. I'm supposed to take your word? What's to stop my people from unloading on you right here and now and I take what's mine?” Guillermo asked.
Rick shrugged, “You could do that. Or not.” He gestured to the wall where Jenny sat sniper rifle in hand, pointed right at Guillermo.
“Come on, D-bag. Make the trade.” Jenny grumbled.
“Oye.” Guillermo called. At his call two men appeared on the roof with Glenn. “I see two options. You come back with Miguel and my bag of guns, everybody walks. Or you come back locked and loaded, we'll see which side spills more blood.” Guillermo said and turned the Vatos heading back into the hideout and shut the door.
⚝──⭒─⭑─⭒──⚝
Rick unzipped the bag of guns and started to divide them. “Them guns are worth more than gold. Gold won't protect your family or put food on the table. You're gonna give that up for that kid?” Daryl asked.
“If I knew we'd get Glenn back, I might agree. But you think that Vato across the way is just gonna hand him over?” T-Dog asked, bringing up a valid point.
“You calling G a liar?” Miguel asked sharply.
Daryl scowled at the kid, “Are you a part of this? You want to hold onto your teeth?” Daryl snapped, his georgian blue eyes aflame as he drew back a hand, striking Miguel across the face.
Jenny watched, her mind wandering as she recalled a case she worked with Sam and Dean. They had thought it was a supernatural case, but instead it was people, crazy people. They kidnapped Sam and many others before him. They’d turn their captives loose then hunt them like a sick, twisted game.
She remembered what Dean had said, “Monsters I get, people are crazy”.
“Question is, do you trust that man's word?” T-Dog asked.
Daryl scoffed and shook his head, “No, question is what are you willing to bet on it? Could be more than them guns. Could be your life. Glenn worth that to you?” Daryl asked.
“What life I have I owe to him. I was nobody to Glenn, just some idiot stuck in a tank. He could have walked away, but he didn't. Neither will I.” Rick spoke, voice quiet, yet full of compassion.
“So you're gonna hand the guns over?” Daryl asked.
Rick shook his head, “I didn't say that. There's nothing keeping you thee here. You should get out, head back to camp.” Rick suggested.
“And tell your family what?” T-Dog asked.
Miguel moaned anxiously, “Come on, this is nuts. Just do like G says.”
“You want to shut up?” Jenny snapped at the kid and looked at Rick, “I’m not leaving, I’m going to see it through, help you save Glenn.” Jenny said, and Daryl snorted at her.
“You could die.” Daryl said.
Jenny nodded, pretending to think it over, “Wouldn’t be the first time.” She admitted. Of course, no one thought anything of it, but Jenny had been face to face with death. In fact, death was a bit frustrated with her.
“Thank you, Jenny.” Rick said, and Jenny looked at Daryl and T-Dog and raised a brow.
“You in?” Jenny asked, and the two nodded in her direction.
Jenny took charge of Miguel, holding her knife to his back as they pushed him along the streets. Daryl and T-Dog taking care of any Walkers that looked their way.
“We’re you in the army?” Miguel asked with a hiss of pain as Jenny pressed the knife to the center of his back.
“Does it matter?” She grumbled as they walked towards the large doors of the Vatos hideout. As soon as the group reached the stoop, the doors opened, and Jenny pushed Miguel in as Guillermo and his men greeted them.
“I see my guns but they're not all in the bag.” Guillermo said, looking at the weaponry the small group wore.
“That's because they're not yours.” Rick spoke, “I thought I mentioned that.”
“Let's just shoot these fools right now, ese.” Felipe growled angrily, “All right? Unload on their a**es, ese.”
Guillermo narrowed his eyes at the group, “I don't think you fully appreciate the gravity of the situation.” Guillermo spoke and Rick stood his ground.
“No, I'm pretty clear.” Rick said and Jenny used her knife to sever the tie around Miguel’s wrists, freeing him.
“You have your man. We want ours.” Jenny said and Guillermo looked sideways at Jenny, looking at her with great respect.
“I'm gonna chop up your boy. I'm gonna feed him to my dogs. They're the evilest, nastiest man-eating b****es you ever saw.” Guillermo threatened, eyeing Jenny, “Picked them up from Satan at a yard sale. I told you how it has to be. Are you woefully deaf?” he asked and Jenny stepped forward immediately guns were pointed at her as she stood a mere foot from Guillermo.
