the deceased ❀ glenn rhee

twelve

THE DECEASED
twelve | ❝don't do this❞

❀

"IT'S BETTER THIS WAY." EDWIN said, his voice strained. The seriousness of the situation began to dawn on Aurora. Her breathing hitched as she tightened her grip around Glenn's hand. There was a lump in her throat that wouldn't leave; just like they couldn't.

"What is?" Rick said, his voice resorting back to that sheriff tone. "What happens in 28 minutes?"

Edwin ignored Rick and turned back to his computer. Daryl jumped up and began shouting profanities again as Shane rubbed his head. Aurora let go of Glenn's hand, bringing her arms around her chest.

"Do you know what this place is?" Edwin bellowed. "We protected the public from very nasty stuff! Weaponised small pox! Ebola strains that could wipe out half the country! Stuff that you don't want getting out! Ever! In the event of a catastrophic power failure, in a terrorist attack, for example, HITs are deployed to prevent any organisms from getting out."

"HITs?" Rick repeated.

"Vi. Define." Edwin said, looking away.

"HITs, high-impulse thermobaric fuel-air explosives consists of a two-stage aerosol ignition that produces a blast wave of significantly greater power and duration than any other known explosive except nuclear. The vacuum-pressure effect ignites the oxygen at between 5,000 and 6,000 degrees and is useful when the greatest loss of life and damage to structures is desired."

"It sets the air on fire." Edwin said. Carol was cradling Sophia and crying, whilst Rick held Lori and Carl. Aurora looked from person to person, realising just how dire their situation was. This could be it. No, this was it.

"Glenn..." Aurora said in barely a whisper, "I don't want to die." Her breathing was becoming more rapid and her body was shaking violently. Her fingers dug into her arms, hard enough to leave nail marks through her sleeves.

"You're not gonna die." Glenn reassured, though he didn't sound sure at all. His eyes were darting from Rick to Shane, hoping someone would do something. But what could happen? Tackle Jenner and force him to open the doors?

"No pain." Edwin announced, trying to convince everyone that this was the right move.

Aurora furrowed her eyebrows, closing her eyes shut. She felt small - insignificant. She felt useless, again.

"An end to sorrow, grief, regret," Jenner continued, "an end to everything."

❀

Daryl threw glass at the metal door whilst Glenn and Rick were trying to find a way out. Desperate has taken over, and the tension in the room as thick. Aurora had sat down next to Andrea, neither of them talking, but both thankful for the company.

"Open the damn door!" Daryl shouted at Edwin again. Shane grabbed an axe, wielding it above his head, as if it would make a dent in the metal door.

"Out of my way!" he shouted, slamming an axe against the door. As expected, nothing happened, promoting him to try again.

"You should've left well enough alone, it would've been so much easier." Edwin said, nonchalantly.