A/N: So I updated in honor of tonight's episode; we get to find out who took Beth! Do you think it's her with Daryl at the end of last weeks show! Hopefully right! I have the reunion planned out in my head so I'm hoping it was her! Anyway I hope you like this one; please review and let me know. Review mean a lot. Also if anyone can explain TWD Holiday Fic Exchange and how that works that would be awesome! Anyway on to the story and again reviews rock! Thanks for all the followers and favorites they also mean a lot!
Chapter Thirty-Five: Nothing to Believe In
The group walked through the forest, each one having a place, each one with their weapon, each one with their thoughts. Riley's blue eyes scanned the woods that enclosed them a feeling of anxiety, worry…a feeling of being watched flowing throughout her being. Gripping the strap of her crossbow her eyes drifted over each member of her family until they rested on Carl who was still holding Judith. Lowering her eyes to the ground for a moment Riley bit her lip
'you should have gone back'
Riley watched as her dad stopped walking giving a low whistle; that was the sign Riley took off to her right weaving in-between the trees and brush. Circling about a mile and only taking out one Walker Riley turned and headed back towards the path; her eyes still trailing over the land, the trees, the sky. Passing a tree Riley stopped her eyes narrowing backing up she stood in front of the tree her eyebrows knitting in confusion lifting a hand her fingers grazed over a craving of an 'x' contained within a circle. Riley turned raising her crossbow quickly turning to gaze out into the green and brown. These symbols it was a an old hunters trick a way to make sure you were heading in the right direction, not back tracking or walking in circles…hunters…being hunted
"you're either the butcher or the cattle"
Breaking through the trees Riley gave her father a small smile and a nod; her eyes going to Carl as he gave a bottle to Judith the girl drinking happily. Riley walked a few paces over and kneeled down beside her brother and sister "hey little one" she mumbled causing the girl to stop drinking and reach over to her. Riley smirked and scooped the baby out of Carl's arms cradling her close to her body. Rick smiled before he's eyes caught sight of someone he needed to talk to. He placed a kiss to Riley's head as he rubbed the back of Carl's neck he then stood and walked towards the dark-haired girl
"you didn't want to be there; that's why I talked to you"
Tara looked at Rick her eyes still holding guilt, looking over Rick's shoulder she caught Riley's eye the Dixon didn't look away just cradled the baby tighter in her arms
"I talked to Glenn…." Rick's voice brought Tara back her eyes snapping to the leaders face "…said you saved his life"
Tara let a small smile quickly fill her face….her eyes before it vanished "he saved mine"
"that's how it works with us right"
Riley looked down at the baby in her arms her mind flashing through all the people she failed to save, failed to protect….failed….failed…..failed
The following morning came and with it came moving, always moving, always alert, always glancing over your shoulder. Riley once again chose to take up the rear, with her dad up front along with Glenn and Maggie she knew the front was protected. Carol and Daryl ambled about in the middle of the pack and she knew Daryl was just as on alert as she was. Which left her taking up the rear, she refused to let anything sneak by her; after seeing the markings on the tree she knew someone was here, was it Gareth, was it another group she didn't know nor did she care. She just knew she had to keep both eyes open.
As the group carried on Riley thought best to stray from the path for a bit and try to collect some food. As she walked into the woods she kept her eye on her family as they walked on. After shooting and collecting about a dozen squirrels Riley ran up ahead and cut through the trees when she stepped foot into the clearing her eyes connected with her father whose gun was raised along with the weapons of all the others
"we come in peace" she mumbled holding up the string of squirrels; her father gave her a slight smirk before she joined him
"no tracks…no nothing; but someone is out there….those marking there fresh"
Rick turned looking at Riley through the corner of his eye; he knew she was more on edge thinking that Gareth and company were still alive still after them and truth was he couldn't deny that he too felt the same, he knew that man and his people, knew they wouldn't give up, wouldn't forget…..it was only a matter of time
Rick saw the hard and cold look in Riley blue orbs and nodded turning he gave a low whistle "keep close" he speaks out to the group standing off to the side for a moment "come on tighten up" he looks to Glenn the man nodding, as Daryl walks by he gives Rick a look, Rick looks to him "she's usually right about these things" he mumbles as the hunter moves on looking ahead to his sister as she places a hand on Carl's back looking down at Judith who he has cradled in his arms 'not usually….always' he thinks as his eyes scan the woods
Abraham picks up the pace and walks in stride with Rick "ready to get some concrete under your feet"
Rick looks ahead to Riley, Carl and Judith "I think it's time"
Abraham smiles "that's sweet music to my ears Officer….take the next road we come to try to get back to going north till we find a vehicle; good"
Looking over at the red-headed man Rick nods "good"
Rick looks away from Abraham and up ahead back at his children "excuse me" he mutters before moving up just as he reaches Daryl a loud and frantic cry for help comes from somewhere to the right. Rick watches as Riley looks to Carl and quickly to him before taking off into the woods. Carl looks over to his father before looking the direction Riley ran "dad….dad come on…"
Rick looks to Daryl before taking off after his daughter 'always putting herself in harm's way for others' he thinks as he weaves in and out of tree knowing he'll have to talk to her about doing what's right verse what's safe…..and how sometimes its going against what you want to do what you need.
