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Description
Just a note to all of you, this series might take somewhat of a different turn than what the original story is. Don't get me wrong. Characters and such will appear as they are but it's just I have a thing when it comes to sort of copying something from the TV show like the episodes and such. I tend to like it more writing it in an original storyline in a way. Just wanted to get that off my chest and I hope you'll like the story wherever it goes. Don't worry though, I'll still keep to the charm and stuff we all love about it.

Walking Dead (c) Robert Kirkman
You (c) yourself

Chapter 5: Excavated

Throughout the night, I stayed on my guard. I hid in a little hole of a tree, peeking out my head ever so slightly to see if any of them would come running after me. Every now and then, it felt like my heart was thumping, anticipating for them to pop out and start stabbing me, taking away my life.

I took a deep breath though, remembering Carl. He had to be the one to stop them. He had evidence, all the papers, crayons, writings...but I knew the truth. They would say it was all an allusion, just a dream he had been thinking that found a way to ease his fears, to survive in this new wretched world. People never believed in their children, no matter how fake it sounded.

If only they could see me shivering right now, seeing how freaked out I was, running away like a prey from its predator. Couldn't they have seen that I was just scared of them as they were of me? That I was terrified the moment they would put the gun to my head or stab me right into my brain...I quivered, trying to ward off these thoughts.

Then again, I was dead. How could I even be thinking right now if I was nothing but a former body that held in the spirit of a person...someone who was once alive.

I peered out of the hole, seeking out any of them walking about in the woods. No one came out yet I heard their voices. They were arguing no doubt. All nothing but shouting and yelling, attempting to dissect all of what happened just now. Praying that this was nothing but a dream, a whole nightmare they had wished to wake up from....but it was a deep sleep for them.

I sighed, crawling back into the hole. I glanced up at the sky, peeking at the moon gleaming into the sky. Lucky piece of rock. At least it got to remain the same. Nothing but a sphere in the sky, raining down its rays to light the earth.

Down here on earth, it was chaos. A world without order. The living vs the dead. The living feared the dead, daring not to touch them, for they would not want to become the mindless beasts. But who would know that there were maybe others like me?

Stuck between life and death...a thread not yet cut, hanging on by the string. Little would they see the dead had just been terrified of a living person, for they had the qualities a dead envied...life.

Morning light shimmered in as I zoned about, waiting for it to glint in. I peeked out from the hole, checking around to see if anyone was out there. Carl stood out by the river, glancing at its gleam sparkle about from the sunlight.

I hissed, beckoning him to see me. Carl turned around swiftly and raced over. "Oh, thank goodness, you're ok," he said, examining me all around. "They...didn't hurt you, huh?"

I shook my head. What are they doing now?

"Well, they're just trying to find out what happened last night. Two of us got bitten. We're in the process of burying the bodies now. But Dad....he really wants to meet you. All of them do. They didn't believe me thinking that you weren't like them...but I told them just to listen once and...I brought them here."

Immediately, I prepared to scoot back into the hole.

"Don't," Carl pleaded. "They just want to see what you look like. They promise not to harm you if you don't harm them...that's their rule. They said they'll explain more if you would just come out and show yourself. I promised them I would translate. Just please...show them you're different."

Slowly, creeping from the hole, I rose and stared ahead to see the man I had previously encountered back at the hospital to be standing with two other men. One of them looked similar in a way to the hospital one, except he had black hair and seemed to be a little frightened, pressured. The other had a stern look, gazing predatorily, his crossbow gripped tightly into his hands. His hair was cropped brown but when I glanced at his eyes, his eyes were of hate and dominance. He wanted to kill me but the two other men had stopped him from doing so.

I gulped and turned to see the hospital man. I recognized him now as Rick, Carl's father.

I grumbled and began to speak. Greetings! If you want to know who I am, your son here has told you all of the truth. My name is (y/n). And yes, I woke up like this. I don't know how or why...but as you see before you, I am caught in between. I don't know where I truly stand.

The police officer scratched his head before speaking, lending out his hand. "Rick Grimes," he said. "I appreciate what you did last night. But...if we can truly trust you..."

I scanned his eyes to peer at his hand. A handshake. The symbol of loyatly and sincerity. One shake would be all it take to show that I was on their side.

