A Fresh Start

Chapter 8

Turns out the illness did in fact spread. My worst fears were  coming to life every minute that passed. We found out that Dr. S had come down with it. Not only him but there were others that had it as well. We needed to figure out how to deal with this and fast.

"Crap. How the hell is Dr. S supposed to help out those people if he can't even help himself?" I asked after Hershel had broke the news to me.

"We'll figure something out. Let's get to the others," Hershel replied.

Glenn, Hershel and I made our way to the break room where we always had our meetings. Carol, Daryl and Michonne were there when we entered. I stood next to Michonne.

"You good?" Daryl asked me.

"Yeah," I said.

He nodded. Hershel took a seat before he spoke.

"It spread. Everyone who survived the attack in cell block D. Sasha, Caleb, and now others," he said.

"Oh, Jesus," Daryl replied.

"So what do we do?" Carol asked.

"We're gonna need meds. I mean, there's no other way we could get through this I'm assuming," I said.

Hershel nodded.

"First things first. Cell block A is isolation. We keep the sick people there like we tried with Karen and David," Hershel said.

"The hell we gonna do about that?" Daryl retorted.

"Ask Rick to look into it. Try to make a timeline...who's where, when. But what are we gonna do to stop this?" Carol said.

"There is no stopping it. You get it, you have to go through it," Hershel responded.

"But it just kills you?" Michonne asked.

"The illness doesn't. The symptoms do. We need antibiotics," Hershel continued.

"We've gone through every pharmacy nearby. And then some," Daryl said.

This was true. And the pharmacy's that we've raided, almost all of that supply was nearly gone. We needed more straight away. But as I thought about us needing meds, an idea came to me.

"The college," I said looking up at Hershel.

"Yup. That veterinary college at West Peachtree Tech, that's one place people may not have thought to raid for medication. The drugs for animals there are the same ones we need," Hershel said.

"That's 50 miles. Too big a risk before. Ain't now. I'm gonna take a group out. Best not waste any more time," Daryl said standing up and reaching for his crossbow.

"I'm in," Michonne interjected.

"You haven't been exposed. Daryl has. You get in a car with him..." Hershel began.

"He's already given me fleas," she said.

Hershel chuckled and so did I.

"I can lead the way. I know where everything's kept," Hershel said as Daryl slung his crossbow over his shoulder.

Hershel stood up.

"When we're out there, it's always the same. Sooner or later we run," Daryl said.

"I can draw you a map. There are other precautions I feel we should take," Hershel continued.

"Like what?" Carol asked.

"There's no telling how long it'll be before Daryl and his group return. Wouldn't it make sense for us to separate the most vulnerable? We can use the administration building. Separate office, separate room," Hershel finished.

"Makes sense. That way there's no chance of the others catching it," I said.

"Who is the most vulnerable?" Glenn asked.

"The very young," Hershel answered.

"What about the old?" Glenn continued.

"Well, in all honesty, anyone can come down with this illness. But the very young are the ones that we need to be concerned about. Get them separated as soon as we can," Hershel said.

Glenn nodded.

"Daryl, here. I made this list of antibiotics after we found out about the illness. It's all the meds we need along with some equipment that will help," Hershel said turning to hand Daryl a piece of paper.

Daryl took it and put it in his back pocket.

"Right. Well, we better get a move on then," I said.

"You ain't going," Daryl said.

"The hell I'm not," I retorted.

"Amelia, he's right. Being in close proximities to him isn't a good idea." Hershel said.

"I don't care. I'm not standing by doing nothing. I won't let any more of our people die. I will not have it," I said.

"And what if you die 'cause you were close to me, huh? That will be on me," Daryl said with a mixture of sadness and anger in his voice.

"No it won't. If I do die, then I'd die knowing it wasn't for nothing. Besides, I visited that college when I was looking into schools almost seven years ago. The map you draw, Hershel will help," I said looking now at Hershel.

Hershel looked at Daryl then at me.

"Let's get that map drawn then," Hershel said.

"You're not going," Daryl said.

"I'm not having this argument with you Daryl. The longer we discuss this, the less time the people who are sick will have. It's best that we just drop it and head out right now," I said.

"I said you aren't going," Daryl said sternly.

This was the first time either of us had shown any signs of tension since we got together.

"And I say it isn't your decision to make. You aren't going to convince me to stay, Daryl. Stubborn as hell as you've told me a million times remember?" I said just as sternly as he had.

Daryl scoffed then stormed out of the room.

"Any of you want to argue about my decision?" I asked the room.

They were silent.

"All right then," I said.

They all slowly left the room.

"Hershel, I'm gonna need that map," I said turning to face him.

"You're sure about this?" he asked.

"Like I told Daryl, there's no changing my mind. I'm doing this whether either of you like it or not," I said.

"All right. Let's head to the administration building then. I'll draw it out there," he said.

"Lead the way, old man," I said.

He half smiled as we left the room. I then followed Hershel to the administration building.