Shattered Wings

Chapter Twenty-Four: Fire Works

Carol and Daryl were on feet now, they had covered the bike to hide it. The only lead they had was where Daryl and Beth had run into the Whisperer on their ride to get the medical supplies. So before they approached the area, they stashed the bike. "They have to be around here, couldn't of gathered that many walkers without being near." They spoke low, walking through the woods.

"So Beth." Carol started, wanting to get to the bottom of the event that happened before they left. Daryl was her best friend, she was curious.

"We're not talkin bout it." Daryl stepped over a large log.

"Oh we are." Carol hopped over the log too, "That wasn't nothin." Carol kept her eyes peeled for activity around them, "I know you Daryl, that was somethin."

Daryl had the crossbow at this eye level as they walked, "We got a close bond." He shrugged, "It was hard...seeing her again."

"Not hard enough apparently." Carol laughed, "Come on Daryl, you deserve happiness. I'm not mockin you."

"Sure as hell sounds like it." Daryl added.

"I'm messin with you. I ain't saying it's not weird. She's young. But in this day and age, we can't be picky." Carol stopped as Daryl stopped.

Daryl looked over at her, "Why don't you take your own advice." Carol looked down, "Didn't think so." Daryl turned to continue walking, but stopped again when he saw a skinned walker slightly covered by some dead leaves. Carol looked down and back up to him, "Told ya." They both lifted their weapons and started off again.

Maggie and Beth made their way back to Alexandria, making sure once they returned that Maggie passed along the need for more people on watch. Not only on the walls, but some scouting groups to walk the surrounding roads. Beth volunteered to help out, Maggie didn't argue. "I can't watch on the wall though." Beth shook her head, "If I get dizzy...I don't wanna fall." She looked up at Maggie.

"You can scout with me." She smiled, "We'll make a good pair."

"The Greene Sisters." Beth laughed.

Three scouting groups out, none of them found anything. They all agreed on doing hourly rounds, changing out the groups every other time. As the sun began to set and Beth helped Maggie put the kids to bed, they found themselves in the kitchen. "What if we lose?" Beth started, but Maggie wasn't having it.

"We won't." Maggie nodded, they turned watching Judith walk into the room and hop into a chair beside them, "Even if we do...we have options."

"The Kingdom will take us." Judith reached over to take the glass of water Beth had and took a sip form it, "Or Hilltop."

Maggie smiled kindly, thought neither of those were plans she had, "Exactly." She looked over at Beth, "We have allies. We didn't at the prison."

"We still lost." Beth added.

"I don't want to think like that." Maggie sighed, "We are prepared. And if we have to leave...we leave."

"Mom won't know where to come back to." Judith looked down at the table, "If we leave..."

"Michonne is smart baby, she'll find us." Maggie nodded, "If God has his way, your daddy will be with her."

"Yeah." Judith sipped her water again.

Daryl and Carol had stumbled across a cave, they were surprised to find it was abandoned. Though only recently. There was walker skin hanging to dry, ashes from firepits, and a couple of dead walkers. "They're moving."

"They're on the move." Daryl added, looking over to Carol, "They're not staying in one place."

"Smart." Carol kicked over one of the walkers, the face had been skinned off. "We should tell Maggie. It's not safe if they're wandering."