BLACK

Episode 4: A Name For Every Day of the Week

Here's the fourth chapter. I really didn't want it to end here, I wanted to add another two scenes at the end, but then it would've been ridiculously long so I'll just have to fit those two scenes in the beginning of five. Also the comment written by me below has some pictures of the chapter if you're interested in checking them out.

Anyways, hope y'all enjoy. Hit me up with some comments, tell me what you think so far!

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When you woke up you forgot where you were. The sun was shining through a window and you were lying across a car's back seat. For a moment you wondered why the car wasn't moving, why there wasn't an old rock ballad hanging in the air, and why there wasn't a friendly argument.
Then it all came crashing down on you at once.
You sat up with a grunt of pain and glanced around. You were in the back of the fancy red car that had been torn apart. The shoes and backpack you wore had been set aside on the car floor with your knife beside it. You quickly pulled your boots on, tucking the knife in, and then slipped your bag on. The car door was pulled open, startling you.
"Need some help?"
You grabbed Rick's outstretched hand as he helped you step out of the car. He wore his uniform pants and the dirty undershirt half tucked in, but he had stripped off the top shirt. In his other hand was an old walkie talkie.
"Thanks Rick." You gave him a sad smile, "What-what happened after-?"
Rick used his hand to rub the lower half is his face, "You fell asleep. We moved you to the car, I'm sorry if it wasn't comfortable. At the time-".
"It's fine. I don't have a tent anyways." You shook your head, "I meant what happened with..."
Rick nodded, "We're dealing with that now."
You took a hesitant step forward. Your feet were ridiculously sore. Rick continued to walk beside you though, matching your pace.
"I need to thank you, Aimee. Carl-"
"I'm so sorry." You stopped in your tracks. The wound under his eye flashed through your mind, "I'm so sorry. I hesitated, I thought too hard about it. Is he ok?"
Rick let out a sad chuckle. He gripped your shoulders and you could see the varying emotions flashing across his light blue eyes. There was fear, pain, but most of all there was thankfulness. "You saved his life. Aimee, you don't understand how in debt I am to you. If you weren't there- I don't know what I would've done if he..."
You lifted a hand and set it on top of his, "There's no need to thank me, Rick."
It was silent for a moment. A heavy depression was thick in the air seeping off the nearby camp. It was unbearable, and thinking about Andrea and Amy only made you feel worse.
"I just wish I could've done more."
"I think we all wish that."
The two of you began to walk towards camp again. Carol and Lori were sitting aside talking while Shane held his head by the fire in thought. Dale stood off to the side. Andrea sat exactly where you had last seen her, beside the RV with her sister's head resting in her lap.
"You're resting today." Rick murmured to you, "Your feet need it. Head down to the lake and just relax."
"I can't. I need to help."
"You can help by resting and keeping an eye on the kids. Carl, Sophia, Eliza, and Louis are down there with their mom, Miranda." Rick emphasized, "But stay off your feet."
You sighed and gave him a forced smile, "Sir, yes sir."
You headed down toward the lake as Rick went to stand by Shane. It was a quiet walk and you didn't see many people since most of them were working up by the RV. You still weren't even sure how many people died.
Miranda was sitting on a large rock with a pained expression. The four children were playing by the water's edge, but even they were melancholy. You set a hand on her shoulder making her jump.
"Sorry!" You pulled your hand back, "I didn't mean to scare you. I was sent to help watch the kids."
She nodded with a small smile, "Of course. Thank you."
"Are you alright? Did any of your family...?" You had trouble finishing the sentence.
"We're all fine." She shook her head, "I just can't believe Amy is gone. I was talking to her just yesterday. Poor Andrea."
"Yeah."
"Listen, can you watch them for a moment? I need to talk to my husband. I heard what you did for Carl, so you know how to fight right?"
"I uh yeah I guess, but you won't be gone long right?" You knew you'd do anything to keep the kids safe. Not because you were close to them, in fact you hadn't had a conversation with a single one of them, but because it felt right. You were protective of the people around you, no matter who they were. It was an identity that your mind held on tightly too. Just like the hunter thing.
"Not at all." She stood, "Thank you."
She jogged away after one last glance at the kids. You pulled out your knife, took off your boots, and set your bag down before walking down toward the water. The kids turned to look at you.
This was the first time you really saw Morales's kids.
The boy, Louis, was a cute kid with shaggy black hair and ran skin. His eyes were a dark brown. His sister, Eliza, looked just like him with long brown hair.
