Chapter 88: Prison Vaccine Distribution
In the open space of Prison, the sun had just risen, casting a warm glow on the gray cement walls.
Glenn squatted at the base of the wall, clutching a blade of grass in his hand. He had been picking at it for half a day, and bits of grass lay scattered around him.
Rick walked over from the dormitory area, carrying two cups of coffee. He handed one to Glenn and squatted beside him.
"What's wrong? You've been acting strange ever since you came back last night."
Glenn took the coffee but didn't drink it. Instead, he placed it at his feet.
After a moment of silence, he recounted what had happened at Hershel's farm the day before.
Jimmy died. The Walkers besieged the house. He and Maggie killed the Walkers. Then Hershel drove him out.
He said they were patients… and that I was killing people.
Glenn's voice was muffled.
"He said I'm never allowed to set foot on his farm again."
Rick remained silent for a long time after hearing this.
He finished his coffee and set the empty cup on the ground.
"That old man is afraid to face reality. He spends his days fantasizing about things that don't exist—a cure, a government, and the world returning to normal."
He shook his head.
"He's not a bad person, but he's a fool."
Glenn remained silent.
Rick stood up and dusted off his pants.
"By the way, the CDC is sending a batch of vaccines today via subway and armed train. After vaccination, the latent virus in the body will be cleared, and you won't turn into one of those things when you get sick or die."
Glenn looked up, his eyes lighting up.
"Vaccine?"
"Yes. As long as you're not infected by a large amount of cadaver virus—for example, being bitten by several Walkers at the same time—you'll be fine. Being scratched or bitten is okay. The vaccine will keep the virus out."
Glenn stood up, his lips moving as if he wanted to say something.
Rick glanced at him and understood immediately.
"This batch of vaccines came according to the list. The number of doses matches the people reported by Prison. The names will be read on-site and the vaccines administered immediately. There are no extras."
Glenn opened his mouth, then closed it again.
He lowered his head, picked up the cold cup of coffee, and took a sip, grimacing at the bitterness.
"Then… what about Hershel?"
Rick patted him on the shoulder.
"I'll go with you tomorrow and talk to him. Maybe he'll listen."
Glenn nodded slightly.
"Thanks."
Rick turned and walked away.
He went to the cafeteria entrance and told the people eating breakfast that there was a vaccine available today.
At first, only a few at the door heard it. They put down their bowls and stood up.
Then the entire cafeteria gradually quieted—table by table—everyone turning to look at him.
Finally, the whole room fell silent, except for the sound of steam rising from the porridge buckets.
"Vaccines can prevent people from becoming Walkers after they die," Rick said.
His voice was not loud, but everyone heard it clearly.
"Everyone who comes today will receive an injection. Vaccination will be done on the spot. When your name is called, go to the infirmary."
The room erupted.
Some people stood and applauded. Some hugged each other and cried. Some knelt and made the sign of the cross. Others simply stared blankly at their bowls, tears falling into the porridge.
T squeezed through the crowd, grabbed Rick, and nearly strangled him.
"Rick! You bastard!"
"Let go—let go—it wasn't me who developed it!"
"Well, I still have to thank you!"
Rick coughed until he finally broke free.
Across the crowd, he saw Lori standing quietly, watching him.
Her expression was calm, but something was shifting in her eyes.
Rick walked over.
"Karl, go play with T-boy."
He patted his son's head.
Carl ran off.
Lori looked at him, waiting.
"Don't interfere with the vaccine distribution," Rick said in a low voice.
"Follow the list. Whoever is on it gets it. Don't detain anyone. Don't use it to bribe anyone."
Lori's expression changed slightly.
"I just wanted to—"
"You don't need to think about anything," Rick interrupted.
"I'll handle it personally."
He turned and left.
Lori stood still, gripping the hem of her clothes tightly.
Outside the crowd, Milton Mamet stood watching.
He was a tall, thin man in his fifties with gray hair and gold-rimmed glasses. A former university biology professor, later the governor's scientific advisor in Woodbury.
He had seen the governor's fish tank… the heads turning in the water… the night the tyrant rose from the flames.
He thought he had already seen the craziest things in the apocalypse.
But now someone was telling him there was a vaccine that could prevent the dead from turning into Walkers.
He pushed up his glasses and walked toward Rick.
"Mr. Rick."
"What is it?"
"I want to go to the CDC," Milton said.
"I'm very interested in the vaccine research. I'd like to contribute."
He paused.
"If possible, I would appreciate an introduction."
Rick looked at him but said nothing.
He knew this man—the governor's advisor from Woodbury.
"Have you read the contract?"
"I have," Milton nodded.
"Betrayal of the organization means you can be dealt with as you see fit."
Rick studied him for a few seconds, then turned away.
"Wait ten minutes."
In his office, Rick called the CDC.
Amy answered.
"Rick? The vaccine has been loaded onto the truck. It will arrive this afternoon."
"There's one more thing," Rick said.
"A man named Milton Mamet. Former science advisor in Woodbury. He wants to join CDC vaccine research. Can your boss meet him?"
There was a pause.
"Wait a moment."
Soft voices were heard in the background.
A minute later, Amy returned.
"The boss says bring him on the armored train."
Rick hung up.
He walked back out.
"2 PM. The armored train will take you."
Milton nodded.
"Thank you."
At 2 PM, the armored train arrived at Prison's underground platform.
The doors opened, and people in white coats pushed refrigerated boxes out.
Dr. Edwin led the group, holding a list.
"When your name is called, line up. No cutting. No disorder."
The crowd obeyed silently.
Edwin began calling names slowly, repeating each one twice. Only after confirmation did he allow the vaccine to be administered—disinfection, injection, bandage, next person.
Milton stood at the edge, watching.
Some people frowned. Some gritted their teeth. Some didn't react at all.
After vaccination, they were moved to an observation area.
Ten minutes passed. Twenty. One hour.
No fever. No convulsions. No transformation.
When the last person was done, some without names protested. They claimed they were also members of Prison.
Edwin calmly replied:
"We'll go to the hive to verify and clear the virus first, then return for vaccination."
They agreed.
Milton watched as they boarded the armored train.
Their expressions changed—from tense… to relieved… to smiling… to crying.
He adjusted his glasses and stepped onto the train.
The doors closed.
The train moved into the tunnel.
Where is it going?
He didn't know.
But he knew it was heading toward something far greater than anything he had ever seen in his life.
The train sped up.
Wind howled through the tunnel cracks.
Then it slowed.
Bright platform lights flashed through the windows.
Milton stood and walked to the door.
It opened.
He stepped out.
White walls. Silver pillars. A vast dome overhead. Bright lights from all directions—no shadows.
A red-and-white emblem on the wall… shaped like an umbrella.
Armed soldiers approached, led by a young woman.
"Milton Mamet?"
"Yes."
"Come with us. The boss wants to see you."
Milton followed.
Behind him, the Woodbury group was escorted into a sealed room on the fourth basement level.
....