The End Of My World

Chapter 20

Chapter 20
The prison's corridors echoed with a chilling sense of dread as I walked through the dimly lit halls. We had been facing challenges on multiple fronts lately, but nothing prepared us for the latest nightmare.

It all began with Patrick. I'd always seen him around—one of the younger members of our group. His face, usually full of the naive optimism that only youth can provide, was now marked by an expression of terrifying vacancy. I remember the shiver that ran down my spine when I saw him, or rather, what he had become—a walker.

It started in the dead of night. Patrick had somehow managed to break free from the isolation of his cell, his movements stiff and unnatural. The other residents, unaware of the danger, were easy prey. I was patrolling the perimeter when the distant cries reached my ears. They were frantic, desperate sounds that pulled me away from my post. By the time I arrived at the scene, Patrick had already attacked and bitten several of our own.

The sight was horrific. Our fellow survivors, once friends and family, were now writhing in agony as the virus spread through them like wildfire. It wasn't just the terror of seeing them in their final moments; it was the cold realization that the illness was moving faster than we could contain it.

By morning, the prison was in a state of panic. The corridors were alive with frantic activity as the group scrambled to address the chaos. Those who began showing symptoms were quickly isolated, but the damage had already been done. The outbreak was spreading, and our once secure haven was turning into a breeding ground for death and disease. I remember the palpable tension in the air as we enforced quarantine measures. It was heartbreaking to see the fear and resignation in the eyes of those affected. The illness was more than just a flu but what could we do, we had nothing.

