June 14th, 2011

The group was scavenging. They had found a house that might contain something that they could use. Rick busted the front door open. There were walkers inside. Rick shot one, luckily he had found a silencer for his python. T-Dog went in behind Rick and killed a walker. Daryl, and Carl went inside. Sam and Winter followed with their weapons ready. Winter held a knife in her hands. They all checked the house for any more walkers. Luckily, there weren't any more. They had brought the others in. The place was a mess. Lori was almost ready to have her baby, and Winter hoped they could find a place for her to give birth safely. Winter took a seat in the messy living room

Sweat covered her face. Winter was covered in dirt and God knows what, but so was everyone else. The others joined her. Daryl had found an owl, and was currently plucking its feathers. Winter was exhausted, but so was everyone else. They'd been moving around constantly trying to stay alive. Sam was sitting beside her. She rested her head on his shoulder. Sam had brought his hand up to her face, he caressed it softly as Carl came in the room. He took out two cans of dog food and a can opener. Before, Winter couldn't have ever seen herself eating dog food, but now, to her, those cans were a blessing. Food was food. It didn't matter what it was. Carl began to open the can with the can opener. Rick had seen what Carl was doing. Rick walked over and picked up the can. He looked at what it was before throwing it against the wall

"Psst" T-Dog said as he motioned to outside. Winter turned to see walkers out there. So, the group gathered their things and went out the back. They were to vulnerable at the moment, and taking on too many at once could be dangerous in their condition. Everyone had begun putting their stuff in the cars before getting in them. They had to keep moving. Rick said they would find a place to call home, she just didn't know when that would be. She hoped it was soon. Once they had gotten far enough from the walkers, the small convoy stopped. Everyone got out of the cars. T-Dog pulled out a map and put it on the hood of one of the cars. Rick put Carl on watch

"We got no place left to go" T-Dog said

"When this herd meets up with this one, we'll be cut off. We'll never make it south" Maggie said. Winter and Maggie had a rocky relationship. It wasn't that they didn't get along, but it was more that Winter couldn't forgive herself for what had happened to Nicky, and she believed Maggie blamed her for his death

"What would you say? That was about 150 head?" Daryl asked

"That was last week. It could be twice that by now" Glenn said

"This river could have delayed them. If we move fast, we might have a shot to tear right through there" Hershel said

"Yeah, but if this group joins with that one, they could spill out this way" T-Dog said

"So we're blocked" Maggie said

"We could double back at 27 and head towards Greenville" Sam spoke up

"We already picked through that. It's like we spent the winter going in circles" T-Dog said. Rick nodded

"Yeah, I know. I know. We can push west at Newnan. Haven't been through there yet. We can't keep going house to house. Need to find someplace to hole up for a few weeks" Rick said

"All right. Is it cool if we get to the creek before we head out? Won't take long. We got to fill up on water. We can boil it later" T-Dog said

"Knock yourself out" Rick told him

An hour had passed, and Rick said he'd found a place for them to stay. When they all arrived, Sam was shocked that it was a prison. There were walkers inside the gates. Daryl handed Rick some bolt cutters. Rick cut through the fence so they could get inside. There were walkers approaching. Glenn and Maggie teamed up to take one down

"Watch the backside" Rick said

"Got it" Lori said. Everyone rushed inside the fence. Once they were all in, Glenn and Daryl worked together to quickly close up the fence. Walkers were trying to get to them from both sides of the fence. They all rushed on, following Rick and Daryl. The sounds of walkers banging on the fence were rather loud. Daryl opened a door that led to the entrance of the fenced prison. There was a turned over vehicle that blocked the large entrance, however the regular sized door entrance wasn't blocked

"It's perfect. If we can shut that gate, prevent more from filling the yard, we can pick off these walkers. We'll take the field by tonight" Rick said. Honestly, Sam was excited. If this worked, they would finally get a chance to rest a little

"So how do we shut the gate?" Hershel asked

"I'll do it. You guys cover me" Glenn said

"No. It's a suicide run" Maggie said

"I'm the fastest" Glenn said

"No, you, Maggie, and Beth draw as many as you can over there. Pop 'em through the fence. Daryl, go back to the other tower. Carol, you've become a pretty good shot. Take your time. We don't have a lot of ammo to waste. Winter, you go with Carol and Daryl, I know you can shoot from a distance. Hershel, you and Carl take this tower. Sam, you're with me" Rick said. Everybody went off to do their tasks. The sounds of snarling, and moaning invaded Sam's ears. Glenn handed Rick some chains to close the fence. Sam could hear the others yell as they got the walkers attention

