A/N: Here it is, not too sure how I feel about it... I've been struggling a bit lately with writing and pretty much all things creative. One of my teachers said I would never make it as a writer/artist….so yeah that kind of hurt and put me in a bad head space. Regardless writing is something I love to do and I'll continue to work on it. Everything takes time and hard work and if you truly love something it's worth the effort. On a brighter note I want to say thank you to all the readers who either follow, favorite (or did both) seeing those pop up in my email makes my day and lets me know that what I'm trying to do is worth it. I always want to add that sentiment for my other stories as well. Thank you; you wonderful little Walking Dead lovelies...by the way tonight is going to be crazy!

Chapter Thirty-Six: Just a House

Riley walked in a small circle keeping her bow raised as her eyes scanned the forest around them. She knew something was wrong…when things seem calm, when things seem too good to be true they usual are

"you have every right to be skeptical little one; things that seem too good to be true usually are…"

The words Merle spoke to her rang in her ears she knew that she should have kept looking, shouldn't have taken a moment, shouldn't have been so stupid, she knew that Carol and Bob were acting strange and yet she said nothing now Bob, Carol and Daryl…..Daryl were all missing…..she hated to admit it but she now understood Abraham and his often too strong approach….

"We take a breath, we slow down, shit inevitably goes down."

Riley spun around as the sound of a twig snapping grabbed her attention

"just me" Sasha spoke walking out from within the trees

Riley looked at her friend her eyes going back to the woods around them the darkness seeming to consume them "their getting away"

Sasha looked at Riley watching as her eyes narrowed and she turned her head aiming her crossbow into the blackness "who"

Riley looked back at Sasha just as her father appeared from around the back of the church "somebody's been watching us…." just as the words left Riley's lips gun fire erupted causing everyone to spin around and fire back into the abyss; somebody was watching them, knew where they were, where they were going

"get back"

Riley looked over and saw her father shout out for everyone to get back to the church, Riley pulled her gun from the back of her jeans and fired off a few rounds before turning and running into the house of God her father right behind her.

Once the doors were shut Riley spun around grabbing the back of Gabriel and placing her knife under his neck

"STOP….Riley stop what are you doing"

Riley didn't remove the knife but quickly looked over at her father, Carl had also appeared standing behind him a look of fear etched on his face, either because of Riley or the situation, at the moment she couldn't tell nor did she care

"don't you see…" she spoke turning to look back at the priest as panic danced in his eyes "it's all connected, you show up….we're being watched and now three of us are gone…"

Gabriel's eyes quickly scanned the room only to land back on the dark and determined orbs of the Dixon "I don't…I don't have anything to do with this"

'don't believe him Rye bread he's hiding something…..something big'

Riley didn't look over at the sound of his voice but simply took a step closer to the man of faith

"you don't have to do this…"

"put the knife away Riles…"

At the sound of Carl's voice Riley hesitated "who's out there" she hissed

"Riley please…"

"I don't have anything to do with this" Gabriel spoke his hands going up

Flashes of Gareth with his raised hand flew behind her eyes

"where are our people….why'd you bring us here" Riley yelled "you working with someone…"

At this moment Gabriel broke causing Riley to snap back, she lowered the knife and took a few steps back "I'm alone….alone, I'm always alone…"

Riley watched as the man sunk down to his knees she didn't know what to believe the words craved into the wooden wall outside, this man who seemed so scared so timid

"you'll burn for this….what did you do Gabriel, what do you do….people came to you, you're a man of the Lord….what did you do; you'll burn for what….for what!"

It was quiet for a moment before Gabriel spoke out "I lock the doors at night, I always lock the doors"

Riley looked away from the man and over to her brother who stared back, the look in his eyes saying it all; Riley dropped her head for a moment before looking back over at the broken man on the floor

"I always…they started coming, my congregation. Atlanta was bombed the night before and they were scared. They were…they were looking for a safe place, a place where they felt safe, and it was so early…. it was so early, and the doors were still locked. You see it was my choice."

'choices must be made'

"There were so many of them and they were trying to pry the shutters, banging on the sidings, screaming at me….. and so the dead came for them. Women, children, entire families calling my name as they were torn apart, begging me for mercy….begging me for mercy." At this point the story became to much sobs breaking through the mans body, he looked up locking eyes with Riley "…damning me to hell...they... I buried their bones. I buried it all. The Lord sent you here to finally punish me. I'm damned. I was damned before. I always lock the doors. I always lock the doors."

