Robin Hood (Sequel To Hiraeth- TWD)

Chapter 23

Rick, Cailey, and Friar managed to return to the prison holding tight to their loot. Rick automatically went to go talk to Daryl, but Cailey kept walking. She left the new supplies on a cell block table, and sauntered right back up to the perch. 

It looked like a tornado had run through the tiny room. Her sleeping bag was thrown around, as was Daryl's, and a few books and clothes and a flask scattered the ground. Daryl was looking for something. Cailey scoffed to herself, pushed her belongings over to the side. She sat on her heels as she began straightening out her sleeping bag again, then checked the flask on the ground. It was empty. 

Cailey screwed the lid back on with a little sigh while she stood. Her head tilted up, staring out the window at the sky. Something caught her eye. 

Cars began driving right up to the outer fence. They lined themselves up in a tiny wall against the door. A massive military tank began to follow.

Cailey nearly tripped on her way out the perch. "Rick!" She shouted at the top of her lungs. "Rick! Daryl!"

"What's wrong?" Maggie came out from her cell block. Cailey almost fell down the stairs. 

"We gotta find Rick," Cailey was already running to the door. "They're here."

A loud explosion echoed. The ground shook. Cailey probably would have thought it was an earthquake had she not seen the cars and tank. She stumbled, but kept running for the halls. 

Maggie and Beth followed the teenager out to the courtyard. Rick and Daryl and Tyreese were making their way through another door. The group stared up to see one of the guard towers entirely gone. Tiny flames rose up from the debris on the top. The tank was parked in the middle of a half-circle of the cars. People were beginning to climb out. 

"Rick," a familiar voice shouted from the tank. A man with an eyepatch rose up out of the roof. The Governor crossed his arms at the prison. "Let's talk."

The sweaty sheriff next to Cailey hesitated. He only stared at the Governor and his new group for a moment. "It's not up to me anymore," his Southern accent roared. "We've got a council now, it's all up to them."

Even from far away, Rick's group could see the Governor snicker. "Is Hershel on the council?"

The leader waved his hands at one of the cars. A guard brought out an old man with a white beard and farmer's overalls. Beth and Maggie held onto each other with a little cry. Everybody felt a heavy weight drop in their stomachs. 

"How about Michonne," the Governor continued. He brought out the woman with much longer hair and a small limp. The Governor stood his two hostages right in front of his group, guarded by two men. "Now, how about we talk, Rick."

Rick faced down towards the asphalt. Heavy breaths left his mouth before he stood up straight again, and made his way towards the field. Nobody tried to stop him. When he made it to the gate, he motioned his group over. "Get ready for the worst. Get everybody on the bus to evacuate. He's not gonna let us go without blood."

Rick's followers nodded, and Daryl closed the gate as Rick made his way down the field. Nobody could hear his conversation with the Governor, but they could imagine he was negotiating for Hershel and Michonne. Daryl turned now, and began giving instructions to Tyreese to evacuate the cell blocks to the bus. The hunter pulled a cart of guns closer to his group, then, and slowly began pulling them out like the smallest movement could start a war. And it probably could.

Daryl silently gave gunfire to the people around him, even to Cailey. He put his hand on her shoulder. "Take the kids. They ain't gonna go to the bus all quiet," he told her in a mumble.  "Tyreese gonna need yer' help."