The Third Dixon [The walking dead OC x OC]

Chapter eight

The run had been disappointing.

Nathan pulled the car through Alexandria's gates just as the first pale hints of dawn began to lighten the horizon. The sky was still more black than blue, the streetlights long dead, leaving the community bathed in the cold grey light of early morning. The crates in the back of the car held little more than a handful of canned vegetables, a few boxes of ammunition and some medical supplies that had long since passed their expiration dates.

"Well," Measi sighed as she climbed out, slinging her sniper over one shoulder, "if starvation was the goal, I'd say we're doing great."

Nathan shut the driver's door with a tired groan. ''I found half a jar of peanut butter."

"It expired before the world ended."

"It was still peanut butter."

She gave him a sideways look. "...Fair."

They had barely taken a few steps toward the house when movement across the street caught Nathan's eye.

Daryl.

Glenn.

Maggie.

All three were moving fast. Too fast. Each of them had a weapon drawn as they hurried toward Rick's house without saying a word.

Nathan frowned. "What happened?"

"I don't know."

Measi's answer was barely out before Glenn disappeared through the front door.

Daryl was right behind him. Nathan and Measi exchanged a single glance. Neither of them needed to say it. Something was wrong.

Both reached for their weapons at the same time before breaking into a run.

By the time they reached the porch, Maggie had already disappeared inside. Nathan slipped through the doorway first, Measi directly behind him, both raising their guns instinctively.

The front door slammed shut behind them. Five safeties clicked off almost simultaneously. Nathan's eyes darted across the room.

Rick stood near the staircase.

Daryl covered the hallway.

Glenn stood off to one side.

And at the top of the stairs...

A man sat calmly on the landing with his hands visible, as though half a dozen guns pointed at him were little more than a mild inconvenience.

Before anyone could speak, Michonne raised a hand.

"It's okay." Her voice was calm. "It's okay."

The room remained tense for another few seconds before Rick slowly lowered his weapon. "You said we should talk," he said, his eyes never leaving the stranger. "So let's talk."

A few minutes later everyone had gathered in the living room. The tension hadn't disappeared, but the guns were at least resting within reach instead of being aimed directly at the visitor.

Nathan leaned against the wall beside Measi, both of them still dusty from the road.

Rick sat opposite the stranger. "So," Rick began, "how'd you get out?"

The man smiled slightly. "One guard can't cover two exits or third-floor windows."

Measi let out a quiet scoff. She looked at Rick without missing a beat. "Who put one guard there?" A few corners of the room twitched into reluctant smiles. Even Glenn had to hide one behind his hand.