Every corner of the prison seemed to harbor whispers of illness. We had to be vigilant, separating the sick from the healthy in an effort to stop the virus from claiming more lives. The flu-like symptoms were severe and unforgiving, and the reality of our situation sank in with every passing day. Seeing friends and family members being isolated was emotionally draining. Their suffering was a stark contrast to the brutality of the walkers outside. In the midst of trying to maintain some semblance of order, I could barely keep up with the emotional toll it was taking on all of us. The outbreak was not just a physical challenge; it was breaking us down from the inside out.
The struggle to contain the outbreak only heightened our anxiety as we prepared for the Governor's looming threat. The flu had weakened us, and we could only hope it wouldn't spell our downfall before the real danger even arrived.
We eventually shoved all the sick into cell block C, vomit and walker growls could be heard from inside. I felt so bad for those who caught it, Beth, Hershel, Karen and David, Tyreese, the list could go on. Hershel had taken on the difficult task of caring for the sick, his determination as palpable as his exhaustion. I could see him moving from one cot to another, his hands steady but his eyes betraying a deep worry. The flu was spreading like wildfire, and every feverish cough echoed the grim reality of our plight.
I was walking over to the cell block when Daryl stopped me, his rough has clamped down onto my wrist, "where ya goin"
"To deliver the food", "I'll do it" he said and snatched the food out my hand and walked away, damn Daryl can be a strange man. I walked back into our cell block and stumbled into a meeting Rick was hosting. Hoping to find medication or some kind of antidote. I knew I couldn't stay idle while so many were suffering. "Rick, we have check everywhere, we do-", We haven't check everywhere Bob, we have this convenience store and the hospital left to check". "Thats suicide" Bob tried again. "I'll do it" I chimed in, "NO" was all I got from Rick. No my ass mother fucker, "I'm the quickest" I voice, clearly irritated. "I said no Artemis we need you here", "I don't care Rick-", "It's a no, and thats final" he turned back to the map, "Rick there is no way to get in without casualties" Carol mentioned. I was done listening, there was no way in hell i'm staying. Kiss my ass, bitch.
I carefully climbed up to my room and started to throw things into my pack. Rope, flashlight, more daggers. I looked up to the sound of footsteps coming closer to my door. Daryl came into view, "hey" he said.
"Hi, what can I do for you Daryl?", he shifted and leaned up against the entryway. "Nothing just making sure your not sick"
"I'm okay Daryl, I promise" he grunted and left. What was going on with him. I finished shoving some cans I had laying around into my pack and sat on my bed, now it was just time to wait.
—-~+~—-
So, I made a decision. I couldn't wait. I slipped out of the prison under the cover of darkness, my steps silent and my heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination. The world outside was a harsh reminder of what we had lost, but it was also a place where hope still lingered, if you knew where to look. I searched tirelessly through the abandoned buildings and overgrown streets, every creak of a floorboard and every rustle in the dark making me flinch.
Bob was right there was nothing here, I know he said it was dangerous but the hospital is our last chance. The building was surrounded by a horde of walkers, their groans and shuffles creating a constant, unsettling soundtrack. The usual entrances were clogged with the undead, a mass of groaning figures moving in a mindless dance. I needed a plan, and quickly. I scanned the perimeter, searching for an alternative way in.
Fuck man why does this have to be so difficult. The main doors were impassable, barricaded with debris and blocked by walkers. My eyes caught sight of a window on the second floor—cracked and partially open. It was a risky option, but it was the only feasible entry point I could see. I crouched low in the woods that surrounded it, making a better plan than just, go. I looked towards the low shelf that protruded out of the building. I slowly took out my cans and tried pieces of rope to them and before I knew it I threw the cans as far away as I can. The loud noise it made, drew the walkers away from the shelf.
It was high, no more than 14 feet high. I took the rest of the rope and pulled it around the pillar that held it up. I leaned back and started to walk. I know it sounds crazy but I was walking up a PILLAR like spiderman or some shit.
I was so close to halfway, yes yes yes, I thought to myself. I was then grabbed, "come on man" I said aloud. A walker reached for my leg, it had ended up grabbing hold of my ankle. It's dragging me down, I try to pull, the muscles in my leg screaming for help. I watch as my high top shoe slowly starts to come off. My shoe slips as more of the dead start to crowd around the pillar. I'm finally free from the walker's grip as we shoe slides all the way off. I continue to climb up the pillar. I get to the top of the pillar, I still have a good amount left. Oh for fucks sake, I push myself onto my tippy toes and reach as high as I can until I grab the edge. I need the rope, I can't leave it. Imma have to aren't I, I sigh and drop the rope, I reach up for the ledge with my other hand. I pull myself up and over the remaining distance. I flop onto the ground with a umph and just lay there for a moment. Sweat beading off me. No time to waste Artemis. I picked myself up with little energy I had left and stumbled towards the window.
With a deep breath, I hoisted myself through the window, landing silently on the floor inside. The hospital was eerily quiet. I moved swiftly, my flashlight cutting through the darkness as I navigated through the sterile corridors and abandoned waiting rooms. I slowly walk backwards and sigh deeply, I can't leave this stuff behind. Reluctantly I open the first door on my right and filter through the cabinets and drawers. Taking what seemed important. What was I even looking for?
I know my goal was the pharmacy, but I can't remember what I was looking for. As I moved through the darkened rooms and halls my flashlight flickered, and I had to adjust it to cut through the thick darkness. The silence of the building was unsettling, broken only by the distant, muffled sounds of walkers outside.
What was it I was looking for? I remember the sheet Hershel gave Rick, I clutched at my head while I searched through the 7th room I had been in. It was a bloodied paper with...
Doxycycline and ciprofloxacin
That was it, I jumped with joy only to find the floor cracking underneath me. Shit. I stopped and moved carefully through the room, careful not to fall through the floor. I kept searching for what felt like hours filling up my back pack with what looked important. I checked a nurse's station, rummaging through the drawers for any medical supplies. There were scattered charts and half-empty vials, but no antibiotics. The sense of urgency was overwhelming, each second ticking by as I combed through the hospital's cluttered spaces.
As I continued my search, I found a small lab tucked away in a corner. The room was filled with various medical equipment and supplies. I searched through the cabinets, and finally, my heart leapt when I spotted a shelf labeled "Antibiotics." I quickly scanned the bottles, pulling out several packages of doxycycline. They were exactly what I needed. I stuffed them into my bag with a breath of relief. Now I just need to find ciprofloxacin. I stumbled over what I could only imagine as dead bodies as I exited the room. I ran around like a mad man until I came around the pharmacy. I had searched floors 2-5 leaving six and one untouched. So it came as no surprise when I went down to the first floor and found the pharmacy. The shelves were a chaotic mix of overturned bottles and scattered medications. I sifted through the shelves till I found the ciprofloxacin.
Fuck yeah. I shoved everything else that I could into my pack and turned around prepared to make my way out. Don't get me wrong I like being on my toes but not when there's an entire horde of walkers flooding the hospital. What caught my attention was a distant sound of a low, shuffling noise that grew louder. My heart pounded as I realized the walkers had finally bust down the front door and found their way inside the hospital. I had to move quickly. I raced back over to the elevator shaft and started to climb up the ladder that was placed to the left of the entrance. I climb as the walkers filtered into the small elevator. I got back to the second floor and raced towards what I though was the window I climbed in from. I heard more shuffling as walkers from other rooms started to make their way into the halls. I unsheathed my daggers and pushed my way through the crowd. I got to the window and tried to get out. I tried but my pack got stuck and I was forced to retreat back into the crowded building. I raced into the cracking room again, with a trail of walkers on my heels. I watched as they slowly hobbled towards me. I smirked as the floor started to crack and eventually the floor fell through and the walkers went right with it.
I pushed through the other door of the room and ran till I found the stairs, I raced up the stairs and up to the sixth floor. I knew I shouldn't have come up here, a walker with a green top and tan shorts reached for me and I slipped out of the way watching as he fell right into the gap of the staircase and down to the bottom floor. The sound when he hit the ground made my spine shiver. More were coming though, I continued to run up the stairs till I hit the roof. I burst through the door and slammed it shut behind me.
The night air was cool and the sky was slowly becoming lighter as the sun started to rise. My eyes frantically looked around. I was excited to find a fire escape. I rushed over and started my descent. I was so occupied with getting down that I missed the huge gap in the staircase. I fell and I thought I would land softly but my sock slipped and I came crashing down. I slammed my head against the floor, a soft ringing developing in my ears. A window next to me shattered and a walker started to reach for me and groan for the taste of my flesh.
"FUCKKKKKK" I winned, I rubbed the back of my head as I stubble past the walker. It eventually made it out the window and came for me. My daggers were out in a second, I sliced the head clean in two before continuing my descent. The fire escape started to make noise and with every creak of the metal sending jolts of fear through me I hoped that I would make it down. As I reached the ground, the dawn was breaking, painting the sky with muted colors. Yet the world was unrelenting as I ran into the other HALF of the horde waiting for me around the cornner. I fight my way through, blood painting my clothes. I raced by the pillar from my daring adventure into the hospital. I leaned towards the ground carful not the trip as I grabbed hold of my shoe and laughed out loud, "YES, SUCK MY DICK YOU PIECES OF SHIT" I yelled back at the horde pumping my arms high in the air in triumph, my shoe still clutched in my hand.
It was a long trek back to the prison but I eventually had to stay in another building for the night. How did I get to the hospital in one night again?