Demonic Saint (The Second Novel in the Avenging Angel Series)

Chapter Six

The trees stood as silent warriors that not even the wind could disrupt their focus. The eerie hush that blanketed them only heightened the tension that lined each muscle of their bodies. Alexa watched with slight amusement as Daryl attempted to teach her brother how to track. She shook her head, Rick was never the hunter in the family. Their father always tried to teach him, but it was in fact Alexa who picked up the tricks and knowledge, and loved every minute of it, as funny as it may sound for a Veterinarian. She watched her brother fumble around like a new born calf and couldn't take it any more. Alexa walked up and snatched the rifle out of his hand before checking it over. Once satisfied, she looked up to see both males staring at her in question.
        "You know I'm the better hunter," Alexa shrugged, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. "And the better shot."
        A smile tugged at Rick's lips as a new light formed in his eyes. He furrowed his brow at the words his sister spoke as they finally sank in. "You know that's not true! Dad always praised me, sayin' that my aim was dead center!"
        "Of course he did," Alexa said as she placed the strap over her shoulder. She turned and started walking further ahead of him as she added, "He couldn't tell his only son that he sucked, now could he?"
        "Hey!" His voice was full of mock hurt, but the banter was something they used to throw back at one another. He was slowly getting his sister back. Rick glanced to the redneck beside him, catching the curiousness flash across his eyes before it quickly faded. The only response he could offer Daryl was a shrug of his shoulders as he followed the younger Grimes sibling.
        They lapsed back into silence with Alexa in the lead this time around. The daunting woods held secrets that the three of them did not wish to uncover. Alexa paused in her steps as she glanced around the forest floor. She kneeled down and gently brushed a few dead leaves aside and noted the tracks that littered the area. They were made by a fox and couldn't be no more than a few hours old. Remaining in her position, she glanced around before turning her attention back to the tracks. She whistled softly, but it was loud enough for Nyx to come running from their right. She plowed right into Alexa, who threw her hand out to balance herself. Nyx began to lick Alexa's face excitedly as her tail swept the dirt and leaves. Alexa giggled at her pup's enthusiasm completely unaware of the happiness that filled both her brother and lover. Rick shared a look with Daryl and knew right then that, even though it is slow, things were going to be okay.
        "Nyx enough," Alexa commanded and the female complied instantly. She then proceeded to point out the tracks to her companion, who followed her every move, muscles coiled tight, and tail wagging slightly in the anticipation. "Search."
        Nyx licked Alexa's cheek once more to show her affection before immediately taking off. She paused a few feet away from the small hunting group, sniffed the ground before quickly taking off once more to their left. Alexa stood and took off after her companion, knowing that her brother and Daryl would follow. The silence continued to stretch between them. Daryl just watched Alexa as she worked with Nyx, the pup being a work-in-progress. It still amazed him that she was able to reign in and refocus the young canine with just a slight whistle.
        "This is what she was like when we were younger." Rick whispered, trying not to distract either hunter.
        "Alexa mentioned before that she used to hunt, but it had been awhile." Daryl whispered, following the cop's lead.
        Rick turned to the male beside him, studying him for a minute before turning his attention back to his sister. "Our dad was an adamant hunter, and to our mom's displeasure I might add. He wanted his kids to know how to survive if the chance ever called for it. He took me out when I was five, and then when Alexa turned five, he took her with us. That went on for a few years until my mom got real bad sick." Rick turned to look back at Daryl, to see him staring at the woman before them. "Alexa was the one to bring us together after that." 
        Daryl turned to look at Rick, his curiosity getting the better of him. "How?"
        Rick shrugged, a small smile on his lips. "Hunting."
        "Daryl!" Alexa's voice drifted on the air, bouncing off the trees. "Rick!
        Both males moved as one upon hearing her call. They quickly ran through the trees, cursing themselves for loosing track of her. Busting through the brush, they both had their weapons at the ready as they scanned the area for the threat. Alexa stood with her arms crossed and a pup that was barely containing her excitement at her side. She watched as they approached her, Daryl reaching out to touch her arm. Electricity spread immediately through her body from the area, causing her stomach to flutter. The assault was so instantaneous, she barely caught what he said.
        Shaking her head, Alexa gave him a smile. "I'm fine."
        "Why were you hollerin'?" Rick asked as he stepped closer to them.
        "Because I found tracks," Alexa answered as she turned to him.
        "Nah shit, Alexa, that is why we're out here in the first place." Rick chided.
        "Really, dumbass? Thanks for clearin' that up for me, I had no idea." Alexa's voice was full of sarcasm.
        Daryl shook his head at the siblings before looking over the area himself. There was a break between the trees, causing the two sets to look as ominous as they felt. Grass was growing wild being nearly up to his knees. How the hell did that dog track a fox in this? As he moved, his foot jolted on something hard. He looked down thinking it was a rock when he spotted what looked like metal. Kneeling, he took a closer look. He stood once more with a smirk on his face.