"Hey kiddos." You chirped and sat at the edge with your sore feet in the water. The cool liquid sent a rush of relief through you. Carl turned to look at you and you flinched. He had a long cut from his nostril to his ear. It wasn't deep though, no need for stitches.
He smiled at you, "Where'd you learn to throw knives?"
"Good question." You replied and turned your eyes to Sophia. Her eyes were red and puffy like she had been crying.
Eliza leaned over toward you, "Her daddy died."
Your face paled, "Sweetie, I'm so sorry."
Sophia shook her head bravely, "He was mean. He was mean to my mommy, but I still..."
She sat down beside you and brought her knees up to her chin. No tears leaked from her eyes, and you admired her for that. You spoke with the children a little longer until Louis noticed small fish swimming through the water. Eliza and Louis began to wade through the ankle deep water scaring the fish away and splashing each other. You encouraged Sophia to join them and felt proud when you saw a smile grace her lips. Carl began to leave when you stopped him.
"Hey, can you grab my bag for me?"
"Sure." He nodded and ran back for your bag. He carried it to you and you forced him to sit beside you.
"Just wanna patch you up. Make sure you don't get a scar."
"Scars are cool though aren't they?"
You chuckled and pulled out your kit. It was a small fix. Mainly just clean it up, rub some medicine on, and bandage it. You worked with diligent fingers.
"My dad likes you." Carl spoke as you worked, "He says you're a good person. He trusts you."
"Well I think he's a good person. Owe him my life." You replied.
"My mom doesn't trust you yet though. Neither does Shane, but that's because your new. They'll like you soon." Carl said with a definite tone.
You laughed, a bit unsurprised by his news, "I can understand that. You like me, Carl?"
"Yeah. I owe you my life now don't I?"
"Oh yeah, definitely." You nodded, "Slave for life."
Carl laughed and you finished bandaging his wound. You ruffled his hair as he complained before joining the others in the water. You watched them with a smile. Seeing them like this made you forget where you were. What the world was really like now.
You opened your bag and began to pull things out hoping to find out what all was in it. There was your med kit, your dirty clothes, some beef jerky, two cans of food, and a black sack at the bottom. You shove everything back into your bag and pulled the mysterious sack aside.
It was tied with a drawstring that took you a moment to untie. Once you finally opened the bag though your heartbeat began to increase. The bag was filled with IDs. All yours.
You began to pull them out as a lump formed in your throat. FBI agent, State Trooper for three different states, doctor, mortician, park ranger, health inspector, and more. On each ID was a different name. Aimee Smith, Janice Birch, Taylee Jones, Franny Amber, Sara Lee, Jessica Adams, Philipa Hasting.
Your hands began to shake. Who had this many identities? Who had this many fake IDs? Criminals did. The man's words flashed through your mind as panic built up inside you. Who the hell were you? Maybe it was right of Shane and Lori not to trust you.
"Aj!" Sophia called.
You shoved all the IDs back in the bag as the little girl ran over. Her feet sent water droplets on you, but you paid it no mind. A bright smile adorned her face as she showed you what she had cupped in her hand. It was a snail.
"Wow, look at that." You breathed trying to compose yourself, "Good job, Sophia!"
She looked so proud of herself to get your approval that it almost hurt you. What if you hurt her? Maybe you were dangerous. She turned and rushed back to the other kids who were trying to find their own snails.
You grabbed the black sack and stuffed it back into your book bag. Should you tell someone? They could send you away, or worse. You knew immediately this was the last thing a guy like Shane needed to see.
"I'm sorry it took so long." Miranda jogged back.
You stood and swung the pack onto your back, "It's fine. No worries."
You slipped into your socks and then pulled your boots on with the knife in its usual spot. Miranda set a hand on your shoulder, "She's smiling."
She motioned toward Sophia who was laughing with Eliza. You glanced back to Miranda curiously. She nodded, "I was worried about Sophia. She is such a sweet girl, but her father..."
"I heard." You said bluntly.
Miranda sat down, "All of this is such a mess. Now with Jim-"
"Jim?"
"He was bitten." Miranda said sadly. Your eyes widened in surprise, "There was this whole ordeal. Daryl tried to kill him."
"I- I gotta go." You didn't wait for a reply and just jogged up the path toward the camp. By the RV you saw Rick helping Jim into it. Shane stood with his arms crossed at the side while Daryl stalked off.
Glenn came up to you, "We're about to leave to the funerals."
"Funerals?"
