RIDE OR DIE | DARYL DIXON

welcome to alexandria

This chapter is dedicated to everyone who has given my story a chance and continues to be so supportive of it. Thank you all for the amazing encouragement and endless love. -Ky

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ALEXANDRIA was bigger than they expected. The walls surrounding it made it seem big on the outside, but when Aaron led them through the gate, they were taken aback by how much larger it really was on the inside. They were a bit on edge when they shut the gate behind them, but they could hear children's voices off in the distance, and that eased some of their tension.

Another man came along beside Aaron, meeting them at the entrance. "Before we take this any further, I need you all to turn over your weapons." They were expecting some sort of introduction, but he just got right to the point. "Stay, you hand them over."

"We don't know if we want to stay." Rick said to the man.

"It's fine, Nicholas." Aaron said to the man beside him.

"If we were gonna use them, we would've started already." Rick explained.

"Let them talk to Deanna first."

"Who's Deanna?" Abraham asked from behind everyone.

"She knows everything you'd want to know about this place." Aaron answered. "Rick, why don't you start?"

"Start what, exactly?" Willow asked. "The 'auditions'?"

Aaron nodded, not quite content with the word choice. "She wants to get to know everyone before she makes the decision to let you stay. She'll ask a few questions, let you ask some in return..."

"Carl." Rick turned to his son, handing Judith over to him.

"Everyone can follow me." Aaron turned on his heel and began to lead them down the street. They looked around at the homes and buildings that lined the streets. They were sturdy and looked as if they were just constructed. They caught a few glimpses of some of the people that lived there, and they truly looked happy. The way they played in the yards and socialized with each other was like normal. It was as if the interior of the walls was a different time. A time before the dead began to rise.

"The rest of you can wait in the living room." Aaron led them up a few steps to a large home at the center of Alexandria, opening the door for them. "Deanna will get to each of you when she can."

They all sat around the living area of the home while Aaron took Rick upstairs to Deanna. It was oddly modern. The leather couches looked like new, the bookshelves were stocked with perfect conditioned books, there wasn't a speck of dust on any surface.

"I don't know how I feel about this." Willow whispered to Daryl beside her on the floor.

He nodded as he still glanced around their surroundings with Sienna. "Me neither."

Aaron came back down the stairs and joined the group in the living room. "I know it's a lengthy process, but it is worth it, I promise."

"What kind of questions does she ask?" Willow looked up at him from her spot on the rug. "What's she looking for in us that'll allow her to make a decision?"

He didn't say much. "Honesty. She wants honesty and the truth. I can't tell you much without compromising your answers."

She sighed and leaned back against the leg of the couch.

Rick came back down the stairs with a blank face, tapping Glenn on the shoulder for him to go up next.

They all sat in an awkward silence as they waited for each person to speak to Deanna. Aaron tried to make small talk with them to break the silence, but he was only having a conversation with himself, really.