Robin Hood (Sequel To Hiraeth- TWD)

Chapter 12

"We are out of time. We need to act fast. We need to decide whether this prison is worth fighting for, or if we should leave."

Rick's Southern accent drawled out as he spoke in the cell block. He was surrounded by his group, all standing solemnly around him.

"So what's it gonna be?" The sheriff crossed his arms. "Are we fighting for this place? I'm done making decisions myself. We need to make these choices as a group. These are our lives."

There were a couple nods and mumbles. Carol was the first to properly speak to Rick. "We fought to get this place, it's ours. We should defend it."

There were more nods and quiet agreements. Rick nodded back, placing his hands on his hips. "So that's it. We need a plan. We need to know what we're gonna do to fight for this," he pointed one finger to the ground. "We have to get the upper hand on them. They already took down our field, and the courtyard barracks won't hold much longer, they've already been damaged."

"We gotta go for 'em," Daryl declared, just barely audible. "Gotta hit them before they hit us again."

The sheriff nodded once more. "Is that agreed?"

"If that's what we're doing," Glenn piped up, "Maggie and I will stay behind. We need someone to help protect the prison if he comes back."

Rick pointed to each person he addressed next. "All right. Then Daryl, Michonne, and Cailey, you're all coming with me to Woodbury. Rest of you should stay to help protect this place and keep yourselves safe."

"Rick we gotta be careful," Cailey declared softly. "Not all those folks're bad. Not all'a them should die."

Rick nodded as he placed on hand on Cailey's shoulder. "We will, and you'll be able to tell us how to get around. You saw enough of the settlement that you can help us get around without hurting people."

"I'm going with you," a young boy's voice piped up. Carl mirrored his father with his hands on his hips.

"Carl, this is dangerous, you're staying here. If anything happens, you'll be here to help the others."

"But Dad," Carl was trying not to whine. "I can help. You're letting Cailey go, I can do it."

The sheriff bent his knees down to kneel down right below his son, one hand on the boy's shoulder. "Cailey is a few years older than you, not to mention quite a bit bigger for now. I need you here, okay?"

Carl didn't look too happy about the decision. His head hung a little lower as he sighed. "Yeah."

Rick stood tall again, staring over the rest of his group. "The rest of you, get ready. We need to be there by nightfall."

Cailey and Daryl were the first to turn away, then Hershel and his daughters wandered to their cells. Carol headed off with Rick and his son. Cailey and Daryl marched right up to their perch, Friar close on their heels. 

Cailey dropped her bag on the floor, deciding she wouldn't need it. Daryl did the same, hiding it by his sleeping bag. The hunters sat sharpening their arrows in silence, their ponchos bundled up together on the floor between them. Friar sniffed at the hunters' work every once in a while as they waited for the order to leave.

"Hey, Daryl? Cailey?" A soft, young voice interrupted them. The hunters stared up to see Carl. They stayed silent as they waited for the boy to say what he wanted. "Do you think.... I wanna convince my dad to let me go. Can you help me?"

"I'ss dangerous, bud." Cailey stared back down at the arrowhead and knife in her hands.

"I know, but you got to prove that you can do it, I want to also. I shot somebody, I can go."