Carefully, I placed my hand with his and shook it. Do not worry, Mr. Grimes. I would truly like to help you all out. If indeed though, there would be a way for us to compromise.

"And what would that compromise be? Having one of us per day?" the crossbow man sneered.

"Daryl, please," the other man said, glaring at him.

I snorted. Something told me definitely this man was the one I would keep an extra eye on. No doubt if he had it his way, he would be striking that arrow at me right now.

Rick glowered at Daryl as well before turning back to me. "I'm sure that by seeing us before you, we're in a very tight situation. All of us are. This world...it's being dominated 'technically' by your kind...but if we were to work together, maybe there would be a way for us to find a cure...I think you may have some form of it."

A cure? Me? I'm confused.

"Have you noticed that when you talk to us, you keep in control of your body. With them, they're not. They're incapable, not sure what to do other than feed. You are able to communicate on your own. You can think without having the fear of attacking anyone."

It's not that simple though, Mr. Grimes. I may be able to talk to you now but in the near future...I may not be able to. For now, I have no desires to consume flesh but eventually, I fear that there would be a turning point in my body. A change in which I may not be the person you see before you."

Rick nodded. "I understand," he said, sighing. "But please...if there's anything we can do, you might be able to help us. Was there anything you noticed upon your change?"

I woke up in the same hopsital as you were in. When I woke, I felt that I was still in my body. However, as I continued to walk and realize to my horror of my appearance, I began to see that most of my biological functions are still inact but I do have hyped senses such as smelling your blood now....but the craving is not there. My functions are more active at night though. When at nightfall, I could see more than I could and smell a person a couple miles away. I feel invicible like I could take on the world....but alas, I cannot speak. I croaked to show a demonstration.

Rick titled his head and gripped his chin. "And yet you can function mentally, think."

Indeed. I don't know how this came to be. To recall back to perhaps how I was bitten, I remember being bitten by one of the stupid boyfriends of a girl who was causing my friend trouble. This was months back. All I knew was I was trying to defend my friend and he came over and bit me right in the hand. I showed them the scared marks on it. I began to feel symptoms as if I were having a cold but it got worse. I was rushed to the hospital and then....this was the result.

Rick pondered for a bit, turning to the other man. "What do you think, Shane?" he asked. Shane shrugged. "I want to say the effects aren't kicking in yet. It's possible maybe...she's in between. I suppose since you're from the same hospital he was in, were you following him?"

Yes.

"How did they react to you?" Rick inquired.

The erm...zombies?

"Walkers," Shane corrected.

They hardly gave me any notice. It was like I was one of their own. They did give me a look a couple of times when I did something out of the ordinary but they ignored it. However, like you said, I could still have some human parts in. When I was at the hospital, a group of them smelled me and tried to ram at me. I fled. I feared that they smelled one of their own in me but...now that you've mentioned that...I'm not sure what I could be...I can't even cry!

"Because you aren't even alive anyway," Daryl snorted.

Shane grasped Daryl by the shoulders and shook him. "Daryl...we don't need this right now," he growled.

Daryl huffed and threw his hands in the air. "You know what, if you two think you can handle this, I'd say good luck on your own," he sneered. He prepared to walk away. "I don't know why we're still here. Who's to say they haven't even evolved? What if she's playing the fool, making you believe that she's pretending to be alive only to have us fooled that she's some sort of crazed cannibal walker waiting to feast on us?"

Rick rolled his eyes and pointed at him. "Daryl, please," he said. "You don't think she's scared of us as much as you are of her?"

Daryl scuffed. "Whatever. As soon as I heard that she hasn't even developed her eating habits yet, who's to say she's not a walking time bomb, just waiting to explode. Or wait, how about this, the fact that her own kind can sniff her out, leading them right to us." He grinned. "You ever thought of that? Maybe she's nothing but a trap for us, no matter where we go." He walked away a bit further before waving his crossbow at me. "I'm telling you, Grimes, the minute she takes a bite out of one of us, she's mine."

Rick nodded. "If that day comes," he said.

Daryl puffed and took off.

I looked down to see Carl holding onto my hand, tightly, frightened. His eyes were wide, his hand shivering, the almost near feel of his sweat enveloping my skin.