The group had little time to process Gabriel's story before a low whistle was heard everyone turned to see Glenn staring out the window "there's somebody laying out there, in the grass"

Sasha was at the window first "BOB" she yelled running to the doors and throwing them open

Sasha came to a halt kneeling down beside the man noticing his pale face and missing leg "his leg…his leg we have to help him"

"we got to get him inside"

Sasha looked up to see Maggie kneeling down beside her "will you help me…."

Riley watched as Maggie and Sasha worked together to get the injured and most likely dying Bob inside the church

Once Bob was safely inside Maggie got to work looking over Bob's leg, Riley watched as Maggie worked her eyes going to Bob as he spoke

"I was in the graveyard. Somebody knocked me out. I woke up outside this place. It looked like a school. It was that guy, Gareth, and five other ones."

Riley clenched her jaw at the mention of his name, she knew she should have gone back, her eyes raised and found those of her father staring back at her he too thinking the same thought. They both returned their eyes to Bob as the man coughed before placing a hand to his mouth and looking at Sasha

"They were eating my leg right in front of me….like it was nothing, all proud like they had it all figured out."

Riley had to ask if Gareth had taken Bob and was the one watching the group he could have also been behind Carol and Daryl's disappearance "Did they have Daryl and Carol?"

Bob shook his head "Gareth said they drove off…"

Riley knotted her brows together 'drove off…..drove off…..'

Bob started to groan in pain reaching down and placing a hand where his leg should have been "he's in pain….don't we have anything…"

Carl stood "there's a first aid kit somewhere" he spoke turning and rushing in the direction of the office

"it's not worth it…..just stop" Bob spoke tearing his eyes away from Sasha to look at Maggie. Carl skidded to a stop and turned looking between Bob and his father. Slowly Bob pushed himself up lifting a hand to pull down the collar of his shirt revealing a large bite mark across his neck and collarbone

Riley looked away seeing the pain in Sasha's eyes was too much, she felt bad that she was still able to hold on to a bit of hope that Beth was still alive, still out there and here Sasha was knowing that her love, her world was dying….and she would have to end it so he wouldn't turn

Gabriel offered his office so that Bob could rest comfortably on the sofa located inside, Riley watched as Tyresse helped carry the man followed closely by his sister and Maggie

Rick watched as the door to the office closed before walking towards Gabriel "you know the place Bob was talking about…"

"It's an elementary school… it's close." He answered looking at all the eyes trained on him

"how close…how close"

"it's just a 10-minute walk through the woods from here, due south of the graveyard."

Riley listened to the words her father spoke but her eyes were glued to the door that Bob lay behind, she heard Judith start to fuss and Carl gently quiet her; the minute the office door creaked open Riley was standing in front of Maggie "he have a fever…"

"no just warm…" Maggie spoke placing a hand on the girl's shoulder

Riley turned looking at her father "Jim lasted nearly two days before we left him"

The sound of an annoyed grunt tore Riley's eyes to the back of the church, she watched as Abraham came forward-looking between her and Rick before he looked over at where Eugene and Rosita sat "it's time for a reality check"

Riley went to pull away only for Maggie to tighten her grip around her arm; Riley looked over at her best friend and watched as the girl shook her head. Rick turned to face the red-headed leader. Abraham walked up the aisle standing beside Tara and Glenn his eyes going to Eugene who sat in one of the pews

"we need to leave for DC now"

Riley pulled herself from Maggie's grip "my brother is coming back…we're not going anywhere without him and Carol"

Abraham's eyes softened for a moment as he looked at Riley; Glenn and Maggie had filled him and his group in on some of the things that happened to their group and Riley was mentioned in mostly every story….

