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I Just Want to Die Anywhere Else

Chapter One

Spring, the time of year for the world to grow and blossom back from the cold dead Winter season. This was not what it meant, it just meant almost a year has past since the start of this apocalyptic life for the Atlanta group. They had all managed to survive the harsh Winter, and the group was closer than ever, now referring to their group as a family. They had learned that blood doesn't make family, but the bond within it.
Only trouble, now that the warm weather had returned, the group struggled with finding a place to stay more than one night. Keeping track of the herd and staying ahead was growing to be a large problem. Especially since Lori was due any day now with her baby.

One house, clear in the woods, was spotted and with their quick and tight first wave, Rick, T-Dog, Daryl, and Carl made way to clear the home. With silencers and melee weapons, they were able to kill two walkers by the front door that Rick had kicked opened.

Carl followed his father, both with silencers on their guns as they searched the kitchen and dining room. Carl ignored his growling stomach to search the pantries, knowing he had to make sure the place was clear first. The pre-teen walked into the bathroom, finding a female walker in a nightgown just standing there. Once it turned to Carl, he shot a bullet into its skull, it's blood splattering onto the shower curtain as it fell to the tile floor.

Rick continued into a hall which he guessed doubled as a walk-in pantry, finding a door at the other end. Flashlight shining, he reached over and ripped the door open only to find Daryl pointing his crossbow at him on the other side. The two sighed, lowering their weapons as Daryl had cleared the backroom.

The hunter turned and made his way to the stairs, silently taking each step as light as possible. T-Dog followed after with heavier steps, though still quiet. T-Dog found a girl's bedroom, with no sign of anything living or dead. Daryl got lucky, as when he opened to an ugly master bedroom, an owl was perched on a chair by the window. He peeked in, seeing nothing else, and focused his attention on the new meal before him. Before the owl could even think on what Daryl was doing, a bolt pierced through its chest, killing the innocent creature instantly.

Down on the first floor, as Daryl was plucking its feathers like a chicken to prepare their food, Glenn and Maggie started moving the furniture. Rick stood by the opened double doors, whistling for the others to join. The rest of the members started to pour in with their supplies. Carol and Beth carried their sleeping bags and blankets they had gathered. Lori came in after, glancing at her husband as she carried her own supplies, heavily pregnant with a hand over her stomach. Although she looked to Rick, he didn't meet her eyes once, something that had been a normal occurrence over the past seven months. Angela followed in with her sister behind, the older sister wore a beanie on her head, though her hair was starting to show signs of growing. It was still was growing to be longer than Carol's, but shorter than Daryl's. Angela kept a hat on though until she deemed the hair long enough to hide her scar. She carried in the medical and ammunition supplies while Kaylee had whatever clothing was left over and not covered in walker blood. Last to enter was Hershel, who now wore a white beard and his hair held back in a small ponytail. Despite having the hygiene supplies to shave, as Rick kept up on his own facial hair, Hershel let it grow as he didn't care anymore.

Shelter, yes they had found it, now next to find was food. They had loads of food through the Winter, but once they left Savannah, scavenging became scarce to happen. Because they couldn't stay in one location too long, they didn't have time to find food. This was a large worry for their pregnant member, for how small she was already.

Once everyone was inside and safe, Rick shut the doors as Carl searched the kitchen for anything to consume. Everyone gathered in the living room, looking through the food in their pile as Daryl continued to de-feather the owl. Angela sat beside him, keeping track of some feathers that could be used to make arrows in case Daryl ran out. Though she eyed the owl, she was too hungry to care what she ate at this point. The last thing she had was some old twinkie she had found, lucky not to get food poisoning from the crusty thing. Maggie and Glenn shared on some mustard packets, Glenn making sure Maggie had the rest. Lori, Beth, Kaylee, and Carol sat on the floor as they had a half jar of peanut butter for Lori to have.

Carl had returned, cans in his arms that caught the others' attention. Much to their dismay, it was dog food he found. Kaylee took one of the cans, looking it over to see if it was really safe to eat. Sure, he was hungry, they all were. But, it troubled everyone to see the boy so eager to eat the possibly expired food for canines. Not one person had the heart to stop the kid, but Rick was the one who was furious at the sight. He marched over, bending down to take the can from Carl just as he had opened it and the one in Kaylee's hands. Rick turned back, and threw the cans into the fireplace, causing Daryl to jump as he was too focused on plucking the owl.