        "She wasn't lying about the tracks!" Daryl called, capturing Rick's attention just as Alexa's rebut of 'See!' could be heard. Rick moved closer to the other male, kneeling down to take a closer look. The dark metal could barely be seen from the grass and it beg the question how she was able to find it in the first place. Shaking his head and the wrong question here, Rick made the suggestion that they should follow with the off chance that it would come across a house or town somewhere down the line. They followed in silence, keeping a vigilant eye on their surroundings, moving a few more miles before stumbling on a hill overlooking prison sitting next a small pound.
        Nyx's ears perked up towards the faint growling and snarling as several walkers in prison dress staggered about the courtyard. The pup began to growl low and deep as she moved to stand in front of Alexa. Daryl stared wearily at the sight before him while Rick's mind quickly sat to work, seeing the potential that lied within the fortress. With a quick word of fetching the others, while Daryl and Alexa remained behind to keep their eyes on the situation. He watched as she sat down on the rail, Nyx moving close, before he decided to ask her a question that had been weighing heavily on his mind.
        "What did ya mean?"
        Alexa looked up at him, confused by the sudden question. "What?"
        "Back at the house, you said you didn't belong here anymore," Daryl looked out towards that prison before turning his attention back to her. "What did ya mean?"
        "Now is not the time for this, Daryl." Alexa said as she stood, dusting off her jeans.
        Daryl stared at the woman before him, an odd mixture of emotions coursing through him. He opened his mouth to retort but was cut off prematurely by the arrival of the others. Everyone stared down at the prison, relief the dominant feature on their tired faces. A plan was quickly put together before they set off once more, moving as quietly as they could so not to draw the attention of the Walkers roaming aimlessly within the fence. 
        Pulling out a pair of wire cutters, Rick paused outside the fence while the others stood watch. After a few moments, he created an opening in the prison's exterior, pulling it back as he slipped inside to allow the others to follow. As soon as Glenn and Daryl passed through, Rick left them to tie it back while he made his way towards the front of the others before leading the charge towards the prison gates.
        "Someone needs to get through there and closed the gates on the other side." Rick said as he surveyed the yard.
        "I can go," Glenn offered.
        Rick glanced at him before looking back out at the yard. "No, I'll do it." He turned his attention back to the others before adding, "Glenn, take T-Dog, Beth, and Maggie to distract and kill the Walkers." Glenn nodded before taking off to the opposite side with the small group assigned to him. Rick then turned to Daryl. "Take Hershel, Carl, and Alexa to the guard towers to give cover."
        Daryl took off with the other two males close behind. Alexa lagged behind before looking over at Carol. "Do you care to take my place?"
        A look of confusion turned to her as Carol asked, "What do you mean?"
        "I'm not feeling good and don't trust my aim. I'll stay with Lori." Alexa watched as that confused look remain, but the older woman left just the same. She moved closer to her brother and sister-in-law.
        "Where's Carol?" Lori asked, gaining Rick's attention.
        "She wanted to go to the guard tower," Alexa shrugged. "Her aim has gotten a lot better."
        Rick turned back to the situation at hand, making a mental note to discuss this later with his sister. He lifted the rifle, checking it over before moving to swing it over his shoulder. He reached out to take the chains from Lori only to have his little sister beat him to it. Rick's eyes narrowed on Alexa before handing his hand out. "Give it back, Alexa."
        She shook her head. "I'll go instead."
        "What!?"
        Alexa looked between Rick and Lori, amused to find that the older woman cared. Shaking her head, she said, "Rick, you have a son and a baby on the way," her eyes cut to Lori for a brief moment before returning her attention back to her brother, "you have no business going out there."
        "And you do," came his incredulous question.
        "I'm the better shot," came her stubborn response. Noise erupted as Glenn and his small team began making noise on the other side of the yard. "Come on, Rick, we don't have time for this. Chew me out later."
        Rick sighed before reluctantly handing the rifle over. He briefly explained his plan of action to her before stepping to the gate. Alexa took a few deep breaths to calm herself as she reached to her guns, pulling both out, and nodding to her brother. With his jaw set firmly, he pulled the gate opened and watched with a heavy heart as Alexa rushed out, closing the gate behind her.
        Time seemed to slow down and all noise muffled. She made a straight rush towards the opposite gate, firing a single head shot at any Walker that came after her. Her focus was on the task at hand. Alexa didn't worry about anything around her, trusting the others to watch her back as she reached the gate and pulled it closed; wrapping the chain securely around the bars and locking it. Turning to the nearby guard tower, she opened the door. Firing a single shot at the Walker trapped inside, Alexa pulled the door closed and went up to finish with the clean up.