Solitary: The Walking Dead

Chapter Eighty.

 Knots Untie.

"Iris" Maggie calls out when she spots the woman walking down the street smoking, "hey" Iris says, stopping and waiting for the woman to catch up to her before they start walking together, "i've got some news" Maggie says a wide smile forcing its way on her face, "whats up?" Iris asks, inhaling the smoke of her cigarette, "i'm pregnant" Maggie says, Iris stops and looks at her friend, she drops her cigarette onto the floor and stomps it out so Maggie doesn't inhale it anymore.

"I'm so happy for you" she says, wrapping her arms around Maggie, she was telling the truth no matter how much it hurt her she was happy for her friend, "thank you" Maggie says hugging her back. "You're gonna be such an amazing mom... your dad would be so proud" Iris says, fighting back her tears, "thank you" Maggie says, they pull away and bid goodnight before going their separate ways.

Iris looks back and sees Daryl suddenly start running, she quickly pulls out her gun following after him, they run into Rick's house, Iris right behind Daryl as they make their way up the stairs to find Paul sat at the top of the stairs, Carl pointing his gun at the man, Rick and Michonne standing behind them, half dressed, "are you okay?" Iris questions, keeping her eyes on Paul and her gun pointed at him. "It's-- it's okay." Michonne says, looking at the group, "You said we should talk. So let's talk." Rick says.

They move down into the dining room, Iris stands behind Carls seat, keeping her eyes on Paul, "So, how'd you get out?" Rick asks "One guard can't cover two exits or third floor windows. Knots untie and locks get picked. Entropy comes from order, right?" Paul explains "Right." Daryl replies "I checked out your arsenal. I haven't seen anything like that in a long time. You're well-equipped, but your provisions are low. Very low for the amount of people you have. 54?" Paul explains.

"More than that." Maggie says "Well, I appreciate the cookie. My compliments to the chef." Paul says, "Yeah, she ain't here." Daryl says, "Look, we got off to a bad start. But we're on the same side-- the living side. You, Iris and Rick had every reason to leave me out there, but you didn't. I'm from a place that's a lot like this one. Part of my job is searching out other settlements to trade with. I took your truck because my community needs things, and both of you looked like trouble. I was wrong. You're good people. And this is a good place. I think our communities may be in a position to help each other." he continues to explain.

"Do you have food?" Glenn asks "We've started to raise livestock. We scavenge, we grow. Everything from tomatoes to sorghum." Paul answers, "Tell us why we should believe you." Rick says "I'll show you. If we take a car, I can take you back home in a day, and you can all see for yourselves who we are and what we have to offer." Paul suggests, "Wait, you're looking for more settlements? You mean you're already trading with other groups?" Maggie asks "Your world's about to get a whole lot bigger." Paul says.

..........

Iris and Daryl work on the RV, making sure it will last the journey, "Here." Denise says behind them, the pair turn and look at the woman, "Homemade oat cake. Complex carbohydrates, omega-3s." she says holding it out in front of them, "Nah, I'm good. We're gonna make a pit stop. I'll pick up something then." Daryl says turning back to the RV and working again, Iris takes it and throws it into her backpack.

"Like rabies?" Denise asks "Is this 'cause I tried to get you that stuff?" Daryl asks "Yeah. And you remind me of someone I used to know." she explains, "Well... I hope it tastes better than it looks. 'Cause it looks like shit." Daryl says, taking the cake from her and shoving it into his front pocket, "Shit's still better than roadkill. Okay, maybe-- just eat it." Denise says walking away from them.

Iris leaves him to finish up and walks over to Carl, wiping the dirt from her hands onto her bandana, "are you sure your gonna be okay?" Iris asks the boy as Rick hands him Judith, "i'll be fine" he says, "i can stay" she says "no. we will be fine" Carl says, Iris sighs and takes Judith from him and hugging him with her free arm, "i really hate leaving you" She says, holding him tightly.

She takes his hat off his head and gently places a kiss on his head, "be strong, little sheriff" she says, putting his hat back on, "love you" she adds pulling away, Carl turns and hugs her tightly one last time, "i love you too mom" he says, his words being muffled as he lays his head on her shoulder, Iris smiles to herself, Carl pulls away and smiles at her, "be brave, little deputy" she says, kissing Judith on the head before handing her back to Carl.

"Lets chew up some asphalt!" Abraham shouts, Iris reluctantly walks away from Carl and Judith and climbs inside the RV, Daryl following behind her, they all sit down and start driving to the place Paul said he lives. "Hey Rick. what's going on?" Daryl asks from next to Iris, looking out the blinds and trying to see what's happening.

"We got a crash ahead. Looks like it just happened." Rick explains, pulling to a stop next to it, "It's one of ours." Paul says getting up and making his way out of the RV the group following closely behind, "If this is a trick, it won't end well for you." Rick warns with his gun pointed at Pauls head, "My people are in trouble. They don't-- we don't have a lot of fighters. I know how it looks, but I'll play it out. Can I borrow a gun?" he asks.

"No. We got tracks right here." Daryl says, together Iris and Daryl keep their eyes to the ground and they follow the tracks to a building, Rick bangs on the door and they all wait, weapons drawn. "They gotta be in there." Paul says, "We moving in or what?" Abraham asks "How do we know this ain't firecrackers in a trash can?" Daryl asks, walking over to Rick, "You don't." Paul says.

"We'll get your people. You're staying here with one of us." Rick says, "Will you stay?" Glenn asks his wife, "Yeah. Y'all go. Just be careful." Maggie says "Yeah. We're gonna be careful." Rick says, putting his handcuffs on Paul "Just hurry." the man begs "You hear me whistle, shoot him." Rick tells Maggie "I will."