Rick felt ashamed, unable to feed his own son who was willing to eat God damn dog food. No one said a word, Carl didn't say anything as he understood his mistake. Daryl had finished plucking the owl but went to work eating it raw. No one joined in, though he urged Angela to eat, who declined. He had tried to get her to eat a raw rabbit once, not having the time to cook it. She got sick the second she took a bite and couldn't stomach to try again.

T-Dog, who watched by the window, spotted walkers coming onto the property. He signaled the others, to which they repacked their stuff and jogged out to their vehicles. Daryl and Angela ran to the motorcycle, climbing right on. Glenn and Maggie shoved things into the back of the Hyundai. Maggie spotted an ax by a pile of wood and made the instinct to take it with them. Herschel placed the final things and slammed the door before climbing into the back seat. Carl, T-Dog, and Kaylee got into the Dodge Ram they had found a few weeks back, which helped to carry their needed supplies. Carol and Lori got into the Chevy Suburban, Rick taking the wheel.

They had driven a good while until they found an open road with for sure signs of no walkers. They all parked their cars and filed out as Glenn and Maggie laid out the map on the hood of the Hyundai. Beth, Kaylee, and Carl took watch for any walkers at certain parts of their parked area. The others gathered around to look over the map, Lori sat inside the Chevy not wanting to be on her feet right now.

"We got no place left to go." T-Dog was the first to speak up.

"When this herd meets up with this one, we'll be cut off," Maggie explained, pointing down at the map. "We'll never make it South."

Daryl leaned on the car beside Angela who looked exhausted from their moving around. "What would ya say? That was 'bout hundred-fifty head?" He asked Glenn across the car.

"That was last week." He dismissed, "It could be twice that by now." Glenn informed, keeping track of a large amount of walker herd they've passed by.

Hershel pointed at the blue line on the map. "This river could have delayed them. If we move fast, we might have a shot to tear right through there."

T-Dog shook his head, pointing as well. "Yeah, but if this group joins with that one, they could spill out this way."

"So, we're blocked." Said Maggie.

Rick finally spoke, leaning in between T-Dog and Maggie. "Only thing to do is to double back at twenty-seven and swing towards Greeneville."

T-Dog grimaced at that, "Yeah, we picked through that already." he sighed. "It's like we spent half the Winter going in circles."

"Yeah, I know. I know." Rick told, "At Newnan, we'll push West. Haven't been through there yet." he looked at everyone. "We can't keep going house to house. Need to find someplace to hole up for a few weeks."

Daryl nodded in agreement, glancing at Angela who had her back against the car. She looked tired, as did everyone. Rick's eyes were on Lori, who was sitting with the car door open to get some air to her. Maggie rolled the map up on Rick's decision, T-Dog moved the rocks off the car.

"Alright, is it cool if we get to the creek before we head out?" T-dog asked. "Won't take long. We gotta fill up on water. We can boil it later."

Rick nodded, "Knock yourself out." he told.

Angela yawned, realizing the meeting was over. She walked over to Daryl as he was setting his bow. "Want to rest a bit?" He asked her, as he was bent over his crossbow, pulling the tension back. "Ya been yawnin' all day."

Angela shrugged, "We're all tired, I don't want to fall asleep in case anything happens." she dismissed.

Daryl stood, watching as she walked over to Kaylee to check on her. He turned to Rick, "Hey," he called. "While the others wash their panties, let's go hunt. That owl didn't exactly hit the spot."

Rick accepted the offer, following the hunter into the woods. T-Dog went with Carol and Maggie toward the creek he had mentioned. Angela and Kaylee watched them leave, as they talked among themselves.
"Think we'll find a place?" Kaylee asked, double-sided hatchet in her hand as she kept watch.

"I don't know, so long as we can find a safe place for Lori to have the baby." Angela quipped, her hand on her gun holster that hung on her hip.