Lori walked over to fence and looked at Rick. She would let them into the main area. Lori opened it, and Rick and Sam walked in with their weapons ready. Sam had a silencer on his pistol. Sam followed Rick's lead. Walkers noticed them and began to approach them. As Sam and Rick ran, they shot down walkers. Then, they saw an arrow go through the head of one of the walkers. It was Daryl. Rick and Sam both looked up at the tower to see Daryl, Carol and Winter. He felt safe knowing Winter had his back. Rick and Sam continued running as they heard gunshots. Then, someone misfired and almost shot off Rick's foot

"That was close" Sam told him

"No kidding" Rick said. They had gotten really close to the gate. Sam shot the walker that was about to come through. Rick closed the gate and Sam kept shooting the walkers on the other side so Rick could close it completely. Once he did it, Rick and Sam shot a couple walkers before entering a guard tower. They got up to the top and Rick handed Sam a rifle. They both began shooting walkers just like everyone else. Rick had the biggest smile on his face. Sam understood that Rick's dream was coming true. This was the place. Soon enough, the field was clear of walkers. Everyone had met up with smiles on their faces

"We haven't had this much space since we left the farm" Carol said as she laughed. Sam couldn't help but laugh as well. Night had fallen and everyone was sitting around a campfire with the exception of Daryl, and Rick who were patrolling. They were all eating

"Mmm. Just like Mom used to make" Glenn said before he threw the bone

"I can't believe we did it" Sam said relieved

"I know, it's just amazing" Carol said as she laughed. Sam looked at Winter, who had a small smile on her face

Tomorrow we'll put all the bodies together. Want to keep them away from that water. Now, if we can dig a canal under the fence, we'll have plenty of fresh water" T-Dog said

"And this soul is good. We could plant some seed, grow some tomatoes, cucumbers, soybeans. That's his third time around. If there was any part of it compromised, he'd have found it by now" Hershel said

"This'll be a good place to have the baby. Safe" Beth said. Carol had wandered over to Daryl. Winter had motioned for Sam to come closer to her, so he did. She guided his head to her lap, so he just went with it. He changed his position so he was comfortably resting his head in her lap. She began to run her fingers through his hair

"Do you think it'll be a girl or a boy?" Sam asked Lori

"I'm not really sure. I don't have a preference" She said. Sam nodded

"Beth, sing Paddy Reilly for me. I haven't heard that, I think, since your mother was alive" Hershel said

"Daddy, not that one, please" Maggie said

"How about 'The Parting Glass'?" Hershel asked

"No one wants to hear" Beth said

"Why not?" Glenn asked

"I want to hear" Sam said

"Me too" Winter said

"Okay" Beth said before she began to sing

"Of all the money
E're I had
I spent it in good company
And all the harm
E're I've ever done
Alas it was to none but me
And all I've done
For want of wit
To memory now I can't recall
So fill to me
The parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all" Beth sang. She had a beautiful voice

"Oh, all the comrades
That e're I had
Were sorry for my going away
And all the sweethearts
That e're I had
Would wish me
One more day to stay..
But since it falls unto my lot
That I should rise
And you should not
I'll gently rise
And I'll softly call
Good night and joy
Be with you all
Good night and joy
Be with you all" Maggie and Beth sang. It was a beautiful song

"Beautiful" Hershel said

"Better all turn in. I'll take watch over there. Got a big day tomorrow" Rick said. Sam was unsure what Rick meant

"What do you mean?" Carl asked

"Look, I know we're all exhausted. This was a great win. But we've got to push just a little bit more. Most of the walkers are dressed as guards and prisoners. Looks like this place fell pretty early. It could mean the supplies may be intact. They'd have an infirmary, a commissary" Rick explained

"An armory?" Daryl asked

"That would be outside the prison itself, but not too far away. Warden's offices would have info on the location. Weapons, food, medicine. This place could be a gold mine" Rick said. Sam wasn't sure if they could make that push

