It has been a few hours maybe after the whole fence thing. Carol, Rick, Daryl, Leo and Tyreese just had found Karen and David dead.
Daryl has been looking everywhere for his daughter, he was concerned that maybe something must have happened to her. He walked into Cell Block C and opened the curtain to Athena and Leo's old dorm seeing no one was inside.
"Shit." The man cursed and walked outside by to the courtyard, when he saw her legs peeking out from a corner. "Athena! Athena!" He yelled and ran over to the girl only to see how sickly pale she was with purple bags around her eyes, sweating to death "Athena, can you hear me? Athena?"
"Daryl!" He heard and turned around to see Rick and Glenn running over.
"I found her like this." Daryl told them, his voice filled with fear and concern about his daughter.
"She's sick." Rick informed the concerned father.
At those words Daryl could feel his heart dropping. He already lost Merle and Mia, he couldn't lose Athena too.
"She was coughing earlier when we were at the fence." Glenn informed them.
"Take her to Cell Block D." Rick told him.
"Why? So she can be murdered like Karan and David?!" Daryl yelled, but Rick shook his head.
"Doctor S is now there guarding the patients." Rick reasoned him.
Daryl nodded and he picked up his daughter and he started walking to Cell Block D. When he arrived he kicked on the door that Doctor S opened.
When he saw Athena in Daryl's arms he looked up towards the father sadly "I'm sorry, Daryl."
"She's going to be okay." Daryl assured walking to an empty cell and placed her on the bed.
He moved some hair from her face and turned towards Doctor S "You watch her now, okay. Make sure no one except my people come near her."
"You have my word, Daryl." Doctor S promised him.
Daryl nodded, before he kissed her forehead and then he left Cell block C.
🏹🗡️
"It's spread." Hershel began the council meeting as he looked around everyone "Everyone who survived the attack in cell block D. Sasha, Caleb, Athena and now others."
Carol nodded shrugging her shoulders "So what do we do?"
"First things first. Cell block A is isolation. We keep the sick people there like we tried with Karen and David." Hershel explained to everyone.
"What the hell we gonna do about that?" Leo asked them.
"Ask Rick to look into it." Carol told him "Try to make a timeline. Who's where when, but what are we gonna do to stop this?"
"There is no stopping it. You get it, you have to go through it." Hershel explained.
"But it just kills you?" Leo asked him worriedly.
"The illness doesn't." Hershel corrected softly the buff boy "The symptoms do. We need antibiotics." He added.
"We've been through every pharmacy nearby and then some." Daryl shared with the group.
"That veterinary college at West Peachtree Tech, that's one place people may not have thought to raid for medication. The drugs for animals there are the same we need." Hershel explained the group.
"That's 50 miles. Too big a risk before. Ain't now." Daryl informed them, he then thought of his daughter, that was right now fighting for her life "I'm gonna take a group out. Best not waste any more time."
"I'm in." Michonne volunteered right away.
"Me too. If that's the only way to save Athena and the others, I'm in." Leo also volunteered.
"You haven't been exposed. Daryl and Leo had. You get in a car with them-" Hershel told Michonne.
"They already given me fleas." Michonne teased causing the old man to laugh before standing up and looking to the three.
"I can lead the way. I know where everything's kept."
Michonne, Daryl and Leo looked at each other not liking the idea of Hershel going with them in such a dangerous mission.
"When we're out there, it's always the same. Sooner or later we run." Daryl told the old man.
"I can draw you a map." Hershel said with a sigh "There are other precautions I feel we should take."
"Like what?" Leo asked the old man.
"There's no telling how long it'll be before Daryl and his group return. Wouldn't it make sense for us to separate the most vulnerable? We can use the administration building. Separate office, separate room."
Glenn asked "Who is the most vulnerable?"
"The very young."
"What about the old?" Glenn asked looking to the man unsure.
Hershel laughed "I'm steel, Glenn."
🏹🗡️
Outside Daryl's group was getting ready to leave. Daryl and Leo stood by Zack's car looking at her making sure it has enough gas.
"Son of a bitch is about a quart low." Daryl said to Leo, before they saw Michonne walking towards them.
"You still keep it in the bottom of tower three?"
"Yeah."
"I'll go get one." Michonne told them, but didn't move an inch "I know you two are worried about her."
Daryl looked up to her knowing what she meant before looking back to the car. "She's a Dixon. She won't let something like this to let her down. She's too damn stubborn and strong." Daryl told her with a small frown on his face.
"Believe me, I know she is, but that doesn't stop you from worrying about her. And it's understandable she's your daughter after all." Michonne then turned towards Leo "And she's your best friend." He gave the woman a small smile and nodded his head. "So it's just gonna be me and you two like in the old days?" Michonne asked them.
"Yeah. Still, feels like we could use another person." Daryl said.
"Who else isn't sick?" Michonne asked them.