The sisters' clothing had changed over the seasons changing, Angela swore she lost weight over the past few weeks. She wore her beanie but had it off right now, feeling comfortable to expose her scar to the others finally. Her faded green jacket was tied around her waist, though her gun and baton holsters were kept open for easy access. The baton holster was one she had attached to her thigh, while the gun holster was a second belt around her waist. The original brown belt kept her dark blue jeans up, the ends tucked into her charcoal gray boots and a faded blue tank top over a cream shirt.

Kaylee, not wearing as much exposing clothing as she did in the last warm season, now had a faded maroon tank top with an old plaid button-up loosely hanging off her thin body. She now had her own Glock 9, wearing a thigh holster like Carl did now, on her khaki pants with brown half-calf boots Maggie had found for her a few weeks back. Her long brunette hair was cut and currently shoulder length, when it got caught by a walker at one point during their travels, right now in a tight ponytail.

"Boy or girl?" Kaylee asked, smiling at her worried sister.

Angela scoffed in return, "Girl, Carl needs a sister." she told.

"I was thinking the same thing, have a little sister to protect."

Angela knew Kaylee was thinking of Nolan at that. She glanced at Carl who kept watch at the front, he was about twelve or thirteen, close to the age gap between her and Kaylee of ten years. It was a large gap, with both good and bad sides to it. But, seeing how mature Carl was becoming, Angela had an inkling he'd be a good big brother.

"Not to mention, can give me and Beth some space." Kay added, earning a chuckle from her sister.
"He always sticking to you two like glue?" Angela asked, laughing to herself. "He's clearly got a crush on you both."

Kaylee shook her head, "He's totally for Beth. The way they smile at each other." the teen grinned. "It's cute."
Angela agreed, Carl had Beth and Kaylee as the closest to his teen coming age. Who wouldn't have a crush on the sweetheart that was Beth? "Jealous?" She asked her younger sister.

Kaylee looked at her, from glancing at Carl. "Please, I'm eighteen, I should be aiming higher."

"I don't think age is a matter anymore." Angela told, earning a raised brow from Kay.

"That a hint on the age between you and Daryl?"

The dirty blond laughed, "Mom and dad would kill me liking someone twenty years my senior." Kaylee laughed with her.

Yes, Angela had grown a liking to the redneck. Not that it wasn't obvious with how physically close she stuck to him or how they interacted with one another. Unlike Carol, who teased with sex jokes as she grew out of her shell over the past Winter. Angela and Daryl almost could understand one another, like they had their own language. At times, just a simple glance could give an answer to one's question. At first, Kaylee felt uncomfortable with it but grew to use it as a leverage to tease the two like an annoying little sister she had to be. Whether Daryl liked her back or not was hard to tell, as he had softened up to everyone in the group, not just her. Kaylee and Maggie believed so, with how they interacted with one another or enjoyed one another's silence.

"Hey!"

Just as T-Dog, Carol, and Maggie got back from the creek, so did Daryl and Rick. Angela frowned when they so no animal in their mits, hadn't they gone hunting?

"We found it." Rick informed, almost refusing to grin as they jogged back.

"Found what?" T-Dog asked as he put the jugs of water into the Chevy.

A prison, to be correct, it was the West Georgia Correctional Facility. It was almost ironic that the cop of their group found a prison to be their next location of a safe haven. Angela resisted on making the remark as they drove up to the gates. It was a large area, with a front gate, but a field filled with walkers in prison and guard uniforms. Everyone got to work on taking their defensive stance as Rick got the wire cutters from the truck. He started to cut an opening to the fence that had a second one, leading to an opening the surrounded the whole prison yard. Rick's plan had to work, take out the walkers in the field, and shut the second gate leading to the prison blocks.

A walker was heard nearby, Glenn and Maggie made their moves to take it out. Glenn slammed it against the fence using the hoe as Maggie pounded the end of her hammer into its skull. "Watch the backside!" Rick told as he stood to finish getting the hole wider.

Angela and Kaylee were gently pushed by Daryl to go through as Rick held it open. The three ducked under, Beth following with her dad and Carl. Lori carefully made it through, Maggie and Glenn, then T-Dog last with Rick urging him through. Walkers started to make their way, just as Rick joined them. Daryl and Glenn used wire to start closing the hole up so the walkers wouldn't get through. The group turned, seeing the convict walkers approach the other fence.

