A Fresh Start

Chapter 7

I had started to pace back and forth. So many thoughts running through my mind as to what the problem could be.

While I waited to find out what was going on, I suddenly heard Carol scream, "Stop! Stop!"

It was coming just from the side of cell block D. I ran to it. When I got there, I saw Rick punch Tyreese. Tyreese hit the ground and Rick continued. Daryl tried to get him to stop but he wasn't listening.

"Let go of me! Let go of me!" Rick yelled to Daryl.

He then pushed Daryl away from him.

"RICK! STOP!" I begged.

He looked up at me. He stumbled backwards when he saw the look of horror on my face. He looked at his right hand and got up. He came over and unlocked the fence. I stood back a little, not out of fear but out of deep concern for his well-being. There had to be a reason as to why he pursued Tyreese further.

"I'm sorry...I'm...I'm sorry," he said.

He then took off.

"Rick, wait," I called to him but he was gone.

I turned back to Daryl, who was helping Tyreese up off the floor. Tyreese stormed off passed me.

"What the hell happened?" I asked.

To the far left, I had just noticed the burnt bodies. I gasped and cupped my mouth with my hand.

"Who are they?" I asked.

Carol and Daryl were silent.

"Guys...seriously who are they?" I asked again.

"Karen and David," Daryl said softly.

"Oh God," I said putting my hands on my knees and looking down.

Tears quickly forming at the thought of Karen being gone. She was a good person. She didn't deserve to die the way she had. Carol came by. She was about to put her arm around me when Daryl stopped her.

"Don't. She hasn't been exposed," he said sternly.

"What happened? I mean, why...?'" I asked.

"They had gotten sick. The illness," Carol began.

"Someone must have thought that by killing them and burning their bodies, that would stop it from spreading," Daryl finished.

I kept my eyes on the bodies that were badly burned.

"Who? Who would do such a thing?" I asked.

"Someone who thought they were protecting the rest of the group," Carol said.

I looked up at her but she quickly looked away.

"There's a council meeting in a few minutes. We better get going you two," Carol continued.

"What about the bodies?" I asked.

Just then Tyreese came in with two blankets.

"We better leave him to it," Daryl whispered.

I took one last look at Tyreese leaning over Karen's body before I followed Carol and Daryl back to the courtyard.

"Is it okay if I don't go to this one?" I asked Carol once we had left Tyreese behind.

"We need all the members there," she said.

"I need some time, Carol. To grieve for Karen. She was a good person. She was kind to me. I just need a few minutes. Please," I said.