Home Is Your Heartbeat ('Home Is' Book Two - Daryl Dixon)

Chapter 48 - In The Air Tonight (Phil Collins)

NATE

"Judith....to the quarry and back?"  Jessie whispered her doubts to Rick as we all huddled together near the gazebo.

Michonne and I kept watch, making sure none of the Un-Dead took an undue interest in our little group. My eyes continually scanned the compound and locked on Jorge's as he stood like a statue at the window of the infirmary.

I take a couple of stumbling steps in his direction before forcibly stopping my feet from going any further.

There are just too many of them. And while our cloaks of blood and gore shield us, there's no way can we take refuge in yet another house. We'll just be stuck in a different place.

Trapped for goodness knows how long.

Rick had realised it too, hence his plan to make a break for the quarry. Get the vehicles then lead the remaining horde away from Alexandria. Like Sasha, Abraham and Daryl had done.

"Don't....just don't go there Nate!"  I scold myself over and over again.

The fear in my chest is seeping out, only to be replaced by desolation.

"I'll take her, and keep her safe in the church until you lead them away"  Gabriel's voice was soft but vehement in promise.

And it's one I know without a shadow of a doubt he'll keep. Just have to pray that Rick will let go of his distrust and finally allow the man his chance at redemption.

Carl knew too. Didn't hesitate for a second when he slid Juju under Gabriel's cape. She murmured, but he took control and quietly reassured her.

Jeez....how I wish I could crawl right in there alongside her.

They staggered away as I held my breath.

When a Walker bumps my shoulder, I stumble back a little....my head rising up.

That's when I spotted the pale moon of Maggie's face. Peering down at us, as she clung desperately to the scaffolding. It was the only thing keeping her safe from the Un-Dead below.

This time, when my feet move again? I don't stop them.

"Nate!"  Rick hissed, beckoning for me to link up hands with the group again.

"No, I'm not leaving Maggie on her own. Go!  I'll get to her....and share my cape. We'll catch up. Just go Ok, before it gets too dark."

He nodded slightly. Mich reached out and ran her fingers lightly down my face, before being tugged away by the human daisy chain.

I totter backwards over the grass. Watching them as they made their way slowly towards the hole in the fence.

*

It takes me five minutes of haphazard shambling to reach the scaffolding.

Slowly pick up the ladder and shore it against the fence that is still intact. All the while, taking peeps at the little group....following their progress.

I'd climbed halfway up when murmurings turned into screams. Looking on, I shove a fist in my mouth to keep from shrieking.

Sam and his Mum were being swallowed up by Walkers. Carl was desperately trying to wrench his wrist free from Jessie's death grip.

Tugging my rifle around, I line up the shot and blast the one closing in on him. While Rick smashed his tomahawk down on Jessie's arm. As they broke free, a look of horror spread over Rick's face and my eyes followed his.