As Rick and the group enter a small clearing they see a large boulder with a man sitting atop it backing away and kicking dead ones in the face as they attempt to reach him; Rick turns and watches as Riley lines her crossbow up taking out the one closest to the man before swinging the bow to her back and pulling her hunters knife out and moving forward. Rick looks to Daryl giving a quick nod before the rest also move forward in an effort to help. Once all the Walkers are taken care of Rick looks to the man on top of the rock
"we're clear….keep watch" the second half of the statement directed to those around him. Riley eyes the man from her spot next to her father
"you can come down" she pipes out already on the defense, something about this man put her off regardless of him being a man on faith….
Once the man is down on the ground he looks around; Riley's blue eyes lock on to his brown "you okay" she asked as the dark-skinned man suddenly looks a tad pale. As soon as the words leave her mouth the man holds up a finger and leans to the side vomiting whatever was contained in his stomach. Riley looks at her father through the corner of her eye as he watches the man with narrowed eyes. Looking up Riley sees Carl approach and stand beside her doing a quick glance around her she sees that Judith is safely in the arms of Tyresse. Once secure with where people are she looks back at the man
"sorry" he replies wiping his mouth with the back of his hand "yes….thank you" He then looks at each person in turn before his eyes go back to Rick and Riley "I'm Gabriel"
Gabriel was soft spoken and looked to be scared of his own shadow, still it could all be an act…..Gareth seemed nice….seemed normal….seemed…..people always seemed
"you have any weapons on you" Riley questions her grip on her knife tightening slightly. Gabriel looks at her and chuckles which only causes her to take a step forward. Gabriel seeing the look in her eyes quickly stops and shallows "does it look like I would have any weapons"
"we don't give two short and curlies what it looks like" Abraham speaks from his spot behind Tara
Gabriel looks at the large red-headed man "I have no weapons of any kind….." Gabriel begins his eyes going back to Rick "the word of God is the only protection I need"
Now it's Riley's turn to chuckle "sure didn't look like it"
"I called for help" Gabriel starts locking eyes with her "help came"
"you got lucky" she mumbles, Gabriel eyes her for a moment before turning to the rest of the group
"do you have any….any food; whatever I had left, it just hit the ground"
Riley clenches her jaw eyes going to her father, Rick glances over and catches her eye both thinking the same thing
"we've got some pecans"
Riley's eyes snap over to Carl as he hands the man the last few nuts the group had gathered
"thank you" Gabriel whispers as Carl nods his head. From the back Judith starts to babble making Gabriel's eyes flash over "that's a beautiful child"
Riley subconsciously takes a step to her left blocking Judith from view; Gabriel's eyes go down to her "do you have a camp"
"no" Riley speaks a slight edge to her voice "do you…"
Gabriel looks around for a moment Riley notices how nervous he has become "I have a church"
"hold your hands above your head" Rick speaks gesturing with his hand. Gabriel looks at him but does as he is told. As Rick pats Gabriel down Riley takes a small step forward "how many Walkers have you killed"
Looking away from Rick "not any actually" Gabriel responses. Riley looks over to Daryl then to Carl "how many people have you killed"
"none" Gabriel answers sounding almost offended that he was asked such a thing
Riley looks back at the man "why"
Rick steps away and Gabriel looks at him quickly before his eyes go back to the narrowed blue orbs of the Dixon "because the Lord abhors violence"
Rick looks to Riley watches as her eyes darken "what have you done…..we've all done something"
After a pause Gabriel looks away and to the sky "I'm a sinner, I sin almost everyday, but those sins, I confess them to God…" Gabriel lowers his eyes looking at Rick "not strangers"
Michonne sensing the tension speaks up for the first time since finding the man "you said you had a church"
As Gabriel lead the way to his church Riley looks back making sure Carl is holding Judith and that they are both secure in the middle of the group before walking up beside her dad, Daryl and Gabriel "hey" she starts making all three man look over at her "earlier….were you watching us"
Gabriel looks back at the path "I keep to myself, nowadays people are just as dangerous as the dead don't you think"
Daryl looks over at Rick, his sister…..feels the ring in his pocket "no people are worse" he replies before turning his attention back to the leaf covered path
"well…" Gabriel states starting to walk a bit quicker "I wasn't following you, I haven't been beyond the stream near my church more than a few times since it all started…" he pauses looking behind him "that was the furthest I've gone before today…." he turns back to the front Riley grips her crossbow "or maybe I'm lying…"
