So this is a quick note up here. I have been doing some thinking, and one of the things I wanted to do with this story is explore more of the U.S. So you are going to see that as this story goes on, it will be focusing on stories in different states, places, and people. Of course, Daryl's group will always be the main focus, but you will see this more. That will start this chapter.

Chapter 19-Trust issues

Ohio

Angel's P.O.V

Angel Anderson walks down the road with a defeated look on her face. Angel was average height with a slim build. She had short blond hair and green eyes. She had a compound bow on her back, a bowie knife, and a Glock 17 on her hip. She pulls out her knife as one of the dead steps onto the road. She stabs it under the jaw and kills it. She pulls the knife out and lets it fall to the ground. She wipes the blood on her pants. She walks to the side of the road and sits down. She pulls her bag off of her back and pulls a map out. She was near Bremen, Ohio. She pulls out a granola bar and begins to eat it. After she is done eating, she puts her map back in her bag and continues to walk down the road. She walked for hours until she came across a house. She goes up to the house and hits the door. She doesn't hear anything, and she pushes the door open and shines her flashlight inside the house. She walks towards the stairs. She starts to climb them when a walker falls down them and hits her, knocking them both to the ground. Angel hits her head. She quickly grabs her knife and stabs the walker in the head. She breathes heavily and tries to stand up. She takes a few steps forwards and falls to the ground as she passes out.

Leon's P.O.V

Leon walks up to a house. Leon had short brown hair and blue eyes. He had a good build and was of average height. Behind him stood his friend and run partner Jordan. Jordan had short blond hair and brown eyes. He was a little shorter than Leon. He had the same build. Leon had a sawed-off shotgun at his hip with his dagger. Jordan had a Glock and a knife on him. They open the door to the house and they see Angel on the ground. "What the hell?" Leon asks as he goes up to her. Leon turns her around as Jordan looks around the house. "She's alive," Leon tells his friend as he comes into the room. Jordan bends down and looks at her.

"What do we do?" Jordan questions.

"We get her home, and we see what we need to do with her," Leon tells his friend. Jordan nods as he helps Leon pick her up, and they leave the house.

Angel's P.O.V

Angel woke up and looked around the room she was in. The room was white with nothing but a bed, a door, and walls. Angel was still wearing her jeans, combat boots, t-shirt, and leather jacket. She stands up and goes to the door. She tries to open it, but nothing happens. "Let me out!" Angel shouts as she slams her hands against the door. She hears speaking outside the door and backs up as the door opens, and Leon walks in.

"Woah, calm down," Leon says.

"Stay back," Angel says as she looks around the room for a weapon.

"Nobody is going to hurt you, miss," Leo says. He takes his belt off and sets it on the ground. "We found you in a house, and you had a concussion. Do you remember what happened?"

"A skin bag knocked me down the stairs," Angel answers hesitantly. "Where are my things? I want to leave."

"You're hurt. You could pass out at any moment, and you'll be dead. Take a few days and rest," Leon reasons.

"Where are my things?" Angel asks more firmly. Leon sighs but nods and puts his gun belt back on. Leon motions for Angel to follow him. She follows him out of the room and sees nobody. Angel looks at Leon's gun and thinks about grabbing it as they get to a door. Leon stops.

"After you," Leon says as he motions to the door. Angel pushes the door open. The sunlight hits her face and makes her squint her eyes, but she looks around. She was in a house by a road. Across the street was the fire department. Angel walks off of the porch and looks around. She could see fences, walls, and gates.

"What is this place?" Angel asks.

"Welcome to the Village," Leon says as he walks past her. "This is Bremen, Ohio. This place was a village before it was considered a town. Now it is once again a village. We have three ways out and at least a mile of the wall that keeps the dead out. Everybody here has their own house," Leon explains as they walk to the fire department.

"How many people do you have?" Angel asks.

"Fifty-four," Leon answers, shocking Angel. "We all came here when the world went to hell, and we made it home quickly. Everybody here pulls their weight some way or another," Leon says as he opens the door and lets Angel into the fire department. They walked to the main room, where people were eating. They look up at them.

"You guys know where Blaze is?" Leon asks.

"Her office," A man answers. Leon nods as he leads Angel to a back room. He lets Angel in and steps in behind her.

"I see our friend has woken up," The woman named Blaze says. Blaze was taller than Angel with a better build as well. She had long black hair and brown eyes. She carried a sword on her back and a revolver on her hip. "Hi, I'm Blaze," Blaze says as she holds her hand out to Angel, who slowly shakes it.

"Angel," Angel says to her.

"Please sit," Blaze says as she sits back down. Angel sits down and looks Blaze in the eyes. "I assume that Leon has told you of your injuries?"

"Yes," Angel says.

"I can see that you don't trust us, and you don't even want to be here, but we couldn't let you leave and feel good about it. I ask that you stay for a few days at least. Heal, and when you are healed, we'll give you a car, some food, gas, and water and send you on your way," Blaze says.

"What's the catch?" Angel asks.

"No catch," Blaze says.

"There is always a catch. What do you want?" Angel asks as she leans forward. Blaze sighs.

"Help around while you are here to the best of your ability, and that will pay it off," Blaze says. "That is all I ask."

"I want my weapons. I'll stay to heal as long as you give me my weapons," Angel says.

"Leon, you may go eat. I'll take her to her armory," Blaze says as she stands. Leon nods as he leads the room. Blaze leaves the room, and Angel follows her. They walk back outside, and Blaze glances at her. "Do you have any family? Boyfriend, Husband? Kids?"

"No, I lost my girlfriend three weeks ago," Angel answers. Blaze nods as they walk through the street. They get a house where two men are standing. Blaze nods to them and leads Angel into the house. They go to the backroom, and Blaze unlocks the door and lets Angel in. She walks to her weapons and grabs them. She puts them back on and looks at Blaze. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Blaze says. "As you will only be staying for a few days. You can sleep in my guest room if you change your mind. I can find you a more permanent home."

"I won't be changing my mind," Angel says. Blaze nods as she leads Angel out of that house and goes towards her house.

Leon's P.O.V

Leon was on watch when Jordan walked up to him. "I saw the girl we saved. How is she?" Jordan questions.

"Okay, she doesn't trust us at all. She just wants to leave," Leon answers.

"She probably went through some shit out there that we can't even imagine. We've been here. Sure we got outside for runs, but we haven't truly lost anybody or dealt with any bad people yet," Jordan says.

"We'll have to at one point or another," Leon says. "We'll be ready when that time comes."

"I hope so," Jordan says.

Blaze's P.O.V

Blaze walks into their infirmary and looks at the doctors. Noel was tall with red hair and back eyes. "Do you have the report for her?" Blaze asks the doctor, who nods as he hands it to Blaze. Blaze looks at the report, and as she reads, her face gets paler. "Jesus Christ," Blaze says as she looks at Noel. "How is she alive?"

"A lot of fighting," Noel says. "This woman has been through more than most people do in their lifetime in the last few months, but she is still kicking,"

"No wonder she doesn't trust people. She's been treated like shit. Maybe even before all of this," Blaze says. Noel nods as Blaze hands him the report and leaves the room.

Thanks for reading. So like I said above, these kinds of chapters will come every few chapters and follow the people I make. Next chapter, we are back at the stadium. As always, suggestions, ideas, and feedback are welcomed. Until next time.