Apocalyptic Love

Chapter 47: The Changing Dead

Chapter 47: The Changing Dead

Night had settled over the forest by the time the group finally made camp. The day's events still weighed heavily on everyone, leaving an uneasy quiet hanging over the temporary campsite. They had escaped the walkers, but no one was foolish enough to believe that meant they were safe. The memory of the attack remained too fresh, especially the realization that the creatures hadn't simply chased them. They had anticipated their movements, cut off their escape routes, and deliberately driven them toward the logging road.

Rick had chosen a spot beneath a dense canopy, far enough from the road to make the camp hard to spot. The vehicles sat close together while Daryl and a few others checked the surrounding area. A small fire burned near the center of the camp, providing warmth and just enough light for everyone to see one another without making their presence too obvious.

For the first time since escaping, everyone could breathe.

Inside one of the RVs, Kagome sat quietly with Judith resting against her chest. The little girl had fallen asleep not long after they stopped, her tiny fingers still curled into the fabric of Kagome's shirt. Caleb slept nearby in his portable crib, his black hair soft against his forehead and his tiny chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm.

Kagome watched him for several moments.

He was still exhausted, but the warmth of his spiritual energy had begun to return after he nursed. The barrier that had protected the group had taken almost everything he had, yet his little body had already begun recovering.

Her son was going to be all right.

That thought brought quiet relief.

Kagome gently kissed the top of Judith's head before carefully easing herself out of the seat. She had barely taken a step toward the supplies she had gathered when something brushed against her spiritual senses.

She stopped.

Her entire body went still.

The presence was unmistakable.

Powerful. Controlled. Demonic.

And very familiar.

A small smile touched Kagome's lips.

"Sesshomaru."

Carol looked up from where she sat across the RV. "What is it?"

Kagome turned toward the door; her attention still fixed on the presence she could feel approaching through the forest. "He is here."

Carol did not need to ask whom she meant. Sesshomaru had already become a familiar presence in their lives, particularly after he had rescued them from Terminus and later stood among them when Caleb was born. Still, his arrival now was unexpected.

Kagome stepped outside.

The change in her expression caught Rick's attention. He turned from the tree line, his hand resting near his revolver as he studied her face.

"What is it?"

Before Kagome could answer, Daryl suddenly straightened several yards away. His hand tightened around his crossbow as he stared into the darkness beyond the camp.

"Someone's out there."

The quiet conversations around the fire stopped.

We picked up weapons almost instinctively as the survivors turned toward the trees. Rick drew his revolver while Daryl raised his crossbow. Michonne was already on her feet, one hand resting against the hilt of her katana as she studied the shadows.