“Nah, I’m not deaf, I just don’t speak douchebag.” She said and Rick quickly pulls her back.
“You said come locked and loaded.” Rick spoke up as everyone cocked their gins and Rick pointed his gun at Guillermo. “Okay then, we're here.” He said. Suddenly, an old woman came out from behind the group and shouted for Felipe.
“Felipe! Felipe!” she called anxiously.
Felipe turned, looking at the old lady with a stern but tenser gaze. “Abuela, go back with the others… now.” Felipe said.
Daryl scowled, “Get that old lady out of the line of fire!” he snapped as some lowered their guns. Jenny, however kept hers pointed. She had been surprised one too many times trusting old ladies.
Jenny recalled the Christmas that she, Dean and Sam had killed to pagan gods, Krampus and his wife. The both of them plotted on eating the three Winchesters as their tribute bur they had escaped and stabbed them to death with Evergreen stakes.
Guillermo looked back at the old lady, “Abuela, listen to your mijo, okay? This is the not the place for you right now.” Guillermo said but the old lady only whimpered.
“Mr. Gilbert is having trouble breathing. He needs his asthma stuff. Carlitos didn't find it. He needs his medicine.” The old lazy spoke with a tremble in her bottom lip.
Guillermo nodded at Felipe, “Felipe, go take care of it, okay? And take your grandmother with you.” Guillermo ordered.
“¡Abuela! Ven conmigo por favor.” Felipe spoke as the woman he called Abuela stared at Jenny and Rick’s group.
“Who are those men?” She asked.
Felipe sighed and pleaded with his grandmother, “Por favor, ven conmigo.” He groaned.
“Don't you take him.” Abuela called upon seeing their weapons pointed at the Vatos.
“Ma'am?” Rick asked.
“Felipe's a good boy. He has his trouble but he pulls himself together. We need him here.” She pleaded to Rick, recognizing his taupe police shirt.
“Ma'am, I'm not here to arrest your grandson.” He reassured her and Abuela furrowed her brow, which was lined with worry creases.
“Then what do you want him for?” Abuela asked, tilting her head.
Rick hesitated at first, not wanting to grieve the poor woman. “He's… Helping us find a missing person. Fella named Glenn.” Rick simplified.
At Glenn’s name, Abuela’s eyes brightened and she smiled a little, “The Asian boy?” she asked and Rick nodded, “He's with Mr. G gilbert. Come. Come, I'll show you.” Abuela said enthusiastically and took Rick's hand and led him through the hideout, the group following after.
“He needs his medicine.” Abuela said as they were stopped.
“Let 'em pass.” Guillermo conceded and the Vatos stepped aside.
The place smelled of mothballs, and that old person smell. There was something about that smell that made Jenny sad. She had been to a nursing home once, during a case where people stared dying from strange, twisted comedic deaths inspired by old cartoons.
They arrived in the upper levels of the hideout to find a Nursing home which Abuela took Rick, Daryl, Jenny, and T-Dog into the room. There where a lot of elderly, sick patients that were sitting around.
“Abuela, por favor. Take me to him.” Felipe said as Rick realized that the Vatos were protecting the individuals that were staying at the home. The weak and the elderly, those who could not survive without aid during these desperate times.
They came into s gymnasium where they found an elderly man having an asthma attack. Felipe knelt down to help him up with the help of a familiar face, Glenn.
Felipe spoke in a calming voice to the man and showed him how to breathe deeply. “All right. All right. Nice and easy. Just breathe. Just breathe. Just let it out. Just breathe. Just relax.” He coaxed.
Rick started at the man, confusion burning in his mind, “What the h*** is this?” Rick asked.
“An asthma attack. Couldn't get his breath all of a sudden.” Glenn spoke as T-Dog stared.
“I thought you were being eaten by dogs, man.” T-Dog said and looked over to the side of the room where two tiny Chihuahuas sat.
“Could I have a word with you?” Rick asked and Guillermo nodded, “You're the dumbest son of a b**** I ever met. We walked in there ready to kill every last one of you.” Rick said as Jenny stepped away from the Chihuahuas, staring at them. She loved dogs, but something about Chihuahuas threw her.
“Well, I'm glad it didn't go down that way.” Guillermo said.
“If it had, that blood would be on my hands.” Rick hissed.
