Dead Man Walking

xcviii.

Hunter crouched down to look Judith and RJ in the eye. "Alright guys," he said, "I'm heading out with Maggie and a few others. You know the rules, don't cause any trouble, look out for each other. You know, be kids, whatever."

Judith nodded, she knew the rules. It wasn't the first time her uncle had to go take care of things for them all to be safe. "Be safe out there. Don't die or whatever."

Hunter chuckles, he leans in and places a kiss on her forehead. He turned to RJ, hoping to get the same reply. But RJ looked at him with wide eyes. "But you promised to play trucks with me," He protested.

"I know, buddy, I'm sorry," He says, frowning at him. "But we'll play when I get back, I promise. And you never know, when I'm out there, I could find more trucks. Maybe even some better toys."

RJ seemed to be okay with that deal because a wide smile spread across his face. "I can work with that. Especially if you bring back comics."

"I will try my best." Hunter ruffled his nephew's hair and the two went back to playing card games on the floor.

Hunter stood up and walked over to his daughter's crib. She was sleeping soundly, her little chest rising and falling with each breath. He leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I love you." He whispered.

 He grabbed the stuffed animal, bringing it closer to his sleeping daughter before walking toward the door. He looked back at his niece and nephew, "I love you guys too."

"We love you too," Judith says, smiling up at him.

____

A few hours into their walk it started pouring. They huddled together, walking through the stormy night. The wind howled around them, whipping their clothes in every direction. Lightning lit up the sky, followed by thunder that shook the ground beneath their feet.

Rain pelted down on them, drenching them to the bone, they kept their heads down and their shoulders hunched against the weather. It was goodman freezing and Hunter regretted coming out here.

"Negan, how much longer 'till we're through the city?" Maggie shouted over the sound of thunder.

"Well, we got about six hours!" Hunter groaned at that answer, "We should hunker down, wait for this to pass!"

"You don't get a vote, asshole!" Cole shouted.

Hunter rolled his eyes, "You want to keep walking through this storm dumbass? We need to find shelter!"

"No!" Maggie argued, "We don't have time!"

"We can't stay out in this," Daryl says.

Maggie tapped Hunter's arm and pointed, he followed her finger to a metro station, "Hell yeah, let's go!"

They all jogged towards it, running down the stairs with their flashlights out. Hunter removed his hood as he looked around at all the signs. It was completely empty from what he could see.

"Alright, which way?" Daryl asks.

"Not to sound like a broken record, but we ought to take a breath, hunker down, and wait for the storm to pass," Negan answers.

Maggie looks at the man who killed her husband, "You don't wanna go in there?"

Negan shook his head, "No, I don't."

"I don't give a shit," Hunter raised his brows as he looks away from the two, "Which way?"

"Yellow line north," Negan answers, "Switch to blue at Regan National, then we hop the red toward Bethesda."