The atmosphere in the CDC grew tense as the group settled into uneasy silence. Jim had been restless all day, his eyes darting toward the door as though drawn by an unseen force. His breathing was shallow, his fingers twitching against the fabric of his jeans. Finally, as though hearing a command that no one else could, Jim rose abruptly, drawing several curious glances.
"Jim?" Rick asked, his tone cautious. He stood from his seat, his brow furrowed as he watched the older man head toward the exit.
Jim turned, his face oddly serene despite the turmoil within him. "I have to go," he said simply, his voice calm yet resolute.
"What are you talking about?" Shane interjected, stepping forward. "You can't just walk out of here. We're not exactly in safe territory, in case you forgot."
Jim shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I have a mission. God's calling me. I have to follow it."
The group exchanged uneasy glances. Lori pulled Carl closer, her hand protectively gripping his shoulder. Sophia, sitting beside Carl, looked up with wide, confused eyes, sensing the tension but unsure of its cause.
"Jim, you don't have to do this," Dale said gently, his weathered face etched with concern. "We can figure this out together."
Jim's expression softened as he looked at Dale. "You don't understand, Dale. This isn't about staying safe or figuring things out. This is bigger than us."
Dr. Jenner, who had been listening from the corner, stepped forward, his expression carefully neutral. "Jim, the world out there isn't the same as it was. You know that. If you leave, there's no guarantee you'll survive."
Jim met Jenner's gaze, his eyes steady and unwavering. "I'm not afraid of what's out there. I have a purpose, a calling. I don't expect you to understand."
Rick stepped closer, his hand resting on the butt of his revolver, though his posture remained non-threatening. "Jim, let's think this through. If you leave, we can't protect you. At least wait until we've come up with a plan."
Jim shook his head again, more firmly this time. "There's no time, Rick. I have to go now." He turned to Jenner, his voice steady but commanding. "Open the gate."
Jenner hesitated, glancing at Rick and Shane. The tension in the room thickened as the group waited for someone to speak. Finally, Jenner sighed, his shoulders sagging. "If you're sure about this… I won't stop you. But know that once you leave, we can't let you back in."
"I know," Jim said simply. He turned to the group, his expression softening as he looked at each of them in turn. "Thank you. For everything. But this is something I have to do."
Dale stepped forward, his voice breaking slightly. "Jim, please. Don't do this."
Jim placed a hand on Dale's shoulder, offering him a small, sad smile. "Take care of them for me, Dale. They'll need you."
Jenner moved to the control panel, his fingers lingering over the buttons as he glanced back at the group one last time. "This is your choice," he said quietly before pressing the sequence to open the gate.
The heavy metal door groaned as it slid open, revealing the dark, desolate world beyond. Jim stepped forward without hesitation, pausing only briefly to look back at the group.
"Goodbye," he said, his voice carrying an eerie calm. Then, without another word, he walked into the night, the sound of the gate closing behind him echoing through the silent halls.
The group stood in stunned silence, the weight of Jim's departure pressing heavily on them. Rick finally broke the silence, his voice low and somber. "Let's give him his space. We need to focus on what's ahead."
As the group began to disperse, Dale lingered near the door, his gaze fixed on the now-closed gate. "Be safe, Jim," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
The group had settled back into the main common area after a tense situation, with the children playing near Lori and Sophia as the adults spoke in hushed tones. Carol had been unusually quiet, sitting apart from everyone else with a faraway look in her eyes. Sophia clung to Lori, laughing with Carl as the two played with an old deck of cards they'd found in a drawer. Ed, on the other hand, lingered near the edges of the room, avoiding any direct confrontation but keeping his usual scowl in place.
Carol stood abruptly, her movements stiff and deliberate. "Lori," she said, her voice strained but calm, "can you watch Sophia for a bit? I… I need to clear my head."
Lori looked up, her brow furrowing slightly as she studied Carol's expression. There was something off about her, but she nodded. "Of course. Take your time."
Carol leaned down to kiss Sophia on the top of her head. "Be good for Lori, sweetheart. I'll be back soon." Sophia nodded, her attention already shifting back to the game she and Carl were playing.
Carol walked out of the room, her steps purposeful as she made her way down one of the dimly lit hallways. Her heart pounded in her chest, the itch in the back of her mind growing stronger with each step. She knew where Ed would be—he always sought solitude when he wasn't skulking around the edges of the group. The thought of him alone, vulnerable, filled her with a sense of grim satisfaction.
Dr. Jenner, meanwhile, had been watching the common area from one of the observation windows. His sharp eyes caught Carol's exit, and something in her demeanor made his stomach twist. He quietly slipped away from his post, his instincts telling him to follow. He had just closed the heavy metal gate behind Jim earlier, watching the man leave without explanation, and now this. He couldn't afford any more surprises.
