GIVEN TO FLY [Daryl Dixon]

VI.

CHAPTER SIX
[ the cdc ]

The convoy of cars, trucks and the RV drive down the long highway on the way to the CDC. They are almost at the city. Almost at the place that may or may not hold answers and help. But, Misty tries to be hopeful. Tries.

It's hard, though, because they'd lost Jim on the way. He'd gotten really sick, and couldn't take the journey. So they propped him up on a tree like he wanted, and said their goodbyes. That had been hard on everybody.

They pull up in front of the large building that they've all driven past before. The Centre for Disease Control is a building Misty had driven past nearly every week before the world went to shit. Never had she thought she would be inside it.

Rick and Shane go first, naturally, and Daryl and Misty bring up the rear to take out any walkers that get too close. They walk up to the big door, and wait.

"Hey, Rick, the walkers are getting a little close for comfort," Misty shouts over to Rick, her bow held high.

"Gonna need a minute!" Rick yells back to her. Everybody starts yelling at once.

"You led us into a graveyard!" Someone shouts angrily.

"He made a call!" Dale retorts.

"It was the wrong damn call!"

"C'mon, Rick, no one's here," Shane tells him, "Fort Benning's still an option."

"On what? No food, no fuel. That's a 100 miles," Andrea says.

"125, I checked the map," Glenn interjects.

"Guys, we need something tonight, and fast," Misty tells them, glancing nervously from the people to the walkers. "We're real close to getting overrun here."

"We'll think of something," Rick reassures them, though it isn't very convincing.

"Let's get out of here," Shane says. The kids begin to cry as more walkers appear, and Misty takes a deep breath. "All right, everybody back to the cars. Let's go. Move."

Rick turns back to the building, refusing to quit. "That camera- it moved."

"You imagined it," Dale tells him.

"It moved!" He insists.

"Rick, it's dead, man. It's an automated device. It's gears, okay? They're just winding down. Now come on." Shane tries to convince him to go as quickly as he can.

"Hey Dixon!" Misty shouts to get Daryl's attention as the walkers rapidly approach. "You got my back?"

He nods, automatically ready to help her out. Both pull their knives. Bows are going to be too slow, and they won't have time to collect their arrows afterward. Side by side, they take out the walkers one by one.