Glenn finished just as a female walker slammed against the gate, making him jump back. Daryl and Rick took lead for the group, as they all jogged along the way toward the front gate. The convict walkers followed along, wanting to sink their teeth into a meal they haven't had in months. Daryl opened the smaller gate, leading to the main gate that was blocked by an overturned bus. Rick stepped to the front, looking over the perimeter as he saw the second main gate to the prison blocks themselves.

"It's perfect." He turned to everyone. "If we can shut that gate, prevent more from getting in the yard, we can pick off these walkers. We'll take the field by tonight."

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

"I'll do it." Glenn offered, Maggie gave a look of worry. "You guys cover me."

Maggie shook her head, "No, it's a suicide run." she told.

"I'm the fastest." He argued.

Rick shook his head, agreeing with Maggie. "No, you, Maggie, Beth, and Kay draw as many as you can over there." He pointed down the way. "Pop 'em through the fence. Daryl and Angela, go back to the other tower." Rick turned to Carol, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Carol, you've become a pretty good shot. Take your time. We don't have a lot of ammo to waste." He told gently, she nodded, joining Daryl and Angela as he turned to the eldest man of the group. "Hershel, you and Carl take this tower." He instructed, pointing to the tower before them.

"Alright." Carl nodded, jogging with Hershel to get inside.

"I'll run for the gate." Rick told, giving the yard a once over.

Carol and Angela took some rifles they've practiced using over the Winter and followed Daryl to the tower further back down where they came. Yelling was heard from the members in charge of keeping the walkers at the gate. They used whatever they had to indeed, 'pop 'em' through the chain link fence. Carl and Hershel took their spots on the tower, as did Daryl, Carol, and Angela at their tower.

"Remember not to shoot the one running." Angela teased as she rose up the Remington 700 BDL in her arms.

She earned a grin and the shake of the head from Carol. "Same to you." She replied, making sure her AKMS was aimed for the walkers.

Once everyone was in place, Rick made his run from the gate, emerging from behind the bus. Everyone on the towers kept an eye out, Rick shooting two nearby walkers with the makeshift silencer on the Glock 19 he was using. Halfway through, Daryl spotted a walker at Rick's blind spot, shooting the bolt into the skull. Rick gave a nod toward them and continued. As Daryl started reloading, Angela saw a walker to his right. She aimed through the scope and fired the bullet flying right behind Rick's head and into the walker. Rick reached up at his head, feeling something whiz by but noticed the walker and understood the close shot. Carol next to her, had fired as well but her aim was off. Rick stopped suddenly, the bullet hitting the dirt right at his feet. He glanced over, seeing the grimacing look on Carol's features.

"Sorry!" She called, as she loaded the next bullet. "Don't say a word." Carol muttered to Angela who just shook her head and continued firing at any walkers near Rick.

Rick shot one by to his left and made a beeline for the gate. He clung onto it, kicking a walker back in that reached for him and rolled them shut making it secured. Once that was done, Rick ran to the door of the tower to his right, entering as he killed whatever walkers were inside.

"He's in!" Angela barked over her recent gunfire.

"Light it up!" Daryl ordered, throwing his hand in the air in a circle to alert the others Rick was in the other tower.

With Rick at the top, everyone aimed and fired at all the walkers in the yard. One by one, they fell like flies. The others at the fence took their handguns and started firing as well, aiming for the heads strictly to save ammo. Finally, the yard was clear, and anything moving was now lying dead in the overgrown grass. Rick grinned, they succeeded.

Everyone gathered back at the gate, Carol beaming as she left with Angela and Daryl.

"Fantastic!" She exclaimed as Hershel and Carl left the tower.

"Nice shootin'." Daryl praised, earning a smile from her. Angela offered a high five, Carol returned it enthusiastically.

"Awesome job!" Kaylee praised as well, earning a hug from Angela who gave her compliments on her work on the fence.

Lori kept the main gate opened as they made their way through. "You okay?" Carol asked, who earned a smile from the expecting mother.

"Haven't felt this good in weeks." She replied Carl smiled to his mother as he passed.

