Spider Monkey

Chapter Thirteen - Lil' Ass-Kicker

"Let me see the baby." Said Hershel.

"We got anything a baby can eat?" Asked Daryl, putting Hedley down but kept him to his side.

Maggie passed the baby to Carl - who went to Hershel, letting him look at his baby sister.

"The good news is she looks healthy. But she needs formula. And soon, or she won't survive."

Daryl shook his head, "No. No way. Not her. We ain't losing nobody else. I'm going for a run."

"I'll back you up." Maggie said.

"I'll go too." Glenn added.

"Okay, think where we're going. Beth." He pulled the girl to the side, "Kid just lost his mom. His dad ain't doin' so hot."

"I'll look out for him."

"And keep an eye on Hedley too if ya can. He's not doin' good either."

"I'll look after the boys, Daryl. I promise."

Daryl nodded in thanks. "Glenn, Maggie, vámonos!"

"Rick!" Maggie screamed as the man stood from his dazed state, grabbed an axe then bolted back into the prison.

Daryl couldn't deal with that right now, "Get the gate. Come on, we're gonna lose the light."

"There's a Piggly Wiggly on 85." Glenn said.

Maggie shook her head, "No, the baby section's been cleared. Lori asked me to keep an eye out. I haven't had much luck."

"Is there any place that hasn't been completely looted?"

"We saw signs for a shopping centre just north of here."

"Yeah, but there's too much debris on the road. The car will never get through there." Said Daryl, pointing to his motorbike with his thumb, "I can take one of you on my bike."

"I'll go." Said Maggie.

"No, Maggie, after everything that you've been through, I'll go." Glenn offered.

"I want to go. For Lori, I have to."

"Okay." He kissed her cheek, "I love you. Be safe."

"I will."

Daryl went over to Hedley, ruffled his head, "Stay safe. I'll be back soon."

Hedley didn't respond in any way. He just watched as Daryl and Maggie got on the bike and drove off into the distance.

Carl was handed back his sister and cradled her to his chest. Hedley went to them and looked down at the baby.

"We have some stuff already for her back in the cell block." Carl said, "She'll need a diaper, clothes."

Hedley nodded. The boys, with Beth, went to the cell block and took the bag of diapers out from beneath Lori's bed. Beth showed them how to put it on the baby and how to properly hold her before leaving to check on her dad, who was keeping Glenn company at the gates.

"You wanna hold her?" Carl asked his friend.

Hedley was carefully stroking the soft hair that dotted the new-born's head. He looked up at Carl in alarm.

"Don't worry. You won't drop her." They were sitting on the bottom bunk, side by side. Carl gently put his sister in Hedley's lap, still holding onto her as Hedley was so hesitant to touch her fully. But after a while, Hedley wrapped his arms around the infant and cuddled her to his neck, mimicking Carl. She let out a noise, wiggling her little arms and legs as her mouth opened and closed, begging for food.