Woodbury was nice, secure but there was something so compelling about the prison

It had four walls, similar to Woodbury, equally as stable, and both guarding numerous kinds of supplies — But the prison, and those inside, was just more congenial

Kat lead her through the front gate, taking out two stray walkers in the process, and a woman with short, dark hair closed the gate behind them, sending Katrine a smile

The rocky road up to the entrace was littered with blood and pieces of decaying guts, which made May's nose scrunch in disgust, but she made no comment, not wanting to jinx anything. She wasnt a part of the community just yet, and she wasnt about to let anything get in the way

Kat smiled at those who passed, including an old man on crutches. He gave her, and May, a smile back, despite the underlying concern in his stare. Malaya understood this, as she was always wary about newcomers in Woodbury

As they moved further and further into the prison, more and more faces appearing, Malaya began to wonder, "How many do you have here?" she asked, peering up at Kat as she put her spear on a metal table

"Not many. We had a bigger group but with all the moving around," she paused, shrugging off her jacket and dropping it into what looked like a washing basket, "We just kept losing people."

Malaya just nodded. She knew Kat wanted her to take off her jacket, which was covered in walker blood like hers had been, but she refused, not even looking her way. However, she did co-operate, placing her knife beside her spear on the table

A cry came from the darkness, one that sounded like a newborn. either the cells or the cafeteria Malaya thought. Malaya thought having a baby during the apocalypse must be the most absurd thing she'd ever heard, especially when you're not in guaranteed safety, "Is that a baby?" the teen asked with a look of disbelief

Kat looked equally as displeased as she hummed, "Its a new thing, born yesterday. Mother died during childbirth," Malaya stomach dropped, now feeling a bit shitty about judging the ordeal, a sickening feeling in her throat, "The father's the boss man around here. You'll have to stay locked up until he's ready to talk."

"Locked up? Hell no!" she spat, Kat already pulling her towards an empty cell on the bottom floor, "You said nothing about being a prisoner!" She continued to fight, but she should've known it was no use — Kat had muscles for days

"It's safer in here than it is out there!" she responded, not even flinching at the teen's attempt to escape her grip, "I'll let you out as soon as I can. Promise."

"Fuck no" But by the time Malaya had chance to break free, she was confined in the cell, "Do I look like a zoo animal to you?"

Kat stood for a minute, "Little bit, yeah. Might be something to do with your hair," she smirked, giving May a wave before walking away, spear in hand once again

"Oh ha-ha," she spat, turning to look around her cell begrudgingly. There was a bed, a sink and a toilet, which she could admit was better than living alone in the woods

Malaya had been sat in the cell for who knows how long, slowly going insane in the silence after the baby had stopped crying. In one of the drawers, she'd found a hand-crafted wooden comb, and it'd taken almost the whole afternoon to brush out the knots in her chestnut locks

A boy, around the same age as her, stood on the other side of the bars, a cowboy hat perched on his dark hair, equally as messy as Malaya's own. He didnt say anything, only shifting on his feet as he shined his torch into her cell. Malaya rose to her feet, ambling over to him, giving him a once-over before sticking the comb through the bars, "You looking for this?" she asked, and although it was a joke, she was too worn out to make sure her tone matched her words

The boy didnt say anything, eyes darting to the comb and then back to the girl's face, shaking his head and holding out a cloth in silence. Malaya unwrapped in cloth, revealing a slice of brown bread and an apple, one that glistened a bright ruby in comparison to the patchy, cracked skin of his palm, "Oh. Thank you."

She spoke sincerely, examining the boy in front of her. Even in the dark, he stood out. Especially his ocean pearl eyes, that told more tales than a storybook, ones of wonder and ones of war. The two made eye contact for a moment, before looking away, the cowboy itching the back of his neck before walking away

"Asshole didnt even ask for my name," May mummered to herself, inhaling the bread as if it was her last meal — For all she knew, it may as well of been. Then, she relaxed on the bunk bed, shoulders loosening as she nibbled on the apple, before drifting to sleep

Morning came quickly, and whilst the bunk wasnt as comfortable as her bed back in Woodbury, it was heaven compared to cruncy leaves and soggy grass. It wasnt too bright in her cell, thank god, as it was facing the rear of the prison, shaded by another block, but the single ray of light that did make it through, shone straight through the door, lighting up the floor beyond the bars — And the person, of course

Malaya shot up from her bed, hitting her head on the top bunk as she attempted to make out the figure behind the door

"Kat?" Malaya asked, rubbing her eyes, pulling the blanket over her bare legs. She hadnt received any clothes to sleep in, and her trousers weren't exactly sleep appropriate, "What are you doing? It's like 3am!"