I shook my head, baffled. How could such a sweet, innocent child like him be caught up in this? A nightmare that had dared to end his innocence, the true horror of what fear had done to him.

The fact had laid before him that it was possible I could be it....that I wasn't like the others at all. That possibly...we can still find a way out of this disaster.

"Don't worry about him," Rick said. "He's just scared. They all are. We were arguing about going to see you last night but...a lot of us didn't believe in such a thing."

It's ok, Mr. Grimes. I understand. I bet even looking at me now before you is a lot to take to believe in.

Rick chuckled. "It's true as they say," he said, staring at his son. "The kids...they see things we can't see...sometimes, we just have to put aside what we know and see what they want."

I nodded, happily.

Shane turned around, glancing over to see if Daryl was gone. "Rick," he said. "Do you think she can know the progression on Jim?"

"Perhaps," Rick whispered back.

I frowned, obviously leery of both of them.

"One of our friends was attacked last night upon the ambush," Rick explained. "Jim. He was bitten. We were wondering maybe if you could...perhaps see the stages he's at so far?"

I told you before I don't...

"Please!" Rick pleaded. "We just...we just want to know if there's a way you can maybe help. It could be anything. Even just knowing his stages...please. We don't know what else to do."

I glanced at Carl, seeing his face full of plea as well. I could tell by the look on his face that he begged me to go with them. It was a possibility that I could prove them wrong. That hope wasn't far from their reach yet.

I gulped and gladly accepted. Where is he?

When I got to the camp, I envied the people around me who looked perfectly normal, except their wearied and worried faces told of their fear for me. They all stood aside, gazing at me as Rick led me to the trailer that held Jim.

I saw Carl head over to Eliza, Louis and Sophia, gently talking to them about me. The children stared at me, curious but frightened.

Looking at the adults, they were of mixed emotions. Fascinated. Troubled. Confused. How could a walker like me be so calm and resist their flesh? They wanted a reason, any sudden movement I would make so they could claim that I was one of them.

But I was going to prove them wrong.

Walking inside the trailer, I saw in the near back, a small made bed, containing a man scanning the wounded mark on him. He glanced up at me, sensing my prescence, frowning as he turned to Rick, pondering.

"Rick, what the hell are you doing?" he asked.

"Relax, Jim," Rick said, lending his hand toward him. "She's a friend. Don't worry. She won't bite you."

As I walked toward Jim, he scooted back some more, as far as he could. "Are you planning to kill me?" he hissed.

"Jim, just let her examine you," Rick shouted. "She won't...I know it sounds crazy and it looks insane but...she may be our key. Just let her do her thing."

I sigh, not sure what to do. I glanced up at Jim, seeing his face morph into horror, terrfieid that I might bite him.

Don't worry, I mouthed. I won't bite you.

Jim raised his eyebrow, amazed at the calmnesss I held inside of me.

Carefully, I decided to sniff him, warding my nose over the bite mark. Within minutes, I sensed that his heart was rapidly beating, that the virus inside of him was swarming away, eliminating all biological factors to keep him alive. His breathing was normal but it wouldn't be long soon that he would suffocate, the snap of his brain seeking flesh. Even looking at his eyes now, there was a gray mist swirling around, indicating that the change would come soon. His skin was dark yet I sense the skin cells decaying, quickly forming into a mortified cover. He had some time left but it won't be long.

I turned to Rick. He only has a little time left. The virus has been consumed by him greatly.

Rick gapped. "Already?" he yelped. "But...it just happened. And with you..."

Everyone's different. Some can take the change immediately and others like myself take time. Let's say even if I weren't as I am now, who's to say that the virus would still ignite in him quickly?

He scratched his head, finally getting my point. "I understand," he said. "I mean, I did ask you to check on him...not...sorry."

It's ok, Rick. I understand the situation. It's scary. For the world we know now...is gone.

Rick sighed. "I better go tell the others," he said, walking out.

Just as I was about to join him, Jim grabbed my hand. I turned to him, confused.

"You're really not like them, huh?" he asked.

I shook my head.

Jim coughed and gripped onto my hand tighter. "Please promise me something," he wheezed.

I leaned forward.

