New York: Day 10 of the outbreak
The ringing in her hears had lessened but still was causing her head to feel like it was going to explode.
Shaking off the pain, homeland agent Dinah Madani-Castle got herself off the ground. She checked her hip and sighed. Her service weapon was still there.
Because of the ringing in her ears, Dinah took it slow when trying to walk. She saw the guy who tried to eat her lying a bit ahead. Then she saw what she was looking for.
Him standing there, looking like a badass, which he did very well, made her smile. His vest, covered in blood and what the news had deemed âwalkersâ guts all over it.
âHey Madani, get that sweet ass over here and kiss me for saving itâ the man said with a grin. Dinah rolled her eyes but headed over. âYou get that kiss Castle as soon as we are out of this messâ Dinah said with a grin of her own.
Frank Castle, aka The Punisher, puller her close and kissed her deeply. They stayed like that for only a few seconds because they heard the scrapping sound of walkers headed their way.
Breaking apart, the two darted to the black van parked a block away. It was supposed to be a scouting mission for survivors but things went sideways fast.
Inside the van was David âMicroâ Lieberman, his wife Sarah had been killed when the outbreak first began. David was holding it together for his two kids, Leo and Zack who had witnessed their mothers death at the super market, but everyone could tell he was broken inside.
Frank was calm with him because he knew what it was like. Also inside was Curtis Hoyle and senator David Shultz, Brett Mahoney, Billy Russo, and Amy Bendix.
âwhere to now?â Billy said with his gun primed out of the window. âA town called King County, Georgiaâ Frank replied and the van jolted forward. They all watched as the town they grew up in and loved passed by them.
No one spoke as the dead bodies on the side of the road grew in numbers. No one spoke as the mowed down as many walkers as possible. Every-time Billy or Curtisâs gun went off Dinah flinched though.
Sensing his wifeâs discomfort, Frank placed his free hand over hers and squeezed. There was no reason for words because nothing he could say changed the horror but he knew from the last minutes holding his baby girl on that park bench that sometimes just holding someone can bring them solace.
As he felt Dinah relax he got his affirmation that he might have brought peace to Lisa as she died. He didnât know if she could hear him but he had repeated her favorite story, One Batch Two Batch Penny and Dime as she passed on.
âFrankie, you ok?â Dinah said as she placed a soft kiss on his cheek. âYa baby, just going to the past againâ Frank said silently. Dinah placed another kiss on his cheek and leaned back in her seat. Closing her eyes, she prayed for the first time in a long time that one day her husband would find a life free of guilt.
King County, Georgia: Day 12 of the outbreak
All eyes inside the van watched vigilantly as they entered the city. It was quiet. They saw a few of the dead but that was it.
The car rolled to a stop as the pulled up to a hospital. âThis looks more like a graveyard then a hospitalâ Micro said quietly. âCan we look aroundâ Zack said excitedly. âThatâs a strong noâ Micro said quickly and louder than he meant to. He pulled a shaking Zack against him and said âI canât lose you too little man so bare with meâ. Zack nodded, the pout though never left his face.
âCurtis, Billy and myself are going in to find medical supplies because they come in handy. Dinah, listen to me, if we arenât back in two hours, you get the hell out. Obviously the word that Georgia was safe was wrong. You hear me? Head to the nearest house and get yourselves locked in tightâ Frank ordered like a General in the military.
Dinah was going to fight but the resolve on his face made her decide not to and just nodded her head instead. It was an argument for later.
Frank kisses his wife goodbye and as the men headed in and Dinah slid into the driverâs seat. She wanted to cry but didnât for the sake of her own sanity and those around hers.
As the three men entered the hospital they cringed at the site. All three of them had been to war and none of them could remember a site as the one in front of them.
Without a word, the men split into three directions and started collecting bandages, medications, antibiotics and anything else that looked useful. Curtis even thought of a defibrillator and a breathing machine.
Frank entered a hallway almost free of bodies. Heading down he found a room with a bed in front of it. Pulling the bed away he opened the door and inside was a man laying on the bed.
He still had dead machines connected to him. Frank watched carefully for a few minutes and nearly jumped through the roof when he saw the man breathe.
