Inside These Prison Walls(TWD fanfic)

Chapter Nine

"Taylor!"

I hear faint noises calling through my sleep.

"Taylor! I hope she didn't go in the tombs. She'll get lost in there."

I hear my name being called several more times before I snap awake. I jolt before my body slides to the floor. I yawn and realize I fell asleep sitting up against the wall. I stand up groggily.

"Taylor!"

I can recognize Daryl's voice and I hear Rick's farther off. I stumble, still half asleep.

"I'm here." I mumble, but neither hear me. "I'm up here!" I shout, a little bit louder.

Daryl looks up, and shouts, smiling. "What the hell you doing up there?"

"Well, I was sleeping." I say, rubbing my tired eyes. That was the first time in months I slept without any nightmares.

He laughs and Rick walks over to join him. "I thought you wanted to go exploring, not take a nap?"

"Haha." I say sarcastically. "I just came up here, and made the mistake of sitting down."

"Well come on then! We have work to do!" Daryl shouts, probably still laughing at my tired expression.

"I'm coming, don't get your panties in a wad." I grumble.

"What was that?"

"Oh nothing." I throw open the door and quickly run down the stairs. "What exactly are we doing?" I ask, as I meet up with them at the bottom.

"We have to go on a supply run. Just into the town nearby. Judith needs more formula, and food supply's getting low." Rick explains.

"Okay, let me just go get my stuff."

Daryl holds out my fathers old sword and my knife.

"Already got it, we're leaving now."

"Okay then." I grab them and slide the knife into place inside my belt and connect the sword to its usual spot on my belt. After almost a week without using it, it felt weird to have it connected to my side again.

I follow behind Rick, with Daryl beside me, as we walk towards a green SUV. Rick takes the drivers seat and I head to the back. Once we're all piled in, Rick starts the car. Carol slides open the gate for us and we drive out. Past all the walkers and down the dirt road leading to the main road.

"You know what would be nice?" I say. "Some music. Country, or pop. Hell, I'd be up for classical, just for the sound of music." 

Daryl just scoffs and Rick cracks a smile.

"Don't laugh at me!" I say playfully. "I'm serious! Don't you guys miss anything?"

"Beer." Daryl says quickly. "And going to the bars."

"I could go for some beer right now." I say laughing.

"What about you, Rick."

"Beer for one, and clean clothes. I used to hate doing laundry, but now I would pay to have a Maytag right now!"

We all laugh.

"What else, Taylor?"

"Texting. And high heels. And books. And my house. And my patients." My smile suddenly fades and I get sad. "And my family. I miss my family most of all."

The car suddenly grows silent at that last statement. Everyone in here has lost someone they loved.

"What a mood kill." Daryl says quietly.