"Promise me that you will find a way to stop this. That you will guard those kids with your life. That even if they don't trust you, prove them wrong. There is a way to fight this. You may be our key or not...but if it's one more step to it, I'd take that chance. Please save us. No matter what you do...please find a way to help."

I patted his hand, nodding. I'll do the best I can. I can't promise miracles but I will try the best I can to see if this can be solved.

Jim coughed. "I know this may seem weird and all but...it's just hectic right now. With all of this going on...we're not sure who to turn to now."

I sighed. Indeed. I'm afraid to even trust you. How do I not know that perhaps you'll end up using me as a way for your own benefits...and reap them from me to be dead? Or maybe, I am nothing but a monster....and you'll end up killing me anyway.

Jim splattered. "I understand," he said. "Just...show them..." His eyes averted to the window of the trailer. I followed them to see a figure standing outside, attempting to peer into the foggy glass.

I wish you the best, Jim. I then went outside to see what was going on.

I saw the families all huddled up together as they went to stare at me, examining piece by piece. Their faces mixed of horror, shock, hope, disgust and baffled. The children had the same expressions yet deep down, they were curious, wondering of how a person like me can exist. How I could be able to walk between life and death.

My eyes glanced up to see Rick step forward. "We may have found a way to find out what's going on," Rick said. "We've found a CDC not far from here. We're heading out. If luck be our guide...we may find a cure for Jim. If not, maybe there will be a way for us to find out the resistance in your body."

And find out perhaps what that resistance is and if we can use it to find cures...or if all else fails, a way to slow down the virus. And...I could be saved...

Rick smiled and patted my shoulder. "I think I like you," he said. "I mean, I know the road is going to get bumpy but...something tells me you'll be something."

I let out a crooked grin. I gazed at Carl to see him smiling as well.

"Or she can help us out with something else as well," Daryl said, greedily, prancing about with his crossbow.

Rick frowned at him. "Daryl, please," he said. "We've been through this already. He's not there."

"I'm just saying," Daryl said, acting innocent. "She can maybe find his tracks or something."

I glared at him. What does he mean by that?

Daryl rolled his eyes. "What I mean to say by that, Walker Girl, is that you help us find my brother. Do that and then we'll take to you the CDC."

:) (Smile) — Description
Just a note to all of you, this series might take somewhat of a different turn than what the original story is. Don't get me wrong. Characters and such will appear as they are but it's just I have a thing when it comes to sort of copying something from the TV show like the episodes and such. I tend to like it more writing it in an original storyline in a way. Just wanted to get that off my chest and I hope you'll like the story wherever it goes. Don't worry though, I'll still keep to the charm and stuff we all love about it.

Walking Dead (c) Robert Kirkman
You (c) yourself

Chapter 5: Excavated

Throughout the night, I stayed on my guard. I hid in a little hole of a tree, peeking out my head ever so slightly to see if any of them would come running after me. Every now and then, it felt like my heart was thumping, anticipating for them to pop out and start stabbing me, taking away my life.

I took a deep breath though, remembering Carl. He had to be the one to stop them. He had evidence, all the papers, crayons, writings...but I knew the truth. They would say it was all an allusion, just a dream he had been thinking that found a way to ease his fears, to survive in this new wretched world. People never believed in their children, no matter how fake it sounded.

If only they could see me shivering right now, seeing how freaked out I was, running away like a prey from its predator. Couldn't they have seen that I was just scared of them as they were of me? That I was terrified the moment they would put the gun to my head or stab me right into my brain...I quivered, trying to ward off these thoughts.

Then again, I was dead. How could I even be thinking right now if I was nothing but a former body that held in the spirit of a person...someone who was once alive.

I peered out of the hole, seeking out any of them walking about in the woods. No one came out yet I heard their voices. They were arguing no doubt. All nothing but shouting and yelling, attempting to dissect all of what happened just now. Praying that this was nothing but a dream, a whole nightmare they had wished to wake up from....but it was a deep sleep for them.

I sighed, crawling back into the hole. I glanced up at the sky, peeking at the moon gleaming into the sky. Lucky piece of rock. At least it got to remain the same. Nothing but a sphere in the sky, raining down its rays to light the earth.

Down here on earth, it was chaos. A world without order. The living vs the dead. The living feared the dead, daring not to touch them, for they would not want to become the mindless beasts. But who would know that there were maybe others like me?