"It's eleven," Katrine commented, fiddling with the set of keys until she found the right one, pulling the cell door open. The girl's red hair was tied into a short ponytail, strands already falling across her skin, "Get up. Work time."

"No. Nuh-uh. No way," Malaya argued, rolling over to face the wall defiantly, "You do not get to lock me up and then force me to work! That's child labour!"

"Well luckily, we have a cop on our team," Katrine gave a lopsided grin, twirling Malaya's knife in her fingers, "So I dont see it being an issue. Get dressed," Kat finished off, throwing both her trousers and knife to her on the bed, the latter barely grazing her right arm

"God, kill me now!" Malaya groaned, rolling over and stuffing her face into the mattress. Working had always driven May crazy, especially since she started mowing lawns around her neighbourhood in Wisconsin. But, she must admit, working sounded better than be tossed out on her ass back into the wild

Kat led her out of the prison, tossing her another apple on the way, rake in one hand and shovel in other. The grassland had a few planters, small amounts of fruit and vegetables growing in the dirt, "You guys farmers or something?" May observed, and although she didnt get a straight answer, she could tell by the reactions that they had been

Specifically, the short hair woman stood by the truck, boyfriend watching her from the side, arm rubbing her side comfortingly. Kat shook her head, pushing the shovel into the ground, "Some of us were. Not me though," May raised her brow

"What did you do? You know, before all of it?" Malaya asked, taking the rake out of Katrine's hand and beginning to move the dirt away

"I was in high school, like you. Did a lot of sports. That's how I got these," she snorted, flexing her arms, muscles bulging. She caught the look Malaya was giving her, eyes squinted, "Really! Im nineteen!"

May crossed her arms over her chest, shaking her head with a small grin, "You look older. No offense," Kat just flipped her off, turning back and moving the bags of fertiliser, "How long do I gotta work out here? It's hot as fuck."

"Do you ever stop whining?" The Wilson complained, pausing for a moment to wave to the short-haired woman and her boyfriend leaving for a run, probably formula as Kat had mentioned the need for it. Katrine dropped the shovel onto the dirt, wiping her hands on her trousers, "Doesnt matter. Be back for you soon."

"Wh-what?" Malaya spluttered, throwing her hands up over her head, "For how long? How come you dont have to slave away?"

"I actually live here dipshit!" she called back, disappearing back inside the prison

By the time Malaya had finished, fruit and vegetables planted in messy rows, the sun was setting behind the prison, orange hues falling over the land

About an hour into her 'shift', the man she presumed was Rick came out along with his son, the cowboy from the previous night — She had learned his name was Carl, thanks to Kat and her so-called orientation. Yet, Malaya had caught his attention on her multiple times, even if his eyes were covered by his hair and stupid hat

Now however, him alongside many other from the group stood by the entrance, passing the newborn around

From her position, she watched Rick cradle his daughter, small smile pulling at his lips before looking up and passing her to Hershel, the old man on crutches, before moving down the path, passing Malaya and sending her a nod

The girl's brows furrowed, eyes following the leader down the path before her gaze locked onto the figure on the grass, rattling the fence — It was Michonne

Walkers groaned around her, unaware of her presence, and in her right hand was a red basket, full of supplies

Malaya wasnt sure what she was doing at the prison. Did she come looking for her? Or was it a coincidence? Rick stood, not taking any action as he stared at the woman

That was, until she drew her sword, plunging it into a walker's skull, signaling the others towards her. By now, other members of the group, such as Carl, were beside Rick, "Should we help her?" he called, earning no response from Rick

Malaya felt a hand on her back, turning to find Kat with May's knife in hand, "Just in case," she mumbled, and whilst her attention was on the redhead girl, she missed the movement by the gates, two gunshots going off, "Oh shit!" Kat cursed, rushing down the road, Malaya hot on her heels

