1 | 𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐃𝐈𝐄 ➪ 𝔇.𝔇𝔦𝔵𝔬𝔫

F O R T Y - F I V E

Samantha plopped the man in front of Rick. "He's been watching us." She said never letting go of the mans collar. "I am a friend." He said once again.

"Who are you?" Rick asked motioning for Samantha to let go of his collar. She did and was handed some rope by Daryl. "Thanks, " she whispered.

She wrapped the man so he had minimal space to move. "My name is Aaron, I'm part of a community." Rick and Samantha shared a skeptical look. "What is it you want?" Rick didn't expect the answer he got. "You."

"I'm sorry, that sounded a little suspicious. We seek out people to join our community, only allowing those who could help us into the community." Judith started crying but no one could quiet her.

"I have an RV not far from here." He added. "You got him?" Rick asked Samantha and she nodded. The others gathered to talk and came up with a plan.

She stood in front of him. She grabbed her sword pressing the tip to his adams apple. "Don't move, or else I may impale you." She spoke softly.

He was afraid of her, the others not so much. But her, she instilled a deep fear. He had been observing them for awhile, he had seen how she acted.

She looked like she had seen the worst and lived to tell the tale. She looked dead, she looked like his death wouldn't be the first.

She looked like the type to say "Oops my bad," after killing someone. Little did he know she was that type of person.

Rick came back ready to inform her of the plan. "The others will take the RV to scout out his community and you, me and Judith will stay here." She knew that was smart so she agreed.

"I'm stayin', y'all gonna need back up incase somethin' happens." Daryl spoke and Rick nodded not having a reason to disagree.

Rick said goodbye to the others and head back to the Sam and Daryl. "I truly mean no harm," Aaron said nicely. "You have running water?" Samantha asked noticing how he has shaven recently and how he still smelled faintly of peppermint. "Yes, and electricity." Daryl scoffed looking away. "How?" Rick asked not believing in the paradise Aaron spoke of. "Solar panels, plus an amazing architect."

A shower sounded amazing, it sounded unbelievable. "I know you don't believe me. But I may be able to help with the crying child." Judith had yet to cease her sobbing. Samantha pressed harder against his adams apple cause a trickle of blood to fall down his neck.

"I have apple sauce, she's isn't she?" He asked and Rick knew he was right. It had been a while since they last came across food. "You taste it first," Rick said before going to his bag and grabbing the applesauce. He also happened to find a spoon. Once Aaron tasted it and had no side effects he fed it to Judith, who soon after quieted down.

"Thank you," Rick said reluctantly. "No child deserves to starve," he was right. The barn creaked as they fell into silence. "The community is big, we can find a place for you to live where you can teach her, play with her, watch her grow. You two could have your own house." The last part directed to Samantha and Daryl.

"We ain't a thing," Daryl corrected. Aaron had noticed how Daryl looked at her and he wasn't usually one to assume. "Oh my bad," he apologized. "We have walls, which are big enough to block out an infants cries." He added. "You speak of heaven so carelessly." Samantha whispered. "To you it must sound like it." He remember watching Alissa die, the look of absolute horror on Samanthas face.

"We also have a doctor who can help your condition." He said to her. She was quickly offended and had to stop herself from stabbing him threw the throat. "And what condition is that?" Rick asked. The look in Ricks eye dared Aaron to speak another word. "We meds, all kinds: pain, psych, and we know an OBG-yn." Aaron corrected his mistake and aw the hostile look leave Samantha's face.