Stuck between life and death...a thread not yet cut, hanging on by the string. Little would they see the dead had just been terrified of a living person, for they had the qualities a dead envied...life.

Morning light shimmered in as I zoned about, waiting for it to glint in. I peeked out from the hole, checking around to see if anyone was out there. Carl stood out by the river, glancing at its gleam sparkle about from the sunlight.

I hissed, beckoning him to see me. Carl turned around swiftly and raced over. "Oh, thank goodness, you're ok," he said, examining me all around. "They...didn't hurt you, huh?"

I shook my head. What are they doing now?

"Well, they're just trying to find out what happened last night. Two of us got bitten. We're in the process of burying the bodies now. But Dad....he really wants to meet you. All of them do. They didn't believe me thinking that you weren't like them...but I told them just to listen once and...I brought them here."

Immediately, I prepared to scoot back into the hole.

"Don't," Carl pleaded. "They just want to see what you look like. They promise not to harm you if you don't harm them...that's their rule. They said they'll explain more if you would just come out and show yourself. I promised them I would translate. Just please...show them you're different."

Slowly, creeping from the hole, I rose and stared ahead to see the man I had previously encountered back at the hospital to be standing with two other men. One of them looked similar in a way to the hospital one, except he had black hair and seemed to be a little frightened, pressured. The other had a stern look, gazing predatorily, his crossbow gripped tightly into his hands. His hair was cropped brown but when I glanced at his eyes, his eyes were of hate and dominance. He wanted to kill me but the two other men had stopped him from doing so.

I gulped and turned to see the hospital man. I recognized him now as Rick, Carl's father.

I grumbled and began to speak. Greetings! If you want to know who I am, your son here has told you all of the truth. My name is (y/n). And yes, I woke up like this. I don't know how or why...but as you see before you, I am caught in between. I don't know where I truly stand.

The police officer scratched his head before speaking, lending out his hand. "Rick Grimes," he said. "I appreciate what you did last night. But...if we can truly trust you..."

I scanned his eyes to peer at his hand. A handshake. The symbol of loyatly and sincerity. One shake would be all it take to show that I was on their side.

Carefully, I placed my hand with his and shook it. Do not worry, Mr. Grimes. I would truly like to help you all out. If indeed though, there would be a way for us to compromise.

"And what would that compromise be? Having one of us per day?" the crossbow man sneered.

"Daryl, please," the other man said, glaring at him.

I snorted. Something told me definitely this man was the one I would keep an extra eye on. No doubt if he had it his way, he would be striking that arrow at me right now.

Rick glowered at Daryl as well before turning back to me. "I'm sure that by seeing us before you, we're in a very tight situation. All of us are. This world...it's being dominated 'technically' by your kind...but if we were to work together, maybe there would be a way for us to find a cure...I think you may have some form of it."

A cure? Me? I'm confused.

"Have you noticed that when you talk to us, you keep in control of your body. With them, they're not. They're incapable, not sure what to do other than feed. You are able to communicate on your own. You can think without having the fear of attacking anyone."

It's not that simple though, Mr. Grimes. I may be able to talk to you now but in the near future...I may not be able to. For now, I have no desires to consume flesh but eventually, I fear that there would be a turning point in my body. A change in which I may not be the person you see before you."

Rick nodded. "I understand," he said, sighing. "But please...if there's anything we can do, you might be able to help us. Was there anything you noticed upon your change?"

I woke up in the same hopsital as you were in. When I woke, I felt that I was still in my body. However, as I continued to walk and realize to my horror of my appearance, I began to see that most of my biological functions are still inact but I do have hyped senses such as smelling your blood now....but the craving is not there. My functions are more active at night though. When at nightfall, I could see more than I could and smell a person a couple miles away. I feel invicible like I could take on the world....but alas, I cannot speak. I croaked to show a demonstration.

Rick titled his head and gripped his chin. "And yet you can function mentally, think."

Indeed. I don't know how this came to be. To recall back to perhaps how I was bitten, I remember being bitten by one of the stupid boyfriends of a girl who was causing my friend trouble. This was months back. All I knew was I was trying to defend my friend and he came over and bit me right in the hand. I showed them the scared marks on it. I began to feel symptoms as if I were having a cold but it got worse. I was rushed to the hospital and then....this was the result.

