The Hunter's Angel

Chapter 8

Seaira's POV

We follow him a few miles, everyone on their toes, looking around the woods. Scared for something to be a trap like Terminus was. I stay near Daryl and Maggie. knowing I can trust the group I'm with, I'll protect them with everything I have.

 Rick and Gabe in front leading the way. Rick asks if he was watching us, I did want to know if it was him. "I keep to myself. Nowadays people are just as dangerous as the dead don't you think?" Gabriel answers, looking over his shoulder as he spoke.

 "No, people are worse." Daryl speaks up from next to me, I nod in agreement. "Well, I wasn't watching you. I haven't been beyond the stream near my church more than a few times since it all started. That was the furthest I've gone before today." Father answers.

We keep walking till a few seconds he chimes up again. "Or maybe I'm lying. Maybe I'm lying about everything and there is no church ahead at all. Maybe I'm leading you into a trap so I can steal all your squirrels." he chuckles at himself.

He turns around after not hearing us laugh, Rick slows to a stop, as do the rest of us. Daryl and I walk a little ahead to surround him in case we have to do something, I clench my Jaw. 

Gabriel glance at Daryl and me. "Members of my flock had often told me that my sense of humor leaves much to be desired." He slowly walks backwards as Rick slowly walks forward towards him, daring him to pull some shit. "Yeah, it does." Daryl says lowly. Rick motions with his rifle to keep moving. Gabe stumbles into a low branch. 

A few minutes later we see a clearing with a small chipped white painted church. As we approach the door, I read the sign swaying slightly in the breeze with the name of the church.

'St. Sarah's Church Episcopal.'

We look around the small area for anything out of the ordinary, it's very quiet. I'm still on edge. Gabriel begins climbing the stairs when Rick tells him to hold up. 

"Can we take a look around first? We just want to hold on to our squirrels." Rick says sarcastically, holding his hand out for Gabriel to give him the keys.  

 Once Rick opens the door, a few of us go in to sweep the place for any signs. Michonne and Glenn went to a door, Daryl and I go to the other. he opens the door and I have my colt raised ready for if anything that could jump out at us, but nothing does.

Daryl walks in behind me, his crossbow ready. He lowers it and picks up small blankets that are on a couch in the room. He puts them down and glance at a wood picture of The Last Supper. I look around to find dusty shelves and paper scattered on a desk Carol is looking at. 

We hear Ricks whistle, she looks up and nod to me, we walk out the room to meet Rick. We step out to the rest of the group. When I passed Gabriel, he says another 'funny' comment.

"I spent months here without stepping out the front door. If you found someone inside, well, it would've been surprising." Folding his hands in front of him with the key Rick gave back. 

"Thanks for this." Carl says, holding Judith. I'll have to ask Rick if I can hold her, I haven't seen a baby in so long let alone hold one.

"We found a short bus out back. It doesn't run, but I bet we could fix that in less than a day or two. Father says he doesn't want it. Looks like we found ourselves some transport," Abraham mentions. Rick fixes Judith's lil baby hairs as he was thinking. 

"You know what's at stake here, right?" Abraham asks. "Yes, I do." Rick answers. Michonne comes in conversation, "Now that we can take a breath-" but she is cut off by Abraham. "We take a breath, we slow down, shit inevitably goes down." 

Michonne defends herself. "We need supplies no matter what we do next." "She's right, we don't have anything, starting over again." I pipe in, honestly kind of wanting to go for a run. "That's right, food, water, ammunition." Rick sticks up for us going up the stairs to the church doors. 

"Short bus aint goin nowhere, bring you back some baked beans." Daryl tells them, following Rick inside. 

The group start flowing inside, Glenn comes up to Abe before going up the steps. "One way or another we're doing what Rick does. Not splitting up again." He goes inside and Tara tells Abe, "What he said." she goes up the stairs, I'm behind Bob and Sasha. 

"We want to roll with you but, what she said." They follow Tara. I pass Abe and he cracks a smile. He looks at me and I open my mouth, but I quickly close it and point at them and scurry up the stairs. As people scatter, setting their bags down on benches to sleep, I go to the corner by the door an lay my bag down on the floor. The thin carpet has to be better than the wooded bench. 

"how'd you survive here this long? Where did your supplies come from?" Rick asks Gabe who is standing in the isle, Rick holding Judith.

"Luck," Gabe answers. I sigh as I walk up to them next to Daryl, he slightly nudges my arm since he heard my sigh. I smile slightly, glad to entertain him. "Our annual canned food drive. Things fell apart after we finished it. It was just me." Father answers seriously. 

Rick hands Jud over to Carl. "The food lasted a long time. And then I started scavenging. I cleaned out every place nearby. Except for one." Father finishes. 

I cross my arms, I'm ready for a run, I need to stretch. I never knew why but scavenging is just a way of life now an I'm in the best mind set when I'm out there. 

"What kept you from it?" Rick asks. "It's overrun." Father answers. "How many?" Rick wants answers fast. "A dozen or so maybe more." Rick nods at his answer an looks around to us. I nod and make sure I have all my weapons on me. 

"We can handle a dozen." Rick states. "Bob and I will go with you." Sasha says. "Tyreese will stay and keep Judith safe." She says as Ty smiles. "I'll draw you a map-" Gabriel starts but Rick interrupts him.

"You don't need to; you're coming with us." "I'm not gonna be of any help," Father tries to talk his way out. "You saw me, I'm no good around those things." "You're coming with us." Rick demands and walks away. I put my arm over Gabriel's shoulder, he slightly jumps at the action and looks at me. 

"Don't worry Father, we got your back, unless you do somethin stupid." I smile a reassuring smile and head to the door. Passing Carl, he stops me. "Hey, be safe." I smile at him. "I will, you too, When I get back I wanna hold Judith if that's okay." He smiles and nods as well. "Come back safe and it's a deal." "Thanks buddy." I smile and flick his hat down. He laughs and I walk out the door. 

Daryl follows me outside and grab my arm gently. I stop and turn to him. "Hey, be careful out there." He says letting go of my arm. He stands close to me; he looks at me with slight worry in his eyes. "I'll be fine, even though, it's kind of weird. We haven't been apart since we met." I smile lightly. He makes the smallest smile, "Jus' be careful, we need ya here. Imma go with carol up the road and look around, see if we see anythin'." 

"You still never told me what you were going to say back at Terminus." I say, raising a brow, smirking. He actually chuckles, he leans to me, and I swallow, nervous what he's doing, but he goes to my ear, and whispers, "I'll tell you when you get back safe." He stands straight again. But is closer to me. "Seriously, you be good out there. I need ya." He says. "You're the one that needs to be safe and come back so you can tell me your dirty secret." 

"Stop," he smiles, amusement in his eyes as he bumps my shoulder, going back into the church.