Just Hold On - Daryl Dixon (TWD)

29.

*Lucia's POV*

We walked through the tall wooden gates and into a small community. The big house in the middle of the lot was a reddish brown colour, Victorian style home. It had many uniform windows that made it look almost scary in a way. I immediately started looking around as soon as we were inside the gates. To the left was a small wooden structure that kind of looked like a farming area. On the right were a few long trailers. I assumed that's where a lot of the people lived.

I could see lots of green vegetables as well as some chickens being fed. Someone was walking a horse around a small, makeshift horse stable. In one of the wooden structures, a man could be seen standing over a hot flame, making more spears.

"Hey, thanks again," Freddie said, walking with the help of Harlan and one of the other men I hadn't learned the name of yet.

Harlan turned to Maggie and Glenn, getting their attention.

"Come see me whenever. I'm just over here in the medical trailer, okay?"

The two of them nodded before joining the rest of our group once again.

I walked stiffly next to Daryl with my hands holding onto my gun tightly.

"What's up with you?" Daryl asked me, lightly pushing his shoulder into mine.

"I don't know. Something seems off. These people are scared of something."

"Well we did just walk in with heavy weapons. We could take everyone here out in minutes," Daryl replied.

"I know, but it's not that. It's something else. I just can't put my finger on it," I replied back, still feeling something heavy on my chest.

"There was a materials yard for a power company nearby. That's how we put up the walls. A lot of people came from a FEMA camp. Trailers came with them," Jesus said to us as he walked backwards, watching our reactions.

"How did people find out about this place?" Michonne asked.

Jesus took in a deep breath and then turned around. We had made it to the big brown house in the middle of the small community. All of us stopped, waiting to see what he had to say.

"That's called Barrington house. The family that owned it gave it to the state in the thirties. The state turned it into a living history museum. Every elementary school for fifty miles used to come here for field trips. The place was running a long time before the modern world built up around it. I think people came here because they figured it'd keep running after the modern world broke down. Those windows up there let us see for miles in every direction. It's perfect for security. Come on, I'll show you inside," Jesus said, bringing us up the steps and opening the front door.

We all piled into the big house, following the long haired man. I walked behind Rick with Daryl making sure I didn't stray too far from beside him. Once we were all inside, I slowly walked along the left wall, looking at all of the old painted portraits.

"Good gracious, Ignatius," Abe said, taking a look around. His gun was sitting across his shoulder comfortably.

"You can say that again," I replied quietly, still looking at the old paintings.

"Most of the rooms have been converted to living spaces. Even the ones that weren't bedrooms," Jesus chipped in with a small, awkward chuckle.

"People live here and the trailers?" Rick spoke up.

Jesus nodded in response.

"We plan to build. There's babies being born."

My eyes immediately went over to Maggie who subconsciously put a hand over her belly.