Jenny understood the frustration. If she had taken the lives of these people only to later realize the good they were doing, she would never forgive herself. She had a lot on her hands that she herself couldn’t forgive, and the list kept growing.
“Mine too.” Guillermo said to Rick, “We'd have fought back. Wouldn't be the first time we've had to. Protect the food, the medicine… what's left of it.” Guillermo said and looked around at his patients. “These people, the old ones… the staff took off, just left 'em here to die. Me and Felipe were the only ones who stayed.”
“What are you, doctors?” Jenny asked.
“Felipe's a nurse… a special care provider. Me, I'm the custodian.” Guillermo admitted.
“What about the rest of your crew?” Rick interjected.
Guillermo shook his head, “The Vatos trickle in to check on their parents, their grandparents. They see how things are and most decide to stay. It's a good thing too. We need the muscle.” Guillermo said, “The people we've encountered since things fell apart, the worst kind… plunderers, the kind that take by force.” Guillermo sent an accusing look at Jenny and Daryl.
“That's not who we are.” Rick reassured Guillermo.
“How was I to know?” Guillermo asked and Jenny nodded with a shrug. It was a fair point. She understood the whole ‘not trusting people thing’. Its hard to trust people in the regular world, let alone the apocalypse.
“My people got attacked and you show up with Miguel hostage… appearances.” Guillermo added sharply.
T-Dog nodded, looking around, “Guess the world changed.” He said but Guillermo shook his head.
“No. It's the same as it ever was.” Guillermo said, “The weak get taken. So we do what we can here. The Vatos work on those cars, talk about getting the old people out of the city. But most can't even get to the bathroom by themselves, still, it keeps the crew busy, and that's worth something. So we barred all the windows, welded all the doors shut except for one entrance.” Guillermo said.
“The gate.” Jenny spoke and Guillermo nodded.
“The Vatos, they go out, scavenge what they can to keep us going. We watch the perimeter night and day and we wait. The people here, they all look to me now.” Guillermo said, and for a moment Jenny could see the stress in his eyes. “I don't even know why.” He added.
“Because they can.” Rick said and handed Guillermo his shotgun and they divided the guns 50/50 for both groups.
The group took their half of the guns and Glenn, leaving the Vatos hideout. The sun beat down on their backs as they walked and Jenny surveyed the area. For the most part it was clear. The old highway above them offered shade and they walked side by side.
“Admit it, you only came back to Atlanta for the hat.” Glenn said to Rick who wore the brown hat again. Jenny chuckled to herself, and Rick smiled.
“Don't tell anybody.” Rick said and Jenny cackled a little. She was just glad that Glenn was alive and she hadn’t been shot to death by the Vatos.
“You've given away half our guns and ammo.” Daryl grumbled in his raspy tone.
“Not nearly half.” Jenny said, but that didn’t comfort Daryl.
“For what? Bunch of old farts who are gonna die off momentarily anyhow?” Daryl scoffed and Jenny turned to stare at him, “Seriously, how long you think they got?” Daryl asked.
“How long do any of us?” Rick wondered aloud.
“It must be so weird for them.” Jenny spoke up, “Dying of old age is sad.” Jenny said.
T-Dog looked down at her, brow raised. “Your rather die unnaturally?” T-Dog asked and Jenny shrugged.
“Dying old seems so slow. I’d rather be shot.” Jenny stated blatantly, “Right in the head. It’s fast.” Jenny said, lifting her finger to point at her temple.
“Jenny?” Glenn spoke and Jenny looked over at him, “you’re so weird.”
They came to the spot where their truck was, but now there was nothing but the cracked concrete, sprouting little green weeds.
“Oh my gosh.” Glenn breathed out.
“Where the h***'s our van?” Daryl barked.
“We left it right there.” Glenn said, looking around, “Who would take it?”
“Merle.” Rick growled under his breath, exchanging a glance with Daryl.
“He's gonna be taking some vengeance back to camp.” Daryl said and Jenny sighed, shouldering past her group, stepping onto the road. “Where are ya goin’?” Daryl called after her.
“Walking back to camp.” She responded.
“There’s Walkers out there.” Glenn said and Jenny sighed, turning back to face them.
“There’s ‘Walkers’ everywhere, Glenn. They’re always annoying us, trespassing, crashing the party and ripping our limbs off, but hey, the world gonna keep on spinning.” Jenny said and turned on her heal, continuing to walk along the road.
