Don't Close Your Eyes [TWD]

°•twenty one•°

"She's with Sasha, everything is fine," Glenn once again reassures.

When I'd woken up and seen that there was no sight of Maggie in the barn, I'd freaked out a little.. To say the least.

"They shouldn't be out there too long," I say, once again looking around at the group who were in their own conversations or working on something.

"She's fine," Glenn states.

Before I could get another word out, I could hear the barn door creak open, followed by Maggie's voice calling out, "Hey, everyone."

I jump to my feet, turning to see her walking in the door.

But, my guard went up as soon as I saw she and Sasha were not alone.

"This is Aaron," she introduces, holding the door open so the unfamiliar man could walk in as well.

Weapons are drawn immediately as Daryl darts out the door to see if there was anyone else following them.

"We met him outside. He's by himself," Maggie explains, "We took his weapons and we took his gear."

Despite that, Daryl still pats him down thoroughly, albeit a little rough as well. Tara shuts the door behind them, looking back in concern.

"Hi," Aaron greets, his hands still up in the air. As if it set off a bomb in her, Judith begins to cry as she reaches for Carl. Rick hands her over to him as her cries quickly settle as she's in her brother's arms.

"It's nice to meet you," Aaron continues, he begins to walk forward and is cut off by multiple gun being raised further to him. Some even cocking their guns. He's quick to cower back to his original place.

"You said he had a weapon?" Rick asks. Maggie hands him the gun that he disarms and puts in the waistband of his jeans.

Once he's done, he turns his attention back to Aaron, "There something you need?"

But, it's Sasha that speaks first, "He has a camp nearby. He wants us to audition for membership."

"I wish there was another word. Audition makes it sound like we're some kind of a dance troupe. That's only on Friday nights," he attempts to joke.

I sigh, remembering Gabriel's weak attempts of jokes back when we'd first met him. Was it something that just happened to people who were cornered?

Seeing the awkward tension and lack of laughter, Aaron attempts to move on, "Um.. and it's not a camp. It's a community. I think you all would make valuable additions. But, it's not my call. My job is to convince you all to follow me back home."

Rick shuffles his feet unsettlingly, giving the man a harsher look.

"I know.. If I were you, I wouldn't go either. Not until I knew exactly what I was getting into," he turns to Sasha before continuing, "Sasha, can you hand Rick my pack?"

Though I could see her hesitance, she still follows through with his wishes. As Rick kneels to open the pack, Aaron explains in further detail.

"Front pocket, there's an envelope. There's no way I could convince you to come with me just by talking about our community.. That's why I brought those."

Rick pulls an orange envelope out, glancing to Aaron then back to the packet.

"I apologize in advance for the picture quality.. We just found an old camera store last-"

"Nobody gives a shit," Daryl cuts him off.

"You're absolutely one hundred percent right," Aaron nervously agrees.