Chapter 1

Whatever it takes

Rick Grimes felt something he hadn't felt in quite some time. It wasn't the usual feeling of dread that far too often hung over himself and the group of survivors that he was doing his best to lead through the hell and misery that had become the world.

No, this was something different, it was a feeling he hadn't experience since he was behind the high fences of the prison and both his son, as well as every other person he cared about was safe…...it was a feeling…...of hope.

Sure, himself and the group had just been through their fair share of torment and heartbreak after watching the man Rick had come to despise "The Governor" smash through the fences that made the perimeter of the prison with a tank. Sure, their safe haven had been taken away from them just as they were beginning to settle in a build a new life for themselves. Sure, the group had to split up after fleeing the shattered remains of the prison sanctuary and had lost everything but their will to live in the journey of reuniting with each other. It was absolute hell escaping the horrific inhabitants of "Sanctuary" who, lured unsuspecting survivors in under the promise of safety and shelter only to treat them as cattle, butcher them, and eat them.

Rick held back the anger that was beginning to bubble inside him. He remembered when they were taken out of that train car and lead to that room where the citizens of sanctuary so mercilessly slaughtered their victims by leaning them over a drain, striking them in the head with a baseball bat, and then slitting their throats and watching the blood flow down into the drain. Rick remembered the man responsible for all of the brutal killing and savage devouring of men, women,...and even children. "Gareth"...that sick bastard whom Rick had promised to kill if they'd ever met paths again. Somehow, they'd made it out of that dark place. Carol…...the woman whom Rick had previously expelled from the group for her killing of Karen, the partner of one of the group's key pieces Tyrese. She came back for them, lead an assault on Sanctuary all by herself, it was one of the most courageous acts Rick had ever seen. It earned her a special place in his heart and built a trust between them now unbreakable.

Even through all that had already happened, Rick felt…..hope, The group had indeed survived Sanctuary and had rescued the young Beth Greene from her captors at the hospital back in Atlanta. As far as he was concerned everyone was accounted for. Along the way Rick had lost people he had cared about. Shane, Lori, and Herschel. His son had seen more horror than Rick could even imagine changing him from a young boy dependent on others for survival, to a warrior willing to do whatever it took to keep both himself and the ones he cared about safe. "Whatever it takes" Rick thought to himself.

Now was the challenge of finding where the journey would take him and the group next. D.C maybe? Abraham had pitched the idea to the group when he swore up and down that his scientist friend Eugene had somehow come up with a way to combat and cure the virus that had brought on the apocalypse. Rick was doubtful as he remembered the hopelessness of Dr Jenner back at the CDC. Wherever they ended up next, Rick knew that the group would survive together and for right now, that's all that mattered "Gettin late" Daryl muttered. "I suggest we best look to findin somewhere to spend the night at least. This close to the city, damn walkers will be everywhere.". "You're right" Rick responded. He knew that they had only a few hours of daylight left and like Daryl said a city is the last place you want to be near at nightime. "There's bound to be an office building or something nearby. It'll likely be filled with walkers but i'm sure we can clear em out". Michonne chimed in. "No" Rick answered sternly. "We're not staying here." "i've seen what the streets around here look like at night time." " I say we make for the woods, spend the night there and switch off who gets watch" Rick turned to the group for approval. No one said a word, they didn't have to. The slight nod of their heads gave him all of the assurance he needed. They trusted his judgement and he appreciated that. Together the group marched out of the metro of Atlanta and into the surrounding forest. Yes, for the first time in a long time Rick Grimes felt hope. He knew the journey ahead would be much like what came before. Mud, blood tears, and a fight to stay alive. He welcomed the challenge. "Whatever it takes" he thought to himself again. Wherever he and the group were going they were going together. The sun sank behind the Georgia hills as they filled into the forest to set up camp for the night.