The Black Rose

Chapter Fourteen

The wrought iron groaned as Rose unfastened the chains holding it together. It was the original entry that Rick had made when they found the prison. They had to collect wood to burn all the bodies that they had stacked up the day before. Once the entrance was open, Rose slipped through into the dangerous world. Almost as if she just left a little safety bubble. The fence groaned once again as Rick began to fasten iron wires back together. She scanned her surroundings, ensuring that there were no immediate danger. There was a lone female zombie heading their way but she wasn't really concerned.

"Should I take her out?" Glenn whispered as he noticed the same walker. Rose shrugged as she headed to the forest line, immediately collecting wood. She vaguely heard Rick answering Glenn's question. There were only four of them outside of the prison fences. Just Glenn, Rick, Daryl and Rose.

Rose didn't want to waste any more time. Her ultimate goal was to help Rick cultivate and have a steady flow of food. Then she'll definitely be on her way. Daryl watched her bend over unsteadily to prevent hurting her wound and collect all the wood. He would love to tell her to get her fine ass back behind the fence and wait for the men to finish collecting but he wouldn't dare.

It was hard not to appreciate this woman in front of him. Her red hair was woven into a thick braid that nearly reached her waist. Rose also wore Maggie's green t-shirt which was a little tighter than her old shirt was. And the curves that the shirt showed was enough to send Daryl's mind racing. Lori had also given Rose a pair of her jeans after attempting to wash the blood out of Rose's short and realizing how worn out it was. Come on. Can't blame a redneck. Rednecks appreciate a woman that looked good in jeans.

"Hey you," Rose's voice sounded slightly annoyed and harsh, startling Daryl. Suddenly she threw the neatly stacked wood in her arms at him, "You know damn well I'm still recovering Dixon. Least you can do is help me. Not fucking ogling."

Rick and Glenn immediately glanced over, only to stifle their laughter after seeing Daryl's reaction. It was priceless. Daryl was stupefied, holding the wood that was tossed in his arms. Rose, on the other hand, rolled her eyes slightly as she began to pile up on the wood in Daryl's arms. After getting a neat pile of wood, Rose began to unfasten the fence, feeling the burn in her side. She had pushed herself to the limit and she knew that Hershel would not be pleased. Rick, Glenn and Daryl can take care of moving the wood to the interior courtyard. Rose had to go get her bandages changed.

Maggie, Carol, and T-Dog were continuing to move cars and bodies. The prison doors opened to reveal Lori and Carl. However to Rose's amusement, she saw Hershel finally supporting himself on crutches that Carl had been working on. Rose took long strides, leaving the group of men to fend for themselves. Daryl glanced up to see what Rose saw. "Looky here."

"He is one tough son of a bitch," Glenn smiled, throwing the pile of wood in his arms down. "Alright Hershel!"

"Shh... Keep your cheers down." Daryl warned, gesturing his head towards the walkers behind the fence. Rick and Glenn carried the wood while Daryl stayed behind to pull the chain links together.

"Oh man. Can't we just have one good day?" Glenn heaved a sigh, throwing hateful glares at the zombies. Rose approached the group with a bright smile only reserved for Hershel and Carl. They were quite surprised to see Rose smiling. They had never seen her smile like that.

"Hershel! I'm glad to see you're up and moving." Rose smiled as she threw her left arm around the small boy, squeezing his shoulder. Carl leaned in towards slightly and Lori's heart squeezed slightly from pain. It was hard to see somebody "mothering" the teenage Carl who wouldn't even let his own mother to take care of him.

"Ready to race, Hershel?" Carl teased. But suddenly Rose's hand tightened around his shoulder. Nobody else noticed but Carl. He knew that Rose was onto something. She knew something that the rest of the group weren't aware of yet. The warrior princess froze as if she was searching for something that couldn't be seen yet.