The Third Dixon [The walking dead OC x OC]

Chapter two

The gates of Alexandria groaned open just enough to let one car through.

Nathan rolled in slowly, cutting the engine as silence settled around him. Dust clung to his clothes and boots, and sweat had soaked through the collar of his shirt after hours spent weaving around the massive herd.

A few Alexandrians looked up from their work as he stepped out.

"Everything okay?" one of them called.

Nathan managed a tired smile.

"So far."

The mission had been exhausting, but it was working. Exactly as Rick had planned. The herd was moving. Thousands of walkers following noise instead of instinct. It was terrifying to watch. But it was working.

He made his way toward the garden where Deanna and Maggie stood together.  Maggie had stayed behind with her to help organize supplies and keep everyone informed while the others were still outside the walls.

Nathan called out softly. ''Knock knock.''

Maggie looked up first.

"Nathan."

Relief crossed her face almost instantly.

"You're back."

Deanna look at him, dropping the shovel she was holding. "Report."

Nathan nodded once.

"It's going well."

Both women waited.

"The herd's moving exactly where it's supposed to."

"Rick's team got them out of the quarry. Daryl and Measi are leading the front section, Sasha and Abraham are keeping the middle moving." A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "They're actually making it look easier than it is."

Maggie let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

"So it's working?"

He nodded.

"Better than we expected."

"The flares are doing their job. The motorcycles keep the front moving, and every time a few walkers drift off, somebody pulls them back into line."

Deanna looked thoughtful.

"And Rick?"

Nathan couldn't help but chuckle softly.

"Still yelling at everybody over the radio."

That earned the smallest smile from Maggie.

"Sounds about right."

Nathan leaned both hands against the edge of the table.

"They're all tired."

His voice grew quieter.

"But everyone's doing exactly what they're supposed to."

Deanna nodded slowly.

"Good."

For the first time since the operation had begun, some of the tension left her shoulders.

"I'll let everyone know."

Nathan glanced toward the window overlooking Alexandria.

People were carrying lumber.

Children chased each other through the streets.

Someone was repairing a fence.

They had no idea just how close thousands of walkers currently were.

And hopefully...