Chapter 50-The Next Step
Alicia's P.O.V
Alicia stares at Sam as he goes to the ground. She could still hear the gunshot. John and Haley pull out their gun and aim them at the person who shot Sam. Alicia runs over to the younger Winchester. "Sam?" Alicia says as she looks up.
"I'm okay. She got my shoulder," Sam says with a groan. Alicia pulls out her handgun and aims it at the girl who holds her gun at them.
"It's three against one," Haley says. Alicia's radio goes off.
"Alicia, we heard a gunshot," Strand says through the radio.
"Sam was shot. He's okay. We are dealing with it," Alicia says as she pulls her radio out.
"Okay, we'll be ready if you need us," Strand says. Alicia puts the radio away.
"Drop the gun. You could shoot one of us, and we'll shoot you," Alicia says as she moves her finger to the trigger. The girl looks at them for a moment before she lowers the gun. "Kick it over to us," The girl puts her gun on the ground and kicks it over to them. Haley grabs the gun and puts it in her bag.
"I didn't know he was alive. I just shot. I panicked," The girl says.
"We should be glad you're a terrible shot then," Sam says as he stands.
"You're lucky I'm a bad shot," She says.
"So are you," John says. They hear a bang on the and see a walker pressing itself up against the door. John turns and shoots the walker before he turns back and aims it at the girl.
"You're fast," The girl says.
"I am," John says as he pulls the hammer back. "I don't kill unless I have to,"
"What's your name?" Alicia asks.
"Enid," Enid says. "My name is Enid,"
"Let's start over, Enid. I'm Alicia," Alicia says as she lowers her gun. John and Haley follow her.
"Haley," Haley says.
"I'm John Dorie," John says with a tip of his hat. Enid gives him a small smile.
"I'm Sam," Sam says.
"Look, I think we got off on the wrong foot. We have a place. A place were building that you'll be safe in," John says.
"Nowhere is safe," Enid says.
"This place will be," Alicia says. "We have kids and a woman who is pregnant. We can protect you,"
"Your place will fall like every other place," Enid says. She walks past Alicia and outside.
"Start getting supplies," Alicia tells them before she leaves. She sees Enid run behind the building and towards the woods. Alicia follows Enid into the woods. She hears walkers as she follows Enid. She stops when she sees Enid backing up from a small group of walkers. Alicia pulls out her gun barrel and walks up to the first walker. She stabs it in the back of the head. Enid looks at her and pulls out her knife. Alicia stabs another walker and pulls out her barrel, and swings it hitting a walker in the head taking it to the ground dead. Enid stabs a walker in the head. Alicia is grabbed from behind. She tries to turn, and the walker is shot in the head, letting Alicia go. Multiple gunshots go off, all of them hitting the walkers, making them go to the ground. Alicia looks up from the ground. She had fallen after the walker was killed. She looks at John, who spins his gun and puts it in the holster. "Have I told you how much I love you, cowboy?" Alicia asks.
"No, but good to know," John says as he comes over to Alicia and helps her up. Alicia looks at Enid.
"Are you okay?" Alicia asks her. Enid gives a slow nod. "Enid, come back with us,"
"Why? Why should I trust you?" Enid asks.
"I don't know. But what I do know is that sometimes you've got to take a leap of faith in this new world, and sometimes people may die, or people will get hurt, or even you'll get hurt, but that is part of it. I have a girl, someone I see as a daughter, because I gave her a chance. I have my boyfriend and everybody I see as a family because we took a leap of faith with this group. We trusted them. John took a chance when he didn't shoot Daryl in those woods, and now he has the same thing. You don't have to trust me. I just want you to take a leap of faith because it might be the best decision you'll ever make. It's not all bad, Enid. Let us show you the group that came out of all this because good did come. I wouldn't know the people I do if this didn't happen. Faith and hope can take you a long way. That's all I want you to do. Give us a chance, and I promise you won't regret it," Alicia says to the girl. Enid looks at her for a second and nods.
"One week. I'll give you one week to prove it to me," Enid says.
"Deal," John says. Enid nods as she puts her knife away. John holsters his gun, and Alicia puts her barrel away.
"Come on," Alicia says as she starts to walk back towards the foodbank. Enid slowly follows.
Daryl's P.O.V
Daryl sets a trap on the ground. Charlie stood behind him with Morales, who had joined them. "Did your friends ever eat fish?" Morales asks.
"A few times," Daryl says as he sets a snare. "Why?"
"Did he have traps?" Morales asks. Daryl stops what he is doing and looks at Morales.
