The Walking Dead: What Rests Ahead

Chapter 16:

(Author's Note: Two updates in one day? *starts singing* THIS GIRL IS ON FIREEEEEE)

The church was obviously a little worn down, the walls almost collapsing in on itself. It looked like something you would think was inhabitable, at least before the end of the world. The small building was surrounded completely by the woods we'd been wondering in forever. It almost sounded better to run far, far away and find another place to stay.  The man, who claimed his name was Father Gabriel, opened the doors with a tiny grunt.

"I've been alone since the beginning of all of this. I never wondered far from the church just to play it safe. In fact, today was the farthest out I've gone. I just...it's nice to have company. You know, for protection. The Lord works in strange ways and I hope that if we all have strong faith, He will forgive us in the kingdom of heaven. Or at least, send us a sign. That all our attempts to survive are not meaningless to Him..."

I zoned out. Father Gabriel was annoying and absolutely clueless about the world we lived in, but I doubted he was unintelligent. But right about now, faith seemed pretty stupid and he was still blabbering on and on about it, so maybe he was dumber than he looked. Either that or he just was kidding himself. Maybe his whole come-to-Jesus-speech was compensating for the little hope he had himself. Or maybe I'm just over-analyzing the situation.

The church doors flung open with a whoosh and the room was a sight for sore eyes. Pews were lined up in rows and stained glass windows surrounded  us on all sides, casting colorful shadows on the cracked wooden floors. A cross lay in the dead center of the room and I felt my entire body relax. This place actually felt safe. It felt like home.

I flashed back to the summer before all the dead-walking started. I must've been about twelve and it was my first year going to an over-night camp. I'd been nervous, as any kid should, but I took comfort in one fact: it was church camp. The kids there would be nice, God-fearing people. After a while, I'd start to fit in and make friends. Then, my summer would be wonderful.

I had tried my best to be like all the other kids, I really did. However, something held me back. I was lonely and I just wanted to go home. So, I did. My parents picked me up weeks early. When they asked me why I hated camp, I told them the truth. I DIDN'T hate camp. In fact, I felt relieved to be there. And that scared me. It almost came to easy- the fact that I could live without the people who loved me most. I thought to myself that I would never, ever leave my family again. Little did I know.

It's not hard to forget them. The way the laughed, their favorite foods, the clothes they wore, the little things like that. No, the hard part was remembering. Because the thought of them, my only family, felt worse than death. Yet...I could do it. I could keep living without them holding my hand.

Or maybe they were helping me in some way, wherever they were. It brought a smile to my face to think of them in heaven silently guiding me on the right road. Maybe I had my own cheer section amongst the dead, full of people who want me to keep on fighting, just like people do when rooting for their favorite team in football.

And so, with these secret thoughts, I made myself at home. Finally, I settled in next to where Rick, Carl, and baby Judith were sitting. We all ate the little supplies left in the church, rejoiced at the promise of more food nearby in town just waiting to be stolen in the morning, and celebrated long through the night because of the roof over our heads.

"I feel weird that nobody is trying to hang me upside down from the ceiling right now," I smiled, my stomach pleasantly full.

"Or trying to eat us," Carl added with a laugh. He looked so much different when he was relaxed. He looked like someone who could've gone to my school, who I could've been friends with, who I could've dated-

No. Not thinking about that.

"Tomorrow, we can go looking for that food," Rick stated in a loud voice, addressing everyone in the room. We all slumped on the pews and on the floor in a merry way. Rick stood up with an official air and walked to the front of the room. Gabriel, who had been passing out food and drinks until that moment, sat down directly next to me. I scooted closer to Carl. This man may have given us a place to stay, but for how long? And why? Everyone has an alternative motive these days. I just had to figure out what his was.

Rick started to speak, snapping me out of my thoughts."So, if Father Gabriel here is feeling generous, I think we could stay here. Maybe not permanently, but for a while. We all have had a rough couple of days and could use a little while to rest. We could place stakes around the perimeter of the church like we did at the prison. That way this flimsy building has more security.

"So, I'll need most of the group to join me in getting supplies and the other bit to gather wood to secure this place. I was thinking Sasha, Abraham, Eugene, Tara, Daryl, Glenn, Bob, Rosita, and I could go. That leaves Michonne, Hannah, Carl, the Father, and our baby Judith here.

"But until then, let's be glad that Father Gabriel here has graciously welcomed us here in his church. We'd have starved without him."

We all cheered and laughed like fools, except for Abraham. "What about Washington?" he asked.

The room fell silent.

"I know we just got saved from Terminus, but my duties are important. We need to leave here just as soon as we all recover, maybe before then."

"Why do you need to go to Washington?" I said, utterly confused.

"Hannah, did Eugene tell you the good news?" Carl asked, grinning like an idiot.

"No...and I never thought I'd hear the words 'good news' ever again."

"Tell her, Eugene," Abraham, chimed in.

Eugene, the really nerdy looking man, cleared his throat. He looked almost...sad to have to be saying this. He stood up and mumbled softly, "I know the cure."

If I had a drink in my mouth, I'd have spit it out in pure shock. "What?" I asked, not quite believing it.

"I know the cure to this disease-" Eugene repeated.

"-And we need to get him to Washington ASAP. If we get him there, then he can make the cure. We could end this. Save all the remaining survivors." Eugene explained further. "But we can't go alone. We need as many people willing to protect and die for Eugene, for this cure, as possible. We need your help." He aimed the last sentence at Rick.

The whole room stared at the leader, hoping to God that he would agree.

"Let's do it. I'm in." Rick said with a proud smile.

We all cheered again.

"We could go back." I interrupted their celebration and turned to Carl. "To the way life used to be..."

"I know!" Carl smiled at me.

"We could go back." And I don't think I've been happier in my entire life.