"We're dangerously low on ammo. We'd run out before we make a dent" Hershel said

"That's why we have to go in there.. hand to hand. After all we've been through, we can handle it, I know it. These assholes don't stand a chance" Rick said before walking off. If Rick said they were going to do it, then they were going to do it. He was the leader, and they all followed him

June 15th, 2011

They were by the gate. A group of them were going to clear the area behind the closed fence. That group consisted of Maggie, Glenn, Rick, Daryl, T-Dog, Sam and Winter

"Ready?" Hershel asked as Rick unhooked the fence and opened it. They were in a tight formation. Everyone had melee weapons. Winter carried a knife. T-Dog took out the first walker that came at them

"Daryl" Rick said as another approached. Daryl took care of it. Hershel closed the gate behind them. Walkers came at them from all sides. Every one of them killed a walker. They slowly kept moving as they killed walkers

"Get tight! Get tight!" Glenn yelled as they kept killing walkers. Winter could hear the others making a bunch of noise to attract the walkers. Walkers went down left and right as they continued

"Don't break rank!" Rick told T-Dog as he did just that

"We need that" T-Dog said as he grabbed a riot shield. A walker approached

"T! T!" Rick yelled. T-Dog hit the walker with the shield and Maggie went and killed it

"Maggie!" Rick yelled. They all got back in rank

"Almost there" Rick said before opening a door. He then turned and saw a bunch of walkers. He quickly hid and so did everyone else

"Shit" Rick said. Everyone was panting. Two walkers with riot gear on were approaching, and then two more came out of nowhere. Daryl tried to shoot them with his crossbow but the riot gear stopped the arrow. Another walker came out with some sort of mask on. Winter grabbed its shoulder and stabbed it in the head from the side. It fell and she watched the others try to kill the riot geared walkers

"You'll have to stab them by their necks" Winter told them. Sam did just that. They all kept killing walkers before they forced the gate closed. Rick used the chains to keep the gate closed

"We're good" Rick said. Winter had stabbed one of the riot gear walkers. She stabbed up the neck as did others. Then, it was all clear. They began walking back to the others

"Stop" Rick told them, and so they did. Rick was checking the area out

"Well, it looks secure" Glenn said

"Not from the look of that courtyard over there. And that's a civilian" Daryl pointed out

"Shit" Sam said. Winter knew it wasn't completely secure

"So the interior could be overrun with walkers from outside the prison" T-Dog said

"Well, if there's walls down, what are we gonna do? We can't rebuild this place" Glenn said

"We can't risk a blind spot. We have to push in" Rick said. So, they all followed Rick. He led them to a fenced door that had stairs behind it. They went up the stairs and towards a door. Rick got ready, and Daryl opened it. Then, Rick walked in. They followed behind him. They opened another door and it made a squeaking noise. Glenn closed the outside door behind them. It was dark, and everyone moved slowly. The area was messy. Rick went up some stairs that led to a small office. Rick came back down with keys. He unlocked the cell block, and they all went in. It was still messy, and there were some dead bodies. Rick and Daryl went upstairs to check it out. That's when Winter heard growling. There were walkers upstairs. However, Rick and Daryl took care of them. They then tossed the bodies over the edge and onto the first floor

"It's clear. Go bring everyone in" Rick told Glenn

"Got it" Glenn said before he left. A couple minutes later, they had all arrived. Rick walked down the steps

"What do you think?" Rick asked

"Home sweet home" Glenn said

"For the time being" Rick said

"It's secure?" Carol asked

"This cell block is" Rick said

"What about the rest of the prison?" Hershel asked

"In the morning, we'll find the cafeteria and infirmary" Rick said

"We sleep in the cells?" Beth asked. Honestly, Winter didn't mind. A bed was a bed. Beggars can't be choosers

"I found keys on some guards. Daryl has a set, too" Rick said

"I ain't sleeping in no cage. I'll take the perch" Daryl said. Everyone went ahead and got settled in. Winter had picked one of the cells on the first floor. It was messy inside, but it would do. There was a bunkbed. Winter heard footsteps approach from behind

"You mind if I stay in here with you?" Sam asked. Winter turned and saw the dorky smile on his face

"I don't mind" Winter told him. He put his stuff down. He then gave Winter a serious look

"You know, I really think you should talk to Maggie" Sam told her. Winter's heart ached