"Just burying our own." Glenn nodded before walking away to help load the truck with bodies that were wrapped in bed linens. You headed into the RV only to be followed by Shane.
Jim was leaning against the RV wall while sitting on the bed. His shirt was off and you could see the bloody bite on the right side of his torso.
Rick glanced back at you, "Why are you up here?"
"I heard about Jim." You caught your breath and set your bag down. "I came to help."
"Not much you can do." Jim sighed. His eyes were closed and his face was pale.
You nodded toward the wound, "I can bandage that."
Rick said something quietly to Jim before walking toward you and pushing you and Shane, who was standing behind you, out of the RV.
"I don't really want you by Jim, Aimee. Just as a precaution." Rick rubbed his jawline in thought.
You shook your head, "I'll be fine. He won't hurt me."
"You don't know that. He could turn any minute." Shane threw his thoughts in.
Rick noticed a waving arm behind you, "It's time to go. They're heading uphill to bury them."
Rick held your shoulder as he stepped forward, but you slipped under his arm to both the surprise of Rick and Shane. You scratched the back of your neck awkwardly, "I'll stay here with Jim. Someone needs to keep an eye on him. He could turn at any minute, you said so yourself."
Shane nodded, "She's right."
"Doesn't mean it has to be her."
"Why not her? According to you she can handle that knife well."
"Because-"
"I'm just going to get into the RV now. I can handle this." You turned and headed back before Rick grabbed your wrist.
"Be careful."
You gave him a nod as he walked away. Shane did the same with a smile before leaving as well. Looked like maybe he was starting to trust you. More reason to get rid of those IDs.
You headed back into the RV with Jim and grabbed Dale's first aid kit. As you sat down beside him and began to open it, Jim's shaky hand stopped you.
"Don't- Don't waste them."
"Jim-"
"Can you get me- a uh- a rag? It's really hot." His voice was exhausted. You gave him a nod before setting aside the kit and grabbing a washcloth. It took a moment for you to find the bucket of water someone had brought in for him, but once you did you soaked the rag and brought it back. You laid it across his forehead and your eyes widened at how hot he was.
He had a severe fever, and you felt it would only get worse.
"You can go. You can go to the funerals." Jim said opening his eyes to look at you, "Just lock me in here."
"No I-" You swallowed the lump in your throat. You hadn't stayed behind for the greater good of the group. "I don't like funerals."
Jim nodded in understanding, "I suppose I don't get one now. I don't deserve it."
"Of course you do Jim."
"Monsters don't get funerals, Aj. Monsters just don't."
You shook your head, "You aren't a monster. You're just sick."
"I am. I am a monster. I deserve this. It's only fair." Jim began to cry, "I abandoned them. Do you know why I made it to this camp?"
"Jim." You didn't want him to continue if it would hurt him this much, "You should rest."
"We were attacked, my wife, my kids, and I, but I was able to run away. I was able to run away as the dead ate my family." Jim sobbed. You sighed and set a hand on his shoulder, "I'm so sorry Jim. I'm so sorry."


The decision to go to the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta was made.
It was a huge argument between the group, mainly Rick versus Lori and Shane, but in the end everyone agreed to follow Rick's decision to head to the CDC. There could be safety along with a cure for Jim. The group packed the camp up in hopes to get to the CDC by nightfall. Jim didn't have much time after all.
Morales and his family didn't want to go though. As everybody began to get in the cars to leave, they broke the news. They were heading to Birmingham, Alabama in hopes to find their family. You saw Rick glance back at you in worry.
"We'll take our chances." Morales said goodbye to Rick and Shane. It broke your heart to see the four kids saying bye to each other though. Eliza gave a sobbing Sophia her doll and you turned your gaze away.
Morales and his family drove away as the final items were thrown into the cars. You walked over to Rick who was standing by the RV.
"Hey."
He nodded, "Hey."
"What was with that look earlier?"
"I'm sorry?"
"You gave me this look", You explained, "When Morales said they were leaving. What was that about?"
Rick shifted uncomfortably, "I thought you might try to leave with them."
"Wha-?"
"They said they were heading to Birmingham, Alabama. You're from Alabama I just thought you might try and catch a ride with them to find your family."
You nodded. What he didn't know is that the info on Alabama might be wrong. All those IDs were from various states. You shrugged and gave him a smile, "Sorry Rick. Guess you're stuck with me."
Rick chuckled then glanced around, "Who are you riding with?"
"Whoever has a spot open, I suppose." You shrugged.
