Robin Hood (Sequel To Hiraeth- TWD)

Chapter 21

Cailey was barely even allowed outside for over two weeks. She could even count the days- twenty two days, and her irritability grew with each one.She spent more time with Michonne, Daryl, even Carl and Rick- but everybody else was in and out of the prison everyday. She hated being cooped up, everybody knew it, but Hershel still insisted that Cailey stayed inside until there was no doubt her wounds were healing over.

"You're lucky you didn't hit any tendons or arteries," Hershel declared, inspecting over the scarring holes in Cailey's side once again. "Would've take even longer to heal over."

"Yeah," the girl mumbled. "Feel real lucky."

Hershel ignored the sarcastic comment as he began re-bandaging Cailey's side again. "You should probably be able to start moving around more, even leave the prison. You have to be careful, though, especially pulling on that bow of yours."

Cailey sat up quickly and pulled her shirt down. "Cool."

"Now, Cailey, that doesn't mean run out the fence, guns blazing, right now," Hershel warned carefully. "Remember, watch over yourself."

"I will, doc," the girl grunted. She was already making her way out of the cell, then up to the perch. Hershel watched Cailey disappear behind the door, then shut it behind her.

Rick turned the corner into the cell, and he leaned against the doorway. "How's she doin'?"

"Better, I'd say," Hershel leaned against the back of his chair with a nod. "Can prob'ly start goin' around on her own."

"She strong enough to go on a run with me?" Rick crossed his arms. 

"As long as you keep a good eye on her, yes." Hershel gave a good nod to the sheriff. "I can't do that all the time, Michonne wants my help to burn the bodies of the flu victims, and of the walkers who came across the fence."

"I know," Rick declared quietly. "I talked to her, you're going a little further out from the prison, so you be careful. But we're running low on perishable food, medicine, clothes. I don't wanna go into our emergency supply, not while winter is close. But Cailey is one of our best scavengers, and Daryl's already out on a run. I wanna take Cailey, and maybe even Beth if she wants to go."

"I doubt it," the old man shook his head. "She said she wants to stay and learn as much as she can about medicine and helping out here. I think the last time shook her a bit too much. You can ask her, anyway." 

Rick nodded, chewing on his lip as he backed out of the cell. The sheriff hopped up the steps to the perch, and he slammed his hand against the door. "Cailey! C'mon out!"

The door opened almost immediately. "I ain't deaf, ya don't gotta yell."

A tiny smile brushed Rick's face. "You wanna head out on a run with me? We need more supplies. And before you answer, it wasn't much of a question."

Cailey snorted a little. "Fine."

The girl turned, picked up her bow and quiver, and pushed past Rick in the doorway. She whistled softly, and Friar came out of the perch with the clicking of his nails on the cement. Rick raised his eyebrows a little, and followed Cailey back down the stairs. 

"Car's already set to go," the man called. "We're only heading out about an hour or two away, but we need to find as much as we can."