We're The Ones Who Live | The Walking Dead (2)

Part 13 - Dixons Vs. Beta

The sun had risen as the night turned into day, and the trio were still exploring the woods, following Henry's trail. For a lot of the journey, Daryl had been walking ahead with Dog leading the way, whilst Connie and CJ walked sided by side behind him, getting to know one another a little better.

The pair were getting along well already, and CJ was more than happy she was getting on with someone new. She learnt about Connie's old life, how she was a reporter and how she always looked out for her younger sister. CJ told Connie about her job at the gym, and she talked about her brother, Tony. 

After Michonne closed Alexandria's gates, CJ's world felt very small. She never met anyone new, and if she did, they were usually bad news. But Connie, Kelly and the rest of their small group were good people, and CJ was proud of Michonne for letting her guard down this time.

"How long have you two been married?" Connie asked, pointing between CJ and Daryl.

"Seven or eight years," CJ replied, signing as she spoke out loud. "Met right at the beginning when we shot a rabbit at the same time."

"Must be nice, being together all this time," Connie smiled. 

"Yeah, it is," CJ nodded, smiling as she watched Daryl's back as he led the way. "How long have you and your people been together?"

"It was just Kelly and me for a long time," Connie explained. "Then we found a camp where we met Luke. Yumiko and Magna showed up a few months after. There were more of us. Your niece found us after our camp was overrun by a herd. Just the five of us now."

"Well, you're all with us now," CJ said softly as she signed. "Hilltop is your home. You guys have earned your place."

"We appreciate it," Connie smiled again. "And thank you again. For saving me in the cornfield yesterday."

"Don't mention it," CJ replied.

After walking for a little while longer, CJ spotted something on the ground by a ditch and caught Connie's arm to point to what she'd seen. The dirt was scuffed, and there were a few clear footprints, like someone slipped or fell. Daryl turned back when he noticed the pair had stopped and followed their gazes to the ground.

Connie wrote a note to show Daryl. 'He caught up with them.'

"Yeah," Daryl mumbled as he looked around. "There was a struggle."

Connie tapped his arm to make him look at her. She pointed to his mouth, then between her eyes and his, telling him he needed to look at her when he spoke.

"They caught up to him," Daryl said more clearly, and Connie nodded.

CJ raised an eyebrow at her husband and signed as she spoke. "So, the mumbling thing is just a choice, huh?" Daryl playfully squinted his eyes at her as Connie smiled at the interaction.

Dog barked and ran around the ditch, sniffing something on the ground. The familiar black, wooden staff lay in the dirt, the end of it buried where it had been dropped and left behind. 

"Good boy." CJ hopped down into the ditch and patted Dog's back before she picked up the staff. "This is Henry's."

She tossed it up to Daryl who caught it and inspected it. Dog barked and started sniffing around again, and Daryl pointed in his direction. "They went that way."

The growls of walkers suddenly filled the air, and the two corpses made their way over to the trio. Daryl fired an arrow at one, and Connie took out the other with her slingshot.

Daryl whistled to Dog, getting him to bring the arrow back.

"Drop it," he instructed. Dog ignored the order, and when Daryl tried to take the arrow back, it snapped in half.