Rick pondered for a bit, turning to the other man. "What do you think, Shane?" he asked. Shane shrugged. "I want to say the effects aren't kicking in yet. It's possible maybe...she's in between. I suppose since you're from the same hospital he was in, were you following him?"

Yes.

"How did they react to you?" Rick inquired.

The erm...zombies?

"Walkers," Shane corrected.

They hardly gave me any notice. It was like I was one of their own. They did give me a look a couple of times when I did something out of the ordinary but they ignored it. However, like you said, I could still have some human parts in. When I was at the hospital, a group of them smelled me and tried to ram at me. I fled. I feared that they smelled one of their own in me but...now that you've mentioned that...I'm not sure what I could be...I can't even cry!

"Because you aren't even alive anyway," Daryl snorted.

Shane grasped Daryl by the shoulders and shook him. "Daryl...we don't need this right now," he growled.

Daryl huffed and threw his hands in the air. "You know what, if you two think you can handle this, I'd say good luck on your own," he sneered. He prepared to walk away. "I don't know why we're still here. Who's to say they haven't even evolved? What if she's playing the fool, making you believe that she's pretending to be alive only to have us fooled that she's some sort of crazed cannibal walker waiting to feast on us?"

Rick rolled his eyes and pointed at him. "Daryl, please," he said. "You don't think she's scared of us as much as you are of her?"

Daryl scuffed. "Whatever. As soon as I heard that she hasn't even developed her eating habits yet, who's to say she's not a walking time bomb, just waiting to explode. Or wait, how about this, the fact that her own kind can sniff her out, leading them right to us." He grinned. "You ever thought of that? Maybe she's nothing but a trap for us, no matter where we go." He walked away a bit further before waving his crossbow at me. "I'm telling you, Grimes, the minute she takes a bite out of one of us, she's mine."

Rick nodded. "If that day comes," he said.

Daryl puffed and took off.

I looked down to see Carl holding onto my hand, tightly, frightened. His eyes were wide, his hand shivering, the almost near feel of his sweat enveloping my skin.

I shook my head, baffled. How could such a sweet, innocent child like him be caught up in this? A nightmare that had dared to end his innocence, the true horror of what fear had done to him.

The fact had laid before him that it was possible I could be it....that I wasn't like the others at all. That possibly...we can still find a way out of this disaster.

"Don't worry about him," Rick said. "He's just scared. They all are. We were arguing about going to see you last night but...a lot of us didn't believe in such a thing."

It's ok, Mr. Grimes. I understand. I bet even looking at me now before you is a lot to take to believe in.

Rick chuckled. "It's true as they say," he said, staring at his son. "The kids...they see things we can't see...sometimes, we just have to put aside what we know and see what they want."

I nodded, happily.

Shane turned around, glancing over to see if Daryl was gone. "Rick," he said. "Do you think she can know the progression on Jim?"

"Perhaps," Rick whispered back.

I frowned, obviously leery of both of them.

"One of our friends was attacked last night upon the ambush," Rick explained. "Jim. He was bitten. We were wondering maybe if you could...perhaps see the stages he's at so far?"

I told you before I don't...

"Please!" Rick pleaded. "We just...we just want to know if there's a way you can maybe help. It could be anything. Even just knowing his stages...please. We don't know what else to do."

I glanced at Carl, seeing his face full of plea as well. I could tell by the look on his face that he begged me to go with them. It was a possibility that I could prove them wrong. That hope wasn't far from their reach yet.

I gulped and gladly accepted. Where is he?

When I got to the camp, I envied the people around me who looked perfectly normal, except their wearied and worried faces told of their fear for me. They all stood aside, gazing at me as Rick led me to the trailer that held Jim.

I saw Carl head over to Eliza, Louis and Sophia, gently talking to them about me. The children stared at me, curious but frightened.

Looking at the adults, they were of mixed emotions. Fascinated. Troubled. Confused. How could a walker like me be so calm and resist their flesh? They wanted a reason, any sudden movement I would make so they could claim that I was one of them.

But I was going to prove them wrong.

Walking inside the trailer, I saw in the near back, a small made bed, containing a man scanning the wounded mark on him. He glanced up at me, sensing my prescence, frowning as he turned to Rick, pondering.