Riley looks at father and Daryl both with unreadable expressions
"maybe I'm lying about everything and there's no church ahead at all…." Riley quickens her stride and can see Gabriel with a small smile on his face "maybe I'm leading you into a trap so I can steal all your squirrels"
Gabriel turns back and see's everyone with blank faces, his eyes find Riley whose hand is still gripping the strap of her crossbow as the string of squirrels dangle from her neck
"members of my flock had often told me that my sense of humor leaves much to be desired"
Daryl walks ahead to stand by his sister "yeah it does"
Gabriel turned around as Riley walked by Daryl she smirked "ain't no one taking my squirrels"
The group arrived at a small white church a few minutes later. It wasn't a very big church and seemed out-of-place among the dead, dying leaves; the forest looked as if it was engulfing the church. Riley looked around thinking that at one point this must have been a community meeting place everyone coming together to give thanks to someone she wasn't sure she ever truly believed in. Her eyes went to the stairs and watched as Gabriel reached into his pocket pulling out a small silver key
"hold up now" Rick speaks taking the stairs and stopping to look at Gabriel "can we take a look around first….we just want to hold on to our squirrels…." Gabriel looks at Rick then down to the Dixon's before handing the key over and taking a small step back
Riley walked up following after her dad as she placed one foot inside the church Gabriel calls out "I take it you don't believe anymore…" Riley stopped and looked at the man as Daryl walked by her
"come on Riles"
Riley looked to Gabriel "nothing to believe in..."
After walking around the inside of the church and coming up with nothing out of the ordinary Rick let out a low whistle
Returning outside Riley leaned against the railing looking over to Gabriel as he eyed her "I spent months here without stepping out the front door. If you found someone inside, well, it would have been surprising."
Riley took a step away from the church and walked over to Tyresse Judith seeing the girl reached out for her. Riley smiled at the black man "thank you" she whispered looking into his dark eyes her blue ones softening for a moment. The man nodded his head and gently handed over the tiny child. Looking back over Riley saw Carl talking to Gabriel as she came forward she caught the last part of their conversation "thanks for this" Carl looked over to Riley and Judith a small smile on his face. Gabriel looked from the boy to the girls and slowly nodded is head
Abraham's voice broke through the silences of the moment; Riley however turned and watched as her father and Daryl walked out of the church stopping as the red-headed man continued to speak "we found a short bus out back, it don't run, but I bet we could fix that in less than a day or two. Father here says he doesn't want it; looks like we found ourselves some transport…." Abraham looked at Rick as he walked over to Riley and Judith placing a hand on both girls heads "…you understand what's at stake here, right"
"yes, I do." he answers quietly looking at both of his girls
Michonne walks forward leaning on the railing "now that we can take a breath…"
"we take a breath, we slow down, shit inevitably goes down…." Abraham cuts the black woman off. Riley looks to Michonne seeing the annoyance in her eyes, Riley smirks glad to see she isn't the only one starting to get fed up with this man
"no….we need supplies" Riley cuts in, Abraham was not running this show, he wasn't in charge and he wasn't thinking about the group as a whole and that needed to stop "no matter what we do next…we need supplies" Riley speaks shifting Judith on to her hip as the girl plays with the ends of Riley's hair
Rick looks to Riley and nods he then starts to head into the church "that's right….water, food ammunition"
Daryl looks to Riley and pushes her towards the church "short bus ain't gonna nowhere….bring you back some baked beans"
Rick watched as Riley sat down in a pew followed by Carl sitting Judith on her lap and bouncing her up and down turning he saw Daryl talking to Carol, Sasha and Bob looking behind him there was Tara, Glenn and Maggie; he had his family….glancing back at his children for a moment his eyes snapping away when Gabriel walked by
"how'd you survive here for so long…where did your supplies come from" Gabriel stopped walking and looked from the children to Rick
"luck...our annual canned food drive, things fell apart right after we finished it. It was just me….the food lasted a long time, and then I started scavenging. I've cleaned out every place nearby…." Gabriel turned his eyes back to the children "expect one"
Rick moved so he was blocking the view of his children he didn't trust this guy and didn't want him looking at or left alone with his kids…..any of them….
