𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐭 | d.dixon

𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲-𝐭𝐰𝐨

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Hershel held the baby as Beth stirred something in a pot. Bentley and Carl sat on the floor throwing a ball back and forth.

Footsteps sounded through the block. Bentley looked up as Rick entered. Rick locked his eyes on the baby. Carl had a hint of anger behind his eyes. Who wouldn't? His dad left him when he needed him most.

Bentley and Carl stood as Rick took the baby from Hershel. Rick admired every detail of the baby's face. Rick had a genuine smile for the first time in what seemed like months.

He planted a small kiss on her head and laughed looking back at Carl.

Rick carried the baby outside. Beth, Bentley, Hershel and Carl followed behind. "She looks like you." Rick smiles. "Bentley said that too." Carl smiles. Rick turns his head to Bentley with a nod. Bentley admires Carl's laugh.

 It was genuine. She could tell he was really happy. Rick held his gaze to something along the fence. Bentley followed it and saw a dark skinned woman holding a orange basket. She was covered in blood. Rick handed the baby to Carl as they slowly made their way over.

She winced as she felt her leg. Bentley looked down and saw blood and a bullet hole. One of the walkers beside her noticed she was alive. She grabbed her Katana and began killing the dead.

"Do we help her?" Bentley asks. Rick nods. The woman continues to fight the walker till she falls to the ground from blood loss.

Bentley rattled the fence calling the walkers over as Rick and Carl open the fence shooting at the walkers.

Rick picks the woman up throwing her over his shoulder. Carl grabs the basket. "Is she bit?" Hershel asks limping over. 

"Gun shot." Rick replies. Bentley shuts and chains the gate back up as Rick carries the woman inside. "Carl, get a blanket. Beth, get water and a towel." Rick states.

Rick lays her down on top of the blanket on the floor.  "She's not coming in the cell blocks." Rick says. Bentley grabs the water Beth brought over and poured some over the woman's chest. "Shh. It's all right. It's alright." Bentley hushes.

"Hey, hey, look at me. Look at me. Who are you?" Rick questions as the woman opens her eyes. She frantically looks around searching for her Katana. 

Bentley kicks it away. "We're not going to hurt you unless you try something stupid first, all right?" Bentley asks.

"Rick." Daryl says walking in. "Who the hell's this?" He asks.

"You wanna tell us your name?" Rick asks. The woman stares blankly at him.

"Y'all come on in here." Daryl says. Bentley turns around. "You okay?" She asks. He nods. "You're gonna wanna see this." 

"Go ahead. Carl, get the bag." Rick nods. Carl grabs the basket and walks inside of the cell block. Carl, Beth, Rick, Hershel, and Bentley all enter the cell area. Rick locks the door, locking the women inside.

"The doors are all locked. You'll be safe here. We can treat that." Rick tells the women. "I didn't ask for your help." The women finally speaks. "Doesn't matter. Can't let you leave." Rick walks away.

Daryl leeds them into Carol and Lori's old cell. Bentley drops her jaw as Carol was seen sitting on the bed. "Oh my god." Bentley gasps. Carol stands up as Bentley hugs her. Once they part Rick hugs her after.