"Ride with us. We have a seat open in the back. It's between Sophia and Carl, but the two of them seem to have taken a shining to you."
"I guess I'm just a natural role model. Children flock to me." You joked.
Rick nodded, "Carl mentioned something like that. Something about being your slave for life."
For the first time since you got here you genuinely laughed. It wasn't a chuckle or a soft smile, but a bright and beaming emotion. It bubbled through you, temporarily making you forget the darkness that lurked around.
"Thank you for bandaging his wound. I wanted you to take a look at it anyways." Rick said once your laughter had died down. You gave him a wave of your hand.
"It was no problem. The wound looks clean, it should heal fine." You readjusted the bag on your back, "You know you don't have to thank me so much. I mean it was my fault he got the cut anyways plus I am the camp's doctor."
"Still."
Lori walked over and gave you a small smile before pulling Rick away to speak to him. You turned and headed toward where you saw Carl and Sophia were when your eyes got stuck on Daryl.
He was throwing gear into a single bench pick up. A black motorcycle sat in the bed of the truck. It wasn't one of the more modern looking ones, but rather it had an older style.
You walked over curiously to admire the bike. Daryl did a double take as he saw you lift your hand to touch the painted side.
"Hands off."
You pulled your hand back, "Sorry. Just checking it out. It's a nice motorcycle."
"It was Merle's." Daryl retorted before setting his crossbow in the passenger seat. You nodded and glanced from him back to the bike. He shifted his weight before speaking up, "You ride?"
"Not that I know of." You joked with a chuckle.
Daryl shook his head and scoffed, "Don't know why you joke so much about not bein' able to remember anythin'. It ain't funny."
"No I guess not." You shrugged, "But it's all I can do. I rather joke at my own expense than break down and cry. I can't remember my past and it's really depressing not knowing if I even have family, but I'm not going to just mope around."
The words just fell out of your mouth. It was true though. Not knowing about your past but finding little clues that lead to a not so pretty history has been extremely stressful. Treating it as a joke kept you from falling apart.
Daryl nodded, "Guess I can understand that."
"So you're going to give me a ride on this bad boy right?" You grinned cheekily at him. Daryl scoffed as Shane called for everyone to load up.
You gave Daryl a wave before heading over to a four door car where Lori and Rick sat in the front with Carl and Sophia in the back. Just as Rick had suggested you sat between the two kids, and you did so happily. The two of them acted older for their age. Maybe it was because the world had gone to hell, but the two of them were calm and sweet.
Rick and Lori spoke in hushed tones while you chatted with Carl and braided Sophia's short hair. It was mainly to keep your hands busy. The drive was steady as Rick followed the RV down the road, but after around twenty minutes of driving the convoy came to a stop in the middle of the road surrounded by the forest on either side.
"Stay here." Rick mumbled before climbing out of the car. Seconds passed before Lori followed. Then despite your protests both the children climbed out to look for their parents.
You sighed and left the car with your bag in hand. Everyone had gathered around the front of the RV where something had gone wrong with the engine. Dale discussed what to do while you slipped away into the van. You wanted to check on Jim.
As you entered you saw that Jacqui was sitting beside him wiping his head with a cool rag. You walked over and could feel the heat radiating off him before you even made contact with his skin. Jacqui and you shared a grimace before you exited the RV.
Shane and T-Dog were gone, probably to fetch supplies from a gas station the group had passed earlier, but you cleared your throat to get everyone's attention.
"Jim is worse." You said softly, "His fever is- is pretty bad."
Rick covered his eyes as he thought, "I'm gonna talk to him."
He went into the RV and you began to follow when a hand pulled you back. Lori shook her head at you, "It'd be better if you let my husband handle this."
"I was just-"
"Let him."
Her tone matched the way she called you 'girl' earlier. Condescending. You clenched your jaw and took a few steps back from the group. Andrea noticed and came to stand by you.
"You ok?"
"I'm fine." You scoffed, "Just re-finding out that I have a temper problem."
It was silly to be mad over something like that, wasn't it? Lori didn't mean the way she treated you. Were you overreacting?
"I doubt it. You seem way too cheery to have one."
"I'm cheery? Me?" You said skeptically.
"Not super cheery, but you obviously don't let the fact that you have no memory of anything or the apocalypse tear you down." She replied with a shrug.
You watched curiously as Rick helped Jim out of the RV and headed toward the forest line. Shane and T-Dog could be seen jogging back towards the group.
