Catch Fire | Daryl Dixon

GUARDED HEARTS

I woke up to the soft glow of dawn filtering through the windows of the prison cell. As I sat up, I felt a mix of relief and anxiety wash over me. Relief that we had won, that we had brought in all the people from Woodbury safely. But anxiety still lingered, knowing that the Governor was out there somewhere, a threat that hadn't been fully extinguished.

For the first time in over a week, I realized that I hadn't had a nightmare. The weight of constant fear and uncertainty had lifted, if only momentarily. As I took a deep breath, I felt a glimmer of hope flicker within me. Perhaps, just perhaps, we could find a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos and rebuild what we had lost.

As I exited my cell, the once-empty cellblock was now bustling with activity. People from Woodbury had settled in, their presence a stark reminder of the events that had unfolded. They moved about, some talking quietly, others sitting in small groups, sharing stories and experiences.

As I walked through the crowded cellblock, I was greeted by nods and murmured greetings from the people of Woodbury. Their faces bore expressions of relief and weariness, mirroring my own. I offered a small smile in return, acknowledging their presence as I made my way towards the common area.

There, I spotted Glenn and Daryl engrossed in discussion near the makeshift kitchen. They were talking about the need for more supplies and the necessity to clear out another cellblock to accommodate the new arrivals.

"I can go on a supply run," I offered, approaching them.

Daryl turned towards me, his expression unreadable. "I'll go with you," he stated firmly, his eyes meeting mine with a determined gaze.

Glenn nodded in agreement. "We need to stock up on food, medical supplies, and anything else we can find."

I glanced around at the crowded cellblock, feeling a sense of responsibility to help provide for our group. "I'll make a list of what we need," I said, already thinking about the best places to scavenge.

Daryl nodded, his eyes scanning the area. "We should leave soon. The sooner we get what we need, the sooner we can clear out that other cellblock."

"Rick and Maggie can help me clear out Cellblock D while you two are on the run," Glenn suggested, his tone practical yet determined.

Daryl nodded, his gaze flickering towards me. "Ok. Get ready," he pushed, his voice steady.

Rushing back to my cell, I grabbed a scrap piece of paper and hastily jotted down a list of supplies we would need for the run. I noted the basics - food, water, medical supplies - but also added a few specific items that I knew would be useful, like extra ammunition or seeds to grow our own crops.

Next, I grabbed my gun and knife, holstering them securely before heading out of my cell. I scanned the cellblock, spotting Daryl talking to Carol near the entrance.

As I approached, I noticed a knowing look on Carol's face. She arched an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at the corners of her lips. I knew she would be teasing me later about heading out alone with Daryl.

"Daryl," I called out as I approached, catching his attention as I tried to ignore Carol's expression. "I'm ready whenever you are. Got the list of supplies we'll need."

Daryl nodded, his eyes scanning the paper in my hand. "Looks good," he replied, his voice gruff but reassuring. "Let's head out. The sooner we get back, the better."

As we started to leave, Carol called out after us, her voice teasing. "Don't get into too much trouble out there, you two. And Kennedy, make sure to keep an eye on Daryl. He's a handful."

I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment at Carol's comment, and I shot her a playful glare before following Daryl out of the cellblock. This supply run was already shaping up to be more eventful than I had anticipated.