"Rick, what the hell are you doing?" he asked.

"Relax, Jim," Rick said, lending his hand toward him. "She's a friend. Don't worry. She won't bite you."

As I walked toward Jim, he scooted back some more, as far as he could. "Are you planning to kill me?" he hissed.

"Jim, just let her examine you," Rick shouted. "She won't...I know it sounds crazy and it looks insane but...she may be our key. Just let her do her thing."

I sigh, not sure what to do. I glanced up at Jim, seeing his face morph into horror, terrfieid that I might bite him.

Don't worry, I mouthed. I won't bite you.

Jim raised his eyebrow, amazed at the calmnesss I held inside of me.

Carefully, I decided to sniff him, warding my nose over the bite mark. Within minutes, I sensed that his heart was rapidly beating, that the virus inside of him was swarming away, eliminating all biological factors to keep him alive. His breathing was normal but it wouldn't be long soon that he would suffocate, the snap of his brain seeking flesh. Even looking at his eyes now, there was a gray mist swirling around, indicating that the change would come soon. His skin was dark yet I sense the skin cells decaying, quickly forming into a mortified cover. He had some time left but it won't be long.

I turned to Rick. He only has a little time left. The virus has been consumed by him greatly.

Rick gapped. "Already?" he yelped. "But...it just happened. And with you..."

Everyone's different. Some can take the change immediately and others like myself take time. Let's say even if I weren't as I am now, who's to say that the virus would still ignite in him quickly?

He scratched his head, finally getting my point. "I understand," he said. "I mean, I did ask you to check on him...not...sorry."

It's ok, Rick. I understand the situation. It's scary. For the world we know now...is gone.

Rick sighed. "I better go tell the others," he said, walking out.

Just as I was about to join him, Jim grabbed my hand. I turned to him, confused.

"You're really not like them, huh?" he asked.

I shook my head.

Jim coughed and gripped onto my hand tighter. "Please promise me something," he wheezed.

I leaned forward.

"Promise me that you will find a way to stop this. That you will guard those kids with your life. That even if they don't trust you, prove them wrong. There is a way to fight this. You may be our key or not...but if it's one more step to it, I'd take that chance. Please save us. No matter what you do...please find a way to help."

I patted his hand, nodding. I'll do the best I can. I can't promise miracles but I will try the best I can to see if this can be solved.

Jim coughed. "I know this may seem weird and all but...it's just hectic right now. With all of this going on...we're not sure who to turn to now."

I sighed. Indeed. I'm afraid to even trust you. How do I not know that perhaps you'll end up using me as a way for your own benefits...and reap them from me to be dead? Or maybe, I am nothing but a monster....and you'll end up killing me anyway.

Jim splattered. "I understand," he said. "Just...show them..." His eyes averted to the window of the trailer. I followed them to see a figure standing outside, attempting to peer into the foggy glass.

I wish you the best, Jim. I then went outside to see what was going on.

I saw the families all huddled up together as they went to stare at me, examining piece by piece. Their faces mixed of horror, shock, hope, disgust and baffled. The children had the same expressions yet deep down, they were curious, wondering of how a person like me can exist. How I could be able to walk between life and death.

My eyes glanced up to see Rick step forward. "We may have found a way to find out what's going on," Rick said. "We've found a CDC not far from here. We're heading out. If luck be our guide...we may find a cure for Jim. If not, maybe there will be a way for us to find out the resistance in your body."

And find out perhaps what that resistance is and if we can use it to find cures...or if all else fails, a way to slow down the virus. And...I could be saved...

Rick smiled and patted my shoulder. "I think I like you," he said. "I mean, I know the road is going to get bumpy but...something tells me you'll be something."

I let out a crooked grin. I gazed at Carl to see him smiling as well.

"Or she can help us out with something else as well," Daryl said, greedily, prancing about with his crossbow.

Rick frowned at him. "Daryl, please," he said. "We've been through this already. He's not there."

"I'm just saying," Daryl said, acting innocent. "She can maybe find his tracks or something."

I glared at him. What does he mean by that?

Daryl rolled his eyes. "What I mean to say by that, Walker Girl, is that you help us find my brother. Do that and then we'll take to you the CDC."