The Deals We Make

1: The Rider

Glenn and Maggie returned from the pharmacy store. Lori received the 'mysterious item' she requested from Glenn. It wasn't long before the sun set. Rick decided to turn in after checking in on Carl. Lori went outside while everyone else was trying to sleep. She took out the pregnancy test.

Once she was done, she looked down at it and saw it was positive. She was pregnant. But her worries were cut short. She suddenly noticed something. A man on a horse right outside the fence.

"Who are you?" Lori asked.

The rider said nothing, he just stared.

"HEY!" Lori hollered.

This time, lights went on and people started emerging from the farm house and the RV. They quickly noticed the rider. Rick, Shane, and Andrea grabbed their guns from the RV. Daryl grabbed his crossbow. Everyone else grabbed some sort of knife or melee weapon. During their gathering of weapons, Lori was able to hide her pregnancy test.

Rick ran up to him first and pointed the revolver. This was the first time the rider moved, but he just turned the horse so that his back was away from them.

"Who are you?" Rick demanded.

"Mind lowering the gun?" The rider asked.

"Who are you?" Rick repeated, not lowering the gun.

The rider just sighed.

"Just a distant traveler. Name's Edward Stone."

"Why are you here?"

"We've been traveling for a while. Thought we found a place we could rest up for a bit." Edward answered.

"We?"

"Can you lower the guns, please?"

Slowly, Rick lowered his gun, everyone else following suit. Then Edward turned the horse again and everyone could see a much smaller silhouette.

Glenn finally turned on his flashlight and they could see the rider and a little girl, who was cowering behind him.

"Hi." Glenn said.

"This is my daughter, Melissa."

Then Edward looked at Shane and glared.

"Can I help you?" Shane asked.

"Sorry, you remind me of my uncle. He wasn't a nice man."

Soon Hershal came walking over to them.

"What's going on?"

"Sorry, sir. I was just hoping to find some place for my daughter to rest."

Hershel sighed.

"She can take the couch."

"Wait, just like that? We're allowing them in?" Shane asked.

"Don't worry. I'm not sleeping." Edward said.

"Why not?" Glenn asked.

"Insomnia is a bitch." Then Edward turned to Hershel. "Thank you for allowing my daughter into your home. Whatever you need from me, just ask."

He just nodded. Maggie opened the gate, allowing the horse in. Once the gate was closed, Edward got off the horse and helped Melissa off.

"Thanks, dad."

He walked her inside. Once inside, the rider took off his hat and set it down. Hershel walked in and gave her a blanket and pillow. Edward tucked her in.

"Sweet dreams, Gumdrop."

"Good night, daddy."

Once she was settled in, Edward grabbed his hat and went back outside.