"what kept you from it" Rick speaks making the man return his eyes back to him
"it's overrun."
Rick looked at Daryl as he walked out of the church most likely to check the surrounding area "how many"
"a dozen or so…..maybe more"
Rick locked eyes with Sasha making her walk towards the men Bob following after
"we can handle a dozen"
Sasha looked to Bob "Bob and I will go with you"
Rick turned to look at Riley she glanced up and simply shook her head she was staying, if Carl and Judith were staying she was staying. Rick nodded and placed a hand on her shoulder
"I'll draw you map…."
Rick looked up and walked towards the man "won't need one….you're coming with us"
Rick watched as Sasha, Bob and Michonne followed Gabriel out of the church he walked down the aisle stopping when he reached his children. Judith had fallen asleep on Riley's chest and Rick kneeled so he was eye level with all of them
"hey….listen to me both of ya…" Riley and Carl looked over locking their blue orbs on those of their father "I don't trust this guy…."
"why" Carl asked standing and moving to the other side of Riley so he was closer to his dad
"why do you trust him" Rick questions back quickly looking over at Riley
"everybody can't be bad"
Rick chuckled slightly looking from Judith to Carl "well I don't trust him that's why I'm bringing him with me"
Riley stood as Judith started to fuss and slowly swayed back and forth "listen to dad Carl….he could have friends….we're going to have to stay alert, stay sharp…." both men watched as Riley stared ahead before bringing her eyes down to the sleeping baby in her arms "we're not safe…no matter what you think, no matter whose with you or around, even if the area looks secure feels safe….it's not and you're not"
Rick watched Riley for a moment, listened to the words she spoke the way they sound haunted, hollow…..dead….
Standing to his feet he nodded his head "listen to your sister just not on that but on whatever she says while we're gone you help keep Judith safe…."
Carl nodded his head as Rick started to walk away he heard Riley speak again "promise me Carl…promise me you'll never let your guard down"
There was a moment of silence before "I promise" rang out in the otherwise quiet room
Riley told Carl that he should go outside and see if anything seemed off about the church, look at any and everything she told him "this guy is hiding something Carl….we all hide things but if he's hiding something that could hurt…" Riley stopped as her eyes drifted to Judith "…I will kill him…."
Carl ventured outside walking by Abraham as he worked on the bus. He walked around the church looking at the ground, the walls the forest enclosing the building. His eyes drifted over the peeling of the white paint until they stopped on the widow pane, running his fingers over the wood he lowered his eyes and shook his head; ripping his hand away he continued on until he came to the back of the church there he saw something that changed everything; turning he rushed back inside "hey Tyresse can you look after Judith for a minute I want to show Riles something"
Riley looked at Carl before gently handing over the sleeping child to strong black man "thank you" she mumbles before following Carl out of the church
Carl walks around the church stopping at the widow and pointing at the markings "what's it look like to you; too deep to be fingernails right"
Riley ran her fingertips over the markings "yeah….had to be a knife; someone wanted to get in…someone wouldn't let them in…."
Carl took a deep breath Riley was already on edge should he show her what else he found "there was one more thing….it doesn't mean Gabriel is a bad guy….but it has to mean something"
Riley looked from Carl to the wooden plank running her fingers over the words before looking back at her brother "go back inside; check on Judy…..when dad gets back tell him to find me"
Riley spent the rest of the afternoon walking back and forth in the back yard of the church her eyes drifting to the words carved in the wood. Her eyes snapped away when a voice spoke out
"hey Carl said you were out here….you should come in we found food"
Rick watched as his daughter looked as if she was barely holding it together "I don't trust that guy…I don't trust this church I don't want Judith to stay here longer than she has too."
"Riley what's going on…."
