The Sheriff and The Archer

Chapter Eight: Someday

There was about five seconds of silence. Actually, it was quite peaceful. The only sound in the world was the never ending amount of crickets chirping outside. The crickets became so loud that they almost drown out the first word, "No." Daryl says it more to himself than anybody, but nevertheless, it is said. And that word, that one word - changes everything for the millionth time.

Since I've come in contact with this group everything has changed. So much of me has twisted and turned in the last half-week more than it has in the last year and a half and shit, that scares me.

It scares me that a group that I barely know I'm scared for. That members of this group that I haven't even met I'm concerned for. I know what happens when I care, when I love people. They die. And that's what happened with this group - okay so maybe there hasn't been any deaths (but come on, somebody probably died) - they got separated and now they're dying from the inside out.

I don't want that to happen to me.

But I can't live all alone. Then I'm just as good as the den-walkers. I'd be just as lifeless. I guess it really is people that keep you alive.

So when Daryl said "No" we all thought about it for a second. Daryl is rejecting the fact that some of them, or all of whoever the hell is missing could be in, or on their way to Terminus.

"Jade could be right," Eugene concludes.

"They could already be there," Glenn breathes out.

Maggie looks stunned, "Oh my God."

"Why didn't we think about that sooner?" Carl scolds, but he's looking down and I can tell... he's mad at himself.

"No. They couldn't..." Daryl trails off, letting the possibility sink in. I feel like shit for articulating myself.

"I could be wrong, how many of your people are missing?" I spit out, frantically. I did this. I'm the cause of this newfound heartache.

"Did you ever get anyone new at Terminus?" Abraham quires.

"She wouldn't know. They didn't take other people in, and if they did Jade never met them," Eugene tells him. I couldn't describe the feeling to you. I might have eaten their family. I instantaneously felt the need to throw up. Eugene didn't even bothering to look at anyone. Who the hell is this guy? Is he some sort of genius?

"We were running low on... you know... -what they called - food, so nobody new had come in the last month or so. How long have y'all been apart for?" My accent made an appearance.

"So, they hadn't come before us," Rick figures. "We've been gone for four days, however. Anyone could have walked in by then."

"We need to figure out where we are, so we can find a way back... if we're going back," Sasha blurted.

"We hold a meeting in the morning when everyone wakes up. Until then, there are six rooms. So Maggie and Glenn, Abe and Eugene, Tara and Rosita, Sasha and Tara, Michonne and Jade, Carl and I, and Daryl can take the couch that's in the home library upstairs, if that's okay with you, Daryl?" Rick decided. Daryl said he was fine with it and then we all mumbled and nodded. The group headed towards the steps. "Maggie and Glenn take first watch, then Sasha and Tara, then Michonne and Jade. That should be all for tonight!"

I was one of the last people that were in the hall upstairs. Before I could step into the bedroom I saw Michonne walk into, a hand gripped my upper arm and pulled me back. I spun around, out of reflex pulled my knife out and raised it. Carl let go and backed up a step. I registered that it was just him and put my knife away.