They didn't want to take the main entrance. They found a discreet unlocked entrance on one side of the building. They made noise to attract the dead and get rid of them, but it seemed like it has already been taken care of by someone else. Or they had left. Aaron tried to check if there was any living human presence around.
"Hello?"
"I don't think that..."
"Wait."
So Daryl waited.
They started to hear some footsteps.
"Walkers ?" Aaron whispered. He knew Daryl could make the difference. "It sounds like it's limping..."
"That ain't no walker."
"Hello ? We can hear you. We don't want any trouble. We just wanna help. " Daryl sighed and rolled his eyes, discouraged by Aaron's lack of caution. They definitely didn't have the same methods, but somehow Daryl trusted him.
There was no answer.
"My…my name is Aaron. My friend and I…are just looking for some survivors. To help."
"What makes you think I need help?" the stranger asked. Daryl raised his crossbow and exchanged a look with Aaron.
"We can leave if you don't want us here. Or you can tell us your name." Aaron added.
Another silence.
"Let's just go, man." Daryl grunted. They started to walk backwards to leave.
"Noah."
Aaron stopped walking.
"I'm sorry?"
"The name's Noah."
...
"Hello Noah. It's nice to meet you."
"Drop the kindness. And drop you weapons. I'm gonna turn the corner now. I want to hear you weapons drop on the floor before I do."
"No problem." Aaron put his gun down on the floor in front of him and made enough noise so Noah would believe him. Daryl didn't move an inch.
"No problem." Aaron repeated more clearly, giving an insisting look towards Daryl, asking him to do the same. Daryl grunted as an answer and dropped his crossbow loudly.
"Arms in the air, hands where I can see them."
"Ok. We're ready."
Noah appeared slowly from behind the wall with a gun pointing at them.
"See? We mean no harm." Aaron tried.
"Why are you here?"
"We come from a safe camp. Actually, it's bigger and better than a camp. It's a community. And we are recruiters. We go outside our walls to find people and bring them inside with us, if they want to. To give them a chance. And the more people in, the better, we think."
"More mouths to feed." Noah said.
"More workers to contribute." Aaron replied.
Noah considered his answer. Aaron continued.
"Do you have a group here with you?"
"I don't have to answer that."
"I know. You're right. You don't have to tell me anything. But you don't seem to be in your best shape. When was the last time you had a meal? "
"Not long ago. I just have a bad leg, that's all."
"We have a doctor back at home. Actually it's a nurse, but she's been studying..."
"We have a doctor too. And we're in a hospital..."
"Right! Right. That makes sense. It's just that we're used to come across people in need. We haven't met a lot of people that have a stable…functional…system."
"We had a system."
"Had?"
"Yeah…our leader…she was…she wasn't a good person…"
"So you have a group here with you."
"I've said too much."
"Do you want us to leave, Noah? It looks like this is your home. We didn't mean to intrude or anything. We have something to offer, but take it only if you need it."
"Our system…her system…it worked for a while. But it wasn't the way we wanted things to work. It was a…selfish and strict way to do things…that's the opinion of the people that stayed. The others…well they left when our leader died. And now…we kind of…are wondering what plan is next."
"So you may need our help? Looking for a new home?"
"This place was never my home."
Aaron gave him a compassion smile.
"Then please. Let us help your group."
"What would we owe you?" Noah's question surprised them.
"You would meet our leader and eventually get assigned to a job in which you would be comfortable of doing. The nature of it would depend on your abilities and taste."
"I could get a job I like?"
"As long as it's useful to the community, yes. You could."
"You seem like all right people. And your friend, who is he?"
"Initially, he's from another group that we recruited. I gave him his job as my partner because I know I can trust him. And so can you."
"I'll need to consult my people first."
"That means you're interested?"
"We'll want to make sure it's not a trap. Kind of how we all got trapped in here… "
"Trapped? Oh… We completely understand."
"I'll take your weapons to them. Just in case. And your friend stays here."
"Ok." Aaron answered before turning towards Daryl." It's all right with you? "
"Yeah. But if you're not back in fifteen, I'll come and check." He looked at Noah while he said that.
Noah left with Aaron walking in front of him. The rest of his group was waiting in a hall two doors away.
A/N: Thanks for the reviews and follows, you guys. More chapters to come soon! Let's keep on shipping!
