Negan's Daughter

| Chapter 7 | Internment

"We're okay she's with Beth," Carl responded to Rick's question.

"Good. I got some supplies for everyone, food. Make sure everyone brushes their teeth after." Rick continued. Abruptly, I came out from around the corner causing their attention to shift to me.

"Rick I know that we're all supposed to stay in here but I want to help. You need all the help you can get right?" My voice faded into a plea as Rick handed the bag of supplies to Carl and sighed.

"Yeah, but I don't want to put you in danger." He responded. I smiled lightly.

"Rick that's not your call, my mom trusted me to do that for myself, and I know she would only do that if it was in my best interest." Rick paused for a moment.

"It's my call, it's my job to look out for you now." He responded. I furrowed my brow. Why did he feel it was obligation to look after me now? I was new, a lot of the kids here had no one looking after them and had been here a lot longer. "I can't but help but think if Carl was put in your situation. I would want someone to look after him." Everything fell silent as I digested his words.

"Rick, it's not your job and you won't be responsible if I screw up and get myself killed, besides hiding me from the world won't prepare me for it." He looked down at the ground in thought then faced me and nodded.

"Fine, go get your stuff so you can help." I grinned before immediately running into the block to get my bag. As soon as returned I passed Carl and left with Rick. Once I was outside Rick told me to see Hershel to see how I could help. I did as I was told and headed over to find Hershel. Hershel, who had managed to survive though everyone around him was sick and dying, noticed me at the door and immediately limped over. As he came closer I noticed how exhausted he looked.

"What are you doing here?" He asked.

"Rick said I could stay and help out," before he could interrupt I continued. "I was in Block D when everything happened and I didn't get sick. I'll wear a mask, I'll wear a full hazmat suit if you have one but I'm positive I won't get whatever this is. I just want to help." Hershel paused for a moment in thought. Abruptly he opened the door and urged me inside.

"You're a tough one," he stated while pulling a mask out of his pocket and handing it to me.
"Put this on." Without arguing I put on the mask and immediately waited for my task.
"If you're here to help, you can help with the bodies." Hershel commented while bending down to a body covered by a sheet. I arched my eyebrows in surprise.  "Too much for you?" Hershel asked.

"No it's just, nobody has ever given me that big of a task before." Hershel smiled slightly. "I think everyone around here is still on edge with me. I'm the strange girl from Woodbury who showed up one night all by herself with nothing but a gun and a book bag." I paused. "But you treat me like everyone else." Hershel was quiet for a moment as I squatted down and helped him lift the body onto the table.

"Some people are too far gone. You're not. We've all got jobs to do and you're doing yours. Helping people." He stepped away before turning around and leaving. I smiled to myself before following after him.

*

Throughout the day I helped scan each cell. I went cell to cell helping out until all the new walkers were dead and all the sick people were tended to. Once the walkers were dead Hershel had me bring them outside and form a pile. It was weird. One day these people were alive and happy then the next day they were dead. I had never suffered a loss before. It had been me and my mom for as far back as I could remember. The concept of death hadn't forced itself into my life yet and I hoped it never did. I didn't think I could handle losing anyone I had met here. They all had welcomed me to their best ability. Despite everything that's happened to them they became a sanctuary for people like me. And for that I owed them everything.

*

Once night had persisted I retired to the closest cell in D block and closed my eyes. Suddenly I heard a familiar voice calling out to me.
"Breanna- we- need- your- help!" I jumped up and exited my cell to see Carl banging on the door of the entrance. Running towards the door, I pulled my gun out of my holster and slipped off my mask. Carl ran off and I immediately followed. Once outside I stumbled at the sight of walkers invading through the gates. Carl ran over to a cart, grabbed two machine guns then ran back over to me. He quickly explained to me how to use it then joined his dad in shooting down the walkers. I ran up next to them and started shooting. I was a lazy shot but I still got enough walkers. After what seemed like an hour the last walker fell to the ground and handed my gun back to Carl. He returned them to the cart as I grabbed a staff from Rick. We walked around stabbing the remaining animated walkers in the head.

"Carl why did you get me? You could be sick now." The question was quiet but loud enough for him to hear. I kept my eyes down on the walkers until he responded.

"You're not afraid of them right?" I gazed up at him then nodded. He shrugged and looked back down at the walkers on the ground. "You were closest." The scent of walkers was intoxicating. I glanced at my outfit, it was covered in blood. I squinted my eyes as something slowly moved.

"AHHHHHH!" I screamed, jumping around frantically until Carl grabbed me. Grasping the sides of my arms with his hands, he set me on the ground firmly.

"What's wrong?!" He gasped while scanning me for bites. Once his eyes met mine again I looked down at my shirt then back up at him.

"Spider." He blinked dumbfounded.

"You were freaking out... because of a spider?" He asked flabbergasted. My face blushed profusely. He sighed relieved and removed his hands. He turned around to face Rick.

"I'm just gonna go wash up." I mumbled embarrassed then ran inside.