When The World Caves In |C.G.

three

Daddy nudges me inside of the building and he's close behind. We're behind the rest of the group because Shane asked him to cover the back. 

"Hello?" Rick calls out once everyone is inside. The whole building is empty and his voice keeps on echoing off the walls. "Hello?" 

"Close those doors," Dale says. Everyone's guns are raised up, just in case things go awry. I even got my crossbow held up, just like Daddy taught me. "Watch for walkers."

"Anybody infected?" A man asks, coming out of the shadows of the building; he looks like he's seen some shit. A shotgun rests in his hands, but he's outnumbered by our entire group. 

"One of our group was," Rick tells him. He's in the front of the pack, looking all brave like a superhero about to sacrifice himself. "He didn't make it." 

"Why are you here?" The man asks, stepping forward. "What do you want?" 

"A chance." Rick says looking at the man. I think if there were an award for the cheesiest answer, Rick would be the winner. 

"That's asking an awful lot these days." The man's no longer yelling, but he's still holding the gun towards us. Daddy ain't putting his crossbow down neither. 

"I know." Rick gives the unknown man a small nod. He looks at our group taking us all in before he speaks again.

"You all submit a blood test, that's the price of admission." He says lowering his gun. 

"We can do that." Rick tells him and lowers his own gun. The rest of the group lowers theirs as well. I let out a sigh cause I've always hated getting poked at by needles. 

"You guys got stuff to bring in, do it now." The man says, pointing his finger at our vehicles. "Once these doors close, they stay closed." 

Daddy and the other men rush out and grab our things while Lori keeps a watchful eye on Carl and I. When they're all back, Daddy hands over my backpack and I secure it onto my own back. I put my crossbow there too; it's never ever leaving my side again. 

"Rick Grimes." Rick tells the mystery man. 

"Dr. Edwin Jenner." 

--

The whole lot of us are crammed inside of an elevator. I'm squished up against Daddy whose holding his crossbow and his own shotgun. My crossbow and backpack are pushin' into my back and I can't wait until we get off of this stupid thing.

"Doctors always go around packing heat like that?" Daddy asks, referring to Dr. Jenners gun. 

"There were plenty lying around, I familiarized myself. But, you all look harmless enough" He tells him but his eyes linger on Carl whose standing at the front with his own mama. "Except you, I'll have to keep my eye on you." 

The elevator spits us out a moment later and Dr. Jenner takes us down a hallway. I can barely keep my eyes open I'm so tired. It's been a long day full of driving and bickering. 

"Are we underground?" Carol asks. 

"Are you claustrophobic?" Jenner asks her.

"A little." She replies meekly.

"What's claustrophobic mean Daddy?" I ask, tugging on his arm to get his attention. 

"Means you don't like being surrounded by tight spaces." He tells me. We're in the back again like always. 

"Vi, bring up the lights in the big room." He yells at someone, The lights come on, and we stand in a room full of computers and one giant main screen. "Welcome to zone 5."