In The End | Daryl Dixon

Chapter 32: Infected

"Patrick was fine yesterday, and he died overnight." Carol was the first to speak up around the round table. "Two people died that quick? We'll have to separate everyone that's been exposed." 

"That's everyone in that cell block." Daryl was sat in-between Carol and I. "That's all of us. Maybe more." 

"We know that this sickness can be lethal." Hershel began, We don't know how easily it spreads. Is anyone else showing symptoms that we know of?" 

"We can't just wait and see. There's children. It isn't just the illness. If people die, they become a threat." Carol said in reference to Lizzie and Mika losing their father. 

"We need a place for them to go. They can't stay in D. We can't risk going in there to clean it up." Hershel said. 

"What about cell block A?" I asked looking at everyone around the table.

"Death row?" Glenn asked ironically. "I'm not sure that's much of an upgrade." 

"It's clean. That's an upgrade." Daryl backed me up. "think that'll work for Dr. S?" He asked Hershel. 

"I'll help Caleb get it set up." Hershel agreed. 

Our heads turned quickly to the door when we heard a woman coughing in the hallway. Carol was the first one to jump up and head out into the hallway, everyone else following behind her. 

"You don't sound so good." Carol said to Karen as she walked with Tyreese. 

"We're just taking her back to my cell so she can rest." Tyreese smiled. 

"Tyreese, I don't think that's a good idea." Hershel placed his hands on his hips. 

"Why? What's going on now?" Karen asked looking to Tyreese. 

Everyone looked around at each other, debating whether or not to tell them, and I could tell nobody was wanting to be the one to say it. 

"We think it's a flu or something." I broke the silence, "That's how Patrick died." 

"Judith is in that cell block." Hershel took a few steps forward, "She's vulnerable. Anyone that may be sick or even exposed should stay away." 

"It-it killed Patrick?" Karen stammered. 

"She's gonna be okay." Tyreese said, "Now that we know what Patrick died from we can treat it, right?" 

"Don't panic. We're gonna figure this out. But we should keep you separated in the meantime. We'll have Caleb take a look at you. I'll see what we have in the way of medications." Hershel explained. 

"David from the Decatur group, he's been coughing, too." Karen folding her arms over her chest. 

"I'll get him." Glenn spoke up, "There's some empty clean cells in the tombs, right?" 

"Yeah, we'll meet you there." Sasha nodded as Glenn took off down the hall. She walked towards her brother and Karen, "Come on, let's get you settled." 

"We have to call another meeting later." Hershel said in a hushed tone. 

"All right." Daryl agreed, "I'll get to burying the dead ones." 

"You wear gloves and a mask." Hershel ordered. 

"I'll help." I volunteered. 

Daryl nodded, but before we could walk away, he noticed Carol staring at the floor. 

"You all right?" He asked her. 

"I'm worried about Lizzie and Mika. They were around Patrick." She leaned against the wall with her arms folding over her chest.