Freedom -Negan-

Chapter 34

The ride was mostly silence besides the occasional radio from the other vehicle. That was fine. Silence made it easier to ignore Shepherd sitting next to me. I looked out of Matt's window the entire time to avoid even looking his way. I couldn't let him get under my skin, but it was going to be extremely difficult for me.

We drove for about 45 minutes before pulling off to the side of the road. Peter motioned for all of us to get out and I followed Matt with my backpack in hand. We were surrounded by tall trees that reminded me of the area I used to call home.

The truck in front of us was already unpacking weapons for everyone. Handguns, rifles, some knives. I turned and stepped to head over, but Peter put his arm out and grabbed my shoulder.

"None of those for you, Jesse." He sounded apologetic, at least.

"What do you mean? I'm supposed to run around with nothing but hopes and prayers?" I couldn't hide the annoyance. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Shepherd smirking as he overheard our conversation.

"You can use your pocketknife, but that's all I can let you have." Peter's hand was still resting on my shoulder. I gripped his wrist and threw it off.

"My pocketknife? The one that's buried in a dead man's skull in the basement of a high school? That's the one I'm supposed to defend myself with?" I scoffed at the ridiculous thought. "Fuck all that'll do me, Peter."

Peter pressed his lips together and looked at the ground, thinking for a moment. He looked at me before unbuckling the sheath from his belt that held his own knife. He held onto in and grabbed my hand.

"Just don't tell anyone it's mine. You can keep it." He left the knife in my hands and turned to join the group unloading the weapons.

I quickly attached the buckle to one of the loops in my cargo pants for easy access. It was a hunting knife instead of my small pocketknife and gave me a lot more comfort.

"Completely forgot that I owed you a knife." I heard from behind me. I laughed a little and turned to Matt.

"It's okay. You had a head injury so I'll let it slide this time." I smiled and went to turn back around. Matt grabbed my hand and forced me to spin back around.

"Just stick close to me. I don't want you to get hurt." His grip tightened on my hand and I stared up at him, a bit confused.

I yanked my hand from his grasp. "Don't make this more than what it is, Matt." I said and turned towards the other group by the truck. They were gathered around Peter and one of the women in his group, the one with light brown skin. It seems they were laying out the agenda for today. Something about a gated community that appeared untouched since the world went to shit. I didn't get much more than that. I was never really great at listening to long winded speeches and plans.

Peter split his group to form a circle around us as we walked with himself at the front. The three brothers walked along the road while I caught up to Peter.

"So, what's the deal with you being here, again?" I looked at Peter and it was like looking at a different person from the one who was lying next to me last night.

"Did you not listen to a single thing I said not even 5 minutes ago?" Instead of sounding annoyed, he smiled at me.

"For the record, no, but I get why we're here. I just don't understand why we need an escort. Less people are more efficient when getting in and out of places quickly." I gripped the straps of my backpack as we walked. I looked around and noticed that the road was overgrown. Cracks formed at the edges and if you closed your eyes, the birds could be heard in the distance. I could imagine my campsite with my tent and the river that I would use to clean myself. Things I may not see for a very long time at this rate.