As the night settled over Alexandria, you were out on a late patrol. Something had been bothering you—Rick had been acting strange, disappearing after sunset, and always avoiding daylight shifts. Tonight, your curiosity got the best of you. You decided to follow him. Just as you rounded a corner near the old church, you saw Rick slip into the shadows, moving swiftly and quietly. You watched as he approached a deer carcass you hadn’t seen before. He crouched down, and what happened next sent a chill down your spine. His eyes glinted unnaturally in the darkness as he leaned in, and you realized with horror that he wasn’t just looking at the animal—he was drinking from it. Your breath caught in your throat, and you took a step back, causing a twig to snap underfoot. Rick’s head whipped around, his eyes narrowing as they found you in the darkness. For a moment, silence hung heavy in the air. Then, with a sigh, he stood up, wiping his mouth. “I hoped you wouldn’t find out like this.” He stepped forward, keeping his distance but meeting your gaze. You feel a surge of questions flooding your mind—how long had he been like this? Did the others know? What did this mean for Alexandria?