We took Michonne to a cell nearby.
"I'm fine. You all go and see what you can help with," she said.
"You sure?" I asked.
"Yeah. Go on," she said.
"I'll have Beth come in to wrap that ankle," Maggie said then took off.
I went out to see what I could help with.
"Daryl," I said when we came to the courtyard at the same time.
"Hey. Rick tell you what happened?" he asked.
"Yeah. It's taking everything I have to not hug you right now. I'm glad you're all right," I said.
"Sucks huh?" he said.
"Sure does. You need help making graves?" I asked.
"Wouldn't want you too close to me," he said.
"I can dig them a few feet away from you. I just want to help," I said.
He nodded.
"Come on then," he said.
We grabbed the shovels by the gate and headed into the field.
"Just dig the graves. Don't want you touching the bodies," he said once we reached the area we'd be digging the graves.
The whole time, we'd been standing a few feet apart. I desperately wanted to reach out and hold his hand but I knew that wasn't going to happen for a while.
"My knight in shining armor," I retorted.
"Stop," he said.
"I mean it you know. You're my knight in shining armor," I said.
He looked away.
"Start digging," he said.
I could hear the smile that had spread across his face. I started to dig. I smiled as well. I was three graves in and sweating immensely. Daryl was wearing a mask and gloves while he put the bodies into the graves. Rick came by not long afterwards. I looked at him.
"I'm just digging. Not touching the bodies...Or Daryl," I said.
He nodded and half smiled. Daryl chuckled and looked at me. He then cleared his throat.
"I'm glad you were in there," Daryl said to Rick.
"Wasn't much use without my gun," Rick said.
"No, you were. All this time you've been taking off, you earned it. We wouldn't be here without you," Daryl said.
"He's right you know," I said while I kept digging.
"It was all of us," Rick said.
"No, it was you first. So, you gonna help us figure this out?" Daryl said looking up at Rick.
"I...I screwed up too many times. Those calls you got to make, I start down that road...I almost lost my boy. Who he was. I'm grateful I didn't lose my niece...Whatever else this place needs, I'm here for it," Rick said.
"Like I said, you earned it. But for what it's worth, you see mistakes. I see when the shit hits, you're standing there with the shovel," Daryl said.
Daryl was about to put another body in the grave when Maggie shouted, "Rick! Daryl, Amelia!"
We looked over at her. The walkers were starting to bend the fence.
"Oh shit!" Rick said.
I got out of the hole as fast as I could. The three of us ran for it. I reached the fence before Rick and Daryl grabbing one of the rods on the opposite side.
"The noise drew 'em out and now this part's starting to give," Maggie said.
I started taking out as many walkers as I could. Glenn, Sasha and Tyreese had come over to help. I stood next to Maggie. We were all taking them out. There was too many of them. Maggie then fell back. Glenn and I headed towards her but she held up her hand. I went back to the walkers. Maggie got back up. Glenn tried to advance her.
"Don't. We're supposed to stay away from each other," she said.
We continued.
"Are you seeing this?" I heard Sasha say.
We made our way to her. There were dead rats near the fence.
"Is someone feeding these things?" she asked.
"What the hell?" I said.
"Heads up," Daryl said.
"This part of the fence, now!" Sasha yelled.
The middle part of the fence was starting to buckle.
"Hold on, hold on. Hey, hey, hey," Glenn said.
We backed up and saw the fence start to bend further.
"Shit! It's gonna give! It's gonna give!" Rick and I shouted.
We pushed against it trying to get it back in place.
"Come on!" I yelled.
We all pushed with all our might. We couldn't let these bastards get through.
"Everybody back! Come on, back now," Daryl shouted.
"Damn it," I whispered as I backed up with the rest of them.
"The fence keeps bending in like that, those walkers are coming over it," Sasha said.
"We can't let that happen," I retorted.
Rick looked over to the stable we kept the pigs in.
"Daryl, get the truck. I know what to do," Rick said.
Daryl did as he was told and ran back up to get the truck.
"Stay here. Keep at it," he told the rest of us.
He then took off after Daryl. Maggie and Tyreese went over to open the gate for Daryl and Rick. Rick had gathered the pigs from the stable. I had an inkling as to what he was going to do with them. Glenn, Sasha, and I continued taking out the walkers. Once Rick and Daryl had gotten to the opposite side of the fence, some of the walkers had noticed them and slowly made their way to them. I was able to see Rick's face as he sliced the first pig on the leg and left it for the walkers. He was disappointed it had to come to this. He obviously felt the weight of having to make that decision. It had to be made though. I understood. In time, I hoped he would too. The walkers were receding quickly. Sasha, Glenn and I grabbed the wooden logs they had brought out and stuck them against the fence. That wouldn't hold if this happened again but at least it was a start.
"Come on. Let's head back," I said to them both.
They nodded and we all started back to the courtyard. I went and sat over at the bleachers that were close to some basketball hoops. I waited to see Rick and Daryl make their way back. Glenn went over to join Maggie and others who were continuing with the graves while Sasha went back into the prison. I wiped the sweat that lingered on my forehead. A few moments later, Daryl came back and parked the truck. Rick made his way towards me.
"Sorry about the pigs," I said when he got closer.
"Yeah...you okay?" he asked.
"I'm fine. Rick that decision had to be made. You made the right call," I said.
"Doesn't change anything," he said.
"The hell it doesn't. Because of your quick thinking, those walkers didn't make it over that fence. That's a win," I continued.
He was silent.
"Thanks. Glad I have you around to keep reminding me of that," he said.
"Well, that's what I'm here for. And other stuff too of course," I said smiling.
He chuckled.
"Yeah," he said.
Daryl soon came and joined us.
"You good?" he asked me.
"Yeah. You?" I retorted.
He nodded his head.
"I better go and take down the place we kept the pigs in. Burn it. To be safe. I'll see you two around okay?" Rick said.
Daryl and I nodded as he took off.
"Sucks I can't put my arms around you," I said looking over at Daryl.
"I know. It's just until we figure this thing out. You're tough. You can hold on for a while," he said.
"Yeah. But the question is, can you?" I asked.
"Hell nah," he replied.
I laughed at that. Tyreese suddenly came out. He looked distraught.
"Ty? You okay?" I asked getting up from the bleachers.
"Where's Rick?" he asked.
I pointed to where Rick was now standing shirtless by a fire. Tyreese headed over to him without acknowledging either of us again.
"What you suppose that's about?" Daryl asked.
"I don't know. But whatever it is, it doesn't seem good," I replied.
Tyreese and Rick quickly made their way back. Rick had grabbed a shirt off the clothesline and was buttoning it up when he reached us.
"Daryl," Rick said signaling him to come with.
"What's going on?" I asked.
"Amelia, stay here," Rick said.
"At least tell me what's going on," I said.
"Just stay here!" Rick ordered.
"Please," Daryl said softer.
I nodded and watched them both follow Tyreese back to the prison.