Incendiary: Carl Grimes Love Story

Chapter Forty: The Distance

Maya's pov

I sliced the edge of my knife to the edge of my knife sharpening the edges since the sun and journey had dulled them out a bit. The group had woken up and we all some how unitedly checked our weapons and cleaned them. I looked up to Carl across from me only to see he was already staring with a smile. He was happy for once. He was happy when I told him Daryl and I started talking again. It was a stupid reason to be happy, but I wasn't going to wipe it off his face.

" Hey." Maggie called slowly walking into the front doors this time. I noticed the cheer in her voiced and turned ready to smile, but noticed the man behind her and Sasha." Everyone. This is Aaron."

I took the arrow in my hand and strapped it to my bow ready to pull if anything had happened. The group around me quickly stood their feet, the sound of gun's starting filling the air. Daryl passed by me peeking outside the doors for anyone else before returning back to us.

" We met him outside. He's by himself. We took his weapons and we took his gear." Maggie continued watching Daryl pat Aaron down.

Once he was done, Aaron smiled." Hi." He spoke.

Judith cried right by my ear afraid by our sudden movements. I placed the arrow back in my quiver before taking the little girl in my arms and heading to the back of the barn. Carl followed still aiming his gun at Aaron.

" It's nice to meet you." He breathed taking a step forward to shake his hands, but the group moved with him in a threatening manner.

Rick eyed our new guest tilting his head to the side before glancing at Maggie." You said he had a weapons ?"

Maggie nodded her head and walked over to Rick handing over a tiny revolver. Rick took the small gun in his hands, checking for ammo, and by his face I could tell it was full. He placed it in his waistband before looking to Aaron once again.

" Is there something you need ?"

" He has a camp nearby." Sasha spoke." He wants us to audition for membership."

" So you want us to tap dance to get shelter ?" I called out noticing Daryl's smirks from behind Aaron.

Aaron laughed lightly at my comment." I wish there was another word. Audition does make it sound like we're some kind of dance troupe. That's only on Friday nights." He joked except none of us laughed.

He cleared his throat looking only to Rick." Um, it's not a camp. It's a community. I think you all would make valuable additions. But it's not my call. My job is to convince you all to follow me back home."

When no one spoke, Aaron continued cautiously." I know. If I were you, I wouldn't go either. Not until I knew exactly what I was getting into. Sasha, can you hand Rick my pack ?"

Sasha slowly removed the pack from her shoulder and handed it to Rick as Aaron continued." Front pocket. There's an envelope. There's no way I could convince you to come with me just by talking about our community. That's why I brought those. Now, I apologize in advance for the picture quality. We just found a old camera store last-"

" Nobody gives a shit." Daryl snapped coldly.

I had a smirk of my own and turned to see Aaron was stiffened by the sudden harshness." You're absolutely, one hundred percent, right." He said before turning back to Rick." That's the first picture I wanted to show you because nothing I say about our community will matter unless you know you will be safe. If you join us, you will be."