Rays of sunlight pierced through the barred windows. They warmed the cold cellblock and its inhabitants but exposed the blood stained floors. Those who were not medicated removed the bodies.

As my eyes opened, I felt like I was made brand new. Everything was clearer. My mind and body. When I pushed myself up, I was quickly reminded that not everything was back to normal. My tricep throbbed immensely. I groaned as I stood and stretched out my limbs. It took me longer to put on my gun belt because of my injured arm, but I got the job done.

I took in the silence around me. No more coughing or gagging or screams of terror. Just quiet.

Hershel stopped by my cell. He leaned up against the door. "How are you feeling this mornin'?" he asked.

"Pretty good, except for the bullet hole," I told him, honestly. 

Hershel took his backpack off of his shoulder, unzipped it, and pulled out a role of bandages.

"Let's put some clean ones on there before you leave."

The old man gently undid the bandages that were wrapped around my bicep and tricep. On them were splotches of brown dried blood. Before Hershel wrapped it again, he took a cotton ball and soaked it in disinfectant. I breathed in sharply through my teeth as he cleaned the wound. Then, the white bandages once again covered the stitches.

"I really need to get those guys a gift for bringin' back those meds," I said, rolling my left shoulder. "They saved everybody's lives. My life."

Hershel put his supplies back in his bag. "I don't think that's necessary."

"Why? They risked their lives for us. It's the least I could do."

"You would have done the same," stated Hershel. "If the roles were reversed, would you want anything in return?" 

I thought about it for a moment before saying, "I guess not. Just that people got better."

Hershel smiled. Although his face was wrinkled with time, his light blue eyes remained youthful. I wondered how much those eyes have witnessed. In a way, Hershel was lucky. He got to experience a pretty full life outside of this mess. I envied that but didn't blame him for it.

"That's exactly why it's unnecessary. You think like this group. You fit in. Whether you believe so or not."

"I'm starting to." I took a beat. "How's Glenn?"

"Good," he said, nodding. "He survived the night. He talkin', eatin'. He'll be okay."

"Good." I took a deep breath. "I need to get out of here already or I think I'll go insane."

Hershel squeezed the shoulder of my good arm. "It's a beautiful day, enjoy it. But don't work your arm too hard."

I gave the man a tight hug despite my pain.

"Don't stay in here too long. You've done more than enough."

Hershel nodded with a smile and let me pass by him after I grabbed my bag and cowboy hat. I descended the stairs quickly as I placed the hat on my head. When I got to the door that led out of the cellblock, I stopped. It almost felt wrong for me to go through. I had spent so much time in here that it seemed like I was still meant to be in this place even though I was better.

I bit my lip and moved forward. Glass crunched beneath my feet where Maggie had broken in.

As I exited the building, an immediate sense of relief ran through me. I felt the same way one feels when it is the first nice day after a long winter. I closed my eyes, tilted my head back, and laughed. My arms outstretched while I took in the warmth and freedom.

I opened my eyes to see Michonne and Daryl grinning at me. They were both loading the bodies on the trailer.

"What?" I chuckled.

"Glad to see you doing good," said Michonne.

"Thank you both for that. I wouldn't be here without ya'll."

Daryl grunted. "Don't worry 'bout it, Hawk," he told me with a short nod.

I shielded my eyes and looked out in front of me toward the green field. The long grass swayed in the breeze. Rick and Carl worked down by the garden.

I jogged to them. I didn't need to, but it felt nice to be able to again. I could actually breathe correctly now. The gravel crunching beneath my feet, the wind rushing through my hair, the smell of flowers in my nostrils. I missed it all and more.

Carl spotted me and sprinted over. He had a big smile on his face as he slammed into me with a hug. I let out a groan when the wind got knocked out of me. Carl wrapped his arms around my torso. He was already as tall as me after his growth spurt.

"You're getting too big," I wheezed as he squished me.

I hugged him back.

Carl pulled away from our embrace. "You're okay?"

"Yeah, I am," I said. "Nothin' can keep me down. Not even a bullet to the arm."

"You were shot?!" both Carl and Rick asked in unison.

I looked past Carl to see Rick peering at me with wide eyes.

I raised my left arm slightly and pointed to it with my right. "Caught a stray shot from Charles when everything started going down. Hershel stitched me up."

Rick walked over and draped his arm around Carl's shoulders.

"Now we've all three had a bullet go through us," Rick stated.

My mouth fell open and I slapped Carl in the arm. "You've been shot?"

He rubbed him limb. "Yeah?"

