❝HEARTBREAK IS ONE THING MY 𝗘𝗚𝗢'𝗦 ANOTHER❞
In which it no longer matters that Evangeline Waters was a hot shot lawyer with a nice apartment and the best daughter she could've asked for. Because if you don't know the right way to stab a dead...
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"Daryl, cover the back!" Shane commanded, his voice echoing through the cavernous lobby of the CDC. The group moved cautiously, their weapons raised and ready. The lobby, a vast open space, was eerily pristine compared to the desolation they'd grown accustomed to. The walls gleamed with a sterile white sheen, the floors were spotless, and there was no sign of the disarray that marked other buildings they'd encountered.
Suddenly, a man's voice rang out from across the room. The figure, standing in the far corner, held a gun trained on them, his stance both defensive and authoritative. "Anyone infected?" he called out, his tone cautious yet demanding.
"One of our group was," Rick replied honestly, his eyes meeting the man's. "He didn't make it."
The man, dressed not in the expected white lab coat but rather in a grey T-shirt and sweatpants, began to approach them. His attire seemed almost casual given the gravity of the situation, but Lily understood; if she had to endure a post-apocalyptic world, she'd likely abandon formal wear as well.
"Why are you here? What do you want?" the man inquired, his eyes scanning their tired faces.
"A chance," Rick answered, his voice resolute.
"That's asking a lot these days," the man responded with a hint of dark humor. He assessed the group with a critical eye, as if weighing their worth. After a moment, he seemed to make a decision. "Submit to a blood test. That's the price of admission."
Rick nodded, willing to comply with whatever the man required. The group lowered their weapons and prepared to follow Rick's lead.
"You have belongings to bring in, do it now. Once this door closes, it stays closed," the man instructed.
The group quickly organized: Shane, Rick, Daryl, and Dale went back to retrieve their gear, while Glenn and T-Dog kept watch by the door. When everyone was back inside, the man led them down a long corridor, swiping his I.D. on a panel to open the way.
"Vi, seal the main entrance. Kill the power up here," he instructed as the heavy shutters descended behind them with a resounding thud.
Introductions were made in the sterile, dimly lit hallway. The man's name was Dr. Edwin Jenner. As they entered a large elevator, the oppressive silence was broken by Daryl's voice.
"Doctors always pack heat like that?" Daryl asked, nodding towards the AK-47 slung across Jenner's shoulder.
Jenner glanced at the weapon. "There were plenty left lying around. I familiarized myself," he said, and Lily could understand the necessity of his actions. "But you look harmless enough."
With a touch of humor, Jenner added, "Except you. I'll have to keep my eye on you," nodding at Carl.
The elevator doors slid open to reveal a long, winding hallway lined with numerous locked doors. Carol broke the silence with a question, her voice tinged with apprehension. "Are we underground?"
