Down by the water • TWD

Matching Wounds.

It's been about 2 days since Hershel woke up. Avery's been helping with anything needed, she needed to feel useful, and she wanted to make them respect her. She didn't want to be a burden. Avery had met the two prisoners that were left out of the five, she didn't mind them, but she didn't trust them either. Rick told her not to go near them for her safety. She hasn't spoken to Daryl much since that day with the prisoners. Avery thinks he's mad at her, it's been upsetting her because she didn't do what she did. She spoke with Maggie briefly and was told to wait, that he wasn't mad and he was just being Daryl. Everything was just so frustrating to her. She'd like to think she knew Daryl, but the way everyone was reacting maybe she didn't. Or maybe she's just overdramatic.

Avery sat next to Carl and Jackson on the stairs in the cell block while they finished building crutches for Hershel. Lori and Beth walked past them entering the cell and getting Hershel ready for his next challenge.

"Alright!" Carl smiled getting up from the steps and taking the crutches to Hershel. Avery can tell Hershel is eager to try them out as he sits himself up building the courage, starting to get up.

"Just take your time," Lori told him.

"Daddy, don't push yourself," Beth spoke softly to him, worried.

"What else am I going to do?" Hershel responded getting up and trying the crutches out. "I can't stand looking at the bottom of that bunk." Avery stood on standby just in case he struggled too hard and needed help. "Whoa!" He walks a little bit forward causing a smile to appear on Avery's face. "You know? I can go pretty steady."

"That's a good start. Want to take a rest?" Lori asked worried for him.

"Rest? Let's go for a little stroll." Hershel said like he was ready to take on the world. They began walking towards the exit of the prison. They stayed at Hershel's pace to show him support and that there was no rush. They approached the steps leading to the courtyard Avery could feel Hershel tensing up with nerves.

"I got you here if you need it," Lori reassured him lightly.

"Just take your time on those steps," Beth said reminding him.

"You cleared all those bodies out? It's startin' to look like a place we could really live in." Hershel asked us only paying attention to the potential he was noticing. 

"Hey, you watch your step. Last thing we need is you falling." Lori told him sternly.

"Alright, Hershel!" Glenn shouted and Avery shot her head towards him. She smiled at the encouragement. She knew that Hershel's progress was putting everyone in a better mood. They continued to walk forward helping Hershel along.

"You're doing great Daddy." Beth encouraged him more.

"Ready to race, Hershel?" Carl asked light-heartedly. Hershel looked at him pausing for a moment.

"You give me another day, I'll take you on." Hershel placed a bet. Avery let out a laugh and covered her mouth with a smile. It was a great day, beautiful skies, beautiful interactions, beautiful people. She was happy. Everyone was smiling at Hershel showing their support, and she noticed Rick and Lori making eye contact and sharing a smile for a moment. That made her lips quirk up to think they could get their marriage back.  

"Walkers! Look out!" Carl screamed so everyone could hear. Avery whipped her head around to see dozens of walkers heading straight towards them. She pulled out her gun and began to defend her group.

"No!" She heard Rick scream in the background of the gunshots. She's killed 3 walkers by now. She was side by side with Carl, glancing at each other every second or so. Hershel tried to escape going as fast as he could on the crutches.

"Get out! Get out of there! No! Lori!" Rick screamed once again in the background.

Avery watched as Beth, Hershel, and Jackson took sanctuary in the cage surrounding the stairs by one of the entrances.

Jackson was safe.

The group continues to defend themselves against the many walkers rushing toward them.

"That gate is open!" She heard T-dog scream in the open.

Maggie opens one of the doors leading to the prison. The first people she saw were Lori, Carl, and Avery. That's who she needed to protect.

"Lori! Here!" Maggie shouted gaining her attention to show her new passageway. Lori grabbed both Carl and Avery and led them to Maggie. Lori closed the door behind them taking one last glance towards Rick.