<3rd Person Pov>
Rick, Itachi, Daryl, and Shane sat around the dining table, a map spread open between them as they quietly discussed their next course of action.
A few feet away on the couch, Glenn was curled awkwardly, muttering in his sleep. "Damn Hershel…" On the floor nearby, T-Dog slept with his arm over his face, while Jenner and Jim dozed against the wall. Jimmy was there too, sprawled out close to them, an odd sight that didn't go unnoticed.
Rick looked at Shane, Itachi, and Daryl. "As soon as everyone's up, we head for the prison."
Shane leaned back. "We'll need a couple trips to get everything there."
Rick nodded. "And we'll need to clean the place first."
Daryl glanced at Itachi, a small look passing between them.
Itachi spoke. "That should already be taken care of."
Rick looked confused. Shane glanced up as well, the same look on his face.
Daryl added. "We found three convicts locked inside."
Shane's voice cut in. "You want convicts to join us now?"
Itachi's gaze didn't waver. "If they're useful, we need every hand we can get. But they won't be free to roam. The cell blocks can be locked down, and they'll have to earn trust first."
Rick didn't look convinced, but he didn't reject it either. "They get one shot. If they screw up, we put them down."
Everyone exchanged looks, quietly agreeing.
Rick folded the map and set it aside. "I'll talk to Hershel, see if I can get him to come. But first we tell the others, and then get things moving."
Most of the group was already awake, gathered in the living room as Rick stood at the front.
He looked around at each of them before speaking. "We're moving."
The words drew immediate reactions.
Andrea frowned. "Why isn't here already good enough? You saw what we did to the horde. We can defend ourselves here."
Rick shook his head. "And what if a bigger one comes? And walkers aren't the only concern anymore." He let out a slow breath. "I know no one wants to leave, but we don't have much of a choice."
Carol raised her voice from near the couch. "Where are we going?"
Rick answered without hesitation. "The prison. Daryl and Itachi went before. It's secure, has walls, plenty of room, and a water source."
Lori looked unsettled. "You want us to live in a prison?"
Rick met her eyes for a moment, then looked back at the group. "It has everything we need. I know it's not the most exciting place to live in, but it'll keep us protected."
T-Dog gave a firm nod. "I'm in. I'd rather be alive in a cell than dead out here."
Glenn shifted. "What about Hershel? Does he know?"
Rick met his eyes. "I'll talk to him. Try to get him on board with us."
Rick looked around at everyone one last time. "Get ready. We're leaving immediately."
Everyone immediately sprang into action, grabbing clothes, food, weapons, and hauling it out to the cars.
A while later, Hershel came down the stairs, drawn by the noise. His brow furrowed as he looked over the chaos. "What's all this?" he asked, confused.
Rick stepped towards him, lowering his tone. "Hershel… we need to talk." He paused. "In private."
While Rick pulled Hershel aside, Itachi and Daryl were already gearing up, getting ready to check the prison one last time to make sure it was safe. As the two of them headed for the door, Amy's eyes followed Itachi. She lingered on his face, her gaze drawn to his eyes for a moment before she shook her head quickly and turned back to help the others pack.
Itachi and Daryl walked up to the bike, and Itachi noticed right away that the trace of glitter was gone.
He gave it a quick once-over, the faintest smile tugging at his lips. "You missed a spot," he said, pointing towards the engine.
Daryl's head snapped towards the spot. "Bullshit. I scrubbed every inch of this damn thing all night."
Itachi just let the smile linger, offering no reply.
Grumbling, he crouched down to check anyway, running a hand along the metal. Nothing. Clean as it could be. He glanced back up, catching the small, curve of Itachi's smile getting bigger.
Daryl scowled. "Asshole."
Itachi said nothing, just adjusted his strap and waited by the bike.
The two of them got on the bike and started heading toward the prison. Daryl kept his eyes forward, looking like he was already running through a dozen ways to get back at him.
The cafeteria was quiet. The floors were scrubbed, the tables wiped down, the trash cleared away. Big Tiny, Oscar, and Axel sat together at one of the tables, an empty can between them as a reminder of how little was left.
Big Tiny shifted uneasily, his big hands clasped together. "Maybe… maybe they ain't comin' back. Could be they just left us here."
Oscar leaned forward, elbows on the table, eyes fixed on the can. "Food's near gone. If they don't show up soon, we will have to go outside."
Axel rubbed at his mustache, a faint smile tugging at it. "Nah, fellas. If they were gonna leave us hangin', they wouldn't have bothered lettin' us clean this place up." He said it with a grin, but doubt crept in right after.
Big Tiny looked at him, uncertain. "Maybe… maybe we didn't clean the place good enough?"
Oscar just looked at him like he'd said the most ridiculous thing in the world.
Axel chuckled, shaking his head. "C'mon, Tiny. This ain't about how shiny the floors are. If they left, it wouldn't be 'cause we missed a spot."
The three sat in silence for a moment after Axel's words, the empty can sitting between them like it was staring back.
Then a faint scrape echoed across the cafeteria, like a chair leg shifting. All three froze, eyes snapping towards the sound.
Nothing. Just rows of empty tables.
Big Tiny's voice came in low. "The hell was that…?"
Oscar's hand went to the shiv at his side. Axel glanced between them, mustache twitching nervously.
A calm voice slipped into the air, right behind them."You cleaned it well enough."
For a second, nobody breathed. A cold shiver ran through each of them, the hairs on the backs of their necks standing straight up. Slowly, they all turned around.
Itachi was just there, sitting casually on top of the next table, like he'd been part of the conversation the whole time.
For a long beat, no one spoke.
Axel let out a nervous laugh. "Man, if you keep sneakin' up like that, one of us is gonna drop dead."
Oscar just stared, unsettled, like the ground had shifted under him. The thought that he had been there the whole time, silent and listening, sent a chill through him.
Big Tiny shifted in his seat, sweat beading at his temple as his eyes darted around like he could somehow retrace the path Itachi had taken in.
Itachi stood and started heading towards the cafeteria doors, his voice carrying back over the quiet.
"We'll be moving in a couple of hours. We'll take Cell Block C and clear another one for you."
At the door, he glanced back over his shoulder.
"Any objections?"
Oscar answered immediately, in a firm tone. "None."
Itachi gave a small nod.
"Good. Come with me. When the group arrives, I'll introduce you to the other and you'll help carry everything inside."
Oscar gave a firm nod. Big Tiny let out a breath, relief written plain on his face.
Axel scratched at his mustache, a shaky grin tugging at his lips. "Long as I ain't stuck carryin' the heavy end, I'm good."
Big Tiny shifted forward, speaking earnestly. "Then give all the heavy stuff to me. I can handle it."
Itachi led the three prisoners out into the yard. When he spotted Daryl, giving him the green light. Daryl nodded once and immediately rode off on his bike.
They waited outside, the minutes dragging. Ten passed before the distant growl of an engine caught their attention. All three prisoners turned their heads at the same time.
Daryl's bike came first, dust spitting from the tires, but it wasn't what made their stomachs tighten. Behind him rolled an armored car, its steel plating gleaming under the daylight, heavy and unshakable as it pushed down the road. And right behind it, more vehicles followed in a line, pulling into the prison one after another.
Big Tiny's eyes went wide. "That's… that's somethin' else."
Oscar's gaze stayed locked on the cars pulling into the prison. "Axel… you better be on your best behavior."
Axel flinched. "You won't have to tell me twice…"
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🧪 Author's Note:
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