"Yeah, his Mom would set them. She let us help make 'em," Daryl tells him.
"Could we set them?" Morales asks.
"Yeah," Daryl says as he finishes the stare. He had set about five in the last two hours. "Let's go set them up now," Daryl says. He walks through the woods with Morales and Charlie. Morales uses his stick to walk. "How has it been working with Eastman and Morgan?"
"It's helped. Learning this has given me a purpose," Morales says. They see a walker walking towards camp. "All of this noise we make attracts them," Morales says as he taps the staff to the ground. The walker looks at him and starts to come towards them. He stabs it in the head and pulls the stick out, letting it go to the ground.
"I know, but that is the point of the trenches," Daryl says.
"We could add extra protection to the gate," Charlie says. Daryl looks at the girl.
"You have an idea how?" Daryl asks his adopted daughter.
"Spikes, We could turn one end of a stick or log sharp and put the other end in the ground. If walkers try to get us while we're coming in, they'll hit it," Charlie says.
"Always knew you were a smart kid," Daryl says as they get to the shed. He grabs the traps, rope, and bait, and leaves. "Come on," He says as he starts to walk towards the water. They follow him.
Abraham's P.O.V
Abraham was working with JJ today instead of T-dog, who was with Glenn burning bodies with Gideon and Shumpert. JJ looks at Abraham. "Why did you do it?" JJ asks.
"Do what?" JJ asks.
"Beat Eugene. I mean, I have seen people get mad over a lie and lies bigger than that. But you seemed like a calm guy, and you lost it. I don't think it was because he lied to you or because you knew that there was no cure," JJ says. Abraham looks at her.
"I'm assuming people just hate profilers?" Abraham says.
"Yep," JJ says.
"The day Eugene found me, my family had just died. I killed a man protecting them. This was in Houston, Texas, by the way. But they left while I slept. Walkers got 'em, and I found them dead. I was in a parking lot getting ready to blow my brains out when I heard a cry for help. It was Eugene. I saved him, and as I was about to leave, he told me the lie. Part of me felt like this is why I didn't blow my brains out that getting him to D.C was my fate. That taking Eugene to would bring me to the next part that it all was destiny and when he lied to me. I felt that same emptiness that I felt when I found my family, and I lost it," Abraham says. JJ slowly nods.
"Meeting Eugene was fate but not for the reasons you think. If you never met Eugene, you would have never found us. Eugene brought you to our family. The family you are now a part of. Your fate was finding us," JJ says. Abraham looks at her and gives her a grin.
"You seem to find the better in shitty things," Abraham says.
"I try," JJ says. Abraham smiles and continues working on the wall.
Rick's P.O.V
Rick walks with Carl just outside the fence. Rick looks at Carl and grabs his hat off his head, and places it on Carl. Carl looks up at him. "It looks better on you," Rick says. Carl smiles. "And nobody matter what I'm with you,"
"I got you something. I mean, I asked Alicia and John to find it for me," Carl says as he pulls out of his back pocket and holds it out to Rick.
"What is it for?" Rick asks as he grabs the book.
"Sign language so it's easier to talk to Connie," Carl says to his Dad. Rick smiles as he puts the book in his back pocket. "What do you think of Mom and Amy?"
"What do you think about it? She is your Mom," Rick says.
"I like Amy. She's nice, funny, and fun to be around. I'm okay with it as long as Mom is happy," Carl says.
"Who your mother dates don't bother me. I agree if she's happy then, it is all okay," Rick tells Carl, who nods as they walk back towards the house.
Shane's P.O.V
Shane sat in a chair across from Eastman in his shed. Tabitha was lying down eating. Shane looks at Eastman. "Okay, let's talk, Shane. You told me out there that you have been having nightmares about the people you lost as well as Mason. The man you killed that was a part of your group," Eastman says.
"Yeah," Shane says.
"I can say the reason you may dream about Otis, Duane, and Jimmy is guilt that they died under your watch. Mason, though, is a strange one. You don't regret doing it, do you?" Shane shakes his head. "Then maybe it's the opposite. Shane, have you ever had moments when you saw red, and all you felt was rage before the start?" Eastman asks.
"Yeah," Shane says.
"Shane, I don't think the nightmares of killing Mason are because you killed him. I think it is because you enjoyed killing him, and body and mind want you to realize it," Eastman says. Shane looks at him for a moment.
"You really think I enjoyed it?" Shane asks.
