Side-by-Side

Chapter 32

Everyone is immediately on their feet with their weapons trained to the stairs. Whoever is at the top best pray that they give him a chance to speak.

"Hello? I know someone is here, I want to help. I am not going to hurt you."

"Who are you?" Dad speaks, his gun raised higher on the steps.

"My name is Gordon. How many of you are here?"

"Too many for you to take on." Merle speaks this time.

"Listen, I am not going to hurt you. I am going to descend the first three steps and hold my gun out for you guys to take. I need you to trust me." He says and I raise my brow.

"So, you're basically just giving us another weapon to kill you with?" Dad asks him, the disbelief clearly in his voice.

"Yeah, pretty much. Though, I would like to kindly ask you not to kill me." I could hear the smile in Gordon's voice.

"Why?"

"Because, I have news to share, and you may or may not want to hear it." He says as I could hear the first footstep down the stair.

"I am starting to walk."

"I could see that." I murmur under my breath. I can see his legs now. His shoes look worn, yet his pants seem to be cleaned as if he just got them.

"Here is my gun. Take it." Maggie rushes forward and takes the gun out of his hand before he continues his descent.

"Well, there are more of you than I suspected. Anyways, my name is Gordon and I would like to speak to all of you, more importantly, the leader of your group."

Everyone eyes me as he says that, and I had Judith to Beth before I take my steps forward.

Gordon holds out his hand and smiles as I walk up to him. He is tall, and well built. His hair is neatly kept behind his hat, and his face is spotless.

"Carly." I say as I outstretch my hand too. His shake is gentle, yet firm.

"Nice to meet you. I come from a group, a big group, a couple of miles out from here. It's secure." He says as he adverts his eyes from me, to the rest of the group then back to me.

"I can see you have a child, an infant and an elder with you... It can be a good place for them to grow up, and a good place to retire." He states once he is looking back at me.

"We have three kids. One on the way." Carl says.

"Don't worry, bud. Pregnant women are also welcomed. Especially them." He says, and weirdly it didn't sound like there were any hidden meaning behind his words.

"How do I know that you are telling me the truth? How do I know that you don't want us all dead?"

"I gave you my gun...?" He says as if a question can answer a question.

"No... What if we do follow you, and your men are secretly following us to just put us out and you take everything for yourselves." I state clearer.

"I know it's a long shot, but you shouldn't worry. I swear."

"Hey Gordon!" We hear from upstairs and immediately take out my knife and hold it back ready to fire at him."

"Don't shoot, that's one of my guys - Hey Matt!" He shouts at the other guy.

"Anyone down there? I see baby clothes, it would be nice to have another kid at camp... Could lighten the mood." He says as his voice is getting louder.

"Yeah, found them. Stay up there, I think they are still trying to get use to me." He says and the footsteps stop.

"What does he mean by 'lighten the mood?'" I question, walking a little closer to him.