Destruction ||| Glenn Rhee (BEING REWRITTEN TO OC)

17 ~ Long

___

Say what you need and you can stay for a while

Say what I like so I can stay in denial

___

"Everybody listen up. Those of you with C.B.s, we're gonna be on channel 40. Let's keep the chatter down, okay? Now you got a problem, don't have a C.B., can't get a signal or anything at all, you're gonna hit your horn one time. That'll stop the caravan. Any questions?" Shane says to the group of survivors, all standing close.

Morales and his family state that they aren't going. The others understand and say their goodbyes.

Everyone gets into their vehicles. Archer motions for Rosanna to get in the truck with T-Dog and Andrea but she ignores him and gets in the RV with Dale, Jim, Jacqui, and Glenn.

Shane drives himself, Daryl drives himself and his motorcycle, and Rick drives with Lori, Carl, Carol, and Sophia.

Glenn eyes Rosanna as she takes a seat in the RV. "You okay?" He whispers.

She shakes her head in a way that says, 'drop it.' He nods and gives her a sad smile. She returns it.

On one hand, she is happy to leave in hopes of finding a safer place. On the other hand, she just lost her friend and now she's leaving behind her missing family.

The group is driving for over an hour when all of a sudden, the RV stops. It's that stupid hose.

Everyone gets out and Dale sighs, annoyed. "I told you we'd never get far on that hose. I said I needed the one from the cube van."

The guys try and discuss options when Jacqui comes bursting out the RV. "Y'all, Jim... it's bad. I don't think he can take anymore."

Rick goes in after her and they spend a few moments in there while T and Shane drive ahead to try and find a solution for their car trouble.

Eventually Rick and Jacqui emerge and the boys return.

Rick informs the group that Jim wants to be left behind. "It's what he says he wants."

"And he's lucid?" Rosanna questions.

"He seems to be. I would say yes."

Dale speaks up. "Back in the camp when I said Daryl might be right and you shut me down, you misunderstood. I would never go along with callously killing a man. I was just gonna suggest that we ask Jim what he wants. And I think we have an answer."

"We just leave him here? We take off? Man, I'm not sure I could live with that." Shane says rubbing his head.

"It's not your call to make." Carol says.

After brief discussion, Rick and Shane help Jim over to a nearby tree where they set him down.

They say their goodbyes.

Losing anybody nowadays hurts even if you haven't known them long. 

They pile back into their cars and make their way to the C.D.C.

The sun is starting to set when they finally make it to the compound. Dead bodies litter the road. Some wear lab coats, some wear regular clothes, and some wear military uniforms.

Everyone exits their cars and starts walking towards the entrance.

Shane and Rick lead. "All right, everybody. Keep moving. Go on. Stay quiet. Let's go. Okay, keep moving. Stay together." Shane whispers to the others.

They all collectively whisper as they sneak closer to the door.

Shane gets to the door first. "Hello?" He bangs on the door.

T shakes his head. "There's nobody here."

Rick rubs his brow. "Then why are there shutters on the door?"

Daryl suddenly shouts. "Walkers!"

He shoots one in the head. "You led us into a graveyard!"

"He made a call." Shane replies.

Daryl shoots another rotter. "It was the wrong damn call!"

"Just shut up. You hear? Shut up. Shut up! Rick, this is a dead end."

Jacqui looks around. "What are we gonna do?"

"We can't be here, this close to the city after dark." Rosanna says, adjusting the grip on her gun.

"Fort Benning, Rick... still an option." Shane says.

Archer groans. "On what? No food, no fuel. That's 100 miles."

"125. I checked the map." Glenn says, receiving a glare from Archer in the process.

Lori shakes her head at them. "Forget Fort Benning. We need answers tonight, now."

Shane notices more walkers headed towards the frantic group. "All right, everybody back to the cars. Let's go. Move."

Rosanna spares one last glance at the camera above the door. 

It moves.

Rick shouts. "The camera! It moved."

"You imagined it." Shane said.

"No! I saw it too." Rosanna mentions.

"It's an automated device. It's gears, okay? They're just winding down. Now come on."

Rick and Rosanna stay put.

"Man, just listen to me. Look around this place. It's dead, okay? It's dead. You need to let it go, Rick. Rose, c'mon."

Rick pounds his fists on the shutters. "I know you're in there. I know you can hear me."

Rosanna joins him. "Please! We're desperate! There are children. Please!"

T-Dog grabs her by the shoulders and starts dragging her back as both Archer and Shane grab hold of Rick.

Rosana screams. "You're killing us!"

Rick kicks his feet. "Help us!"

They keep getting dragged backward when suddenly the door opens.

Everyone stops moving and stares in shock. T-Dog lets go of Rosanna. "Oh my god." She whispers.

Shane takes action. "Daryl, you watch the back."

Rick calls out. "Hello? Hello?"

Dale and the others walk towards the light of the building. "Close the door. Watch for walkers."

They enter, shutting the door. Nobody is around.

"Hello?" Rosanna asks loudly.

A gun cocks.

The group looks up and at the top of a staircase is a man holding a rifle. "Anybody infected?" He asks.

"One of our group was. He didn't make it." Rick says.

The man adjusts his grip. "Why are you here? What do you want?"

Rosanna steps forward slightly. "A chance."

The man sighs. "That's asking an awful lot these days."

She nods. "We know."

He slowly lowers his weapon. "You all submit to a blood test. That's the price of admission."

Everyone looks to Rick. "We can do that."

The man points at the door. "You got stuff to bring in, you do it now. Once this door closes, it stays closed."

___