I led Rick forward while Alex stayed behind us, quietly guarding his back. I could feel Alex's confusion even without looking. He still didn't understand why I was going out of my way for this man—why I was treating Rick like someone important instead of a random survivor we stumbled upon.
Maybe he thinks I'm being reckless. Maybe he thinks I'm wasting time.
If only you knew what I know, Alex, I thought to myself.
Rick walked with slow, shaky steps as we guided him outside the hospital. The moment we stepped out, the harsh reality hit him—the yard was littered with corpses. Dozens of dead walkers, the same ones we cleared yesterday. Their twisted bodies lay scattered across the cracked pavement.
Rick froze, his face twisting in confusion and horror.
"Are you really sure about this?" he asked quietly. "What if… what if there's a cure?"
"There isn't," I said immediately. "At least not right now."
I crouched beside one of the corpses and tapped the side of its skull. "And remember, this is a walker—if you ever have to kill one, this is the only spot that matters. Aim for the head."
Rick swallowed hard. "Wait—walkers? You call these things that?"
"Yeah," I answered. "They're dead… and they walk. The name fits."
"Pretty straightforward if you ask me," Alex added from behind him.
"I… I…" Rick stammered. The world was crushing him faster than his mind could process it.
"I know it's a lot," I told him gently. "But this is our reality now. By the way—my name is Marcus. And that guy behind you is Alex. What's your name?"
"Me? I… I'm Rick. Rick Grimes." He hesitated before bowing his head slightly. "And I still haven't thanked you both for helping me."
"Come on," I said. "Let's head back inside."
Rick and Alex followed me inside the hospital. Rick found some clothes to change into—a sheriff's uniform, worn-out but familiar to him. After he finished, I asked, "So, what's your plan now?"
"I… I need to find my family first," Rick replied. "I think… I think I'll head to Atlanta."
"That's a good choice," I said, already signaling Alex to start preparing some things for Rick.
Silence settled between us for a moment—the heavy kind that fills the air when someone's world has just ended.
Rick broke it first. "Thank you again, Marcus. I want to say more, but with the world like this, I… I don't even know how."
"It's no problem," I said softly. "But there's something you need to know, Rick."
He looked at me, unsure.
"You need to be careful with people," I said. "It's the apocalypse now. A human heart is more dangerous than any walker out there. Don't trust anyone blindly—not even people you knew before."
Rick frowned. "Even you and Alex?"
"Yeah," I replied. "Even me. Even Alex."
Rick took a deep breath and nodded slowly. "I… I got it."
Alex finished preparing the supplies and handed the packed bag to Rick.
"Here," Alex said.
Rick looked at him, unsure, then opened the bag. Inside were several guns, plenty of ammunition—enough to arm a small assault squad—along with food, water, and rations.
"This… how could I take all of this?" Rick muttered, gripping the bag tightly.
I patted his shoulder.
"You're one month late, Rick. You're gonna need that if you want to survive out there."
Rick nodded silently.
Later that afternoon, he stood in front of us, the bag strapped over his shoulder.
"I don't know how to thank you both. If one day we meet again, I swear I'll repay you, Marcus… Alex. Even though we're strangers, you still helped me. Thank you."
"Yeah, yeah," I said, waving it off. "Just go find your family—and stay alive. And Rick… remember what I told you earlier."
Rick placed his clenched fist to his chest.
"I'll take it to heart, Marcus."
We pulled each other into a quick, firm hug.
"Good luck," I told him.
"Thanks to you," he replied before turning away.
I watched Rick slowly walk farther and farther from the hospital grounds. I hope Carl doesn't die this time. Should I intervene again? Maybe. A little push won't hurt. And there's that base in Virginia… if I secure it early, Rick and I will cross paths again for sure.
"You and Rick got close fast, huh?" Alex said behind me.
Then he smirked. "Your two best friends are gonna be jealous."
"Shut up, Alex," I shot back, but I couldn't help a small grin.
Rick's POV
When I opened my eyes in that hospital room, the first thing I saw were two people—one looked like he was around in his 20s, the other maybe mid-thirties… or even early forties. Both of them had swords strapped to their backs.
Why the hell do they have swords?
Then it hit me—I got shot.
My family.
I tried to sit up in a panic, but the younger man stopped me with a firm hand and told me to calm down. Surprisingly, I did. Something about the way he spoke… it got through to me.
He explained that the world had fallen apart. At first, my reaction was simple:
Is this guy an idiot? The world fell? Come on.
But that changed fast.
He led me outside the hospital. The moment I saw the corpses—their twisted, rotting bodies piled across the ground—something in me froze.
If what he said was true… if these "walkers," as he called them, were real…
Then everything I remembered—Shane, Lori, Carl—might be in danger.
He introduced himself as Marcus, and the other man was Alex. I told them my name in return. The more I listened, the more I realized how lucky I was. If they hadn't found me, I don't even want to imagine what would've happened. Being unconscious for a month in a dead world… that's a death sentence.
Marcus warned me about people—said not to trust anyone blindly, even those I knew before. And I don't know why, but… something about him felt familiar. Like meeting an old friend after years, even though we've never met. Strange feeling, really.
Before I left, they gave me a backpack. When I checked inside, I almost couldn't believe it—food, water, medical supplies, and enough guns and ammo to arm a whole squad. I've definitely gotten skinnier… I could feel it just from carrying the bag.
I kept thanking them both. I meant every word. If we ever meet again in the future, I'm going to repay Marcus and Alex somehow.
For giving me a chance to find my family.