Don't Fear The Reaper (R. Grimes & D. Dixon)

46

All three quickly threw on clothes as paul went to go wait out in the hallway. Daryl and Rick were grumbling about skinning him the entire time. Kit was the first out the door seeing both boys standing with their guns drawn behind paul, who was sitting on the top step.

"We got it, boys," kit sighed. The door opened and closed downstairs, and multiple footsteps ran up the stairs. Merle, Abraham, Maggie, and Glenn showed up with their guns drawn. "it's okay," kit held up her hand. Daryl peaked at her, glaring. It wasn't okay for him. He wanted to shoot the peeping tom.

"you said we should talk. so let's talk" rick sighed

They all moved downstairs to sit around the table, a couple more people joining once they heard about Paul. Jesus sat at the head of the table furthest from the door, kit and Rick taking the seats next to him "so how did you get out" Rick asked; Daryl moved to lean against the wall next to kit's seat.

" One guard can't cover two exits or 3rd-floor windows. Knots untie, and locks get picked. Entropy comes from order. " Kit wasn't so sure why his answer was so funny to her; it might have been from just looking at both Dixon's faces while he talked.

"Right," Daryl grunted, squinting at him.

"I checked out your arsenal -" paul nodded as if that was a normal thing to confess to your captures "- I haven't seen anything like that in a long time. You're well equipped, but your provisions are low. Very low for the number of people you have. 54?"

"More than that," maggie said, crossing her arms.

"Well, I appreciate the cookie. My compliments to the chef."

Kit smirked when Daryl started shifting " keep em' to yourself," he grunted. Paul briefly looked at kit, hiding his amusement as he turned to face Daryl more.
" Look, we got off to a bad start. But We are on the same side, the living side. You and Rick had every reason to leave me out there, but you didn't. I'm from a place that's a lot like this one. Part of my job is searching out other settlements to trade with. I took your truck because my settlement needs things, and both of you looked like trouble.-" kit looked down, trying not to smile. " - I was wrong. You're good people. And this is a good place; I think our communities may be in a position to help each other."

" do you have food?" Glenn asked

" We started to raise livestock. We scavenge; we grow everything from tomatoes to sorghum."

" Why should we believe you?" Kit asked

" I'll show you. If we take a car, I can take you back home in a day. And you can all see for yourselves who we are and what we have to offer."

" you said you're looking for more settlements. Does that mean you're already trading with others?" Tdog asked

Paul smiled, leaning back in his chair " your world is about to get a lot bigger."

Most of them geared up, getting ready for the trip while Daryl checked the fluids in the RV like oil, etc. Kit zipped up her vest, deciding to go without her jacket since it was warm. She looked over at Carl, holding Judith, Jody, next to him.
"You aren't coming?" She asked, walking closer to them.
"Nah, I think I wanna stay," Carl said
"I'm gonna stay too," Jody added; kit eyed them both before nodding.
"This have anything to do with the incident in the woods with Deanna?" Carl looked at her, confused about how she even knew. " michonne told me she saw you. Look, Carl, I get it, but if you're having thoughts about your mom's death again or your eye and you need to talk to someone, we are here for you. Or if you think you can't talk to us about it, at least talk to Denise, she was a therapist, so that she can help you too. OK?"