"Carl!" Rick shouted, the boy throwing the keys to the gate to his father as Kat and Malaya arrived, finding Michonne on the ground with Reapers snarling around her

With the gate now open, the father and son, along with Kat rushed out, guns raised at the Reapers while Malaya rushed to Michonne's side, slicing two Walkers in the neck, kicking them away. She pulled at her thin shirt, grey fabric coming off instantly, and whilst the teen wasnt one hundred percent sure of what she was doing, Malaya pressed it to the wound anyways, a groan emitting from the woman's lips

With all the Walkers dead, Carl rushed to the red basket, carrying it back inside the gate, pashsing Hershel and a few of the others, "Is she bit?" the old man asked

"Gunshot wound," Malaya corrected, tightening the fabric around her leg as Kat and Rick hauled her up, carrying her inside

As they rushed back inside, Carl running ahead with the red basket and Michonne's pack, Hershel rested his hand on Malaya's shoulder, "That was brave. Well done," he praised, May responding with a smile

"Thanks Hershel."

Back inside the prison, Michonne was laying on the ground, coming back to consciousness as Rick washed the blood off her chest, "Hey, its all right," he soothed her, Michonne's eyes wide as she was obviously very aware of how outnumbered she was. The woman looked up, locking eyes with Malaya, who stood beside Carl, the girl giving her a discrete nod, one not missed by the cowboy

However, Michonne thrashed away from Rick's grasp, reaching for her katana, but alas, the Grimes was faster, kicking it towards the others and holding her against the floor, "No. We're not going to hurt you unless you try something stupid first, all right?"

Before Michonne could respond, Daryl walked into the room, eyes squinted at the woman on the ground, "Who the hell is this?"

Rick looked from the redneck to Michonne, "You wanna tell us your name?" there was no response, Rick repeating it as she sat up against the cell wall

Once again, no response, "Y'all come on in here. You're gonna wanna see this," Rick gestured for everyone to follow Daryl, though Malaya didnt move. The leader observed the stranger's eyes trained on the teen

"Malaya, wait," she did, turning back and swearing under her breath, "You know her?"

For a moment, Malaya Blake considered telling the truth. How she was infact part of a group, and that Michonne help break her out of the base. But from the state of Michonne, the teen was on high alert for either her mother, uncle or even Merle

"Yeah, she saved me from the herd of Reapers couple days or so ago," she lied, catching the way Michonne's face contorted into confusion from behind Rick

Malaya could tell that Rick didn't believe her one bit, but he shook it off, picking up Michonne's sword from the ground, turning to face, "We'll keep this safe and sound for now. The doors are all locked. You're be safe here," he told her, "and we can treat that," he gestured to her leg

Michonne looked around the room, speaking for the first time, nose scrunched in disgust, "I didn't ask for your help," she spat

"Doesnt matter, we cant let you leave," he finalised, walking out the room, followed by Malaya as Daryl stopped to lock her in

"Hey, you dont have to keep her prisoner!" Malaya told the archer, hand playing with the knife in hand

"Listen girl. Just 'cause she saved your ass dont mean she a saint. She stays in there," he ordered, locking the cell door and leading Rick to the next room

Malaya looked back at Michonne once more, "Sorry," she mumbled, moving behind the others as Daryl

The rest of the group was huddled around when she walked into the room, Kat crouched down, arms wrapped around the woman on the floor, "Who's that?" Malaya asked Beth, who had a bright smile on her face as she cradled Judith

"Carol. We thought we lost her a few days ago but," she trailed off as Daryl helped the woman to her feet, Rick immediately pulling her into an embrace, followed by Hershel before Carol saw the newborn, registering what had happened to her mother

Malaya didnt know much about what had happened to Rick's wife and Carl's mother, but her guess was death during childbirth. She turned, watching Carl drop his head, eyes squeezing shut and in an act of kindness, May raised her hand and rubbed his arm gently

He looked up, smiling in gratitude as Carol took the baby from Beth, rocking her gently, and as Malaya looked around, she finally began to learn what home was all about — Four walls didnt make a home, a family did