Daryl gave a pat on her shoulder, as she returned it too. Angela and Lori locked eyes but smiled to one another as she and Kaylee passed through. Carol laughed, jogging through the grass and turning to everyone.

"We haven't had this much space since we left the farm!" Carl joined in laughing with her.

Glenn jogged over to a walker on the ground that must have missed a bullet, but drove a pipe through its skull, killing it. Rick emerged from the tower looking toward his family as they all piled into the field. Daryl grinned beside the sisters, as he raised his fist in the victory of today. More laughter and cheers were heard behind them from T-Dog and Maggie. Everyone was enthralled by their success, something they needed to enjoy while they could.

That night, the cars had been moved up within the first entrance as the bus had to be moved before they could get them any further onto the property. A fire was built and whatever Daryl had caught was cooked and eaten by the members. Daryl snared it as they were moving the vehicles. Much to Angela's pleasure, it was not an owl this time, but a raccoon.

The said hunter was on watch that night, crossbow in hand and poncho on his shoulders. He paced slowly back and forth, keeping an eye outside the fence and also an eye out on the group. Now and then, he glanced to Angela, who was sitting with the group, was sleeping against her sister. She was tired, dead tired. Angela had taken a lot of night shifts during their run on the road for a place to stay. Daryl had grown concerned for her, hoping this place would ease her mind to relax. He wondered if it had to do with their journey in Savannah, which she should've let go a long while back.

A dish had been placed on top of the bus at the edge, Daryl noticed the hands belong to Carol as she tried to climb up. Slinging his crossbow over his shoulder, Daryl reached down and helped her climb up on top to the Bus' side.

"It's not much," She told, as he picked the dish up with whatever meat was left in there. "But if I don't bring you something, you won't eat at all."

"Guess little Shane over there has quite the appetite." He joked, popping a chunk into his mouth.

Carol tried not to laugh, "Don't be mean." she scolded. "Rick's gotten us a lot farther than I ever thought he would, I'll give him that." Daryl grunted in agreement, his mouth full with raccoon meat. "Shane could never have done that."

"There's a lot he couldn't do that Rick does." Daryl added, munching on the meat.

Carol knew Daryl still had a distaste for Shane after what he had done back then. If given the chance, she was sure he would've killed Shane himself.

"Angie sleepin'?" He asked, licking his fingers after he bit into another piece.

"Fell asleep right after she ate, she needed it." Carol nodded, watching the group from their distance.

Daryl noticed she started rolling her shoulders, "What's wrong?" he asked.

"It's that rifle." She told, rubbing her shoulder. "The kickback, I'm just not used to it."

Daryl chewed his food in thought, placing the dish down. "Hold on." He gently turned her back towards him, giving her shoulder a small message to help the ache.

It was silent between the two, Carol smiling to herself then to Daryl as he peeked up at her. His fingers grew slowly to a stop, knowing that grin she held she wanted to make a comment. Hell, her facial features were commenting the notion alone.

"Think Angela won't mind?" She asked, raising a brow.

Daryl swallowed and let her go as she gave a thankful grin. "Better get back." He told.

"It's pretty romantic." She said, nodding her head to toward the one member in the group. "Want me to cover while you two screw around?"

Daryl raised a brow only to scoff at her, Carol laughed.

She had been encouraging the two to start something for about a month. Much like Maggie and Glenn who snuck off at times to have sexcapades, Carol encouraged Daryl and Angela to hook up. The two girls were like sisters, like an older sister Angela always wanted But it bit her in the ass how she teased Angela relentlessly. To be fair, Angela got back at her for making fun of her aim with guns. Carol had learned despite how Merle was, always making crude comments to the females of the quarry encampment, Daryl was the complete opposite. Sure, he made sex jokes at others but wasn't fond of it being of himself.

"I'll go down first." He said, bending over to climb off the bus.

"Ohh!" Carol grinned like a Cheshire cat. "She'll top?"

Daryl turned, giving her a look. "Stop." He told, hiding the blush in his cheeks.

