Daryl's Angel: Saviour (Book Two)

Chapter 39: Budding Relationships

Daryl's gut instinct was correct, and as we reach the stairs inside our shared house, weapons ready, we find Jesus. He sits at the top of the steps with a painting in his lap, looking scarily relaxed for the situation, considering Carl stands behind him, gun raised.

Then, there's Rick and Michonne—Rick, shirtless and looking a little sweaty, and Michonne, with her tank top on backwards and her jeans still unbuttoned, no bra.

"I-It's okay," Michonne says, holding her hand out to the men lining the stairs. She hastily fastens her jeans.

My eyebrows lift. Daryl and Abraham keep their guns raised. Glenn's brow furrows a little as he starts to lower his. Daryl's eyes stay locked on Jesus. Everyone else's attention darts between Rick and Michonne.

"You said we should talk," Rick says, shaking out a shirt and pulling it on. "So, let's talk."

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We congregate in the dining room around the table while Michonne takes a second to right herself in the other room. We settle in, Rick and Maggie seated on the right side of the table, Michonne and Carl on the left, Glenn and I taking up the back end while Abraham stands sentry, arms crossed. Daryl paces behind Jesus and his seat at the head of the table, gun held loosely but not uselessly in his hand.

Rick acts as if nothing else exciting has happened tonight. Michonne is slightly less talented at keeping a poker face, especially when Carl looks at her. I try to focus elsewhere, but man, gossip like this doesn't come around often, not that I'm aware of at least.

Later, I tell myself. Way, way bigger fish to fry.

"How'd you get out?" Rick demands.

Jesus shrugs. "One guard can't cover two exits...or third-floor windows. Bonus if the guards keep a conversation that covers your footsteps."

I cringe as Rick looks back at me, then Daryl. Daryl grunts.

"Knots untie and locks get picked," Jesus continues. "Entropy comes from order, right?"

"Right," Daryl says.

Jesus gives me a look, then his eyes dart to Daryl again. "Congrats on the baby, by the way."

"Shut up."

Jesus briefly purses his lips, hands lifting, fingers spread out non-threateningly. "I checked out your arsenal," he continues, focusing back on Rick. "I haven't seen anything like that in a long time. You're well-equipped, but your provisions are low. Very low for the amount of people you have. 54?"

"More than that," Maggie says.

He nods. "Well, I appreciate the cookie. My compliments to the chef."

"Yeah, she ain't here," Daryl says, pacing in place again. If looks could kill...

Jesus sighs. "Look, we got off to a bad start. But we're on the same side—the living side. You and Rick had every reason to leave me out there, but you didn't," he says. Daryl's face softens, just a hint, and Jesus looks at the rest of us. "I'm from a place that's a lot like this one. Part of my job is searching out other settlements to trade with. I took your truck because my community needs things, and both of you looked like trouble. I was wrong. You're good people, and this is a good place. I think our communities may be in a position to help each other."

"Do you have food?" Glenn asks.

"We've started to raise livestock. We scavenge, we grow. Everything from tomatoes to sorghum."

"Tell us why we should believe you," Rick says, cocking his head to the side.

"I'll show you," Jesus says. "If we take a car, I can take you back home in a day, and you can all see for yourselves who we are and what we have to offer."