Rise Up

Chapter 27

A few seconds later, Daryl came up next to me.

“She okay?” he asked.

“Yeah. She wants me to help teach the people here,” I said.

“You could do it,” he said.

“I already told her I would but I don't know. I'm kind of freaking out about it,” I said.

He grabbed my hand and led me to the bench we had eaten at earlier. He sat down and pulled me closer.

“You are one of the strongest people I know. Teaching these people, it's nothing new. Cause you've already taught me one of the most important things you could,” he said.

I smiled and looked down.

“And what would that be?” I asked looking at him.

He placed his hand on my cheek and pulled me toward him. We kissed.

“How to not be afraid of loving someone,” he said when we parted.

I pressed our foreheads together.

“You are something else, Mr. Dixon,” I said.

“You got this,” he said leaning back to look at me.

I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him tightly. I kissed his forehead.

“Okay. So we're gonna be in the open area behind the house. Where are you gonna be?” I asked.

“I'll find something to do,” he said.

“Promise you won't go out on your own. Not again,” I said.

“Where would I go without ya?” he retorted.

“Good answer,” I said kissing once more.

“Let's walk around to see what we can see huh?” I said when we parted.

He nodded. We walked all around Hilltop. There were areas that could be used to plant more crops. There was enough space to grow. There was potential to thrive in this place. I could see a future for Hilltop. A future that didn't involve kneeling to Negan and his Saviors. Maggie, Sasha and Enid had started to lead a group of people toward the back of the house when the time came.

“I better get going,” I said looking at Daryl.

“You got this,” he said.

“Thanks, babe. I'll see you later, okay,” I said kissing his cheek.

He nodded. I followed Maggie and the others behind the house. When I got there, Maggie was the first to see me. She smiled then came over to me.

“You made it,” she said.

“Yeah. Daryl kind of talked me into it,” I said.

She smiled wider.

“You ready?” she asked.

I nodded.

“All right,” she said.

She then turned to face the group of people.

“Everyone. For those of you who don't know, this is Amelia. She will be teaching you all about guns. I think she can take it from here,” she said.

She went and stood by Enid and Sasha. I now had the floor. I took in a few breathes.

“Okay. Um...how many of you have ever fired a rifle before?” I asked.

A few people raised their hands.

“Okay. Any of you ever handled a handgun before?” I asked.