Surviving Terminus (BOOK TWO IN THE SURVIVING THE WALKING DEAD SERIES)

Safe Haven

DARYL'S POV

     "Right here." I stated as I unearthed a buried shovel, passing it to Rick who quickly got to digging.

     "What the hell are we still around here for?" Abraham asked. "Michaela's instructions were to head straight to Virginia Highland."

     "Guns." Rick answered. "Some supplies. We go along the fences. Use the rifles. Take out the rest of 'em."

     "What?" Bob asked.

     "They don't get to live." Rick grumbled.

     "Rick, we got out." Glenn argued. "It's over." Rick pulled the blue duffel bag out from the ground before pulling his Colt Python out of it, checking the rounds.

     "It's not over till they're all dead."

     "The hell it isn't." Rosita snapped. "That place is on fire. Full of walkers."

     "I'm not dickin' around with this crap." Abraham grumbled. "We just made it out."

     "The fences are down." Maggie added. "They'll run or die."

     "They're right, Rick." I nodded. "We barely made it out as it is. We need to get to Virginia Highland before they come after us." SNAP! A twig snapped from behind us and we all quickly turned around. My heart stopped for a second for I couldn't believe what I was seeing in front of me. Carol, holding a rifle and my crossbow.

     I instantly took off running towards her, embracing her in a hug as I quietly whimpered into her shoulder. Tears filled our eyes as we pulled away from each other so she could greet everyone else. Rick stepped up and smiled. "Did you do that?" Carol whimpered as she nodded and Rick pulled her in for a hug. Carol slowly pulled away before grabbing onto his sleeves.

     "You have to come with me." Carol led us deeper into the woods before coming to a dirt road. Did she find Beth? Did she find Tyreese? So many thoughts ran through my head, even Michaela. Did Carol come across her and hide her? Was she still out there? Was she still alive? A small shack came into view and Tyreese stepped out with Judith in his arms.

     Rick instantly put the duffel bag down and ran towards them with Carl and Sasha right behind him. Rick instantly took Judith into his arms and held onto her for dear life as tears cascaded down his face. Sasha ran up to Tyreese and wrapped her arms around him, laughing with pure joy. This was a family. My family. The only people who were missing were Beth and Michaela. I let out a sigh. I should've been with Beth, maybe she'd still be here. And here I am doing the same thing to Michaela. I should've gone with 'er. What kind of husband am I?

     Rick walked up to Tyreese and grabbed his shoulder, silently thanking him as Tyreese returned the gesture. "What happened?" Carol asked Tyreese.

     "There were a bunch of walkers out here and he got his hands around Judith's neck." Tyreese answered. Carol tightened her grip on her rifle before taking a step towards the shack before Tyreese grabbed her arm. "No, he's dead. I- I had to. So I did. I could."

     "I dunno if the fire's still burnin'." Rick sighed as he looked out to the woods where black smoke could be seen rising above the trees.

     "It is." Carol responded.

     "Yeah. We need to go."

     "Yeah, but where?" Tyreese asked.

     "Somewhere far away from there." Rick answered. "Michaela has given us a rendezvous point on the northeast side of Atlanta. Should only take us about two hours to get there." Rick turned to Abraham. "Abraham, you still got that map?" Abraham stuck his hand down his pants and pulled out a wrinkled, damp map.