"I'm sorry, Andrea." You said as the two of you walked over to find out what was going on with Jim. There was no need to clarify that you were apologizing for her recent loss. Andrea understood and nodded at you in appreciation.
Apparently, Jim had thrown in the towel. He didn't want the group to drag him along anymore because the poor man knew he was a ticking time bomb. Rick had leaned him up against a tree and tried to hand him a pistol that Jim refused to take. Dale said goodbye first so he could fix the RV while everyone else did so.
They all said something one by one then walked away until it was only you and Daryl. You knelt down and gave Jim's hand a squeeze, "You don't deserve this."
Jim was too exhausted to do anything other than weakly smile at you. Daryl nodded his head at Jim before the two of you headed back to the cars.
"Can I ride with you?" You blurted.
Daryl seemed surprised, "What? No."
"Oh come on! Please?"
"What the hell for? Thought you were cozy in Rick's car."
"Yeah, well, five's a crowd." You replied. The main reason was you avoiding Lori. It may have been childish, but you were doing it none the less.
Daryl sighed, "Fine, but if you start gettin' on my nerves, I'm gonna throw you out."
"Thanks!" You smiled, "Let me just tell Rick. Don't drive off without me!"
Daryl rolled his eyes and went to clear the passenger seat for you. You rushed over to where Rick was speaking to Dale. He glanced over when he heard you coming toward him.
"Hey Rick, I'm going to ride with Daryl alright?"
"Yeah sure, but why?" He seemed curious as to why you were leaving his vehicle for a grumpy redneck. You couldn't exactly just blurt out that you were avoiding his wife though.
You shrugged, "He's riding alone. Everyone needs company."
Rick seemed skeptical but you have both him and Dale a wave before heading back towards the truck where Daryl was sitting behind the wheel. As soon as you hopped into your seat he started the truck up, ready to follow the rest of the convoy. His truck was the last.
The cars began to roll toward Atlanta again. It was silent for a few minutes before Daryl spoke up, "So why are you ridin' with me?"
"Why not? Like I told Rick, you were all alone. Everyone needs company."
"I don't."
You glanced at him skeptically, "Sure. You know I never really thanked you after the whole Atlanta retirement home thing."
"Thank me for what?"
"For coming back with Rick and T-Dog to save Glenn and me. I appreciate it."
"I would've left the two of you if it were up to me." Daryl replied bluntly. You let out a chuckle knowing that was probably very much true. Daryl seemed perplexed as to why you were laughing at his comment but didn't press further.
It had taken longer to get to the CDC as planned and when you finally arrived the sun was in the process of disappearing beneath the horizon.
The convoy came to a stop on front of the large building. You stepped out and heaved a sigh. The ground around the CDC was littered with dead military men and debris. Walkers roamed the grounds slowly. The group walked toward the building cautiously. Rick and Shane were in front while you and Daryl covered the rear. You had pulled out your knife while Daryl held up his crossbow in preparation. The front entrances had thick metal shutters over them preventing anyone from going in. Rick pressed a button on the keypad beside it while Shane tried to push the doors up with his back.
"There's nobody here." T-Dog said with worry dripping from his tone.
Rick pointed at the doors, "Then why are these shutters down?"
"Walkers!" Daryl barked aiming his crossbow at a variety of the rotten corpses. Carl and Sophia both began to cry as they gripped their mothers. Daryl stormed by you to the front, "You led us into a graveyard!"
Shane stepped between him and Rick, "He made a call."
"It was the wrong damn call."
"Just shut up. You hear me?" Shane pointed his hand threateningly at him, "Shut up!"
Your eyes glanced over the area as the group argued and paused on a figure in the distance. There were no details that could be made out, but the shadowy figure stood there rigid.
"Everybody get to the cars!" Shane yelled as people around you began to move. You, however, were hypnotized by this strange form. Sound slowly drowned out and was replaced with a dull humming. A hand wrapped around your wrist and yanked you out of the trance.
"Get going." Shane pushed you in the direction of the cars.
"The camera." Rick spoke and the group froze to look back at him. He pointed to a white camera above the door, "It moved."
Dale shook his head, "You imagined it."
"It moved." Rick marched toward the door, "It moved."
Shane headed back to Rick, "Rick, it's dead, man. It's an automated device."
You were torn. The group was slowly inching toward the cars, but you couldn't move. Was it too much to hope that someone was in there? Even if there wasn't you couldn't just leave Rick at the door. Shane grabbed Rick roughly and tried to drag him back, but Rick broke free and began to pound on the shutter.
