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

The Interrogation

I pushed Aaron forward, leading him through the woods towards the barn in silence. "I didn't mean to cause such alarm-" Aaron began.

"Ain't your fault, just had bad experiences with bad people."

"Here in Virginia?"

"Georgia."

"I'm sorry."

"Like I said, it ain't your fault."

"I don't blame you for being cautious, considering what you've told me." I didn't respond. "Did you lose anyone?"

"A lot." I sighed. "We lost a lot of people. Dale, Shane, Patricia, T-Dog, Merle, Andrea, Hershel, Tara, Bob, Beth, Tyreese, a few more people that I never met."

"Jesus." Aaron sighed. "Bitten?"

"Not all of 'em, some were killed by other people, one died in a tornado back in Georgia."

"You've been through a lot."

"We've been through hell, but we bounce back smarter and more cautious than ever. We met someone new a few weeks back, Rick barely let 'em into the fold, but he's proved himself."

"Well, I hope I can prove myself to your group. Alexandria could use people like you." Once we reached the barn, we could hear the voices of the others coming from inside.

     "They've been gone for too long." Carol said in a worried tone.

"They'll be here any minute." Noah assured.

"Screw this," Daryl grunted. "I ain't waitin' around any longer."

"We can't." Rick argued. "We don't know who's out there, they could be watchin' us." I motioned for Maggie and Sasha to wait outside with Aaron while I tried to prepare them for what was about to happen.

"Hey." I smiled as I entered the barn, everyone turned towards me.

"I told you they'd be back." Noah smirked. "Michaela's a badass."

"You okay?" Daryl asked.

"Fine. Fine, everyone's fine." I answered.

"Where are Maggie and Sasha?" Rick asked. I didn't respond. Rick began to walk towards me, but I held my hand out.

"They're fine, Rick."

"I wanna see 'em."

"Now, hold up just a minute. We got ourselves a little predicament." Rick furrowed his brows in frustration. "Now, before Maggie and Sasha come in here, I want everyone to remain calm, take deep breaths, think happy thoughts-"

"This ain't Peter Pan, Michaela, now where the hell are Maggie and Sasha?" Rick grumbled. I sighed and turned towards the door.

"C'mon in, guys." Everyone instantly rose to their feet in a panic as the others entered the barn.

"Everyone, this is Aaron." Daryl stormed past me and exited the barn, quickly scanning the area before patting down Aaron. "We met 'em outside. He's by himself. We took his weapons and we took his gear." Once Daryl was satisfied with checking Aaron for weapons, he gave Rick a nod as Sasha shut the barn door. Everyone remained silent as they kept their eyes and guns on Aaron.

"Hi." Aaron spoke nervously. Judith instantly began to cry, and Rick passed her off to Carl. "It's nice to meet you." Aaron stepped forward, extending his hand. CLICK! I instantly grabbed Aaron's jacket and pulled him back as everyone cocked their guns.