The Enemy

[10] Fist Bump

Chapter Song\\ Clean Bandit - Rockabye Baby

"Now she gotta a six year old, trying to keep him warm, trying to keep out the cold"
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"You didn't want to be there," Rick began as we crouched over the stream trying to refill water bottles with the murky water, "That's why I tried to talk to you. Glenn told me you saved his life."

"He's being modest, he saved mine first. That's how it works with us, right? We have each other's backs?" I asked unsure that some people in the group would protect me if my life was endangered. I still wasn't sure if I could rely on anyone other than Tara.

"Right," he confirmed.

"Hey," I outstretched my hand for a fist bump. He chucked before pounding my fist with his.

"Get something to eat. We'll start back at sunup."

I licked the grease of some animal chicken from each finger, savouring the taste, never knowing when the next meal will come. My stomach growled at the momentary pause of eating.

"Help! Help!" The next meal obviously won't be soon, as the group sprang to their feet, following Rick as he ran towards the source of the shout.

"Guess we're running again," I said to the trees, as I placed the animal bones on the ground, gripped my bag strap and rose from the log.

I arrived to the scene last, the walkers already taken care of. A bald man sat upon a large bolder, still kicking his feet at the dead walkers. He wore a simple black suit that didn't have a spec of dust on, with a pastors tie accompanied with a bible in his hand.

"We're clear. Come on down," this sounded like an order coming from Rick's mouth.

"Thank you," he said politely, "I'm Gabriel."

"Do you have any weapons on you?" Rick asked as he hopped down from the rock.

The religious man chuckled, "Do I look like I would have any weapons?" I don't think it's a good idea to be joking at this time. He should just answer Rick's question.

"We don't give two short and curlies what it looks like," Abraham spoke beside me, resting his rifle on his abnormally large shoulder.

"Good one," I nudged him and pushed my fist towards him.

"Boom," he said, quietly chuckling and meeting my fist.

"The word of God is the only protection I need," he outstretched his arms as if embracing his surroundings.

"Sure didn't look like it," I chimed in, "but who am I to mess with your faith?"

"I called for help. Help came," he looked towards the cloudless sky, as if thanking some unknown person for 'saving him', "Do you have any food? Whatever I had left, it just hit the ground."

"We've got some pecans," Carl fumbled around in his pocket before extending a hand out towards the man, oblivious to the looks he was receiving from Rick.

"Thank you," Judith cooed and fidgeted in Tyreese's arms, Gabriel's eyes flickered towards the sound, "That's a beautiful child. Do you have a camp?"

"No," Rick answered abruptly. "Do you?" His voice emotionless as he slightly tilted his head.

"I have a church," he replied matter of factly.

"Hold your hands above your head," Rick ordered, holstering his weapon and frisking Gabriel, roughly patting his arms and legs, "How many walkers have you killed?"