meanstreak
rick grimes 𝘹 fem!𝘰𝘤
© WANDARYEN ──── 2024

"We're going to clear this place out, remember the techniques we taught you." Rick leaned over, whispering in my ear.

I looked back at him, our faces only a few meters apart, and a smile tugged at the corner of my lips. "I'm the one that saved your ass last time, remember?" I responded with a low tone.

He ducked his head quickly trying to stifle his laughter. He hovered his hand over my back and moved past me. I watched as he opened the front door of the stranded house with caution — raising his silencer and taking down the first walker in the hallway.

T-Dog was the second to run inside his crowbar and I slowly followed behind. The rest of the women stayed outside, waiting patiently for us to sweep the area.

I carefully moved across the floor with my axe hovering over my shoulder ready to kill whatever jumps for me. Traveling upstairs and walking into the first bedroom, I checked for walkers before fully stepping into the room to check behind the door.

The only thing I managed to find inside the room was an old can of peaches — the container bent to shit and the label torn off.

When the room was clear, I traveled to the next one, my hand reaching for the door knob before a hand caught my shoulder — causing me to spin around with my weapon raised.

Daryl grabbed the bar of my axe and looked at me with warning eyes. "Sorry." I whispered, my heart beating against my chest. He released a sigh then brought a finger to his lips, letting go of my axe and opening the door.

He pointed his crossbow towards the Owl that was perched on the chair inside the room by the window. I nodded my head and stepped back, allowing Daryl to raise his crossbow and kill the owl. My eyebrows raised as he turned to me, beginning to pull the feathers off its body once he put his weapon over his shoulder.

"Dinner?" I questioned.

"You rather eat air?" He asked, walking past me and I shook my head with my lips pursing. "No sir."

When I got down to the first floor, Carl was passing by and I smiled, flicking his sheriff hat upwards. He turned to me and smiled playfully before we went inside the living room.

When the group piled into the leaving room to sit down and relax, I used a can opener inside my pack to open the peaches before handing them over to Lori. She looked up at me questionably, "we should share."

"You're pregnant," I reminded her before taking a stance beside Daryl.

He continued to pick the feathers from the owl. Carl came into the room with two cans of dog food, sitting on the floor beside Beth and using a can-opener to open the top. As Rick walked over to his son, he took the can from his small hands and saw that it was dog food before throwing it across the room out of frustration.

We were all starving, not having a decent meal since the farm got taken over. I knew Rick didn't want to fail the group or leave them to lose even more hope than before. But we were running on a thin survival line right now.

I found an old pack of gum a while back that I've been chewing on to fool my stomach into thinking I was actually eating. The longer my jaw moved and I chewed the stale gum — the less my stomach growled from hunger.

T-Dog glanced out the window, noticing a couple of walkers passing near the house. He gave the group a silent whistle and we all got up, grabbed our things and ran to the cars.

I leaned my head against the car window and sighed before looking over at Glenn who was driving. "We're running low on gas again, we're going to need to find a town, a place to get fuel."

Glenn nodded his head in agreement, "but we don't know how far that'll be."

"We'll have to take our chances, I guess." I reached up with my hands and pulled my hair into a bun at the back of my head, using my hair tie to secure it. The cars in front of us pulled to the side and came to a stop. When everyone got out, the rest of us followed their lead.

Maggie rolled out a map on top of the hood of the car and I quickly picked up rocks to place on each corner of the map. All the places we've been have been marked off with a marker, leaving us very limited spaces to what was left to scavenge.

"We've got no place left to go." T-Dog pointed out as he stood by Maggie.

Rick hovered over my shoulder to get a look down at the map while I was studying it myself. "When this herd meets up with this one," I pointed towards a trail on the map, following it upwards, "we'll be cut off, we'll never make it south."

"What do you say, it's about 150 head?" Daryl came up, leaning his elbows on the hood of the car.

"That was last week, it could be twice that now." Glenn commented.

"This river could have delayed them. If we move fast, we might have a shot to tear right through this." My father suggested while pointing towards the map.

T-Dog leaned over, pointing in a different direction. "Yeah, but if this group joins with that one, they could spill out this way."

I pursed my lips, eyeing the map. "So we're blocked." I then sighed as Rick leaned over from behind me and pointed towards the map. I felt his warmth coming up from behind me, my neck growing hot but kept my focus on the parchment. "Only thing to do is double back at 27th and swing towards Greenville."

T-Dog leaned off from the car and faced Rick. "We picked through that already, it's like we spent the winter going in circles."

Rick nodded, "yeah, I know. I know. At Newnan we'll push west. Haven't been though the area. We can't keep going house to house." His gaze moved from T-Dogs and over towards Lori as she sat in the red truck in silence. "We need to find some place to hold up for a few weeks."

I pulled off the rocks from the corner off the map and started to roll it up, passing by Rick and opening the back door of the car to toss it in where I usually sat while Glenn drove and Maggie sat in the passenger side.

"Alright. Is it cool if we get to the creek before we head out? It won't take long. We gotta fill up on water, we can boil it later." Glenn suggested.