"I can understand that, and I respect it…..but there is a threat here; I need to worry about Eugene and getting him to safety and right now that means DC" Abraham paused and walked over so that he was standing beside the scientist "so if you all won't come….we'll go our separate ways"

Rick cocked his head to the side looking over at Glenn quickly before setting his focus on the military man "so you're leaving on foot"

Everyone watched as Abraham's body stiffened, Riley noticed Rosita stand slowly placing her hands on the pew in front of her

"we fixed that damn bus ourselves"

Rick smirked "there's a lot more of us"

"you want to keep it that way…." Abraham spoke watching Rick intently "you should come"

Riley's eyes quickly found her father "Carol saved your life….we save your life" Riley knew her father was trying to convince Abraham, but she knew there was no changing this mans mind

"well I'm trying to save yourssave everyone's"

Rick walked a few paces "we're not going anywhere without our people"

"your people left" Abraham voiced his arms spreading out in front of him

Riley watched her father's hand go to his gun "and they're coming back"

With that Rick turned away and walked back towards Gabriel "to do what pick over bones…."

Rick spun around grabbing a fist full of Abrahams shirt "hey get your hands off me…." his rough voice bellowed as he shoved Rick away

Glenn who had been standing closest to the men placed one hand on each of their chest "whoa…calm down….do you really think it will be any safer leaving now…in the dark…"

Glenn's eyes drifted between the two leaders "what about tomorrow….we need you for this….we need to work together"

Riley walked forward placing a hand on her dad's forearm "we all need to calm down and look at the bigger picture, deal with the here and now…..the here and now is the fact that Gareth is out there waiting for someone to mess up, waiting for someone to break so that he can swarm in and….and…" Riley's eyes flashed towards the room Bob, Sasha and Tyresse still resided in "point is we need to work together on this and then move on….you stay one more night, tomorrow you're free to go…."

Abraham looked away from Rick's dark eyes and down to Riley "Glenn and Maggie come with….and you"

Riley backed away from the man "I'm sorry I can't my brother is out there and he's coming back…."

"we will though" Glenn spoke quickly looking over to his wife who gave a slow nod

"was worth a shot" Abraham spoke looking back at Riley, he then turned and held out a hand to Glenn, Glenn looked between the hand and Rick before gripping it in his "half a day….come high noon we're taillights….not waiting for the other God damn shoe to drop…."

Riley stood by the door her crossbow over her shoulder her knife in her boot and her gun in the waistband of her jeans

"it will work"

Riley looked up connecting her blue eyes with the matching pair of her father and smirked "I know"

Rick looked behind him to see everyone getting ready; Tyresse taking Judith and Carl into the office with Gabriel, followed by Rosita and Eugene, Rick watched as Rosita walked up to Abraham and whispered something to him before placing a gentle kiss on the side of his mouth

"would you have gone…"

Riley looked over "no…this is my family, my home….I wouldn't….couldn't"

"Daryl is coming back"

Once again Riley smirked "I know…." there was a pause Riley looked over her dad's shoulder to see everyone assembling "you think he went after the people who took Beth….maybe while out there with Carol or something…"

Rick let a sad smile cross his lips "maybe it's a thought Daryl was determined to find her….you know she's out there, and we'll find her…"

Rick waited for the smirk for the knowing answer, but it never came….

"we should head out" and with that Riley pushed the door open.

Riley followed Rick, looking to her left to see Michonne and Maggie to her right walked Sasha, behind her was Glenn and Abraham. Once they where a half mile away Rick stopped and turned looking around him as the tress seemed to close in "we need to wait a bit…..make them think we're not coming back…"

Riley swung her crossbow in front of her and looked at her father, she glanced down to see the red handle of the machete, glancing up she caught his eye

"you're really gonna let me do this" Rick looked at the man with narrowed eyes and spoke out in an unwavering voice "let me take you out there, I'll show you" Gareth smiled at Rick a slight chuckle escaping as he replied "not gonna happen….this might" he then slowly pushed the knife a little harder into Riley's neck a few red droplets rolling out from under the blade "There's guns in it. AK-47, 44 Magnum, Automatic weapons, Night scope, there's a compound bow and a machete with a red handle….That's what I'm gonna use to kill you."

"you gonna make good on that promise…."

Riley watched as her father gripped the red handle and looked her in the eyes; that was all the answer she needed

"let's move"

Riley was the first one to re-enter the church, she slowly pushed the door open only wide enough for those behind her to fit in. Once everyone was inside she stood by her father masked in the shadows

"Just open the door and you can go….you can take the baby with you, what do you say…." Riley tensed as Judith started to cry her blood boiling as Gareth looked to the man behind him with a sly smirk on his face "I don't know, maybe we'll keep the kid. I'm starting to like this girl…it's your last chance right now to tell us you're coming out….are we done…. we'll hit the hinges."

