Disarm ⋙ Shane Walsh ⋙ The Walking Dead

Bloodflood ⋙ t w e n t y f o u r

Katherine absentmindedly rubbed the spot on her arm where the cotton ball was taped. She was still a little bit overwhelmed by the past few hours. Despite being overwhelmed, Kat was absolutely elated. Her family and her friends were finally safe. Her daddy was right.

You see, after being faced with a wall of light, there was a voice that belonged to a man. After a few moments of a very heated debate, he decided that the group could stay on the condition that they all had their blood drawn. Kat and the group weren't really sure why he needed this, but all of them decided that a stable home was more important that asking questions. Katherine was a huge baby about things like this, but she wasn't going to jeopardize the rest of the group's safety over her phobia of needles. With an iron grip on Shane's hand, she managed to handle it. Rick wasn't thrilled by the scene that had unfolded in front of him, but he held his tongue.

Kat and the rest of the group were now following the man around the CDC. They had found out that his name was Edwin Jenner and that he was a doctor. He seemed nice enough, but Katherine was wary of him. She wrote off his strange behavior to him being isolated for so long, but she wasn't able to shake the initial feeling of unease that she got from the man. It didn't really help that they were stuck underground with him. Katherine wasn't aware of how claustrophobic she was until this fact was made known to everyone.

He was explaining things and having small conversations with members of the group, but Katherine wasn't really paying attention. She was glued to Shane's side. Despite her relief to finally be somewhere safe, she wasn't ready to give up the security that he gave her. Kat had a firm grip on Shane's hand and Shane didn't seem to mind.

Katherine finally snapped away from her thoughts, deciding that it was probably best to start listening to what was being said. "Welcome to Zone 5." Jenner expanded his arms in a welcoming gesture. The group looked around with a variation of expressions. Some, like Carl and Lori looked relieved to be in such a nice, safe area. But others looked confused. "Where is everyone else?" It was Glenn. Something seemed to trigger in Jacquie's mind as well. "Yeah, the other doctors, the staff."  Jenner's face fell. "It's just me. I'm it." Katherine was aware that he was lonely, but she was sure that there had to have been at least a few other people in here with him.

It was clear that Rick was put off by the fact that Jenner was alone. Shane was too. He and Rick shared a fleeting glance, but Lori and Katherine caught it. Their 'cop instincts' were obviously on high alert. But to be fair, anyone in their right mind would be wary about being around a man who had been completely alone for so long. After a few seconds of an awkward silence, Katherine broke the tension. "So, if you're alone in here, who were you talking to when we came in?" Jenner smirked. "Vi? Vi, please say hello to our guests. Tell them hello." A computerized voice rang out above the group. "Hello, Guests. Welcome." Everyone was impressed, but Carl and Sophia couldn't believe what they were hearing. It was nice to see excitement instead of fear.

"Well, are you all ready to eat? You must be famished after everything you've all gone through this evening." Jenner had a smile plastered on his face, but it was very obviously forced. Katherine glanced up at Shane, who's side she hadn't moved from, to see if he noticed too. Shane nodded his head once and Kat looked forward again. "Well, Carl and I are definitely hungry. Anyone else?" Lori asked as she looked around at the group. Glenn nodded and so did Andrea and Dale. "Well then, lets go eat!" Jenner turned and began leading the group to the dining area. Shane bent down to whisper in Katherine's ear. "Go on with your mom and Carl. I need to talk to your dad." Katherine nodded and caught up with Lori.

Kat bumped her arm into Lori's and looked over at her. "What do you want, Kat?" Katherine rolled her eyes. "Is something off about this man to you?" Lori nodded. "Yes, but I think he might just be lonely." Kat squinted at Lori. "Okay, yes. He's clearly lonely, but do you think this isolation has gotten to him at all?" Lori smiled and rolled her eyes. "You're just like your dad, Kat. You read way too far into everything." Kat huffed at her mom. "Mom, seriously? You haven't noticed-." Lori stopped and grabbed Katherine's shoulder. "Katherine Grimes. That is enough. Do you understand me? We are finally safe and you will not ruin this for us." Lori squeezed her arm before walking away with the rest of the group. Kat glared at her mom's back while shaking her head. She took a deep breath and caught up with the group.

Xxx

"Rick, hang back." Shane watched as Katherine and the rest of the group walked off. "What is it?" Shane sighed and rubbed his head. "There's something off about Jenner." Rick put his hands on his hips and licked his lips before responding. "Yes. But, I'm not ready to say anything." Shane glared at Rick. "Rick, this man is obviously unstable. We need to get everyone out." Rick glared back at his best friend. "What we need, what everyone needs, is a meal and actual rest. We can't ruin this." Shane stood up a little taller, refusing to break eye contact with Rick. "No. I'm taking whoever will leave." Rick grabbed Shane by his collar. "Keep your mouth shut. You know it will crush Katherine to have to run again." Rick let go and walked past Shane, slamming his shoulder into him. Shane looked over his shoulder, a glare plastered on his face. What a low fucking blow.

Xxx

A/N: sorry for the lack of updates. I've had a ton of life changes. Feel free to follow me on insta to keep up with me. @ velvetweiland. Dm me with your Wattpad name and I'll dedicate a chapter to you!