"I know you're in there! I know you can hear me! Please, we're desperate!" Rick cried. Shane motioned everyone to head to the cars again, but you remained rooted. "We have women, children, no food, hardly any gas left!"
Lori stepped in front of her husband and tried to push him back, "Rick, there's nobody here."
"If you don't let us in you're killing us!" Rick roared as Shane came back over and successfully began to pull him away from the doors, "You're killing us!"
Daryl stepped in front of you and began to push you back as well. Your steps weren't forced though and you allowed him to pull you away.
Suddenly the shutters lifted open releasing a bright light across the area. It was blinding and you were forced to cover your eyes briefly. Everyone was frozen in shock and remained still for a few seconds. The light died down and that seemed to snap people to their senses. Everyone cautiously stepped through the doors into a lobby like area. It was dimly lit because the lack of sunlight outside. The ceiling was high with linoleum floors and a modern feel. There was no destruction in here.
"Hello?" Rick called out. The reply came as the sound of a gun cocking resulting in everyone with a gun to aim towards the noise.
"Anybody infected?" A man asked. He was hidden by the shadows, but you could make out his plain white shirt, sweatpants, and large rifle in his hands.
Rick spoke up, "One of our group was. He didn't make it."
"Why are you here? What do you want?"
Rick glanced back then forward again, "A chance."
"That's asking a lot these days." He stepped out into a day of light. He had short blond hair and dark blue eyes.
"I know." Rick nodded.
There was a pause as he gazed over each face of the group. He gave a slight nod of his head, "You all submit to a blood test. That's the price of admission."
"We can do that." Rick agreed with ease.
He lowered his weapon and walked forward, "You got stuff to bring in, you do it now. Once this door closes it stays closed."
Rick, Shane, Daryl, and Glenn ran out to the cars to grab the needed supplies while Dale and T-Dog held open the doors and kept watch. You walked toward the open doors and peeked out. It was darker and the figure you had seen earlier was no longer there. You took a step back as the four men ran in past you and the doors were shut.
"Vi, seal the main entrance and kill the power up here." He spoke into a comm system on the wall. The shutters closed slowly, but once they were down completely you felt yourself relax. Rick walked to the man and held out a hand.
"Rick Grimes."
He shook it, "Dr. Edwin Jenner."
The group followed Jenner off to the side and into an elevator. Everyone fit, but it was a close fit. The elevators walls were a shiny silver and the bright light bouncing off it began to give you a headache.
"Doctors always go around packing heat like that?" Daryl broke the silence and motioned to Jenner's weapon.
"There were plenty left lying around. I familiarized myself. But you look harmless enough." He said then glanced at Carl, "Except you. I'll have to keep my eye on you."
Carl's lips twitched upwards in a smile. The rest of the elevator ride was silent and the doors opened up to a dim hallway with white walls.
"Vi, bring up the lights in the big room."
The group walked in behind Jenner into a large room. There was a circle of lights above a platform in the middle of the room. On the platform were machines with computer monitors. The wall off to the right was a large screen itself.
"Welcome to Zone 5."
Rick glanced around, "Where is everybody? The other doctors, the staff?"
"I'm it." He stepped onto the platform, "It's just me here."
"What about the person you were talking to?" You spoke up.
Andrea nodded, "Yeah. Vi?"
Jenner nodded, "Vi. Say hello to our guests. Tell them, welcome."
Seconds passed before a robotic female voice echoed through a sort of overhead speaker system, "Hello guests. Welcome."
"I'm all that's left. I'm sorry."


The entire group was led to a smaller classroom after he grabbed a medical kit from a supply closet. The room had a white board in the front and tiled floors near the front wall. There were chairs and desks lined up stadium style in the rest of the room situated on top of royal blue carpeting.
Jenner pushed aside a glass podium and pulled a desk toward the front. He sat there and one by one took blood samples of everyone in the group. It was only by chance that you ended up going last. As he prepped your arm you spoke up.
"I'm grateful for you letting us in, but I'm just curious." You didn't flinch as he pushed the needle into your arm, "Why this? I mean if we were infected you'd be able to tell. We'd all be burning up."
"I've already broken every rule in the book letting you in here. It's nice to at least be thorough." Jenner pulled the needle out and set your blood aside with the others, "All done."
"Thanks." You smiled and stood up only to nearly fall face first. Glenn, who had been closest, was able to catch your arms and steady you.
"You alright?" Jenner asked.
You glanced around the room to see worried looks pasted on faces. You gave a short nod but stopped when it made the room spin again, "I haven't eaten much the last few days. None of us have."
