ONLY HUMAN [ROSITA ESPINOSA]

Chapter 25

The van ran out of gas on day two after the cabin got overrun. So they continued on foot. They had maybe just enough food for the next three days, but Charlie was going through his formula like it was nothing. Sawyer and Cora tried their best to ration his supplies; but yet they couldn't let a baby go hungry or risk that his cries be heard and attract walkers.

The three of them were just sitting in the middle of the road; Charlie's car seat stays perfectly still, taking a small break from all the walking. It was almost peaceful. There were no walkers, nobody but them on the road. It was as if the world never ended, and it was just the two of them, sharing a granola bar while rocking Charlie back and forth.

All of a sudden, his ears perked up. He could hear the rumbling sounds of vehicles up ahead. Quickly, Sawyer rushed the two into the woods, ducking down in order to stay hidden. I was hoping the vehicles were just passing. The only thing they feared more than walkers were humans.

Cora gave him the binoculars they had and scanned the road. A van stopped in the middle of it, Sawyer felt a lump in his throat. Only oping whoever was inside didn't see them run for cover. Though his worst dreams came true as he watched two people step out of the van. He only saw their feet since the bushes were in the way.

“We know you're out there. We saw you.” said a familiar voice. But was it familiar?

Is it, though? Sawyer thought, though he shook his head. He was just imagining things.

“Come on, we ain't got all day!” called out another. But this voice was almost too good to be forgotten. The accent was clear on Southern, and Sawyer knew the ain't part felt almost too close to home.

Sawyer went to slowly get up, but Cora motioned him not to. Though he reassured her that he's going to be fine. At least he hoped he was. “If anything happens, run,” he whispered silently to her.

As he made his way back to the highway, he walked towards the vehicle. Gun in hand, it was out of bullets. But he didn't have to let them know that. Worst case scenario, he just throws it at one of their heads and run in the opposite direction.

Though when he got to the front of the vehicle, his eyes couldn't believe it as they widened in shock. He threw his hands over his head, laughed hysterically. He wasn't sure if he was laughing because he thought he was seeing things or because he thought he was plain crazy.

“No, fucking way.” claimed the familiar accent as he felt large arms wrapped around him tightly before they wrapped around his neck and pretty much gave him a noogie.

“Ow! Ow! “ yelled Sawyer as he quickly pushed Daryl away,only to be given a hug by Glenn.

Puberty had hit him well, he was no longer the scrawny kid. Instead, he grew taller, probably taller than Sawyer. He was more built, longer dark hair almost grew to his neck and he had a small mustache that apparently grew out of nowhere. No fair, where's mine?

“We thought you died when the farm got overrun.” claimed Glenn, only for Sawyer to just shrug his shoulders as if saying “Surprise suckers! I’m alive!”

Sawyer then motioned for Cora to come out of hiding who cautiously made her way over. Both Daryl and Glenn were surprised by seeing Charlie in his car seat.

“Is that a–?” Glenn asked as he looked over at them.

“Three days old.” explained Sawyer as they watched Cora take out Charlie and held him.

“His name's Charlie.” Cora explained to them. Only for  Daryl and Glenn to look at Sawyer.

Sawyer threw his hands in the air and shook his head as if he was saying nuh uh. “Cora’s mother died giving birth.” Sawyer explained to them.

“So did Lori.” stated Glenn, a hint of sadness.

Grief overfills Sawyer when he hears the news of his friend passing.  He had come to look at the woman as a mother figure and had often wondered if she had her baby over the last few months.

“I'm sorry to hear that. “ said Sawyer.

Their camp  then got brought up, it was another day's journey by foot.

“We have three questions.” stated Glenn.

“Nah, they’re good. They’re family.” said Daryl.

“We can answer them.” Sawyer claimed, if they had rules and regulations. They would follow them, obviously.  Daryl seemed to nod his head.

“How many walkers have you killed?”

“Together or separately?” Sawyer asked only to get a shrug from the two of them.

“Together, 7450. Separately. 5,250”  explained Sawyer.

“How many people have you killed?”

“None. You're the first people we've came across in months.”

………..

Not long before Daryl and Glenn took them to their camp. The prison community that Mike had talked to Sawyer before. Sawyer wondered if they had any type of communication. Maybe Mike hadn't gone crazy before his death and he had actually communicated with someone in the group.

The gate to the entrance, he couldn't help but smiled when he saw it was Maggie who had opened the gate. After getting out of the van, Maggie had embraced him with a hug.

As they were shown the prison, Sawyer couldn’t help but be amazed by the community. The fields was used for crops, there was fresh running water, and part of the prison was liveable.

“You guys did all this over the last few months?” Sawyer asked as they made their way to the main cell block.

“Everybody helps out.” explained Glenn as the original group came forward. The only ones Sawyer didn't see were Lori,T-dog,Andrea,and Shane.

“Look what the storm brought in?” Glenn called out to Rick as he and Carl made his way over. In Carl's arms was a beautiful healthy baby girl. Just barely a few months older than Charlie.

“It's a miracle you even survived.  Welcome home son.” claimed Hershel, Sawyer was surprised to only see him with one leg. He was sure Daryl would tell him what happened later on.

“And who's this?” Rick asked as he looked down at Charlie as he held his hand.

“Charlie. He's only a few days old. His parents died.” explained Sawyer once more.

“Better get you settled in and we'll feed. Carl will show you your cell. Go see Carol about some formula. We got plenty to go around.” said Rick.

“And Sawyer.” started the sheriff.

"Welcome back.”