**Chapter 3: Preparing for the Worst**

As they walked out of the town hall, Aaliyah and Henry were immediately swept up in a flurry of activity. Community members were rushing to and fro, gathering materials and preparing for the impending walker threat. The sound of hammering and drilling grew louder, and the smell of freshly cut wood and sweat filled the air. Aaliyah and Henry made their way to the medical center, where Carol and Deanna were already busy preparing for the worst. The room was filled with rows of medical supplies, and the sound of beeping machines and murmured conversations filled the air. Carol looked up as they entered, her expression grim. "Aaliyah, Deanna and I need to talk to you about the medical preparations. We need to make sure we're ready for any injuries that may come in." Aaliyah nodded, her mind racing with the possibilities. "What can I do to help?" Deanna smiled, a look of determination on her face. "We need to sort through the medical supplies and make sure we have enough of everything. We also need to set up a triage area, just in case." As they worked, Aaliyah couldn't help but think about the walkers, and the threat they posed. She had seen firsthand the devastation they could cause, and she knew that they needed to be prepared for anything. As they worked, Henry slipped out of the medical center, his eyes scanning the surrounding area. He knew that they needed to be vigilant, and that the walkers could appear at any moment. As he walked through the community, he noticed that the perimeter was being reinforced, with traps and barricades being set up to deter the walkers. Daryl and Merle were overseeing the operation, their faces set in determined expressions. Henry nodded at them as he passed, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger. He knew that they needed to be prepared for anything, and that the walkers could appear at any moment. As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the community, Aaliyah and Henry made their way back to their home. They were exhausted, but they knew that they couldn't afford to rest yet. As they sat on the porch, watching the community prepare for the worst, Aaliyah turned to Henry. "Do you think we'll be okay?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Henry took her hand, his eyes locked on hers. "We'll do everything we can to make sure we are," he said, his voice filled with determination. "We'll work together, and we'll protect each other. That's what we do." Aaliyah smiled, feeling a sense of reassurance wash over her. She knew that as long as they had each other, they could face anything. But as they sat there, watching the community prepare for the worst, Aaliyah couldn't shake the feeling that they were in for a fight. The walkers were coming, and they would stop at nothing to destroy everything they had worked for. As the darkness closed in, Aaliyah and Henry sat on the porch, waiting for the dawn, and the inevitable battle that lay ahead.