That was it Riley watched as one of the men raised his hand to the door, lifting her gun she fired two shots taking out the one closest to the door as well as the one leaning against the wall. She watched as Gareth spun around

"put your guns on the floor" Rick spoke still covered by the darkness

Gareth raised his hand "Rick we'll fire right into that office"

Lifting her gun again Riley shot at Gareth's hand; the man cried out in pain dropping to his knees as he gripped his hand. Rick looked over at Riley to see her with a light smirk on her face he knew she wanted to kill him as much as he did, he also knew she wouldn't take away that satisfaction from him

Stepping out into the light Rick looks at Gareth to the rest of his people his gun aimed and ready "put your guns on the floor and kneel"

Gareth glanced around blood oozing from his hand "do what he says….it's over"

Everyone in the group lowered themselves to the floor weapons being dropped, Riley watched as one man chose to ignore the order, she walked around towards him making sure to say in the blackness

"Martin….it's done….it's over there is no choice"

The man looked at Gareth before looking over at Rick his gun still in hand "yeah there it"

"wanna to reconsider" Riley spoke voice low and calm her crossbow raised and pointed at the mans head.

Rick looked over at his daughter watched as she stared this man down, watched as the man lowered his gun followed by himself down to the ground. He then turned and looked at Gareth walking around so that he stood at the head of the sanctuary the cross of Jesus looming behind him

"No point in begging, right" Riley glanced over to see her father standing in front of Gareth as the man gasped in pain. She watched as something changed within her father, his eyes, his mind, watched as he became a different man, a man with a mission, a man with a grudge, a man with something to live for….something to die for

"no" came the calm reply

Gareth looked around eyes landing on Riley "still, you could have killed us when you came in….there had to be a reason for that"

Gareth's eyes were still locked on Riley her blue ones staring down into his brown "we didn't want to waste the bullets" she mumbled taking a step forward so her crossbow was pushed into the back of Martins head

Gareth looked back over at Rick pain, fear, worry lacing his words. Riley believed that this man still believed he could talk his way out of this, charm his way back into good graces "we used to help people, we saved people, things changed…..they came in and…." Gareth stops doubling over in pain gripping his hand tighter with a labored breath he glances back up looking between Riley and Rick for a moment, eyes finally settling on the leader "after that I know that you've been out there, but I can see it, you don't know what it is to be hungry…you don't have to do this, we can walk away…. and we will never cross paths again, I promise you."

Riley looked over at her father knowing that this time he…she…they wouldn't make the same mistake, she watched as her father turned his head to the side "but you'll cross someone's path…." Riley watched as her father's hand tightened on the red handle , she knew…she knew "you'd do this to anyone, right…. besides, I already made you a promise…."

It was all a blur, screams were heard, shouts erupted, it was only a matter of seconds before it was over, blood was everywhere the red seeping into the wood, into the cloth, into the people. Riley raised her head and spotted her father staring back at her, she simply looked over at where Gareth's mangled body lay at his feet before looking up and over to Glenn and Maggie who had been standing in the back. Maggie caught her eye which she quickly lowered. Rick walked towards her placing a stained red hand on her cheek

"you okay"

Riley looked into his dark blue eyes and nodded; truth was she didn't know…she just knew that this was part was over and now she could focus on finding her brother…..finding Beth…

Rick walked forward towards the office most likely to check on Carl and Judith, Riley stood for a moment debating on if she should let Carl see her like this….he already thought of her differently after what happened with Gabriel.

She looked around her at the mess they had created….Maggie and Glenn still stood silently looking around them at what their people had done, what their people had become….Glenn looked over connecting eyes with his best friend; Riley knew he too would see her differently

Riley stepped over the torn body of Martin and walked towards the office passing Gabriel as she did, as she entered she heard Gabriel speak

"this is the Lords house"

There was a pause before Maggie's sad voice replied "no….it's just four walls and a roof"

The sun shone brightly at the start of a new day and everyone gathered in the office saying their last goodbyes to Bob. Riley stood in the back unsure of what to say…not sure of how to act. She stood bouncing Judith on her hip watching as Maggie and Glenn had their moment with the man. Everyone had their time and were turning to leave giving Sasha her moment

"Rick…Riley…"

Both turned at the sound of their names, Bob smiled weakly at them, Riley turned to Carl ready to hand Judith off "no…let her stay I trust her…"