"I think because of the pain he caused and the people he killed. You enjoyed watching him take his last breath, and part of you is scared because of that. That is why you dream of him," Eastman says.
"What's your advice?" Shane asks.
"I'll give that to you after we talk about your other nightmares about Otis, Jimmy, and Daune. That night was traumatic for everybody involved. You and Morgan were affected the most. Morgan lost his son. You lost people you saw as family was killed, and you lost an eye. That combined with the worry here on the wall and the danger. I think those dreams are a combination of guilt and stress," Eastman says.
"What do you suggest I do?" Shane asks him.
"I suggest you step down for some time. Let John, Alicia, and Abraham help Daryl lead. I think you need a break Shane to come to terms with all of it because if you don't. You'll go crazy," Eastman says.
"Okay, I'll step down. Anything else?" Shane asks.
"I suggest you don't kill walkers or people. I think you should stay in camp and avoid danger or action as they could bring all of it back. Let the others kill for you. You have been a shoulder for them to lean on. I think it is time for them to return the favor," Eastman says.
"You sure this is what's best?" Shane asks.
"Yes, I also suggest that we talk more," Eastman says. Shane nods as he stands up and shakes his hand.
"We'll talk more later," Shane tells Eastman before he leaves. Petting Tabitha on his way out. Shane walks to the house and sees Hershel looking around the front yard with Beth and Maggie. "What you doing?" Shane asks them
"Deciding where to put the garden next spring," Hershel tells Shane, who nods as he goes inside. He looks at Charlie and Lizzie.
"Where's Daryl?" Shane asks.
"His room," Charlie says. Shane nods as he walks upstairs and knocks on Daryl's door.
"You decent?" Shane asks.
"Nah, I'm naked. Come on in," Daryl says. Shane opens the door and looks at Daryl, who was lying on his bed making arrows. "What if I was actually naked?"
"Then we would both be having a long conversation with our girlfriends," Shane tells Daryl with a smirk. Daryl grabs an arrow and throws it at Shane, who moves.
"What do you want?" Daryl asks.
"We need to talk," Shane says.
"You try anything Madison gonna be havin' sex with a girl," Daryl says. Shane laughs as he sits down.
"I've been having nightmares of Jimmy, Otis, and Duane. I have also been having them kill Mason, so I talked to Eastman, and he told me why I have been dreaming about Mason. He says he thinks I liked it. He said I enjoyed killing, and he's not wrong. He told me the reason I'm dreaming of the other three is guilt and stress, and losing my eye. He suggested that I step down, and I agree," Shane says. Daryl sits up and looks at him, and nods.
"If you think that is what's best, you do it, and we'll help you however we can. I'll be okay. I got Hershel, Glenn, T-dog, Merle, John, Abraham, and Alicia, and the others. Take your time. Did he say anything else?" Daryl asks.
"He said I should avoid killing walkers and people. He said I should stay out of danger," Shane says.
"Then we'll kill the walkers and people if need be. Just carry your gun and machete to be safe," Daryl tells Shane. Shane nods.
"I'll tell the others during dinner," Shane tells him. Daryl nods as he pats Shane's shoulder, and they sit there.
Enid's P.O.V
Enid sat in the truck as they pulled into camp. Milton and Kelly shut the gate as Daniel stops the U-Haul at the front. Alicia shuts off the truck and climbs out. John looks at Enid. "Ready?" John asks Enid, who nods as she climbs out of the truck.
"You brought back food and a kid, and how did you get shot?" Dean asks his brother.
"The kid's name is Enid, and she is also the person who shot me," Sam says. Enid gives everybody a small wave.
"Well, she didn't kill you, so whatever," Dean says.
"Thanks, Dean," Sam says with an eye roll. Daryl walks down the stairs.
"How much food did you get?" Daryl asks.
"Enough for a while. We couldn't load everything up, so there is still more," Daniel says.
"Good, Lori and Carol made dinner with what we had," Daryl says. John walks with Enid, and they sit down and eat. After Shane Enid believed his name was told the group, he was setting down. Everybody went to bed. John let Enid sleep on the couch as he slept on the flood. Enid pulls the blanket on her and goes to sleep.
Thanks for reading. This chapter explored the next part of Shane's story and brought in Enid, who I love. Like I said a while ago, Enid is the age she was when she came into the show, so she is 16. The next chapter will be Bobby's and Jesus's group. Bobby's last chapter before he gets to the house and Jesus, Aiden, and Carson traveling. Tell me if anybody should come in. As always, suggestions, ideas, and feedback are welcomed. Until next time.