He got down, then helped Carol as he grabbed the empty dish and handed it to Carol. He walked with her back to the group, just to walk in as Beth was singing a song for her dad. Kaylee perked up, as her sister slept in her lap, she liked to sing. When Beth sang very soft and low, feeling shy and embarrassed to sing in front of the group. She had done so for her family, but not her new one. Maggie joined with her sister, helping to get her courage out. Kaylee hummed along, she didn't know the lyrics but liked how the song went. She'd had to remember to ask Beth about the song, the teen loved singing. Rick rejoined them, crouching down next to his son as he offered his father his food. Rick took it, not eating a meal yet as he was busy circling the fence a few times over. But instead, he held it up to his wife who shook her head at his offer. Rick didn't move, nor did he really look to her. She soon took a piece, only to rest it in her lap, not wanting to eat anymore right now.

It was a time to enjoy what they finally had, the prison was their's and this was their time to celebrate. It wasn't one they had at the CDC, cheering and laughing loudly as they drink 'til they were smashed drunk. Just being each other's company was enough to show they were going to make it through. Daryl's eyes fell on Angela, watching her resting features as she finally slept properly. No one dared disturb her, as their voices were low. Not only for her, but not to agitate the walkers anymore than they already were.

"Beautiful." Hershel said, smiling at his daughter who blushed. Glenn placed a hand on Maggie's leg, smiling to her. He hadn't heard her sing, and he couldn't agree more on how beautiful it was.

"Better all turn in." Rick told, looking up at everyone. "I'll take watch over there. Got a big day tomorrow."
"What do you mean?" Glenn asked.

Rick glanced to him, tapping a stick against his boot in his hands. "Look, I know we're all exhausted. This was a great win. But we gotta push just a little bit more. Most of the walkers are dressed as guards or prisoners, looks like this place fell pretty early. Could mean the supplies may be intact. They have an infirmary, a commissary-"

"An armory?" Daryl asked.

"That would be outside the prison itself, but not too far away." Rick answered, being a cop clearly he knew the structure of a prison. "Warden's offices would have info on the location. Weapons, food, medicine, this place could be a goldmine!" He encouraged them.

"We're dangerously low on ammo. We'll run out before we make a dent." Expressed Hershel's concern.
"That's why we gotta go in there, hand to hand." Everyone looked concerned at that, walking into a pit of walkers, they thought. "After all we've been through, we can handle it, I know it." Rick looked down to his son, craning his neck to look at him under the hat. "Those bastards don't stand a chance."

Carl grinned at his father, nodded in agreement to his statement. Rick tossed a stick into the fire and stood, ready to take his turn on watch for the night. Everyone moved around to get settled for bed, Lori stood following her husband. Carol sat down, getting her sleeping back set up, seeing Kaylee sighed down at her sister.

"Can't move?" She asked.

"I'd be able to if my leg wasn't asleep." She replied with a chuckle.

"Here," Daryl knelt down, tucking his arm under Angela's head and lifting her off Kaylee's legs.

The teen moved as Carol put a makeshift pillow under Angela's head, Daryl rested her head down as she turned and curled toward him. He looked up, seeing that damn grin on Carol's face as Kaylee moved to be on her sister's other side toward the fire. Daryl sniffed, rubbing his nose as he removed his crossbow and laid it down in the grass. He removed his poncho and laid it over not only Angela, but Kaylee as well. The teen glanced up, seeing Daryl move to lay down next to Angela and nodded for her to take it. She smiled in thanks and tucked herself the best she could under the thick material.

Over time, not only had Daryl and Angela gotten close, but did he and Kaylee in a brotherly-sisterly way. The two fought at times over dumb shit during their run on the road, which in turn made Angela the middle one to stop the bickering. But in other instances, he kept an eye on her while Angela couldn't at times when on watch or dealing with walkers. Kaylee grew to like the redneck's company, as he taught her how to properly use a hunting knife that he had found for her, instead of the switchblade she used to use. Daryl had never had a sister or ever been an older brother, it was something that took time for him to become accustomed to, but grew to it.

As he laid down beside the sleeping dirty blond, he stared up at the sky finding the stars peeking out. At this time, he would be star searching with the said women, but they had done it so much, there were no new constellations to find. He tucked his arm behind his head, glancing to her sleeping form before him. She looked at peace and finally content in her sleep.

Tomorrow, as Rick had claimed, would indeed be a big day for the group.

Notes

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