The Taste Of Loneliness

Chapter 23

"What about that one?" Negan pointed to a small black pistol in the display case. Hunched over the counter in the middle of the pawn and gun shop. A recent string of break ins around the neighborhood had him worried and Rachel even more, so he decided to get some extra protection for now.

But guns were foreign to him so he was completely confused as he tried picking out something for them to have incase of emergencies.
Rubbing his chin as he watched the man behind the counter unlock it and take it out. Laying it on a cloth atop the glass.

"This here's the Glock 43. It's slimline and one of the smallest Glocks. Good for women with small hands you know. Too small for us fellas. Only a six round magazine but it'll do the trick if you need it." He sounded like he knew alot about the weapons and seemed intrigued telling Negan about the specifications of the handgun. He chuckled nodding slowly as he picked it up agreeing at his previous statement.

"Yeah way too damned small for me. It'd be for my girlfriend. How much is it? " He questioned knowing money wasn't too big of a problem but he didn't want to spend alot on something that hopefully never got used.

"This one here is two forty. It's used with just a few scratches on the barrel. But it works perfectly. "

"Alright. I'll take it and one of those twelve gauge shotguns. The black one looks badass. " He nodded motioning to the wall behind the man, as he pulled out his wallet and flipped through the money. Glancing around at the others in the store, it seeming weird at the amount of people buying guns now. But with the government going crazy about terrorists and shootings everyone wanted some protection before the laws were too strict. Falling silent as he filled out the appropriate paperwork for ownership of the guns before paying for them and leaving the store. Laughing at the free carrying bag he received due to his purchase.

Putting them in the backseat of Rachel's car, the weather proving too much for riding his motorcycle. It tucked away in the garage for now.
Grunting as he slid into the driver seat and turned the air-conditioning as high as it would go.

"Temperatures reaching the hundreds once again today. " He groaned turning the radio to a music station rather than another weather report. Drumming his fingers in rhythm to the music as he went down to the boutique where he waited for Rachel. Smirking as he saw her coming out with numerous bags.

"Did you buy the whole damned store?" He teased as he watched her put the bags in the back, seeing her expression change at the sight of the gun bag.

"So you got one? " She questioned as she settled in the front passenger seat.

"Yeah. Got you a fucking Glock and a badass shotgun for me. We'll be fine. It's just to fucking make you feel safer if I'm not at home. " He reached over taking her hand and giving it a squeeze, a small smile forming to reassure her too. A sigh escaped her lips as she squeezed his hand back.

"Probably just some fucking kids breaking in while everyones at the damned pools. " He chuckled knowing she liked the way he could almost humor any situation. A laugh emitting from her as she looked at him.

"Yeah? Let me guess you would do the same thing? Go into peoples houses and try on clothes while they're gone?" She teased in return. He busted out laughing and shook his head.

"Hell no. I'd piss in the shower and eat their fucking food. "

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"Damned..satellite.." He growled slamming his hand against the wall as he stood in front of the television, flipping through the channels all either completely out or were coming in patchy.

"Oh calm down. It's just a game. " She uttered from the kitchen as she cleaned up the dinner dishes, knowing she was eager to talk to him once he'd settled down.

"Just a game. You don't get it babe. " He chuckled shaking his head as he walked to the window looking outside at the sky first. Knowing bad weather sometimes messed things up. But the sky was a clear blue, some pinks and orange too as the sun was beginning to set. Huffing he then looked to the dish near the corner of the house. No weeds or grass around it.

"Oh well. Guess we'll just fucking watch.. " He turned around hearing the emergency broadcast system on the television now. The news station that was supposed to be showing the game had cut to the local news.

"Breaking news coming to you live from Washington DC. Some sort of pandemic has spread and begun infecting civilians. Please take extreme... " The feed cut and buzzed out before it showed a scene of police and ambulances filling the parking lot at the hospital emergency entrance.

"What's going on? " She spoke up walking over to him and putting her hand on his arm as she looked at the television too. The two watching in confusion and shock.

A news reporter stood in front of several police cars as numerous people and staff rushed around them. The sound of a helicopter could faintly be heard too.

"This is just the beginning. Hospital staff are evacuating all able patients with help of the military. Everyone is recommended to stay indoors and off the main highways. If you are bitten seek medical attention immediately..." Before she could continue shouts echoed from nearby, the camera dropped as gunshots erupted around the scene.

The body of a woman laying on the ground was soon engulfed by others. And they were tearing bits of flesh from her body. And eating them.

He tensed up seeing the scenes unfold as he wrapped an arm around her protectively. Swallowing hard before he rushed over and locked the front door. Then moving over to the closet to grab the shotgun. His mind going a million miles an hour now.

"Okay.. Okay.. Fuck. What the fuck? " He muttered shaking his head as he watched the television some more. The scene still live for several seconds before it cut to black and the emergency broadcast alert repeated.
He glanced at her now with a neutral expression, her eyes wide and full of fear though.

He moved over wrapping his arms around her tightly, feeling his heart hammering from anxiety. Looking down as she still hadn't said anything.

"Babe.. Babe.. It's gonna be fucking fine. I don't fucking know what the hell's going on. But it's gonna be fucking fine. We've got two guns and the military are gonna fucking fix this. We just won't fucking leave the house. We're gonna be fine.. " He mutters, putting his hands on either side of her face as he looked into her eyes. Knowing she was probably on the verge of an absolute breakdown now. Still no words came from her lips as she stared up at him, her eyes beginning to water with tears.

He huffed shaking his head as he leaned in pressing a firm kiss to her forehead.

"Babe. Say something."

"Negan. I. I'm pregnant. "

He felt his heart drop to his stomach now. His eyes widening as he dropped his hands in shock, watching her with a dumbfounded expression. For months they had tried and wanted a child. But now. With the news alerting them of the impending apocalypse, how could he be happy?