Strive - Chapter 9

    A few minutes later the same Asian man came back and stared at them for a few moments "how did you guys even get in?" He asked "we have men patrolling the fences outside." Catherine had to hold back a loud outburst of laughter. She placed a hand on her hip "there's an entire wall blown out of the prison in the next block over!" She waited for his shocked expression "wait, you're not kidding are you?" She shook her head "an entire wall, gone. Next cell block over. I'm sure that's why you have so many walkers getting in here all the time." He covered his face "oh my God.".
    Catherine frowned behind her short dark brown hair, cut asymmetrically. The man sighed "...I'm Glenn." He stuck his hand through the bars of the door for her to shake it. She hesitated, but after a few awkward seconds of her trust issues, she took his hand in a firm handshake "an honour..." she mumbled sarcastically. K sat on the bed behind Catherine, steaming with unreasonable jealousy. He looked away until Glenn left, then Catherine sat next to him and grabbed K in a tight hug "they aren't going to kill us, are they...?" K could feel her shaking and began to comfort her by hugging her back.
    "... I can't promise anything..." she refused to shed a single tear. Her family was the only thing that might push her over the edge and make her cry. K placed his hand on the back of her head, holding her gently as she curled into the fetal position. Daryl stood outside of their cell, keeping an eye on them as someone else stayed with the supplies. The day passed just as slowly as the night. It was afternoon and surprisingly, they weren't executed yet. "Hey, Catherine, right?" She jumped back from K and sat up straight. Daryl was looking into the cell. Catherine nodded.
    "Well, I wanted to mention, nice choice of weaponry." Catherine acknowledged that he also carried a crossbow. "Silent, quick, accurate, and reusable ammunition." She explained "like a gun, but better in an apocalyptic situation." He nodded and flashed a smirk. "I like the way you think. You remind me of when I was a kid, a delinquent." Catherine felt her cheeks grow warmer. Then she realized, she had been doing nothing but getting on everyone's good side. Maybe they would get out of this alive.
    Daryl went to turn away but Catherine blurted "Wait! I know how to keep the walkers away!" He paused and turned back to face her "you better not be lyin'." She shook her head "I've been conducting multiple experiments, and according to my research if you remove both arms and their lower mandible they become totally docile." Daryl's eyes widen, both impressed and shocked. "Hey, Rick! Ya gotta here what this kid's gotta say." The officer, Rick, jogged his way down to their cell. "I thought we were gonna keep this to ourselves?" Catherine shushed K and explained to Rick "when they loose all of their known abilities to attack, they slowly 'learn' that they can't do anything anymore, and lose all interest in attacking." Rick raised his brows.
    "And just how do you know this?" Catherine rubbed the back of her neck and laughed "trial and error, my friend." He unlocked the cell. "W-what are you doing?" She asked, quite confused. Rick motioned for them to follow "the both of you, let's go." They stood up hesitantly "as long as you keep your hands visible and don't do anything stupid, we won't have any trouble. Now follow me." K looked to Catherine nervously and she shrugged.
    Rick led them outside, where at least ten walkers wandered. "Now, what does this have to do with keepin' 'em away?" Daryl took a stance next to her "well," she begins "if you attach a leash for example, to two or more of them and take them wherever you go, their scent masks yours and other walkers ignore you." Rick handed her a long machete "I'm trusting you, this better work." She happily took the blade "you've put your trust in the right person." .