In the Very End: Book One

Chapter 26

*WARNING: Please be advised that this chapter contains mature content and strong language.*

Chapter 26
Quinn's POV

Beth and I were mixing some oatmeal together for dinner while Hershel held the baby. I heard footsteps approaching and Rick appeared at the gate. He eyed the baby as he walked in. He made his way over and gently lifted her out of Hershel's arms. He brought her to his chest and we walked out of the prison for some fresh air.

"She looks like you," he said to Carl.

A huge grin appeared on both of their faces. We sat in silence, looking out into the courtyard. Rick handed the baby to Carl as he eyed something down below.

"Quinn, come with me."

I shot Hershel a questioning look but followed after Rick anyways. He pulled his gun from his holster as we jogged down the dirt path.

"You see her, too?"

"What the hell?" I whispered, now drawing my own knife.

A dark skinned woman stood at the gate in the mix of all the walkers, holding a red basket of baby formula. She stared at us as she shook in fear. There we stood, only a fence between us. She had walker guts all over her, but her thigh was bleeding bad. The walkers were starting to catch her scent.

Carl ran down to us, keys in hand. She slowly backed away but the walkers kept moving in closer. She drew her sword and stuck it between the walker's eyes.

"Should we help her?" Carl asked.

Rick tapped my shoulder as he started walking back to the front gate. "Back me up. She could be a threat."

I followed behind him. All of the sudden, she fell down, probably from blood loss or dehydration. Two shots rang out and the walkers that were inches from her face fell.

"Carl," I said, outstretching my hand.

He tossed me the keys and I unlatched the gate, pushing it open. Rick cursed under his breath as he held his Python up. More shots rang out, the walkers around us falling.

"I got the formula," I called as I jogged over to the basket.

I stuck my knife into some of the walkers while Carl and Rick handled the girl. Rick checked her for bites before throwing her arm over his shoulder and hoisting her up.

"Is she bit?" Hershel asked as we made our way back over.

"Gunshot," Rick answered.

I slid the gates shut and locked them behind us.

"Carl, get a blanket," Rick ordered as we entered the prison. "Beth, water and a towel."

"Right here?" Carl asked.

"Yes," I answered as I helped him lay out the blanket. "She's not comin' in the cell block."

Beth handed me a water bottle and I drizzled it over the woman's face. Her eyes fluttered open and she started panicking.

"It's alright," I said. "Hey, hey. Look at me," I said, trying to stop her hand from swatting me away. "Who are you?"

She flung over on her side and tried to reach her katana. Rick quickly pushed it away with his foot.

"We're not gonna hurt you unless you try somethin' stupid first," Rick assured. "Alright?"

"Rick," Daryl said from inside the cellblock. "Who the hell is this?"