ᗯᕼEᑎ TᕼE ᗪEᗩᗪ ᑕOᗰE ᗩᒪIᐯE [ ᴅᴀʀʏʟ x ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ]

- 11 -

It was late. Rick and Daryl weren't back yet from their run, however, that was to be expected as they could last anywhere from a couple of days to weeks depending on how far out the group traveled. I laid on the empty bed, this time on Daryl's side which backed up against the wall. I thought about my chat with Carol. She felt like a mother figure to everyone, especially Daryl. They must have been though a lot together. I couldn't shake the feeling I was a lot like Carol in a way. . . or at the very least her current self. I was damn near helpless when it comes to humans, but I was skilled when it came to survival. It still came as a shock to me I was able to talk to the people here despite my anxiety towards social situations, but it seems my new environment took away some of that initial nervousness.

I thought about a few more things before I decided I should get some rest. Slowly I rolled over to face the wall, and closed my eyes to meet the darkness. As I was about to fall asleep I felt the bed dip behind me. I turned around to see Daryl taking off his shirt, and discarding it on the floor. His body was covered in sweat allowing it to glisten in the moonlight. Damn that's hot, I thought, but quickly slapped myself. Due to my actions, Daryl turned around on the bed to face me.

"You're awake" he asked in a raspy voice as he looked over to me. I nodded, unable to talk for what embarrassing words may leave my lips. After the small nod that was barely visible thanks to the moonlight, he turned so he was no longer facing me as he took his knives out and placed them on the small bedside table. He then laid down on the bed beside me. I shifted my body so I was now fully facing him.

"How was the run?" I asked quietly. He placed his arms behind his head for support before he answered.

"We found a truck full of food and supplies" he started, "but then we ran into some prick who called himself Jesus and it ended up at the bottom of a lake" he huffed. I could tell he felt frustrated.

"Don't let that bring you down. . ." I whispered. He let out a deep breath.

"Rick brought him back, said he could be good" Daryl said, and rolled over onto his side so he was facing the opposite direction. It went silent. I thought of what this guy must have been like.

". . . well I guess we'll just have to wait and see" I whispered to myself, not intending for Daryl to hear it but I was sure he did. It didn't take much time after I spoke for me to finally fall asleep.

.• *The Next Morning* •.

I was woken up by the sudden sound of rushed movement upstairs. It sounded unusual, like someone was frantically scurrying around in one of the rooms above us. Quickly, I got up along side Daryl who must have also been awaken by the noise. I grabbed a gun Daryl kept in his room while he grabbed his crossbow, and we both rushed out of the room and towards the stairs. As we went up with our weapons drawn we spotted a man sitting atop the stairs. He had long dirty blonde hair and a thick beard. Carl was standing just behind him with his gun pointed at the back of his head as more people rushed over with their weapons drawn on the unknown man as well. Is this the guy named Jesus that Daryl mentioned last night?, I asked myself. Suddenly Rick and Michonne came out of a room behind Carl, they were both barley dressed. I stared at them as did most of the others. Rick took a moment to process the situation before he spoke.

"It's ok" Rick said. Everyone lowered their weapons at the males words.

What's going on. . . ?

.• _____ •.

Everyone was gathered in the living room after the two were full dressed. Jesus sat at the end of the table while everyone else was scattered around the room. I stood beside Daryl off to the side.

"Ok, I think we got off to a bad start" the man called Jesus said. He then began to explain that he was from a different community, and how it was his job to search for others to trade with. Everyone was understandably surprised by his words.

"So you mean there are other communities out there?" Michonne asked. The male started at us in disbelief.

"My friends, your world is about to get a whole lot bigger" Jesus said with a smug look on his face. The fuck?, I thought. I just found out about Alexandria and now he's saying there's more just like this?, I internally questioned as I was unsure how to process the new information. It felt like I was living in a fever dream.

Their world may be getting bigger, but I feel like I just discovered there was still a world to begin with. . .

___________________
Chapter 11: End