Daryl's Angel: Saviour (Book Two)

Chapter 3: Jubilation

Rick isn't the only one leaving on a run. Glenn, Maggie, and Tara make plans to look for ammunition while Rick's group handles food. Abraham insists on starting work on the bus, Rosita and Eugene going right along with him.

While everyone prepares to leave, I explore the rooms inside the church. Judith has fallen asleep on my shoulder and I think it'd be criminal to disturb her. There's a nursery-type room in the back left end of the church, judging by the children's toys and rocking chairs set up inside and the bathroom close by. I pause as I pass a piece of carved wooden artwork, engraved with a Bible verse.

"And let us not grow weary of doing good. For in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9."

I haven't sought comfort in the Bible for a very long time. I basically stopped going to church by the time I hit university, too focused on other things and slightly jaded with the people in my community, but my love of Jesus remains. Reading those words, I feel...seen.

I want to be good, still. I want to do good in this world.

I turn away from the wall and stop short as Gabriel appears at the door. He startles for a second, pressing a hand to his chest, and I grip Judith a little tighter. She doesn't stir.

"I'm sorry," he says. "I...I was just looking for..." He shakes his head. "Never mind."

"It's alright," I say, offering him a smile. "I can leave, if you need some alone time before the run."

"No, no, it's fine."

He stays standing in place and I purse my lips. "Well..."

"If...you don't mind me asking," he says. "Forgive me for being forward, but...your necklace. You must be a Christian."

"I try to be," I reply. "I still have faith, however small."

"That's refreshing to see," he admits. His expression saddens as his gaze flicks to Judith. "I can't imagine having a child in all this. It must have been hard."

Something in my brain clicks. "Oh, she's...she's not mine," I say. Immediately, embarrassment floods his expression. "But, it was hard. Her mother sacrificed everything for her."

"I'm sorry for your loss, and...for the misunderstanding. I assumed the, ah...man out there was..."

"Rick? No, no. He's..." I pause for a second. "He's my brother-in-law."

"Oh, you're married?" Again, his gaze darts to my necklace, at the ring hanging next to the cross, and his eyes widen. "O-Oh, I'm so sorry for your—"

"My husband's alive. He's the shaggy gentleman whose squirrels you covet," I say. Again, his face darkens with shame and I can't help but let out a laugh. "I'm teasing you, Gabriel. Not about my husband. The squirrels."

"Oh. Of course! I...assumed humour was a lost cause with you people."

"It's fine. Sometimes it's easier to assume and...we haven't had the easiest few days, so you'll forgive us for not being more open."

"I do apologize. I haven't spoken to...anyone, really, since this all went down," he admits, rubbing the back of his neck. "It seems my social skills have gotten rusty."

"It's alright. You're forgiven," I say, and I mean it earnestly. "I'd extend my hand, but my arms are full. I'm Hope."

"Hope," he repeats. "That's...that's lovely. A great name."

"Thank you. I got it for my birthday." He smiles and looks away, letting out a breathy laugh, and I can't help but smile too. Judith shifts in her sleep. "I should probably lay her down somewhere before I get stuck like this all day."