Riley watched as her dad sat down beside Bob, she stood still cradling Judith listening to the words Bob spoke, other than Herschel; Bob was one of the people who could make you see the light in a dark situation, make you see the good when there was only bad and make you restore your hope when you thought you had none

"I just want to say thank you. Before the prison, I didn't know if there were any good people left. I didn't know if anybody was left. You took me in, 'cause you took people in.
It was you, man….what I said yesterday, I ain't revising it….even in light of current events." he spoke with a smile. Bob then looked over locking eyes with Riley who tried to give the man a small smile

"and you….Riley Dixon, you don't always have to be so tough….its okay to be afraid, be scared, be worried, be hurt." Riley lowered her gaze kissing the top of Judith's head "I know you love Beth and she loves you, love isn't something that can be broken…it goes on, it lives and it breathes….don't give up the hope, she's thinking about you too…hey look at me" Riley quickly lifted her head "don't let this world break you, your too good of a person, you have to many people who need you…you hear me" Riley could only nod her head as the words rang in her head

"please take care of them. They'll need you, you'll need them. Watch over them, stay close don't let this world break you."

Riley was brought back when Bob spoke out again "Nightmares end. They shouldn't end who you are and that is just this dead man's opinion."

Riley looked at her father both holding sadness in their ocean orbs, Riley watched as her dad gripped Bob's hand "we'll take it"

Riley stood outside leaning against the bus; Maggie and Glenn both standing in front of her

"take care of yourselves, of each other…I love you too much to not see you again"

Maggie pulled Riley away from the bus crushing the girl against her body "only if you do the same"

Riley squeezed Maggie tighter "you got a deal"

Glenn was next "hey pizza boy….no crying" Riley joked pulling Glenn into a hug "take care of that girl…" Glenn nodded his head

"you take care of yours when you find her….and you will"

Riley stilled for a moment before nodding her head "you're my brother Glenn….don't die okay…." Glenn smiled and nodded "same goes to you"

Abraham walked down the church steps "let's get this show on the road"

Riley looked to Glenn and Maggie one last time before heading back to stand on the stairs of the church

Riley watched as Abraham stepped into the bus only to step back out. He turned and looked at her dad "This is our route to DC." he spoke handing Rick a map "We'll stick to it as long as we're able. If not, well, you got our destination. Once Eugene gets to the big brains left up there, things are gonna bounce back. This group should be there for it. You should be there for it.

Maggie spoke out as she passed walking onto the bus "they will be"

Rick looked at Maggie and Glenn "we will"

Abraham nodded his head "let's go"

Riley had chosen to take first watch she needed some time, some space, the words Bob spoke to her matched too perfectly to the words Lori had spoken….she also couldn't shake the feeling that Daryl and Carol were trying to find Beth, she knew Beth was alive…she had to be alive….she needed to be alive

Riley glanced up hearing the church door creak open, she watched as Gabriel came down the steps sitting beside her "can't sleep"

Riley looked at the man and for the first time saw how truly scared he was, of the Walkers, of the people, of the world…..of himself

"and now being in there, sitting in there….in the quiet" he looked over at her watching as her eyes danced across the land "it isn't just what happened last night…..saying it again, reliving it…I can see them all again, hear them all again…"

Riley looked at the man, she could understand this, this she could relate too "yeah" she softly spoke "it doesn't stop, it never stops….but it doesn't happen all the time, it's not always there"

Gabriel watches her for a moment he is just about to open his mouth when a sound from within the forest sends him to his feet and back into the church, Riley stands as well pulling her crossbow in front of her she slowly walks into the trees, she stops and listens; a wave of relief falls over and a small smirk graces her lips….Daryl…..

The moment of bliss is short-lived she sees the haunted, broken look in her brothers eyes

"where's Carol"

A/N: hope you like it I got it out little quicker then I thought, I wanted to do it in honor of the mid-season finale tonight! (So I apologize if there are issues!) I'm excited and nervous all at once, it looks like it's going to be intense! Anyway please review! I know I say this in all my stories but this one is very special to me and I love to hear your thoughts! Also let me know what you think of the show, this episode will probably play a big role in how this story plays out there is a rumor that Beth dies, but not really; which could be interesting to write involving Riley! Next chapter I think I'll do from Beth's POV while at the hospital