Jenner paused before rising to his feet with the case, "Follow me."
Most of the group did, but you just sat back down in hopes to calm your spinning head. You shut your eyes but reopened them when you felt a hand on your shoulder. Rick had one hand on you and he used the other to motion everyone else to follow Jenner.
"You sure you're alright?"
"I'm just really dizzy is all. I'm telling you, it's my hunger mixed with the fact that I lost a lot of blood these past few days."
"Well come on", Rick helped you up, "We need to get you some food and water."
You felt shaky and for some reason a part of you believed it to be more than just the lack of food. Something was gnawing at you. The figure. Ever since you saw it you felt...strange. Like just the sight of it had punched a hole straight through you. You felt hollow.
Rick noticed your hesitant steps and wrapped an arm around your shoulder to help steady you. You glanced up and he gave you a smile, "I'd like to get there sometime before tomorrow."
"Whatever you say, Officer." You replied as he helped you down the hallway.
He led you into a cafeteria type area. The room was large and wide, but only the back corner by the kitchen area was lit up. There were tables pushed together and laughter in the air was in the air along with another scent you didn't think your smell anymore.
"Is that spaghetti?" You asked with a short chuckle.
Glenn held up the empty jar of spaghetti sauce for you to see with a bright grin. Rick helped you sit down at the table where Carl and Sophia were sitting along with Dale, Daryl, and T-Dog. The others were up and about in the kitchen grabbing plates, cups, and forks.
"I can help." You tried to stand but Rick shook his head.
"Just rest. We got it covered."
Rick walked into the kitchen to grab some of the plates. You smiled and leaned your head against the back of the chair. Being here surrounded by people you knew, people that would have your back, felt safe. It was as if they took a piece of tape and covered the hole in you. It was still there, but being surrounded by people you were slowly starting to care for made it not hurt so much.


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WRECKAGE

Sam and Dean had spent the night in King's County and in the morning they found a car and started the drive down Highway 85. Of course, not much time had passed when they stopped at the scene of an accident.
The red car was flipped on its back with pieces of it scattered down the road. Dean was the one driving and had pulled over across from it.
"Why are we stopping?" Sam asked glancing from his brother to the red car.
Dean slid out of the car, "The last car [Name] stole. It was red."
"So you think...", Sam got out of the car warily. The gun was cradled in this hand as the two of them began to examine the car.
Dean's blood ran cold at the sight of a familiar boot. He knelt down and grabbed the bloody boot that was stuck under the seat. He pulled it out with a tug and showed it to his brother.
Sam's shoulders drooped but he tried to remain positive, "Anybody could've had those boots."
Dean's jaw clenched as he took a few steps before chunking the boot down the road. He clasped his hands together behind his head and tried to keep in his anger.
"Dean."
"She was in a wreck, Sam!" Dean roared turning on his brother, "Even if she walked out of this mess she's only walking into the fire. We need to get to Atlanta, now."
Sam was examining the wreck himself as Dean was beside himself. He didn't know what he was looking for, but he noticed there wasn't a bag of supplies in the car which was a good sign of course. Then again anybody could've come by and stolen a bag of supplies. He walked to the passenger side of the car and knelt down on his knees. It took a moment for his long arms to awkwardly reach into the car, but finally his hands grasped the handle to the glove compartment. Sam pulled it open and everything fell out onto the roof of the car.
The sound caught Dean's attention. He stepped closer to the car as Sam grabbed a leather bound notebook and stood up. He held it up in display, "She left her journal."
"Not a big deal." Dean shook his head in denial. He walked toward the back of the car.
Sam sighed, "She was more attached to her journal than any other hunter we knew. Why would she leave it?"
"Travel light."
Dean pulled a pick lock out of the inner jacket pocket and began to pick at the trunk. As much as he wanted to believe that you walked away from this wreck with your own bag, he knew how little the chances were that you willingly left your journal.
The trunk opened and an array of weapons fell out onto the pavement. A shotgun, a revolver, two cases of salt, and a jug of holy water. The holy water leaked out and puddled around Dean's shoes. His jaw clenched.
"[Name] would've known those were there and grabbed them." Sam said slowly.
"She's not dead, Sammy."
"Dean. I care about her too, but-"
"[Name]'s not dead!" Dean yelled.
The sound of flapping wings filled the silence of the area startling the two brothers. The two of them glanced off to the left to see a familiar face clapping his hands together slowly.
