It takes them a few days to get there, but they finally make it and everyone just stares at it for awhile. It's a huge place. Thick walls, tall fences, and a watch tower, plus a shit load of walkers inside. Serena felt the energy in the air. If they can clear this place, they can stay here for a while. No more running. Everyone is practically buzzing with adrenaline. They need this. Lori can't handle the constant moving around much longer, plus she's due in about a month. They must pull this off.

The intensity of Daryl's face makes him look like he's on speed as he takes it all in. Serena likes this version of him more than him glaring at her every day. Then Rick announces their plan—Cut an opening in the fence, close the gates between the courtyard and the field, then start taking them out one by one. Serena doesn't like his idea. Thinking of how they can get through that herd alive isn't going to be easy. They will need to run, which means Lori must step back and watch as the group clears the place.

Before anyone had time to protest, Rick calls the group's attention by asking the group for a checklist of supplies. They lay out all of their weapons on the flatbed of the truck to examine what they got. It turns out they have just enough firepower, but Daryl recommends using melee weapons as much as possible to save on bullets.

Serena is very nervous about this plan, but willing to do her part to secure a safe location for them to finally rest in peace. She is determined to be an equal member of the group and show her worth. But as she reaches for her machete that's strapped to her backpack, Rick pushes a pistol in her direction. This didn't sit well with Daryl.

"You givin' her a gun now?" Daryl spat at Rick.

"Look—we need all the help we can get," Rick replied sternly.

"It's alright," Serena intervened. "I don't know how to shoot anyway," she says. Which was true. She had been lucky enough so far to not need one. Guns are loud and attracted attention, often unwanted by any dead roaming within earshot.

Daryl gave a big huff and rolled his eyes. "Figures," he muttered softly under his breath as he readies his crossbow, but as usual, Serena simply ignored him.

Rick turns to Serena holding the pistol in his hands and points to a spot on the gun. "This is the safety," he instructed as the flicks the switch on the weapon with a click. "Now it's safe to handle. All you gotta do is point—and shoot."

"I don't know about this," Serena breathed out with an uncertain quiver in her voice.

"You'a part of this group or what, nurse?" Daryl barked at her.

"What the hell?!" Serena snapped at him. She was already on edge with the mission, but he finally pushed her to a breaking point. It's unusual for her to lose control like this. It's only when she's pushed into a corner that she strikes. She's had enough of him.

"What the hell yourself!" Daryl barked as he glared right back at her and taking several threatening steps forward. Yet Serena held her position in a firm stance. She grips the handle of her weapon tightly as she tries to not to show any fear. One thing she has learned from men like him, is that you shouldn't allow them to see you react.

Daryl studied her for a moment, realizing that he'd just witnessed a rare sight of something she clearly keeps well hidden. A small spark from an invisible flame that she seals away deep inside her, which aroused his curiosity. He silently admitted to himself that he was quite impressed by her bravery. She stood her ground. Not many others would have done the same. There was a small part of him that found it oddly enjoyable to see her like this, to know that there is a fierceness underneath her soft exterior.

"I'm sorry. You're right," Serena surrendered. "You don't know me and you don't trust me. I'm not used to being part of a group. So I apologize."

Daryl kept his stance as he gave her a scornful look, holding his crossbow in his right hand.

"I just really, really hate feeling useless," Serena carried on. "I'm here, so please let me help."

Then Daryl's voice dips low and hard. "Dunno if you can manage yourself or protect anyone. And I ain't gunna bet any lives on it," he sneered as he grits his teeth, his body visibly tenses up to a point of snapping. He wasn't about to allow some elite college rookie risk the safety of the whole group.

So far, the rest of the group were quiet and had kept their distance. They obviously were still very distracted by the massive herd of walkers roaming the prison yard, until the former sheriff stepped in.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Rick calls out as he steps in between the two of them, blocking Daryl with his body with his hands up. "We don't have time for this. We need everyone involved," he continued as he gave Daryl a hard look.

Daryl's lip curled in distaste, "Fuck this shit," he muttered as he takes off towards the prison. Serena stood still as she watched him storm away.

Rick turns to face her once again and pats her on the shoulder, "Hey—don't worry about him. Do you think you can handle yourself out there?"

"I will certainly do my best," Serena gave Rick a reassuring nod.

"Good. That's all we can ask for," he replied as he walked over the truck to gather his supplies.

***

Getting through the first barrier and into the space between it and the inner fence line was easy. The group moved through the small opening with no problems. It's the next part that is the sketchy bit. It is now time for Rick's suicide mission to commence.

The chaos starts as soon as Beth, Maggie and Lori rattle the inner fence to get the herd's attention. When a group of walkers begin stammering towards them, Daryl runs up the tower with Carl to take them out at a distance. Meanwhile, the rest of them enter the courtyard through a gated entryway and prepare for battle.

Immediately, gunfire fills the air as Serena tries not to flinch from the deafening sounds. At first stays close to Hershel as he takes out walkers with his shotgun. She briefly glances to her left and catches a glimpse of Carol, who's busy blasting heads off using her pistol with remarkable skill. They clearly have been through similar situations before.

For Serena, getting distracted came easy to her. Her mind would easily wander off to something off topic or entirely different from what she was doing. She simply couldn't help it. Daydreaming was something she did quite often, and she enjoyed it. It calmed her down. It was how she handled stress and racing thoughts. Her best ideas were often created when she was silently thinking to herself.

It was at this time that Serena began thinking back on the first time she picked up the machete. She discovered it in a car garage at an abandoned house several months ago, conveniently tucked away behind an empty toolbox on the top shelf of a workstation. She recalls how it initially felt so strange in her hands. It was too big and heavy. And ever since then she carried it with her. Since the collapse of civilization, she had to learn to defend herself and scavenge for survival. There is no other option. Now it feels natural.

Serena quickly refocuses her attention back to the oncoming cluster of corpses shuffling towards her, snarling and gurgling as they step through the tall grass. She takes advantage of her melee skills and begins cracking skulls with brute force. In spite of the fact that she has never used a gun before, she is no stranger to taking down walkers. Yet in this situation, it's the sheer numbers of them that makes the whole task challenging. One wrong move out here in this prison yard could be fatal. Before long, the disorder ends as quickly as it began.

Once the last walker falls, there's a moment of silence as the group takes in the sight of the cleared yard, littered with blood and dead bodies. Then Serena hears laughter and cheers. As Daryl and Carl climb down from their perches, everyone else gathers at the fence line where Lori and the rest of the crew were waiting. There are huge smiles on everyone's faces, and Serena had forgotten what genuine happiness looks like. But they know the job isn't done yet. The next step is to clear an area indoors and away from the rain. It's going to be a long day.

Serena watched as Daryl slowly made his way towards the group. He stopped walking when he caught her eye. His stare was intense, concealing something she couldn't read. The initial resentment he'd felt after their last encounter had subsided by now, leaving him with an unsettling spinning mess of confusion and curiosity towards her. Guess she could handle herself after all—he silently says to himself.