"We can't ask Rick. He wants to stay here with Carl, Jisung and Judith. Keep them safe. Plus there's plenty of stuff he could do here." Leo explained.
"So who else we got?" Michonne asked.
Daryl closed the hood and looked towards Leo, who nodded his head. "I'll go get him." The teenager volunteered, Daryl nodded and Leo made his way to Cell block D.
The buff boy got to the front door, where he saw Tyreese standing right in front.
"Oh, there you are. Took me damn near forever to find you. Whatcha doing?" Leo asked him as he walked closer to him.
"Somebody needs to stand watch." Tyreese told him.
"Man, I want to find them, too." Leo shared with the man, as he pointed towards the cell block "Athena's in there. Put a bullet in them for what they did. These people are cut off. Ain't no way anyone's getting in and out without a whole bunch of people seeing 'em."
"Sasha's in there. I ain't going nowhere." Tyreese didn't took his eyes from the cell block, as he spoke with the boy.
"Standing guard ain't gonna do no good unless we come back with them meds." Leo said, but Tyreese looked back to the window watching in the distance Sasha. Leo understood and nodded his head "All right. We're gassing up by the front gate in case you change your mind."
Leo made his way around heading back to the car, but stopped seeing the little visiter area. He looked inside before walking and tapping on the glass seeing a sick person was near it. "Hey, can you get me Athena?"
"Sure." The boy said heading back into the main cells.
It didn't take long before the Dixon girl stumbled in, looking awful.
"Hey Leo." She greeted with a small smile.
"Hey Athena." He greeted her with a small smile "You need to hold on princess. Your father, Michonne and I are heading out to get the meds."
"That's dangerous." She pointed out.
"It's worth it." He told her.
"Leo anything could happen." She said looking to him sadly.
"I have to at least try. If I don't, you'll die."
"Leo-"
"Just don't give up Athena. For Daryl. For Carl. For Jisung. For Judith. For everyone here... for me." He told her, while walking closer to the window putting his hand against it.
Athena walked closer and put her hand against his on her side of the glass, while looking into his eyes.
"Don't give up on me Athena, please... because I don't know what I'll do without you in my life." Leo whispered softly while looking into her green eyes.
Athena looked into his beautiful brown eyes she could see the honesty in them, but also some other kind of a feeling that she couldn't tell what it was.
"Leo... I... I need to tell you..."
"You'll tell me once we get back princess." He told her looking into her beautiful green eyes that he fall in love with all those years ago.
He had a feeling what she was going to tell him, but he didn't wanted her to tell him that in her dead bed.
She nodded her head before looking into his eyes again "See you later, then." She chuckled softly.
Leo chuckled at the Dixon girl and nodded "See you later, princess."
🏹🗡️
Before leaving for the run Daryl decided to check over the state of the car one last time. The group couldn't risk getting stuck out on the road and being busy getting a new car, they were having more important job to do.
Bob was approaching the group with gas tanks in his hands "Everything look alright?" He asked them.
"Yeah." Daryl agreed "Zach kept this thing running pretty good." He stated.
Leo instantly noticed Bob's hesitation as he watched the car, before he glaced at Daryl "This is Zack's car?" It seemed like he felt guilty for what happened to the boy.
Daryl swung his arms back and forth "Yeah, fastest one we got." he glanced at the dark-skinned man, "You all right?"
"You really want me coming along?" Bob asked them.
Daryl fished a piece of paper out of his pocket, showing it to Bob "What's that word?"
"Zanamivir." Bob read out.
"Yup, we need you," Daryl replied.
In that moment Jisung approached the group and he walked towards Leo "Hyung. Why didn't you tell me that Athena was sick?!" The younger boy asked his brother furiously.
Leo sighed and shared a look with Daryl, before he pulled Jisung away from the group and looked towards him "I didn't told you anything, because I knew you would run inside to see how she was doing and-"
"Of course I would!" Jisung snapped angrily at him "What the hell is the matter with you? Athena is my best friend, our best friend, since we were kids!" The younger boy pointed in between them "You should have told me hyung, the second you found out!"
"Well we decided that it was best for you not to know!" Leo snapped at the younger boy "That way we were keeping you safe and that Ji, was more important." The buff boy then took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down "Look Ji, Athena wanted for you and Carl to be safe and she knew that the only way that will happen is if you guys didn't know that she was sick. We will get her the medication and we will get back in time. In the meantime-" Leo placed his hands on the younger boy's shoulders "-I want you to look after the kids here. Look after Carl, Judith, Beth. Look after them and make sure they're safe. Okay little brother?"
Jisung pushed his lips into a thin line, before he nodded his head "Okay, I'll look after the kids. You just... please come back in time hyung. Because I don't know what we'll do if she-"
Leo didn't let the boy finish his sentence as he pulled him into a hug "I know. But she's strong and she's a Dixon. Nothing can kill a Dixon but a Dixon." Jisung laughted at his older brother and nodded agreeing with him "Now go back. We are leaving."