"Please, keep yelling. At this rate you'll have every dead guy here in the next thirty minutes."
His light brown hair was pushed back with a slight wave and ended at the back of his neck. He had caramel brown eyes that gazed over the scene with a sort of knowing. An air of confidence radiated from him. He wore a dark blue button up with jeans and an olive green jacket over it.
"Gabriel?" Sam questioned.
"The one and only." He replied simply.
Saying the Winchesters were surprised to see Gabriel was an understatement. The last time they ever saw the arch angel of God was at a run down motel a little over three years ago. He had lost a fight against his brother, the devil, and died. At least they were under the impression he had died.
"I thought Lucifer shived your ass." Dean bluntly said.
Gabriel rolled his eyes, "You're welcome by the way. I'm the whole reason you stopped the apocalypse three years ago."
"I wouldn't say the whole." Sam replied. Dean shook his head, "What are you doing here anyways?"
"I need a favor and I figured you two idiots might wanna know your [Name] isn't dead."
Dean and Sam both jumped at the words.
"Where is she?" Dean stepped toward the arch angel.
Gabriel shrugged, "No idea."
"Then how do you know she's alive?" Sam questioned.
"Long story short she grabbed a ride with some sheriff and rode away with him on a horse into the sunset." Gabriel scoffed and walked toward them. He was significantly shorter than both of them, but infinitely more powerful, "But let's talk about how you two idiots once again set the world on a path to destruction."
"It wasn't our fault. Crowley-"
Gabriel interrupted Dean, "Yeah, sure. Blame the King of Hell. You two are the ones who lost the tablet."
Sam and Dean dropped their gazes and fidgeted in their spots. The arch angel didn't stop there though.
"Of course I'm one of the few angels that gets stuck on earth when the pearly gates got locked. You two are lucky I'm an arch angel and a little of my power got saved, because if I had been sucked dry like all the other angels stuck on earth I would've killed you both."
"Well hooray for us." Dean scoffed.
"Now I'm here trying to clean up your mess!" Gabriel yelled. He pulled a small object from his pocket and threw it at Sam. Sam caught it at last minute.
"What is this?" He held up the small vial filled with a light blue liquid. It swirled around with accents of white and silver.
"It's for my baby brother, Castiel." Gabriel said, "Find him and get it to him."
"Cas?" Dean asked, "Where is he?"
"Pretty sure I said find him."
"You didn't tell us what it-" Sam began.
"Castiel will know!" Gabriel snapped, "Now if you don't mind, I'm gonna continue trying to fix this."
"You mean killing the walking dead?" Dean scoffed, "Not much of a priority. Even when they're dead the world is still gone. The least you can do is help us find [Name] and Cas!"
Gabriel chuckled with a tone of darkness underlying it, "First of all, the least I can do? What? Fighting satan wasn't enough for you? Secondly, why would I waste my time with the walking dead?"
"Well then what are you trying to fix?" Sam asked pocketing the vial.
Gabriel glanced from Sam to Dean before shaking his head in disbelief, "You two chuckleheads really don't know do you?"
"Wanna fill us in?" Dean said with anger.
"Heaven is locked. The angels who were up there at the time are stuck there. Hell is locked up and the demons that were down there are stuck there too. Even the reapers and death are on lock down. Everyone on earth right now will be here forever. Why do you think the dead are coming back to life? The tablet infected everyone and plus their souls are rotting. They can't go up or down." Gabriel explained, "But that's not even the worst part."
"It gets worse?" Sam flinched.
"There's a reason that tablet wasn't in the language of the angels or demons. It's because it was never, ever supposed to be read." Gabriel clenched his jaw, "That tablet released something. Something worse than Leviathans or demons or the worst monster you've come across."
"What did it release?"
Gabriel said something in Enochian, the language of angels, causing Sam and Dean to look at him in annoyance. The words were completely unfamiliar in sound.
"Can we get a translation?" Dean threw his hands up.
"There is none. Its name barely translates into Enochian and I'm not about to sit around debating what to call it in English." Gabriel clenched his jaw, "Just know that the chances of me fixing this are slim to none and we're probably all dead."
"What? No good news?" Sam sighed.
"Get that vial to Cas. The sooner, the better." Gabriel turned on his heel and began to walk down the road.
"What about [Name]?"Dean barked.
Gabriel glanced back, "I told you. She's fine."
The fluttering of wings could be heard again and Gabriel disappeared from sight. They were still a moment before packing the rest of your belongings into their car and driving towards Atlanta.