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

78

"There's no way that's the same herd," Daryl said, coming back from looking out the door they came in.

"They got us cut off," Aaron whispered, continuing to help Eugene up, as he panicked. 

"So we'll backtrack we'll go around 'em," Daryl said, although kit didn't think it would be that easy.

"Old Route 28 isn't far. It's the straightest shot back to the horses." Jesus said, jogging up to match kit and Daryl's pace. 

"Lead the way." Kit held her arm out for him to go first.

And just as kit thought, it was not as simple as going around, the herd was stalking them, and they could only go so fast, even with Jesus and Aaron carrying all of Eugene's weight. "What the hell is going on? They just keep coming," Kit hissed.

"It doesn't make any sense. They shouldn't have doubled back like that. And they definitely shouldn't have followed us," Paul agreed as he and Aaron set Eugene down to take a small breather. Aaron headed back to the trees to act as a lookout for when they had to leave again.

"I do have a theory to posit. The walkers are evolving." Eugene offered.

"Oh, that's bullshit." Daryl spat

"They're dead; they're not evolving." Jesus dismissed

"Being dead hasn't exactly stopped them from perambulating ad infinitum, though, has it? They're not dead in any sense that makes sense. It takes an impact to the cranium to stop them, which means the brain is alive, degraded as it may be. And if it's alive, it can change. maybe even start to remember things too like how to talk." Eugene growled

"What?" Daryl asked confused

"It's not as completely crazy then them being alive in the first place. We saw video proof of what it looked like when they first reanimated. The brain was dead, sure, but leave that parasite in there long enough it could evolve on its own to catch harder prey," Kit said to Daryl, her hand tightening on the handle of her staff, really uncomfortable with even the thought.

Aaron ran back towards them out of the forest " They're right on our asses. We've gotta get to the horses fast."

"You have to leave me behind. I'm slowing you down and tiring you out. Every time we stop, the dead get closer." Eugene tried sacrificing himself again

"Shut the hell up, Eugene. We came out to find you. We aren't going home without you," Kit hissed; Eugene pursed his lips, not responding.

"The numbers actually work for us. We can split up. You three get him back to the horses. I'll wait for the herd to get here, then I'll draw them off in the other direction." Jesus delegated

"No, I am not leaving your holier thou art ass out here all by yourself," Kit spat, annoyed.

"If anyone stays, it's gonna be me," Daryl interjected

"Daryl-"

"Don't," He growled, grabbing the back of her head and pulling her in for a hard kiss. "I will come back to you." He whispered against her lips before stepping back. "Go" He waved them off. Jesus grabbed hold of kits arm as Daryl started to jog backward. "Hell, I'll probably even beat you back to the horses," He joked, running off in the other direction, calling for Dog to follow him. Kit swallowed the lump in her throat before running to follow Jesus and Eugene.

~Meanwhile, at Alexandria~

Negan sat awake in his cell, unable to sleep due to the raging storm outside. The wind blowing through his cell window made his cell door begin to rattle, and a spark of hope bloomed in his chest as he slowly rose from his cot. He approached the door, barely applying any pressure to it; the door creaked as it flew open. He cautiously stepped out of his cell, looking around for a moment before bending down to pick up the tennis ball that had accidentally bounced out earlier. Then he tossed it over his shoulder and walked to the glass pane door leaving.