safe

Chapter 77

As I walk back towards the group I hear a rustle from the bushes surrounding the church.

I go to grab my knife but I've got nothing...

Thankfully a familiar brown mess of greasy hair emerges and the tightening of my chest subsides to a flood of warm relief.

"What the hell are you-" I start to complain as I'm cut off by a stranger emerging from behind Daryl.

"They've got her!" Daryl cries violently.

"What?"

"They took Carol!"

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After Daryl's rage partially subsides I bring him inside and sit him down,
The group tries to rush over but I beckon them away with my hand.

Daryl is hunched over on the pew drinking a bottle of water and I'm kneeling at his knees.

The new kid is slumped down against the wall behind me.

"Daryl, what happened?" I say normally, trying to hide my patronising teacher-esque emergency tone.

Daryl tags a long sip from the plastic water bottle, crumpling it slightly.

"The same guys he escaped from," Daryl says pointing to the kid.

"Noah, my name is Noah." The boy states.

"They hit Carol, with their car, then they took her..." Daryl continues.

"They took her to where I came from; a hospital just on the outskirts of the city. But it's not just her you can get back." Noah takes over.

"They've got Beth!" Daryl cries in excitement.

Maggie swings around and yelps and I can't help feeling happy for her... She's lost a lot.

Glenn has made his way inside by now and I ignore him, I'm still so angry from his comments.

Daryl explains to me how we'll get in as the rest of the group listens on.

His plan has its holes, but I can go with it as it is quite well thought out.

I'm ready to bait these motherfuckers so I can get back our group members.

"I'm in, I'll help catch them."

Glenn looks at me warningly but I ignore him, he can be a full-time dad before I even consider stopping providing for our kids.

Rick mulls over the plan before ultimately nodding in approval.

"It's decided then," I say as I stand up.

"We're leaving straight up tomorrow, going over the plan before we leave and coming back here for the kids and the carers after we've got Carol and Beth." I inform the group in my most formal and unwavering tone.

"Who is going to come?" Rick asks, acknowledging that I'm the coordinator of this mission.

"Noah, Daryl, Maggie," I point as I go along. "Sasha, you, Michonne of course, Abraham, Rosita."

Glenn looks at me angrily.

"Aren't you going to stay with the kids? Why aren't I going?" He questions loudly, embarrassing me in front of the group.

"I'm leading this one Glenn, you are more than capable of staying here with the kids." I snap back at him.

"Noah can you lead us in to a good spot?" I ask blatantly ignoring Glenns anger.

"Yeah I've got a few perfect spots to do this in, all close together."

"Well then you should all rest up, we'll need to be up bright and early for tomorrow."