The Next World

Chapter 25

Daylight was still present once we made it home.

"All right. Everyone meet us at the church in an hour. We're gonna tell everyone what we're gonna have to do," Rick said turning around to look at us.

We all nodded. Eugene opened up the gate. Everyone except for Michonne, Jesus and the guy with the broken arm got off the RV. Daryl and I headed home. Carl came rushing down once we were inside.

"Amelia," he said coming up to give me a hug.

"Hey. Everything go okay while we were away?" I asked after we parted.

Daryl went to the kitchen.

"Yeah. Nothing exciting to report," he said.

"How's lil ass kicker?" Daryl asked from the kitchen.

Carl and I both headed over to him.

"She's fine. Up in her room sleeping," he replied.

Daryl was eating one of Carol's cookies.

"She made more?" I asked.

"A couple of batches. Went out giving them to the kids and people here," Carl said.

I reached for one and took a bite. They were incredible.

"She truly is an expert when it comes to cookies," I said.

Carl had gone and taken one as well.

"Agreed," he said with a full mouth.

I chuckled.

"So, what happened?" Carl asked.

"Well, we got more food. Enough to last us another month or so. But it's gonna cost us something," I said.

"What?" he asked.

I then told him about the deal we had made with Gregory and his people.

"We're having a meeting in a bit to discuss it all. Not sure if you'd want to come," I said.

"You do what you gotta do. These guys sound like assholes. And no, I'll hang back here," he said.

I nodded.

"To eat more cookies?" I asked teasingly.

"No..." he said looking away.

"Okay kid, don't eat too much. Save some for the others," I said.

I made my way upstairs to check on Judith. She was resting peacefully when I slowly opened the door. I closed it back and turned around only to bump right into Daryl.

"I hate it when you do that," I said.

"Yeah well, I always get a kick out of it," he said.

I rolled my eyes. He pulled me in closer.

"We're gonna fight," he whispered.

"I know," I said.

"You up for that?" he asked.

"I'm always up for it. I know what I'm fighting for. Are you up for it?" I said.

"Hell yeah. I know what I'm fighting for too," he said.

He gently tilted my head back and kissed me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer. The front door opening caused us to stop.

"Come on. Let's see what's up," I said.

"All right," he said.

I kissed his cheek and we both headed back downstairs. Glenn and Maggie had come through the door.