Riley simply gestured with her head towards the wall Rick turned his eyes away from his child and walked towards the white wood of the church
'you'll burn for this'
"he's hiding something….it may not be big and it may not even be that bad, but it's something and if it puts anyone in danger…..dad….I won't…."
Rick walked away from the church and stood in front of his daughter "hey" he spoke before pulling her into a hug "I will not anything happen to you….to any of them…I will not lose any of you…..I promise"
The sun set and as darkness enclosed the church, candles were lit and food was passed around Riley sat beside her father who held Judith on his lap; Judith reached over holding a sliced carrot in her hand her cubby little hand going over to the small blonde girl who sat beside her "thanks Judy" Riley spoke with a laugh as the child placed the carrot inside her mouth. Rick watched with a smile turning he caught sight of Daryl the two exchanged a look so much said in such a short time
The sound of someone clearing their throat made all the chatter die down and all eyes go over to Abraham who stood holding his glass in his hands "I'd like to propose a toast" Riley turned away from Judith and looked over at Abraham "I look around this room and I see survivors each and every one of you has earned that title….to the survivors"
Riley glanced around the room seeing everyone repeating Abrahams sentiments; all but Carol and Bob both seemed a little quieter a little more revered….
"is that all you want to be, wake up in the morning, fight the undead pricks, forage for food, go to sleep at night with two eyes open, rinse and repeat; cause you can do that. I mean, you got the strength….you got the skill." Riley turned away from Carol and Bob and looked over at Judith the girl was getting fussy and reached out for Riley; Rick gently handed the girl to her older sister and watched as Judith rested her head on Riley's chest playing with the zipper of Riley's jacket
"thing is, for you people, for what you can do, that's just surrender…now, we get Eugene to Washington and he will make the dead die and the living will have this world again and that is not a bad takeaway for a little road trip.
Judith raised her head and looked into Riley's eyes, Riley watched her as the baby smiled and placed her hands on Riley's face making Riley smirk; she watched her sister as Abraham's words floated through the church
"Eugene, what's in DC…"
Eugene looked up glancing around the room before gripping his glass" Infrastructure constructed to withstand pandemics even of this fubar magnitude…."
"…that means food, fuel, refuge, restart….however this plays out, however long it takes for the reset button to kick in, you can be safe there, safer than you've been since this whole thing started come with us…." Abraham stopped talking and looked down to Riley who was still holding Judith the little girl resting her head on her chest only to raise it again and pull Riley's hair that was hanging over her shoulder "save the world for that little one….save it for yourselves…..save it for the people out there who don't got nothing left to do except survive."
Rick looked over at Judith as she babbled making everyone laugh "what's that little one" Rick looked at Abraham then back at Judith
"I think she knows what I'm about to say…"
Rick looked over at Riley who looked away from Judith giving her dad a quick nod "she's in…if she's in then I'm in"
"we're in" Rick voices making everyone cheer and laugh. Rick stands helping Riley to her feet "can you settle her down for the night…" Rick speaks quietly into Riley's ear as his eyes find Gabriel
"of course…"
Rick places a kiss to Riley's head before moving towards the back pew sitting next to quiet scared man "thanks for the hospitality….. I'm surprised you let us drink your communion wine."
"there isn't anyone left to take communion….the wine's just wine until it's blessed." Gabriel finished bringing the bottle to his lips and drinking a mouthful
Rick watches Gabriel for a minute before leaning in "you're hiding something, and it's pretty obvious it's something you can't hide from; that's your business…." Rick stops and glancing around the church seeing each member of his family…his family "but these people, these people are my family, and if what you're hiding somehow hurts them in any way, I'll kill you."
Riley had finally got Judith to settle down and the child was sleeping peacefully in a small drawer in one of the room off of the main area. Standing Riley placed a kiss to her forehead before quietly leaving the room, Riley walked out into the church looking around the room seeing the smiling faces of her family. Everyone seemed so happy, so calm so normal….glancing around the room for another time her eyebrows knotting together her eyes filling with fear and confusion…
"dad…dad" she calls out watching as the man turns away from Maggie and Glenn. Rick senses the panic in Riley's voice the worry in her eyes
"where the hell are Carol, Daryl and Bob…"
A/N: I hate begging but I would really like reviews. I love to hear what you think good, bad or ugly (but hopefully still nice) Also thanks to all the followers and people that favorite this story! Love you all!