Daryl nudged my arm and I curiously followed him over towards Rick, the three of us standing in a small circle. "Hey, while the others wash their panties, let's go hunt. That owl didn't exactly hit the spot."

"You want me to come with you?" I questioned with my eyebrow raised.

"Why wouldn't I?" He shrugged before nodding towards Rick. "Come on."

The three of us left the group and headed towards the railroad tracks. As we followed the lines of the track, we came into view of a fenced in prison to our right, causing me to stop. There were several walkers in the field, but not enough to be a problem.

Without turning my gaze away from the prison, I waved the boys back over. "Guys, wait one second."

Daryl and Rick made their way back over to me as I pointed towards the prison. "What do you think? We clear out these walkers, lock the gate behind us and we have a whole field to ourselves." I looked over at Rick as he pondered the thought with his hands on his waist. "You think so?"

I practically laughed, "yes I do. This might be our safest bet." My gaze shifted between the men, silence falling upon us for a single heartbeat before Rick held up his hand in my direction. "Your idea, let's give it a shot," he encouraged with a single nod.

I couldn't hide the smile fighting its way to form on my lips as I slapped my hand against his — our physical touch lingering for a moment before we walked back to our group.

The three of us led the group up to the prison after agreeing that it was going to be our best decision — even if it was only going to be for several days. With just the field cleared out, we would be safe behind the gates through the night until we figured out a plan.

Rick used bolt cutters to cut enough of the fence to open a hole big enough for us to sneak through. The walkers on the outside were stumbling their way towards the fences as Glenn quickly used zip-ties to close up the hole.

We ran down the passage way towards the main gate that would lead into the courtyard of the prison.

"It's perfect." Rick stated, staring at the gate that was in front of the prison next to a watch tower. "If we can shut that gate, preventing more from filling 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. You guys cover me." Glenn suggested.

Maggie stood behind Glenn, shaking her head. "No, it's a suicide run."

He looked back at my sister with a casual shrug, "I'm the fastest."

Rick turned around and pointed at Maggie, Glenn, and Beth, now handing out orders for the group. "No. You, Maggie and Beth draw as many as you can over there," he pointed towards a direction near the pathway, "pop them through the fence. Daryl, go back to the other tower."

They nodded their heads and started going to their stations as 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 turned to the others while pointing to another tower. "Hershel, you and Carl, take this one here."

I watched him shift his gaze back towards the front of the fence, while placing his hands on his hips with a sigh, "I'll run for the gate and take that tower."

"We will." I corrected him, pulling my gun out of the holster weighing on my hip.

He tilted his head in my direction with an eyebrow quirked upwards. "Are you sure? It's pretty risky."

"Don't make me change my mind, Rick." We laughed together — his gaze lingering on mine a minute longer and my stomach began to flutter.  "I'll give you five whole dollars if we make it to the gate." I teasingly stated.

"Make it ten," He grinned.

Lori was the one to walk up to the gate, sticking her fingers through the open holes while opening it wide enough for us both to slip through. I quickly nodded in her direction as a silent thank you before Rick and I started running through the courtyard.

Sudden adrenaline filled my system as I began to laugh. "This is crazy!" I shouted over the constant popping sound coming from everyone's weapons.

"Craziest thing you've ever done?" Rick responded loudly.

I pointed a gun in the direction of a walker as it stumbled its way towards me, releasing a bullet into its head but not waiting for it to drop. "Not even close!"

Rick abruptly stopped right beside me, his boots skidding across the dirt as we simultaneously killed two walkers ahead of us.

"You know what?" I released a heavy breath, picking up my pace as we ran across the courtyard again. "Make it twenty dollars if we live." I looked over at Rick and his eyebrows were raised, a slight pause in his actions before he started chuckling. A bullet zipped past the both of us and landed right at Rick's feet, causing him to stop suddenly and both of us look up.

"Sorry!" Carol shouted.

When we finally reached the main fence of the prison, Rick quickly used a large chain to shut the gate right as walkers jumped up towards the fence. I yanked open the tower door and checked around the four corners, Rick quickly coming in behind me and shutting the door.

"Oh look," I sighed, pausing to catch my breath, "stairs." I ran up the first half but then began skipping steps as Rick quickly followed behind me.

As we reached the top, I kicked the door open and climbed onto the metal perch, aiming my gun towards the courtyard and beginning to shoot down the rest of the walkers.

"You're doing pretty good, for a trainee." Rick commented from beside me.

"I learned from the best," I squinted my eyes through the sight and shot down another walker. "Daryl."

Rick looked towards me, his eyebrow quirking upwards until I slowly began to laugh, a smirk stretching across my face. "Just kidding."

The prison courtyard finally grew silent and the height of the tower gave us a perfect view of all the walkers laying face down in the grass below us. I looked over at Rick and he held his hand out below. I quickly slapped it with my own, like a lowered high five as he bobbed his head with satisfaction. "Not bad. Not bad at all."

"Told you it was a good idea," I stated happily.