"And you didn't think to tell me that information?"

Carl shrugged. "I didn't think it was important," he said.

I rolled my eyes and chuckled. "You're a dork, kid. You'll have to tell me the story later. And no skipping out on details, either."

"Yeah, yeah, I will," he responded with a smirk.

Rick tightened his arm around Carl's neck. His son squirmed away.

"Why don't you go feed your sister?" Rick instructed more than asked.

"Okay, dad." He squinted his eyes at the man.

Carl began heading toward the buildings.

"Don't get into too much trouble," I shouted after him.

"No promises!" he replied, not turning around but raising an arm.

Rick chuckled as he pulled off his gardening gloves and threw them to the ground. "Now it's my turn," he said.

Rick pulled me into a hug. He wrapped around my shoulders and neck. I nuzzled my head into his toned chest. He smelled like dirt, sweat, and spring air. No matter how hard I tried pushing the thought away, I missed this man. Probably more than anyone else. He always knew what to say when things got tough.

Rick gave me a rough squeeze before letting me go.

"Sorry I didn't come visit you after everythin' happened last night," Rick apologized.

I held up a hand before saying, "No need to be sorry. Tyreese told me the fences went down. Speaking of which, how'd that go? I heard a lot of gunfire. I was worried."

Rick inhaled deeply. "I was worried too. I grabbed Carl when Maggie went in with ya'll. All we could do was gun 'em down. I couldn't risk them gettin' to yo— to everyone." He paused for a second before continuing quickly, "The fences should be fine for now but they'll need some work."

"Seems like we both had an exciting night."

"I don't know if I'd call it exciting."

"I don't think I would either," I teased. "Maybe terrifying."

The side of Rick's mouth went up just a little. "That's better."

The man gazed off toward the prison. Something was working in his mind.

"Are you okay? Really?" I asked him. "Everything's been happening so quickly and all at once it seems."

Rick cleared his throat and returned to my eyes. "I don't think I've had time to fully process everythin'. I have to keep moving. I don't get to stop. Not now."

I furrowed my eyebrows. "You didn't answer my question, Rick."

He sighed, placed his hands on his hips, and clicked his tongue against his teeth.

"Not right now. But I will be," he admitted. "Just gotta take care of a few things first."

I nodded in response. Although I didn't fully believe him, I would accept that answer. Rick wasn't the type of man to let his feelings see the full light of day. But something was better than nothing. Sometimes I felt like it was impossible to truly understand what was going on in that mind. It wasn't my job to pry but it was my job to be a friend if he needed it.

"Go take care of those things then," I told him after a silent moment.

"You're right, I should," he said. Rick smiled. "Don't get into too much trouble while I'm gone."

I smirked at him. "You know I always do."

Rick laughed as he began walking up the gravel path. I watched him as he got farther and farther away. My gut told me to stay close. To not let him out of my site. I listened, only for a moment, when I took a few steps forward. But then I shook my head and turned back around.

I heard some neighs and my spirits perked up. I went over to the horse pen. Both Poe and Flame came up to the fence. With both hands I pet each of their muzzles. I moved to Poe's chin because I knew he liked that.

"I missed you, bud," I whispered to the black horse. "Why don't we let you stretch your legs?"

I entered the pen while avoiding the large dropping on the ground. I groaned as I lifted the heavy saddle off of the fence. I wasn't supposed to move my arm much, but this was worth it. I breathed in and out quickly as I pushed it on Poe's back. After I got the saddle secured, I put on his reins.

Poe trotted closely behind me as I led him out of the enclosure and into the light. The sun reflected off of his sleek hair. I pulled myself up onto the saddle. When I got myself situated, I slung off my bag and hung it on the horn.

The heat slowly began turning my freckled shoulders red. Luckily, my hat shaded my face from the rays. I took the reins in my hands and clicked out the side of my mouth. Poe moved forward.

The breeze felt nice on my skin. I signaled for the horse to go even faster. His hooves clomped in the dirt as he ran through the field. I let go of the horn and reins before extending my arms. Although it was cheesy, I really did feel like I was flying. My red hair whipped behind me. Everything I went past was a blur because I was moving so fast.

In that moment, I felt like nothing could bring me down. My friends were alive. I was truly alive. I let out a 'wooo' before laughing to myself and grinning for all the world to see.

Then, there was a deafening boom. Then a crash. Then everything crumbled to the ground in a cloud of dust.

He was here. Now. The man I had only heard about but never seen.

The boogeyman.

The man who could end it all.

I felt the reapers cold breath on my neck.