Jisung nodded as he turned around and started walking away from the group. Leo sighed sadly before he turned around and walked towards the others, just as Tyreese approached the group.
"Still got room for one more?" Tyreese queried.
Leo nodded with a smirk "You're gonna have to squeeze between Michonne and Bob if you're coming." The buff boy told him.
"What he said, but it's probably best ya come with us." Daryl added.
The man nodded "Good. Just got to get my gear."
🏹🗡️
Soon enough, the group started out on the road. Daryl decided to spark up some conversation between all of them. First he spoke to Michonne.
The marksman looked at her through the rearview mirror "Hey, I know you weren't running off. The thing is, the trail went cold. You know that right?" Michonne stayed silent, prompting him to speak further "If it was any different, I'd be right out there with you." due to her not replying, he let out an inward sigh, trying to turn on the radio by putting a CD in "Leo, hand me a CD."
"Sure." The buff boy said, picking up the book of disks and starting to flip through until he saw one he liked.
However something distracted both of them as the radio static sounded with a faint voice:
"...find sanctuary."
"Was that a voice?" Bob asked them as he leaned foward as Daryl hushed him.
"...determined to survive... keep alive."
It seemed that all their attention had been completely tuned to the radio, because it was late for Daryl to realize that they were going straight for a walker. He grunted, steering to the left so fast it made the tires squeal. They hit several walkers before stabilizing again.
Leo gripped onto the handle of the car, shooting a look at Daryl, who put it into park. They'd driven straight into a herd of walkers, trapping them.
"Great!" The buff boy snapped in anger "Just fucking great!?" He threw his head back.
"Grab something!" Daryl demanded while ignoring the boy, the tires screeched the marksman put the car into reverse. That turned out to be a bad idea as the car got stuck due to biters on the floor.
Michonne scanned their surroundings, "Go to the left!"
Daryl tried going forward but that didn't work "We're jammed up. Make a run for the gaps right there." he circled around to Tyreese and Bob, who were the closest to the left, "You two, make a run for the woods and you don't stop for nothing, you hear me? Now!"
Daryl shoved his crossbow through the top of the car as Leo raced out of the side with Michonne starting to cut down walkers as fast as they could. Daryl slid from the hood then to the side continuing on.
There were so many walkers that the buff boy thought they'd get lost. The three halted at the edge of the tree line, waiting for Bob and Tyreese. He was starting to get swarmed by the walkers.
"Go!" he roared, slicing the undead down with his ax, "Come on and get me!"
Daryl pulled Leo along, "Come on."
They ran through the woods, killing any biters in the way. The marksman had to reload so he made them wait. The bushes rustled and a pair of walkers came out following a bloody Tyreese.
"Oh my god." Leo uttered.
Daryl rushed forward, shoving him up and making them sprint away from the herd once again.
They couldn't stop to catch their breath or the walkers would catch up.
🏹🗡️
In Cell block A, Athena was leaning against Glenn for support. They had both had fallen sick and Glenn didn't wanted the young Dixon out of his sight since he was worried who ever killed Karen and David would kill her.
Athena and Glenn heard the cell doors open, and the two turned to see Hershel walking through the doors.
"Hershel?" She questioned trying to stand up, but he shook his head coming up the stairs.
"Sit Athena. You need to rest."
"You can't be in here." She said before coughing and sitting halfway down staircase tired.
Hershel got to her seeing how pale she was. He set the tea down and grabbed one handing it to her "Drink it."
"What is it?" She asked.
"Just drink it." Hershel said with a roll of his eyes.
She grabbed the jar carefully before taking a sip and smiling at the taste "How is it out there?"
"Everyone are worried. The people they care about are in here. Ji, Leo and Carl are worried for you."
"Carl and Ji knows?" Athena asked the old man nodded.
"They both almost ran here to see you. They really care about you. Just as much as Leo." Hershel laughed.
"Carl's my best friend and Ji is like a little brother to me." She laughted softly.
"And Leo?" He asked her with a small smile, when he saw the red on her cheeks.
"I... with him... it's different. Whenever I see him or I'm around him. I feel this warmth in my body, my heart start beating rapidly like... I've been running a thousand miles." She explained to the old man who was listening and watching with a small smile "Have you ever experienced something like that Hershel?"
"I had. With my wife. You love him. More than a friend." Hershel told her with a soft smile.
She smiled a little bit when she pictured the boy in her mind. "I think I do. I tried to tell him earlier, but he told me to tell him when he come back. I guess he believes I would make by the time he comes back."
"Because you will. You're one of the strongest people I know Athena. Two months alone out there didn't break you, that made you even stronger. You're strong enough to beat that virus and tell that boy how you actually feel towards him. And I'm here to make sure that happens. Don't give up." He told her while looking her right into her eyes.