Catch Fire | Daryl Dixon

ECHO

As the car approached the towering prison gates, I stared ahead in astonishment. The prison loomed like a fortress, with tall fences and sturdy walls that seemed impenetrable; a sanctuary against the dangers of the new world.

The gates swung open as the car advanced, the clatter of chains echoing in the still morning air.

"Drive up. I'll meet you there," Rick said, jumping out and pulling a young boy into his arms, holding him in a tight embrace. Maggie climbed over the centre console, taking the wheel to drive us further into the prison, but not before a woman appeared at the window beside Michonne, her eyes frantic as she scanned the car. When she didn't find who she was looking for, she hurried toward Rick. I watched as Rick reassured her, my curiosity piqued.

"That's Carol. She'll be wondering where Daryl is," Maggie explained, answering the question on my mind. I glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Carol staring back at me before I sank into the seat.

Soon, the car pulled up to an open area near cell block C. An older man with crutches and a young blonde girl were waiting with smiles on their faces as Maggie parked the car. She immediately leapt out and ran to embrace the man.

"That must be her dad?" I asked, earning a nod from Michonne. Glenn sighed, wincing as he reached for the door.

"Come on, Hershel will fix you both up inside," he said. I climbed out, following slightly behind as we approached Maggie and her family.

"It's good to see you back, Glenn," the older man, Hershel, greeted, concern evident in his eyes as he took in Glenn's bruised face. Glenn nodded and headed straight for the building, Michonne following close behind.

"This is Kennedy," Maggie introduced as I stopped before them.

"Hershel," the older man smiled warmly, extending his hand. I winced as I reached out with my injured arm, shaking his hand loosely. "What happened to your arm?" he asked, concern lacing his voice.

"I, uh, got shot..." I explained, bringing my arm back to my side. "Someone tried to fix it back there, but I don't know how good of a job they did," I added as Rick, the boy, and the woman from the gate approached.

"Can you take a look, please, Daddy?" Maggie asked.

"Of course, get settled inside, and I'll be by shortly," Hershel replied with a reassuring smile. I quietly thanked him as Maggie looped her arm with mine.

"Follow me," the boy instructed, leading us inside with the blonde girl beside him. I shared an amused smile with Maggie, who shrugged as we entered the first room, set up like a dining hall. A group of four people seated at the tables jumped up as we entered, hope lighting their faces. Maggie's grip on my arm tightened as we hastily followed the boy, who closed the door behind us, locking the group out. I glanced at Maggie, who looked just as uneasy as I felt.

"Who are they?" I asked, peering back at the group through the bars.

"Who are you?" the boy retorted, his tone sharp as he turned to face me. His eyes were filled with a mix of curiosity and defiance, and I could tell he wasn't one to back down easily. I saw the resemblance between him and Rick; they had the same fierce determination.

"Kennedy..." I replied, meeting his intense gaze. The boy didn't look away, his scrutiny weighing heavily on me.

"I'm Beth," the young girl spoke up, breaking the silence. She was now holding a baby who couldn't have been more than a few weeks old. "He's Carl," she gestured to the boy, "and this is Judith." She smiled down at the baby. I smiled back at her, noting the innocence of the infant amidst the harshness of our world. The thought crossed my mind; surely, Beth wasn't the mother. She was too young. It must have shown on my face because she quickly shook her head.