As he nears the block, he stops and looks back when he hears an even fainter scream coming from deep within the prison. His whole body tenses as he lets out a low growl and turns the corner to the block gate.
He is greeted by the sight of Oscar and Carl holding guns up at him and yells "OPEN UP!!" Immediately both lower there weapons and come rushing to the gate. "Dad!!!" Carl cries out at the sight of his father slumped over Daryl's shoulder. "He's fine kid" Daryl pats Carl's shoulder as he walks past him and into the first cell. Gently he lays Rick down on the cot as the others follow in behind him. "What happened?" Carl pleads. "Is he....Is he bit?" Daryl looks to the young boy and shakes his head. "Nah, he's gonna be fine." With a quick motion of his hand, he waves the others out of the cell and locks the door. Oscar looks in at Rick then back at Daryl. "Then why are you locking him up?" Hershel clears his throat as he stands on his crutches "I'm guessing because Rick isn't himself. At least not mentally right now." Herschel nods to Daryl letting him know that he understands before continuing. "He needs some rest" Daryl nods back at Hershel as he pulls the crossbow back up onto his shoulder "Where are Maggie and Glen?" He looks around the room questingly. Beth looks down at the baby in her arms "They've gone to town for Formula and ammo" Daryl shakes his head and walks toward the cell block gate. "Wait" Carl grabs him by the arm "Where are you going? You just got back" Daryl looks down at Carl and then back out beyond the gate. "There's something I gotta do. I'll be back" He leaves before anyone can question him any further. He heard a scream and it sounded like Carol but there was no sense in getting anyones hope up just yet. Besides, from the sound of that scream, there wasn't time.
Daryl worked his way through the twisting dark hallways keeping his weapon raised. His eyes and ears were sharply focused as he returned to the spot he had first heard her scream. There were still Walkers in this part of the prison, so he had to move cautiously but at the same time, the thought that Carol could be facing those same Walkers, made him all the more determined to proceed. Each turn bringing him closer to finding his friend or running face to face with a horde of Walkers.
He passes several downed Walkers and he could picture Carol taking them out one at a time. For a small lady, she had become one tough cookie these past several months. Gone was the frail woman who cried every night over her lost little girl. She was stronger now. Daryl had helped her get that way just like she had helped him feel needed and valued in the group. She had told him that he was every bit as good as the others and she meant it. He started believing it because of her and now he needed to show it. He had to find her.... Alive.
The shuffling sound of dragging feet alarmed him to the surprise around the corner and he was ready for it. As he turned the bend, WHOSH, the arrow headed straight into the Walkers skull and down he went. There were already several other Walker bodies on the floor. So many that he had to step over a few of them in order to continue in the direction he wanted to go. As Daryl stepped over a few Walkers piled together, he felt a hand reach out from the pile grabbing at his ankle.
"Shit" he jumps back and twists around aiming his crossbow to the pile. The hand is small as its fingers continue to grasp for his leg. "I see you there" Daryl pulls back on his bow and prepares to fire. "Daryl?" a voice whispers from beneath the lifeless pile of Walker corpses. He blinks down in shock as his crossbow lowers and he leans in pulling the top bodies aside.
"Carol?" he mutters in disbelief as her face is revealed to him. "You're alive" Gently he reaches down and tests the warmth of her face to be sure. Her face is bloodied and bruised. The shine in her eyes is sunken in and her lips appear dry and crackled as well. "Let's get you out of here" Quickly and far too easily, he lifts her up into his arms. She's too light from not eating and visibly exhausted Not to mention dehydrated, but she was alive.
Carol tries to speak but Daryl hushes her "Shhh. I've got you." A very small smile tries to appear on Carols lips as her head falls against Daryls shoulders. Her eyes wearily close as she manages to whisper "I...knew...you'd...come" Daryl's grip tightens around her frail form as he prepares to make the way back through the prison to the safety of their block. He had finally saved someone he cares about and there isn't a Walker on earth that was taking her from him now. At least not while he was alive.
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