"I don't want to" Winter told him. Sam looked at her concerned

"I know it's been eating at you since it happened. Look, I know you think Maggie blames you but she doesn't" Sam said

"I could've done something" Winter said. Sam shook his head

"No. Lori told me the whole thing. There was nothing you could've done. It wasn't your fault" Sam tried to tell her. Winter understood what he was saying but it didn't change the way she felt. She still felt guilty. She still felt like it was her fault. Sam sat down on the lower bunk

"Come here" He told her. She sat down beside him and he wrapped his arms around her

"You know that I love you, right?" Sam asked her

"Yes, I know, and I love you, too" She said

"And you know that I'm always going to be here for you no matter what happens" Sam told her. Winter felt reassured by his words. She was so grateful to have someone like Sam. She hoped they would always be together

June 16th, 2011

Winter was currently helping Sam put on the riot gear. He had already helped her put on a vest. T-Dog, Glenn, Hershel, and Maggie all put riot gear on as well. Carl was playing with one of the helmets. Rick looked at his son

"You won't need that" Rick told him before taking the helmet

"I need you to stay put" Rick said

"You're kidding" Carl said as Winter finished helping Sam

"Thanks" He told her. She just nodded

"We don't know what's in there. Something goes wrong, you could be the last man standing. I need you to handle things here" Rick told him. Carl nodded

"Sure" Carl said. Rick handed him the keys

"Great. Let's go" Rick said. So, the group left to explore and hopefully find something useful. They had left the cell block and were now in an extremely dark hallway. Everyone had their flashlights on as they moved carefully. There was no telling what could be in there. As they turned a corner they saw dead bodies. Bloody skeletons. Glenn took out a spray can and painted the wall. It was so they would know where to go later. Then, suddenly, Maggie shrieked causing everyone to snap their heads in her direction, ready to kill. However, it was a false alarm. They hadn't seen any walkers yet. Winter wondered where they were. She knew they were in here. They kept walking until they heard a loud thud. Wouldn't you know, they found the jackpot of all the walkers. The walkers turned in their direction and began coming towards them

"Go back. Go back! Move!" Rick yelled. Everyone turned around and began running the other way

"This way!" Rick yelled as everyone followed him. There were walkers everywhere. She didn't understand how they just appeared. During the crazy maze run, Sam, Winter, Glenn and Maggie had been separated from the others

"In here" Glenn told them as walkers approached. All four of them went into the room and shut it. Walkers were banging on the door, wanting to get in. There was another door. Glenn opened it. They had to find the others. They entered the dark hallway

"Rick?" Glenn asked

"Dad?" Maggie asked

"Daryl? T-Dog?" Winter asked. They got no response

"Daddy?" Maggie asked. Suddenly they heard screaming. The four rushed over to see that Hershel had been bit

"No!" Maggie cried. Rick and Glenn rushed to get Hershel up as more walkers headed their way. Maggie was yelling in horror. Winter, Sam and Daryl began killing walkers

"We're blocked! Get back! Get back!" T-Dog yelled. They went down another path. Walkers were after them. Winter's heart was beating out of her chest as sweat dripped down her face. They made it to a pair of double doors

"Open the door!" Maggie cried. T-Dog forced them open and they all ran in

"Shut the door!" Rick yelled. Daryl did just that. However, the walkers wanted inside. Winter and Sam helped T-Dog and Daryl keep the doors closed until T-Dog could use his weapon to keep the doors closed

"Have you got it?" Rick asked

"Yeah" T-Dog said. They all rushed over to Hershel as walkers banged against the door. Hershel was whimpering. Rick revealed Hershel's wound. He was bleeding a lot. He had been bit. Rick suddenly took off his belt

"Hold him down" Rick said. Sam and Winter helped hold Hershel down. She was assuming he was going to try and amputate to stop the infection from spreading. Rick tightened the belt around Hershel's thigh. Rick then grabbed the axe

"Only one way to keep you alive" Rick said before he began to cut Hershel's lower leg off. Hershel had passed out as Rick cut off his leg

"Oh!" Rick said unaware of what to do next

"We need to stop the bleeding" Winter said. Daryl looked over

"Duck" He whispered. They all ducked and Daryl got up with his crossbow ready

"Holy shit" A voice said

(3562 words)
12/4/22