Rick threw down a kit of various handheld weapons, rolling it out for the group to pick and choose their sidearm. Alexa smirked as she looked around to see the group's shocked faces, primarily Andrea who looked like she would rather die than pick up a hatchet. It was funny to think that only she and Daryl were smart enough to carry silent weapons when everyone opted for guns.
"Everybody takes a weapon," Rick started, gesturing to the weapons on the hood of the car.
"These aren't the kind of weapons we need." Andrea was the first to object. Alexa rolled her eyes, of course, Andrea was the first to voice her opinion. "What about the guns?"
"We've been over that," Shane spoke up. "Dale, Daryl, Rick, Alexa, and I are carrying." Andrea scoffed at the mention of the girl's name. "We can't have people popping off rounds every time a tree rustles."
"So why does Alexa get a gun and I don't?" Andrea asked, venom laced in her tone.
"Andrea, get over it. She's only carrying a gun because she knows when and why to shoot it." Daryl spoke up, ending the argument. Andrea scoffed again, unwillingly taking a weapon from the hood of the car. The woman gave Alexa a death stare as she passed back to her spot.
"Now, the idea is to take the creek up about five miles, turn around come back down the other side," Daryl explained to the group.
"Chances are she'll be near the creek, it's her only landmark," Alexa added as she shuffled closer to Daryl to get away from Andrea's venomous glare.
"Stay quiet, stay sharp, keep space between you but always stay inside of each other," Rick explained. He patted Carl's shoulder before he turned to talk to Dale. Alexa, spotting her brother, walked away from Daryl and towards the small boy. He grinned, adjusting his backpack and knife as he saw his sister approach.
"Hey, kiddo, you ready to head out?"
"Yes ma'am." The boy replied, trying to look big and responsible. Alexa had reluctantly agreed to let the boy come along, only because she knew he could handle himself, and because Dale was working on the RV today and wouldn't be able to watch after the boy.
"Alright, listen." The girl said, getting down on one knee to be level with her brother. "You stay next to me, got it?" Chase nodded. "But if we get separated somehow and you run into trouble scream and I'll come running." Chase nodded again, hanging on every word she spoke. "Watch your back, got it?"
"Yes ma'am."
Alexa rolled her eyes as she tightened her ponytail, brushing her bangs out of her face before standing up. Adjusting her clothes and gear before she heard the sound of approving footsteps.
"Hey," Daryl grumbled.
"We ready?" Alexa quizzed, peering over the man's shoulder to see if the group was ready or not. Daryl nodded, signaling for the siblings to follow him.
"Ready?" Rick asked as the trio approached.
Daryl nodded. "I'm gonna lead the way, but Alexa's and Chase are gonna scout ahead and tell us if troubles comin'."
Rick nodded as the group followed behind Daryl and Alexa into the woods.
Already the siblings managed to get ahead of the group, disappearing into the trees. The only visible trace of them being Chase's brightly colored shirt.
"At least we can see one of them," Rick pointed out in a whisper as they started up the creek.
Daryl didn't respond, instead, he tried to stay focused on Sophia's old tracks. Venture further into the woods, the sound of the group's heavy footsteps made it difficult to focus as Daryl had to keep reminding them to stay off Sophia's tracks and keep quiet.
Daryl could just make out the figures of Chase and Alexa in the distance, watching as they silently crept around before suddenly stopping. Their abrupt stop made Daryl stop too, causing Rick to bump into him, as he watched Alexa and Chase swiftly sneak back to the group.
YOU ARE READING
What Lies Ahead • the walking dead ¹
Fiksi PenggemarWhen the dead started walking she was alone. Alone with her baby brother. Alone with her thoughts. Alone with the dead... Alone. A word Alexa grew quite acquainted with... Until she wasn't alone.
