Echos in the Dark

Chapter 15

Walkers turned to look at us from their seats. Some were dressed as if going to daily mass or one had a veil on her face. Most looked like farmers. I tilted my head to the side until I heard a crack. The walkers stood up so we decided to move. Rick went first then I did followed by Daryl and Shane. I went inside the aisle before the walker with the veil as she reached out her arms to try and grab me.

I grabbed her arm and made her turn before stabbing the knife inside her skull. I saw Daryl shoot an arrow inside the one coming after me as it fell on the bench. I looked behind to see Shane and Rick had killed theirs too. I looked at front and saw the small statue of Jesus on the wooden cross. I walked up to it and started at it narrowing my eyes.

"Sophia!" Carol shouted. Daryl came up next to me and looked at the cross.

"Yo J.C, you taking requests?" I almost want to laugh, Jesus is dead, that is for certain. But the new one...I shook my head walked back.

"I'm tell you, it's the wrong church. It's go not steeple, rick. There's no steeple." I heard Shane say. Suddenly the bells were heard once again. We all ran outside and down the stairs before going to the side of the building to see a speaker at the top. A metal pipe connected it to a metal box. Glenn opened it and ripped something out which caused the bells to stop.

Timer.

"A timer. It's on a timer." Daryl said. I sighed.

"I'm gonna go back in for a bit..." I heard Carol say. Praying is useless but it gives us something to do. Ace came to my side and looked up at me.

"Mom?" I sighed and held him close to me.

"Let's go inside..." we walked back inside and sat down in one of the benches. I grabbed a napkin I had in my bag and wiped off the blood from the blade. Daryl was sitting in front of me.

"What kind of knife is that?" Daryl asked me as he saw me cleaning it.

"A rare one. It was a gift..." I said as I finished wiping it. I placed the blade downs and ran my hand through my hair. Lori came in a bit later and joined her husband and son. Carol was praying, she had no reason to ask for forgiveness. Lori went a joined her as well. Now she was asking to stop punishing Ed? Please, with a note I left Crowley about him, I doubt that's not going to happen.

"Praying for Ed's death was a sin. Please don't let this be my punishment." If anything it was a miracle that he died. He was deadweight and everyone knew it. I heard her finish her prayer and sighed.

"You believe in this?" Daryl asked.

"...In a way I guess." I said looking back at the cross. Daryl didn't say anything else after that. I leaned back and looked up at the ceiling.

At least they're all in a better place...I noticed everyone going out side so we decided to join them. Rick and Shane were talking together until Shane came over to us.

"Y'all gonna follow the creek bed back, okay? Daryl, you're in charge. Me and Rick, we're just gonna hand back. Search this area another hour or so just to be thorough." I narrowed my eyes and walked towards him.

"I'm not going back."

"Daphne-"

"No. I promised Carol I would get her daughter back. I'm not going back on that." I said with a seriously low tone. Shane opened his mouth to speak but even he knew he couldn't argue with me. He dropped his head and sighed before looking back at me and nodding.

"Fine." I nodded and looked back to Ace as he made his way to me. I bent down.

"Ace, I'm going to stay with Rick and Shane to see if we can try and cover more ground, okay? Stay within Daryls sight."

"Can I go? Please?"

"Ace-"

"I'll stay within 6 feet! I promise!" I started at him as he held determination in his eyes. "Sophia is my friend!" I sighed and nodded.

"No staying behind me or the guys, always in front of between no exceptions." He smiled and nodded.

Why do I have a bad feeling?