Ed sat in a small supply room, his broad shoulders hunched as he rifled through a box of canned goods. The room was cluttered with shelves of mismatched supplies—everything from dusty medical equipment to spare parts for the generator. A single flickering bulb illuminated the space, casting long shadows across the walls.
He muttered to himself as he worked, his fingers fumbling with the can opener he'd found. The sound of the door creaking open made him glance up, his scowl deepening. "What do you want?" he snapped.
Carol stepped inside, closing the door behind her. Her face was calm, almost serene, but her eyes burned with an intensity that made Ed shift uncomfortably. "Just wanted to talk," she said softly, taking a step closer.
Ed snorted, turning back to the can in his hands. "Ain't nothing we need to talk about."
Carol's movements were sudden and predatory as she lunged at him, her hands grabbing his shoulders and shoving him back into the shelves. The cans clattered to the floor as Ed shouted in surprise, his voice muffled as Carol's teeth sank into his neck. The taste of his flesh flooded her senses, the hunger overwhelming any shred of hesitation she might have felt.
Ed's screams echoed through the room as he struggled against her, his hands clawing at her arms. But Carol was relentless, her teeth tearing into him with a vengeance that felt almost divine. Justice, she thought to herself as she bit down again, the taste of blood and flesh sending waves of satisfaction through her. He deserved this.
Dr. Jenner arrived just as Carol was finishing. He paused at the door, his breath hitching as he took in the scene. Carol crouched over Ed's lifeless body, her mouth smeared with blood, her hands clutching chunks of flesh. Her breathing was heavy, her eyes wide and wild.
Jenner stepped inside, closing the door softly behind him. Carol looked up, her gaze locking onto his. There was a flicker of recognition there, but it was clouded by the hunger that consumed her.
"I couldn't stop," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I tried, but… I couldn't."
Jenner crouched beside her, his expression calm. "I understand," he said softly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "The hunger… it's powerful. Overwhelming."
Carol's body shook as she began to cry, the realization of what she'd done cutting through the haze of her hunger. "What have I become?"
Jenner's grip on her shoulder tightened. He glanced toward the door, hearing the distant sound of footsteps and voices. The rest of the group was coming. If they saw this, if they found out what she'd done… what they'd all become… it would be over.
"I'm sorry," Jenner said, his voice barely above a whisper. Before Carol could respond, he grabbed a heavy wrench from one of the shelves and swung it down with all his strength. The blow struck her head, the sound of bone cracking echoing through the room. Carol's body slumped to the floor, blood pooling beneath her.
Jenner quickly wiped the wrench on his lab coat, his mind racing. He glanced at Ed's mangled corpse, then back at Carol. He had to think fast.
The group burst into the hallway, Rick and Shane leading the way with their weapons drawn. Lori and Carl stayed behind in the common room, along with Sophia. Daryl had his crossbow at the ready, his sharp eyes scanning the area.
"What happened?" Rick demanded as they reached the supply room. Jenner stood in the doorway, his face pale and his hands trembling.
"Carol," Jenner said, his voice shaking. "She turned. I… I had to stop her."
The group pushed past him into the room. Daryl grimaced at the sight of Carol's bloodied body and Ed's mangled remains. "What the hell…"
Jacqui arrived moments later, her expression carefully neutral. "What happened?" she asked, her voice calm but tinged with concern.
"She turned," Jenner repeated, stepping aside as Rick examined the scene.
Rick's jaw tightened. "Then how did she turn?" He glanced around. "She wasn't bitten. There's no other walkers in here."
Jenner hesitated, then spoke with measured calm. "Because everyone turns. No matter how you die, the virus reanimates you. It's why we need to finish the cure. To stop this from happening to anyone else."
Shane's eyes narrowed, his suspicion evident. "So you're saying she just dropped dead and turned?"
Jenner nodded. "It's the truth. I wish it wasn't, but… this is what we're dealing with."
The group exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of his words sinking in. Rick finally nodded, his voice grim. "We'll deal with the bodies. But we need to move forward. This cure… it has to work."
Jenner and Jacqui worked swiftly, their movements precise as they prepared to deal with the bodies. The rest of the group stood in the hallway, their faces etched with exhaustion and unease. Rick's jaw was tight as he glanced back at Jenner, his tone clipped but understanding.
"Make sure you take care of them properly," Rick said. "Last thing we need is disease spreading."
Jenner nodded solemnly, adjusting his lab coat. "Of course. It's best we handle this away from the group. You all have enough to deal with as it is."
The group began to disperse, T-Dog muttering something under his breath to Glenn, who gave a half-hearted nod. Andrea placed a hand on Amy's shoulder, guiding her away, while Daryl leaned against the wall, watching the two doctors with narrowed eyes before eventually following the others.
