The Third Dixon [The walking dead]

Chapter three

Measi jerked awake as the backpack shifted out from beneath her head.

The soft scrape of fabric against wood snapped her fully into consciousness. She blinked hard, rubbing at her eyes, staring down at the bag with a small frown. She didn't remember putting it there. Her neck still ached from the bench—

The church door creaked.

"Stop."

Sasha's voice cut through the quiet like a blade.

Measi was on her feet instantly, sniper already in her hands, barrel angled toward the sound. Her pulse spiked as she scanned the room. People were moving. Tense. Awake.

"What are you doing?" Sasha demanded, stepping directly in front of Gabriel.

He froze.

"This is all connected," Sasha continued, voice shaking with fury. "You show up, we're being watched, and now three of our people are gone."

Measi tightened her grip on the rifle, eyes flicking instinctively toward the shadows, toward the door, toward the windows.

Where the hell was Daryl?

"I—I don't—" Gabriel stammered.

Sasha stepped closer. "What are you doing?"

Still no answer.

Measi moved up beside her, knife now in her free hand, resting against her forearm. "This isn't coincidence."

Rosita shouted, "Don't!"

Tyreese tried to intervene. "Sasha, put it away."

But Sasha wasn't the only one armed now.

Measi stepped forward another pace. "Who's out there?" Sasha snapped.

"I don't have anything to do with this," Gabriel said again, voice cracking.

"Where are our people?" Sasha yelled.

"I don't have anything to—"

"WHERE ARE OUR PEOPLE?!"

Tyreese grabbed Sasha, pulling her back as Gabriel folded in on himself. Measi scanned the church, mind racing. She'd slept. She hated that. Too much could happen in a few hours.

She focused back on Gabriel.

"Why'd you bring us here?" Measi asked flatly.

Rick stepped in. "You working with someone?"

"I'm alone," Gabriel sobbed. "I was always alone."

Rick's eyes hardened. "What about the woman in the food bank, Gabriel?"

Measi's stomach dropped.

"What did you do to her?" Rick demanded, grabbing his collar and slamming him back. "You'll burn for this. What did you do?!"

Gabriel shoved him away, collapsing into tears.

"I always lock the doors at night," he babbled. "Always—always—"

Measi raised her gun instinctively, covering him as he broke.

"They came... my congregation," Gabriel said. "Atlanta was bombed. They were scared. Looking for somewhere safe."

Measi and Glenn exchanged a glance. She remembered the sky burning red. The panic.

"And the doors were locked," Gabriel whispered. "They were banging. Screaming my name. And the dead came for them."

Realization hit Measi like a punch.

"Women... children," he said, eyes flicking to Carl. To her.

She scoffed quietly, jaw tight.