𝕃𝕠𝕧𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝔽𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 | Daryl Dixon

60 | TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE

With the harshness of the unpredictable world, each remaining survivor had their own ways of ensuring they kept breathing. Some relied on their instincts, on staying alone. Some were smart enough to find people they trusted, and even loved.

And some, not many, but some... chose to deceive those around them, and lie to them, just to stay alive.

The day the group discovered they had nothing left to lose was a confusing one. One that presented opportunity, whilst at the same time, ripping away the hope on which many of them had been riding their entire reason to keep pushing onwards in a world that only tried to drag them back.

All because of a lie. A coward, making something up that he knew desperate people would fall for, just for the sake of keeping his own heart beating.

But they didn't know that quite yet.

As they walked back to the barn, Maggie walked ahead of Aaron, and Tori walked behind to cover their backs. One arm holding Halley, the other hand rested over the gun in her holster. Aaron walked with his hands slightly raised. Not quite a surrender, but just a way of showing that he was unarmed and meant no harm. They'd taken his weapons from him just in case, finding only a knife and a small pistol in his belt.

He told them a little more about his intentions. His 'good news'.

He was from a place, not far away. He said he'd explain a lot more once he could introduce himself to everyone else; all he said about his place was that it was safe, and that he wanted the group to come back with him.

When Maggie opened the doors to the barn, she ducked her head around before stepping inside. A few of the others looked over to her, but most carried on with whatever they were doing. Everyone was awake now, and Daryl sat up when he heard the creaks of the door, waiting for Tori to step inside.

"Hey. Everyone?" Maggie got everyone's attention before pushing the door open all the way, letting the stranger inside. "This is Aaron."

It was like a switch flipped. Suddenly, everyone was reaching for their weapons, staring Aaron down with looks that could kill. He looked nervous, but he kept his back straight, looking around at each person with kindness in his eyes.

Daryl grabbed his crossbow and stormed across the barn. He gently nudged Tori's lower back to get her to step away from the doorway before peeking out, scanning the area. Once he deemed it clear, he marched back in and patted Aaron's sides down.

"We met him outside, he's by himself," Maggie said. "We took his weapons and gear."

Only when he had confirmed Maggie's claims for himself, did Daryl step away from the man, positioning himself beside Tori protectively.

"Hi. It's nice to meet you," Aaron looked around the room with a careful smile.

He tried to take a step, but everyone's stances turned protective. He nervously gulped at the sounds of guns clicking, and he stayed where he was, his hands up in surrender. He looked like a deer caught in the headlights, the brightness closing in on him. No direction he looked in would bring him any sense of ease. As every pair of eyes that he met could have killed him just with their dark glares.

Unnerved by the tension of the room, Halley whimpered and reached for Daryl. He dropped his crossbow and took the girl from Tori, who rested her free hands over the weapons in her belt. 

After handing a crying Judith off to Carl, Rick mumbled, "You said he had a weapon?"

Maggie nodded and went over to him, handing Rick the small pistol she and Tori had taken from Aaron. Rick inspected the gun, checking the barrel before tucking it into his belt.