Frank contemplated leaving him but after seeing a picture of a beautiful woman and a young child on his desk he decided he should try. If he could help a father return to his family he wanted to. Hell, he had even done it for that son of a bitch Pilgrim.
After taking the wires and things off the man, Frank picked him up amazed at how light he was. The man opened his eyes slightly. âShane?â the man said with a shallow breath and then closed his eyes again.
Frank wondered if Shane was the boy in the picture. He didnât know how many times he had woken with a start thinking he heard Lisa and Frank Jr. playing. Shaking that off Frank took the man and met with the others.
Thankfully Billy and Curtis was alright, Frank led them out to the van. He was shocked that they hadnât faced off with any walkers but glad at the same time.
When they got back to the van, Micro helped them load the man into the back. Curtis and Billy climbed In after him and closed the doors.
Frank went around to the drivers seat. Dinah was asleep. He didnât want to wake her but it was getting dark and he knew that they should find shelter.
âHey Dani, you got to wake up nowâ Frank said softly wiping the hair from her forehead. She was burning hot. Frank knew that as a sign of a walker bite or scratches. He quickly pulled her from the van and stated undressing her knowing if he found anything, he would have to put a bullet into her. He didnât cry but damn did he want to.
After a through check by both him and Curtis who had been a medical doctor on the military, Dinah was cleared and they got her dressed and back in the van. She still hadnât woken and she was still burning but she wasnât turning into one of those things which made Frank sigh with relief.
âDonât worry Dani, youâll get better babyâ Frank said and tried to figure out where to head to next. Suddenly they heard a call come over the CB radio in the van.
âIf anyone can hear this, my name is Dale and Iâm on the outskirts of Atlanta with a small group of survivors. If you need a safe place we are here. Please whatever you do ignore the calls that Atlanta is safe, once again Atlanta has been taken and isnât safe. We are here if you need safetyâ.
Frank picked up the receiver âDale are you there?â Frank asked with a panic no one in the van had ever heard. âIâm here stranger, how can I help?â Dale said in a calm voice. âI have two sick people in a small town called King County. How far are you from here?â Frank asked, his voice a little more steady than before. He was shocked when a womanâs voice came over the radio.
âMy name is Lori Grimes, Iâm from King County. You are about two hours from our location. If you left now you could make it before it gets too darkâ Lori said, her voice sounding tired and stressed. Before frank could answer though he heard the man in the back whisper âLoriâ. He knew he must know her but getting out of town was most important. âWe are heading your way. Can you put a marker out for us, we are in a black van and there are ten of us. Eight adults, two wounded, a man and my wife, and two childrenâ Frank said and waited for her reply. He could hear her gasp and then compose herself. âWe will have someone waiting on the road for you. Just be safeâ Lori said and the receiver clicked dead.
Not waiting for a group discussion, frank kissed Dinah on her burning forehead and put his foot down all the way on the gas pedal. He wouldnât let another wife die. The kids squealed with excitement while the adults just prayed frank got them to their next destination safely.
Two hours later: outside Atlanta Georgia
Frank barely missed the black motorcycle and the man sitting on it. Thankfully Billy saw it and motioned for them to stop.
Pulling over Frank stopped the van but didnât get out until he had retrieved one of his guns from his belt and had it in hand.
The man on the bike didnât move. He looked up at Frank and said âgod damn if the universe didnât send us the god damn punisher of New York himself. Iâm Daryl Dixon and Iâm the one who drew the short straw to wait on this open road for youâ.
âNames Frank Castle but you already seem to know that. My wife, Dinah is in the front seat and really sick. I have a man in back we found at a hospital whose really sick as well. Neither have bites or scratchesâ Frank said honestly.
Daryl looked him over and deciding he should give the punisher himself a chance said âfollow me Frankâ and kick started his bike. Nodding, Frank jumped in the van, told Dinah she would be getting help soon and followed Daryl up the path.
When they got to camp, Frank got Dinah out and placed her on a blanket Daryl had laid out. By then a group had formed around them. It was when Curtis brought out the man, that Frank realized that the woman on the CB was the woman in the manâs picture, which he did grab for him.
âOmg itâs Rickâ Lori said and passed out right where where she stood leaving everyone in shock.
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