"Sometimes your ideas aren't half as bad unless it's getting yourself into trouble." I quickly looked up at him in surprise — a teasing grin lingering on his lips. "Says you," I snorted. "You live to throw yourself into dangerous situations — I see it everyday."

"Oh, I'll show you a dangerous situation," he muttered with a soft chuckle.

A loud laugh echoed through my chest while the both of us climbed back downstairs with haste as the rest of the group entire the courtyard.

"We haven't had this much space since we left the barn!" Carol shouted with happiness.

I walked directly towards my father and Beth — my arms going around her shoulders before kissing the top of her head. "What do you think? Not bad?"

She grinned happily, "not bad at all!"

Nightfall came by quickly when we built a fire just a few hours ago and managed to find something to snack on for the night.

Daryl was able to capture about three rabbits for us to eat — keeping us at least content until the next morning. He was on watch by the front gate as Carol joined him while Rick and I walked together back and forth in front of the gate of the prison.

"We'll have to get inside tomorrow. Take down the few walkers out here before we get in and search the first prison block. We'll work our way to the next ones after that." I had my arms crossed over my chest as I walked along-side with Rick. "We can make this place our home."

He looked over at me and I nodded in agreement. "There's probably food in there, think there would be any survivors?"

"Could possibly." We walked in silence for a moment, until Rick spoke up. "I'm really proud of how you've managed to step up and become a part of the team. You've continuously learned to fight and push through."

We stopped pacing and I shifted my stance in front of him, curiously tilting my head to the side. "No bullshit?"

His head dipped down with a soft chuckle. "None, I mean it, Sienna." He looked up again and met my lingering gaze. "Truthfully I — after losing your fiance I thought we would've lost you. I've seen it happen plenty of times, even as the sheriff. But you've really stepped up and contributed."

A heavy exhale, unknowingly trapped in my chest, came out like a soft whisper while I turned my gaze towards the fence. Several walkers were waving their arms in our direction trying to reach us while a few others were surprisingly wandering around towards the back.

"I don't think there's been a moment where I've felt any devastation that he died," I admitted softly, biting down on my lower lip nervously. "I-I am not as religious as my father, the older I've become the more I've strayed from any religion and tried figuring things out for myself. But any time I would wish death upon Steven — I worried God would punish me for it."

Rick shifted his weight from one foot to another but remained silent as I continued. "Maybe for a brief moment I sensed the depression clouding my character but then I thought about my sisters and my father — how I couldn't possibly live without them and neither would they with me." I brought my stare back to Rick and he offered me a small smile. "I want to be strong for everyone and I intend to be — no matter what happens."

He took a single step closer and I was forced to tilt my head back to meet his gaze. Instead of speaking or giving advice I've most likely heard a thousand times — he lifted his hand and tucked a free strand of hair behind my ear. Purposefully brushing his fingers across my temple as he did so.

Without another word we both walked back towards the group that sat in a close circle surrounding the campfire.

I took a seat beside my father, pulling my knees towards my chest as Rick took a seat beside Carl.

"Bethy, sing "Paddy Reilly" for me. I haven't heard that, I think, since your mother was alive." Beth looked over at our father and shook her head. "Daddy, not that one, please."

He nodded, "How about "Parting Glass"?"

Beth pursed her lips and glanced down to the fire. "No one wants to hear."

"Why not?" Glenn asked.

Beth shrugged her shoulders, looking up before nodding. "Of all the money e'er I had." Her small voice began to sing softly. "I spent it in good company. And all the harm e'er I've ever done, alas it was to none but me and all I've done for want of wit, to memory now I can't recall. So fill to me the parting glass goodnight and joy be with you all."

Daryl and Carol came walking over from guard, taking a seat by the fire. "Oh, all the comrades—" Maggie started to sing and Beth joined in.

I smiled wide before leaning over and resting my head against my fathers shoulder which he replied with a gentle kiss on the top of my head.

"—that e'er I had were sorry for my going away and all the sweethearts that e'er I had would wish me one more day to stay. But since it falls unto my lot that I should rise and you should not I'll gently rise and I'll softly call, good night and joy be with you all, good night and joy be with you all."

"Beautiful." Our father nodded with a lingering smile.

Rick looked up from the metal bowl he was holding in his hands. "Better all turn in. I'll take watch over there," he nodded towards the big truck that was tipped over on its side, where Daryl was recently watching. "—we've got a big day tomorrow."

Glenn looked around, "What do you mean?"

Rick looked down at the bowl, letting out a single breath. "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 questioned as he stood before the fire, holding the strap of his crossbow against his chest.

Rick nodded, "That would be outside the prison itself, but not too far away. Warden's offices would have info on the location. Weapons, food, medicine, this place could be a gold mine!"

"We're dangerously low on ammo. We'll run out before we make a dent." My father pointed out.

I turned my gaze towards Rick while he nodded his head, eyeing everyone in the group. "That's why we gotta go in there. Hand to hand. After all we've been through, we can handle it, I know it. These assholes don't stand a chance." He gestured towards the walkers as he looked down at his son.

I lifted my head off my fathers shoulder and looked around the group, offering them a reassuring nod. "Just one more push — then we can finally rest."