When the hallway was finally empty, Jenner and Jacqui exchanged a glance, their silent understanding clear. They returned to the supply room, where Carol's lifeless body and Ed's mangled remains awaited. The stench of blood and death hung heavily in the air, but neither of them flinched. Their hunger pushed them forward, the gnawing itch in their minds sharpening their focus.
"Start with Ed," Jenner said quietly, his voice steady but hollow.
Jacqui nodded, grabbing a tarp from a nearby shelf. Together, they rolled Ed's body onto it, the slick sound of his mutilated flesh sliding across the floor making her grimace. She swallowed hard, pushing the reaction down as they began dragging the tarp toward the freezer.
The journey was grueling, every step a reminder of their grim reality. The dim, sterile lighting of the CDC corridors reflected off the blood trailing behind them, a morbid path leading to their destination. Jenner's mind churned with thoughts of how close they had come to being discovered. For now, their secret was safe. But he knew it wouldn't stay that way forever.
Once they reached the freezer, Jenner swiftly set up a passcode for the door, knowing there hadn't been one before. His fingers flew over the keypad, entering a new code with practiced precision. The heavy door opened with a mechanical hiss, releasing a burst of frigid air that prickled against their skin. The atmosphere inside was stark and clinical, with bright fluorescent lights reflecting off metal walls and shelves lined with surgical tools and equipment.
The cold bit into their faces as their breath became visible in the chilled air. Jenner and Jacqui maneuvered Ed's body onto a sterile metal table at the center of the room, the sound of their effort echoing in the stillness. Jenner worked with grim efficiency, his expression cold and unreadable. Reaching for a nearby shelf, he grabbed a bone saw, its metallic edge gleaming under the harsh light.
His movements were precise and deliberate, betraying no hesitation as he prepared to dismember the body. The faint hum of the freezer's machinery was the only sound in the room, amplifying the chilling atmosphere of their grim task. Jacqui stood nearby, her face set in a mix of resolve and unease, glancing nervously between Jenner and Ed's lifeless form. They both knew this was necessary—not just for their survival but to maintain the illusion of normalcy for the rest of the group.
"We can't waste this," he murmured, his voice barely audible over the hum of the freezer. "We need every bite we can get."
Jacqui nodded, her face pale but resolute. She picked up a scalpel, her hands steady despite the turmoil swirling within her. "I'll start with the limbs. They're easier to store."
The two worked in silence, their actions methodical and deliberate. The sound of sawing and slicing filled the cold air as they dismembered Ed's body. Jenner placed the larger pieces into vacuum-sealed bags, stacking them neatly in a corner of the freezer. Jacqui couldn't help but glance at the smaller chunks of flesh left on the table, the hunger gnawing at her resolve.
She hesitated for a moment before picking up a piece, her fingers trembling as she brought it to her mouth. The first bite sent a wave of satisfaction coursing through her, the hunger momentarily silenced. She closed her eyes, savoring the taste.
Jenner glanced at her, his expression unreadable. Then, without a word, he took a piece for himself, the act both mechanical and primal. The two of them stood in the freezer, the cold air biting at their skin as they fed, their movements slow and deliberate.
When they had eaten enough to satiate the worst of their cravings, Jenner wiped his hands on a clean towel, his breath visible in the freezing air. "Store the rest," he said, his voice steady but distant. "We'll need it later."
Jacqui nodded, placing the remaining pieces into containers and securing them in the freezer. Once everything was stored, Jenner locked the door, the keypad beeping softly as the heavy lock engaged.
"Now for Carol," he said, his tone grim.
They returned to the supply room, where Carol's body lay in a crumpled heap. Jacqui grabbed another tarp, spreading it out beside her. The two of them worked together to roll Carol onto it, her lifeless form oddly peaceful despite the circumstances. Blood still stained her mouth and hands, a stark reminder of what she had become.
Dragging Carol's body was just as grueling, the weight of what they were doing pressing heavily on them both. They moved toward the incinerator, the flickering orange light casting eerie shadows on the walls. Jenner adjusted the controls, the machine rumbling to life as the flames inside roared.
"Burn her," he said, his voice low but firm. "No evidence. No questions."
Jacqui hesitated for a moment, her gaze lingering on Carol's face. "Do you think we'll ever fix this? Truly fix it?"
Jenner didn't answer immediately, his eyes fixed on the incinerator. Finally, he spoke, his tone flat. "We have to. There's no other option."
Together, they lifted Carol's body and placed it into the incinerator. The flames consumed her quickly, the heat and light almost blinding as they closed the heavy door. Jenner adjusted the controls, ensuring the process was complete before stepping back.
The two of them stood in silence for a moment, the weight of their actions settling over them. The hunger still lingered, faint but ever-present, like a shadow they couldn't escape. But for now, they had control. And they intended to keep it.
As they walked back toward the main lab, Jenner's mind churned with thoughts of how close they had come to being discovered. For now, their secret was safe. But he knew it wouldn't stay that way forever.