Biting Bullets(The Walking Dead FanFic.)

Stepping Stones

Preacher was taken back by the sudden movements and tried to find his footing before figuring out that they had left the house, he wanted to stop, but he could smell the dead everywhere. Instead he grabbed onto Daryl's shoulder once he yanked his hand back.

The men were able to catch up and saw everyone waiting by the cars, Daryl turned to Preacher and noticed that everyone was rushing into the car.

"Fuck it."he growled and grabbed Preacher by his shirt then hauled him onto his bike.

Preacher was still trying to process what was going on before feeling warmth in front of him as the archer jumped on the bike and once he reeved his engine, Preacher lost it.

"Wait!"he shouted but it was too late and they were off, Daryl leading the group out of the walker swarm while feeling Preacher gripping his vest for dear life.

+++

Once they had found a decent spot to stay in, Rick walked back to Preacher and saw the anger on his face. He sighed softly before running a hand through his hair,"Look, I know you didn't want to come--" "Damn straight..." "But we can help you, the way we met and the fact that--" "Look I wasn't asking for some pity rescue and don't you dare think that just cause I'm blind means I'm no good!"Preacher bellowed before taking a deep breath.

The others had just gotten settled when they heard the commotion and Lori quickly reacted, she went to Preacher and placed a hand on his shoulder,"Look, Preacher, right?"

He nodded.

"Preacher, we all just met you and I understand why you'd be protective, but my husband?...He means right and even if you weren't blind he would still have helped you."Lori explained but Preacher scoffed.

"Please, listen I know he meant right, but me?..."Preacher sighed,"The last thing I need is for someone to come saving me, especially when I didn't need it in the first place."

Lori looked to Rick and stepped back as Rick walked to them, he placed a hand on Preacher's shoulder before speaking,"Then the least you could do is stay with us till the scene becomes safe, you may not need help but one day, maybe not today or tomorrow, but one day you'll need help and if you're out there by yourself...You're screwed."

Preacher looked down and shook his head,"I don't know,sometimes you're just as screwed with a group than you are alone."

And with that said, Preacher asked Lori for the direction of where they were settling in and was lead to the slightly burnt cabin, leaving Rick to ponder in his thoughts for a moment.
The group was still hesitant when Preacher arrived inside, Beth however took a liking to the new member and once Lori asked if the young girl could help she quickly obliged.

"Hi, I'm Beth."she introduced as she grabbed his hand.

Preacher blinked before tugging a smile,"Preacher, glad to meet ya."

Beth's face grew a slight pink before she led the man to a seat next to her, the others watched quietly as he sat down, Carl spoke first.

"So you can't see?"he asked which was reacted with Lori hitting his arm and giving him a warning glance.

Preacher heard the hit and chuckled before amusing the boy,"That's right, been blind for about fifteen years now."

Carl smiled yet knew the man couldn't see it and asked,"How do you get around?"

Preacher went silent and his smile slowly weakened before he heard someone clear their throat,"How about we get some rest, our new member should be tired right?"it was a man's voice, the voice sounded slightly calm with a slight southern accent more lighter than the one that threw him on the motorcycle.

"Here we found you a sleeping bag."Beth said as she grabbed his hand once again.

Preacher smiled lightly before standing up with her, she led him next to the couch and he crouched while waving his hands to find his bag. As soon as he gripped one part of the sheet, Beth let go of him and turned to see her sister and dad watching her. Her sister arched a brow, but all Beth was doing was helping the disabled, no crime there.

As the others began to lay in their sleeping bags, Rick insisted on taking first watch, his eyes were mostly trained on his pregnant wife while thinking of where to even begin to find a safer more permanent home. His eyes soon wandered to the new guy, Preacher laid back straight while facing the ceiling, his eyes were open still and Rick didn't know weather he was asleep or not.

It wasn't long before everyone had finally crashed, too tired and drained from today's big events. Rick still kept watch, he wasn't tired, but he knew he should at least get a few minutes in.

"This doesn't seem right, does it?"the gruff voice of Preacher whispered and Rick turned to him, the man was sitting up with his head down but turned to Rick.

"What?"

Preacher stood up and Rick was ready to help him through the ocean of his people, but Preacher waved his hand away as he easily stepped over everyone, not bothering a soul. Rick was impressed and a bit shocked, he used to have a blind cousin once and he remembered how he needed to touch something or take cautious steps, especially when it was somewhere new...like here.

"Get some Z's, won't be long before you knock out right here."Preacher chortled and Rick couldn't help but smile a bit before patting the blind man's shoulder.

"Thanks, but even though you could be helpful, we still don't know you and I don't think the others would be glad to know--" "Rick, I am a blind man...What's the worse I could do?"

Rick arched a brow as Preacher smirked at him, he shook his head before looking back up at the blind man. His eyes wandered down the man's face, his sharp jawline and scruffily beard just read to be cautious. The small smile that played on Rick's face disappeared and he turned to Lori, his wife curled while embracing their son.

"Rick?"Preacher said softly and placed a hand on the sheriff's shoulder,"I'll be honest...I can't sleep, haven't been able to since...ever, but guessing from how everyone looks up to you, you're their leader. And as the leader, I think you deserve a little shut eye. 'Sides, the worst I could do is probably bump into a wall."the man stated and Rick looked at Preacher once more then back to his family.

Rick gave a long sigh then noticed Daryl stalking up on them, the archer gave Rick a head gesture and Rick knew he was asking if the sheriff needed help, but Rick shook his head and somehow Preacher turned around.
Rick and Daryl were a bit surprised by the sudden turn, did the guy know? Did he instantly sense Daryl? The man who practically was the master of silence!

Preacher chuckled a bit,"It's just a suggestion, but I think it's a good one at best."

Rick looked at the man before patting his shoulder,"Tomorrow is a big day, I think you and I both should get some rest."

Preacher arched a brow,"What about watch?"

"I'll take care of it."Daryl butted in and Preacher turned again to the voice,"Had my fill of sleep anyways."the archer added and Preacher nodded at the voice before shrugging.

"Okay."Preacher simply said before going back to his spot next to Beth.

Daryl watched closely as the man easily wormed his way back and in all honesty, he was astonished by the way he gracefully walked, not stepping on anyone.
Rick watched Daryl and was relieved to know he wasn't the only one surprised, but as Preacher squirmed into his sleeping bag again, Daryl walked up to Rick and nodded to him. The sheriff took the hint and walked to where his family laid, he laid on the ground next to Carl and looked down at his boy. The kid was growing and he felt a pang of pain in his chest before kissing the top of Carl's forehead then in a swift move, adjusted himself and looked up at the ceiling.

Tomorrow is a new day and tomorrow is the possibility for hope...or at least a hope that no one dies.