The Third Dixon [The walking dead]

Chapter five

Nathan held the baby close, rocking her gently as Rick sank to the ground nearby, shoulders slumping, face buried in his hands. The world felt unbearably heavy in that moment.

"Let me see the baby," Hershel's voice rang out, firm and authoritative, cutting through the haze of chaos. Nathan shifted, careful not to jostle the infant, and walked toward him, holding the girl in his arms like she weighed the weight of the world.

Daryl leaned against the fence, crossbow slung over his shoulder, eyes darting between the group. "What are we gonna feed it? We got anything a baby can eat?" His voice carried both frustration and urgency, his hand absently tightening around the strap of his weapon. He glanced at Measi and Nathan, seeking some confirmation, some shared plan, but found Measi staring at the ground, distant, her mind elsewhere.

Hershel knelt slightly, peering at the baby's tiny face. "The good news is she looks healthy," he said, voice softening, "but she needs formula. And soon. Or she won't survive."

Daryl's jaw clenched. "No. No way. Not her. We ain't losing nobody else. I'm going for a run."

Maggie's eyes flicked toward him. "I'll back you up."

Glenn didn't hesitate. "I'll go too."

Daryl spun, looking for a map in his head of the yard. "Okay. Think where we're going." He paused, turning toward Beth. "Beth."

Measi however didn't even look up. She remained rooted in place, her gaze fixed on a patch of ground, her expression empty. Nathan, still holding the baby, crouched slightly to get her attention. "Measi... hey... look at me."

She didn't flinch. Her hands rested limply at her sides, the knife forgotten, her eyes vacant.

Daryl noticed immediately, his brows furrowing. "Nathan? Pinch her. Hard. About a minute or so—she should snap out of it."

Nathan blinked, startled. "What—what's wrong with he—"

Daryl didn't wait for an answer. He waved at Glenn and Maggie. "Vámonos!"

The group moved quickly, boots pounding the ground, urgency carrying them toward the gates. Behind them, the faint morning light stretched across the courtyard, painting everything in stark contrast.

Suddenly, Rick picked up an axe from the ground, muscles straining, and charged forward, determination blazing in his eyes.

"Rick!" Maggie's voice cracked, reaching for him—but he didn't stop.

Daryl barked over his shoulder. "Get the gate! Come on, we're gonna lose the light!"

Maggie, Glenn, and Daryl disappeared toward the western fence, leaving only Hershel, Beth, Carl, Nathan, and the dissociated Measi in the courtyard. The air was thick with tension, broken only by the soft whimper of the baby.

Nathan shifted slightly, lifting the infant just enough to make it clear what he was talking about.   "Can one of you take her?" he asked, voice low, hesitant, ''I wanna try and snap her out of - whatever this is.'' nodding toward Measi. Beth accepted the baby immediately, holding the baby against her chest, rocking her gently.

Nathan crouched closer to Measi, "Measi... come on. Look at me," he murmured, voice low but firm. His hand brushed against her arm, then he pinched her shoulder lightly, just as Daryl had suggested.

Nothing.

Her eyes remained fixed on the cracked concrete beneath her boots, blank and unseeing. Her body was there, but it felt like her mind had slipped somewhere far away, somewhere unreachable. Nathan's heart sank. "C'mon... wake up, Measi. Please..." he whispered, pinching her a little harder. Still, no reaction.