FALLING APART daryl dixon

SIXTEEN - THE CDC

After a brief moment, the glaring light dimmed, and everything shifted back into focus. The group snapped into action, tense and on edge as they advanced towards the entrance of the building, weapons drawn and their senses heightened.

- Daryl, you cover the back - Shane commanded, his voice low but firm as they moved in.

Daryl nodded, falling into position right behind Alycia, who still clung to her mother's hand. Lori held Carl tightly, while Alycia, always the protector, stayed in front of her little brother, her eyes darting around, alert. They followed Rick as he led them deeper into the mysterious building.

- Hello? Hello? - Rick called out, his voice echoing in the sterile silence.

- Close those doors. Watch for walkers - Someone else murmured behind them, their words laced with anxiety.

Suddenly, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed down the hallway, followed by the unmistakable click of a gun cocking. Instinctively, the entire group lifted their weapons, aiming them at the figure that emerged in front of them.

- Anybody infected? - The man barked, his posture casual yet authoritative, as if he was prepared to return to sleep at any moment.

- One of our group was - Rick replied, his voice somber. - He didn't make it.

The memory of Jim weighed heavily on Alycia as she swallowed hard. She could still hear his voice, the resignation in his goodbye.

- Why are you here? What do you want? - The man demanded, his eyes sweeping over the weary, anxious group.

- A chance - Rick's voice cracked with desperation. - A chance to survive.

- That's asking an awful lot these days - The man replied, though his voice lacked the harshness one would expect in such grim times.

- I know - Rick said quietly, but his eyes held firm, filled with resolve.

The man scanned the group again, his gaze lingering on the children—Carl, wide-eyed and nervous, Alycia, standing tall but tense, gripping her gun a little too tightly.

- You all submit to a blood test - The man finally said, crossing his arms. - That's the price of admission.

- We can do that - Rick agreed quickly, not hesitating for a moment.

- You got stuff to bring in, you do it now - The man warned. - Once this door closes, it stays closed.

At that, the group sprang into action. Rick, Shane, Glenn, and Daryl rushed back to the vehicles, grabbing whatever bags and supplies they had. Alycia stayed at the entrance with Dale, the two of them keeping watch, guns ready in case any threat appeared. It felt strange, standing guard like this, but she wasn't about to let her guard down.

After several tense minutes, Rick and the others returned, hauling in the last of their belongings.

- Is that everything? - The CDC man asked, looking at the group.

- That's it - Rick replied, slightly out of breath.

- Follow me - The man said, turning his back to them and walking deeper into the facility.

As they moved through the building, Glenn handed Alycia her bag, and they continued to follow the man with the blonde hair. He pressed a button on what looked like an intercom.

- VI, seal the main entrance. Kill the power up here.

The group exchanged confused glances, wondering who or what "VI" was, but no one voiced their thoughts aloud.

- Rick Grimes - Rick introduced himself, trying to ease the tension.

- Dr. Edwin Jenner - The man responded after a pause.