The group watched her for a while, too stunned to speak until Glenn stepped forward to follow her, “Following her seems like a good way to stay alive.” Glenn said and jogged to catch up to Jenny, the other three following after.
⚝──⭒─⭑─⭒──⚝
The dark woodlands stirred around the group as they ran. There were crickets chirping and gnats fluttering in the air as the group jogged, refreshed by the chill of the night.
“My brother Dean,” Jenny spoke, “told me never to run unless someone was chasing me.” She breathed out.
“Sounds smart.” Glenn said, panting beside Jenny.
A gunshot rang through the air and Jenny skidded to a stop. She didn’t want to believe what she had just heard, but reality thrust itself upon her when more Gunshots rang out.
“Oh my gosh.” Rick breathed.
“Go! Go!” Jenny shouted and took off running again. Her aching legs burned as she pushed herself to her limit. The group ran towards the Survival Camp as Jim picked up a baseball bat and crushed a Walker's skull with it.
Everyone took cover as Dale picks up his rifle. Some people were attacked and bitten by Walkers. Morales grabbed a baseball bat from beside Jim and killed one of the Walkers with it. Blood sprayed through the air as Sam used his knife to cut the head off a walker, stomping its skull in with his boot, making a paste of rotted flesh and brain.
“I'm right here.” Lori sobbed to a terrified Carl, “Shane, what do we do? Shane?” Lori asked.
“Follow me!” Morales shouted as the Walker that attacked Amy took a bite out of her neck. Blood gurgled out of the wound, spilling down her shirt. Andrea runs to Amy screaming as Jim killed the Walker. Andrea reached Amy and she knelt over her sister.
“No! No! Oh gosh! Oh my gosh!” Andrea howled over the sound of gunfire and growling Walkers. Any pleaded for help as Andrea sobbed, “Oh gosh, I don't know what to do. I don't know what to do.” She yowled mournfully.
The fight throbbed around them as Shane kept Lori and Carl close. “Come on. Come on, stay close.” Shane called as Dean came running towards them, shooting a walker that reached for Carl.
“Carol!” Lori called, and Dean turned running over to protect her and Sophia.
“Stay close!” Shane ordered as Morales continued to kill two more Walkers that were trying to get at his family. “Come on, y'all! Work your way up here!” Shane called, ignoring a walker that staggered towards them.
“Right in front of you. Shane!” Lori screeched as Shane shot another Walker.
“Get to the RV! Go!” Shane called as Dean killed three more and began the herd everyone towards the RV. “Stay with me. Stay behind me. Morales, work up here!” Shane shouted as Lori pulled Carl close.
“Get behind me! Let's go! Stay with me.” Lori shouted to be heard.
“Come on, make your way to the Winnebago!” Shane called.
Jenny, Rick, T-Dog, Daryl, and Glenn arrives in time to kill more of the Walkers to save their group. Rick shot five of the Walkers, Daryl killed four, smashing the brains of two with the butt of his rifle. Jenny jumped into one of the cars and jumped off, landing on a walker, killing it instantly before he stood up, a gun in one hand and the dagger in the other. She killer four of the Walkers, shooting three and slicing two.
T-Dog shot one and killed another with the butt of his rifle, and then there was silence.
“Baby! Carl! Baby!” Rick called, tears in his eyes as he found Carl, shaking and sobbing. He called for Rick and ran towards him, throwing himself into his father’s embrace.
Jim survived the fight and came back to rejoin everyone. Andrea continued to stay by Amy's side as she bled out, choking on her own blood.
“Amy. I don't know what to do, Amy.” Andrea sobbed, “Oh, Amy. Oh, no, no.” She whimpered as Amy raised a weak hand to Andrea's cheek to let her know she loved her. With open eyes, Amy looked to the sky. The bright stars glittered, glowing as they welcomed Amy home.
Amy’s hand fell from Andrea’s shoulder and began to sob. Carl started to cry when he saw that Amy was dead.
“Amy! Amy! Amy!” She howled into the night as everyone else huddled close.
Jim turned to see Amy, and his shoulders slumped, “I remember my dream now, why I dug the holes.” Jim spoke softly, and everyone turned. They looked at the camp and the dead Walkers on the ground. Rivers of blood began to drip down the hillside as brains and rotted flesh lay in tangled clumps. The smell was horrendous, and the sight was horrific…
