My Hunter || D. Dixon (On Hold)

Thirty-Four - Prison

I remember being taught a long time ago that not everyone has to die. That everything happens for a reason. But every that's seemed to have happened has happened so that me and my family can live. And I intend on keeping them alive.

The past eight months pass by in a blur. The Georgia winter comes and goes and as each day passes, we face new challenges. The first four months I was haunted by nightmares of Caleb and Jess dying on the farm. I guess nightmares never stopped, but they started to vary.

"I'm so glad we're not in Canada," I had said one night while we were hunkered down in an old house, snuggled under blankets. That earned some smiles from the group.

Lori's pregnancy advances, her belly swelling to an enormous size. Everyone becomes highly familiar with guns and knife and, honestly, any weapon that can be used to smash a brain in.

Carl turned 13, and we tried to celebrate with a party. It wasn't much, but Carl loved it. Daryl has become Rick's right-hand man, replacing Shane. He does a good job, and I'm proud of him.

My shoulder's healed and I've regained my independence, although everyone was very helpful for the time I needed to heal. We go on supply runs, collect gas, find ammo, all the usual stuff. No one dies, and we're thankful for that.

As the weather warms up and the snow starts to melt, we start to look for somewhere more permanent, like Rick wanted to.

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We get to the fence surrounding the prison swiftly. The inside of the prison field is full of walkers, but otherwise, it looks good. Rick cuts the fence open with bolt cutters and we hustle in. Glenn and T-dog tie it up with some rope, and we walk down the long outside loop surrounding the field. We get to the gate leading inside.

"It's perfect," Rick says. "If we can shut those gates, prevent any more from filling the yard, we can pick off these walkers. We'll take the field by tonight."

I place my hand on my hip. "But how are we going to close the gate?" Herschel asks.

Glenn raises his hand. "I'll do it." He volunteers. "You guys cover me."

"No. That's a suicide run," Maggie says, touching his arm.

Glenn argues back. "I'm the fastest."

Rick shakes his head. "No. You, Maggie, T-dog, and Beth draw as many as you can over there. Stab them through the fence," he says. "Daryl and Luna, go back to the tower. Carol, Herschel, Bella, and Carl, take this one. Shoot the walkers that you can." He pauses, looking to the yard. "I'll run for the gate."

We run for our designated towers. Daryl and I get to the top, and I start shooting a few walkers. Rick runs across the yard, shooting a few walkers before shutting the gate and running into one of the separate buildings leading up to another tower. "He made it!" I yell.

"LIGHT IT UP!" Daryl orders, loudly enough that everyone can hear.

We start downing walkers, the sound of gunshots filling the air. I see Rick shoot the last walker from his tower and we head down to the ground. "Fantastic!" Carl exclaims, his face bright.

Daryl wraps his arm around my shoulders. "Nice shootin'," he says, smiling at me.

I smirk at him. "Not bad yourself." I wink.

"You good?" Carol asks Lori.

She nods at Carol. "Haven't felt this good in weeks," she answers.

"Look at all this space!" I laugh, throwing my hands in the air and spinning. Daryl grins.