Chapter 4-The Start
Al's P.O.V
Al walks into Eugene's garage and looks at the man. "Honestly, when I left you and Abraham, I thought you would be dead in a week," Al says. Eugene looks at her.
"People died so I could survive," Eugene says.
"I know," Al says. "I heard about what happened to Abraham. He didn't deserve that,"
"No, he did not," Eugene says.
"So, how long did it take him to figure out you were full of shit?" Al asks Eugene.
"A while. The only reason I told him was because he was going to get us killed. He almost killed me because of it," Eugene says.
"Yeah, it seemed like he had a temper," Al says as she sits down by him. "Did you pick anybody else up that is still alive?"
"Rosita. She traveled with Abraham and me until we found Glenn and Tara," Eugene tells Al.
"When all this trading is over. Would you mind giving me another story? Tell me Abraham's story up until his death," Al says.
"I will," Eugene says. Al nods as she pats his shoulder and leaves.
Alicia's P.O.V
Alicia walks down the streets of Alexandria. "Hey, Rosita," Alicia says, making the woman look at her. "Have you seen Daryl?"
"Aaron's garage," Rosita tells Alicia. "It's on the next block," Rosita tells Alicia, who nods as she walks away. Alicia walks through the streets and walks up to Aaron's garage, and sees him working on his bike.
"Is there something wrong with it?" Alicia asks Daryl, who looks at her. He had a T-shirt on, and his vest was on a table.
"No," Daryl says. "I'm making some modifications,"
"Like what?" Alicia asks.
"Mounted gun holsters," Daryl says.
"Why?" Alicia asks.
"Always better to have more weapons," Daryl says. "I would have done it at Daniel's warehouse, but I was resting,"
"What guns?" Alicia asks.
"A shotgun and a revolver," Daryl says. He grabs the bag off the table and pulls out two guns. "A Ruger Vaquero and Mossberg 500,"
"Where did you get those?" Alicia asks.
"Daniel's warehouse. We didn't take everything. We'll need to start runs soon once we get to the campgrounds," Daryl says.
"Do you have any ideas where we can do that?" Alicia asks.
"I have an idea. But we'll talk about it tomorrow," Daryl says. Alicia nods as she leaves.
John's P.O.V
John held Gracie at a bench looking at the lake. "Daryl caught that lake on fire to kill walkers," Rick says as he walks over to him. John looks at him. "There used to be a bell tower that fell and took one of the walls down. We were dealing with a big herd at the time. Daryl, Sasha, and Abraham came back and poured gas in the lake and lit it on fire with an RPG,"
"Sounds like you guys have had some fun times," John says as Rick sits down.
"I was a dick when you guys first got here. Daryl's my best friend and my brother. I spend every day after he left wondering if I'll find his grave or him as a walker one day," Rick says.
"I consider him a brother as well," John says. "He did everything he could to help me find June, and in the end, he's the reason I did and that I'm alive to be with her," John says. Rick nods as he looks at John's guns.
"Nice guns you got there," Rick says.
"I used to do wild west shows," John says.
"I thought you were a cop," Rick says.
"I was at one point," John tells Rick. "I did wild west shows on the weekend. Trick shootin' and lassoin'," John tells Rick, who nods. Rick sees a truck pull through the gate.
"I'll see you later, John," Rick says as he stands up and leaves. John nods and looks back at Gracie.
Rick's P.O.V
Rick walks up to the truck as Gabriel and Laura get out of the truck. "Hey, Gabriel," Rick says.
"Hey, you look a little happier than the last time we came," Gabriel says.
"Daryl and Morgan are back," Rick says to Gabriel, making the man grin.
"That's great. When did they get back?" Gabriel asks.
"Yesterday," Rick says. "Daryl has a whole group with him. They plan on moving into the campgrounds two hours from Hilltop,"
"So I won't be coming back anytime soon?" Gabriel asks.
"Sorry," Rick says.
"I don't mind it," Gabriel says. "I was just wondering," Rick nods. "Maggie and Carol are already here. Take the truck to the church," Laura nods as she climbs back in the truck and drives away, followed by two more trucks.
"Hey, will you guys be able to stay the night here?" Rick asks.
"Why?" Gabriel asks.
"I want to throw a welcome back party for Daryl and Morgan. But I'm hoping that it will bring the communities closer and get rid of some of the tension from the war," Rick says.
"It could work. Has Daryl shown any anger towards the saviors?" Gabriel asks.
"I think the fact that he brought Dwight back shows he might be over his anger," Rick says.
"He brought Dwight here?" Gabriel asks.
"Yeah, I was thinking about asking him to lead the saviors, but Daryl told me to not even think about it," Rick says. Gabriel nods.
"Where is Daryl?" Gabriel asks.
"Aaron's house," Rick says. Gabriel nods as he walks away.
Daryl's P.O.V
Daryl was mounting the holster for the Mossberg 500 when he heard footsteps behind him. He turns his head and looks at Gabriel as he walks inside the garage. "Hey, where have you been?" Daryl asks as he stands and wipes his hands.
"Watching the saviors," Gabriel tells him. Gabriel walks up to Daryl and hugs him. "It's good to see you back here,"
"It's good to be back," Daryl tells him as Morgan walks into the garage.
"Hey, Gabriel," Morgan says.
"Morgan," Gabriel says as he hugs the man.
"Um, could you give us a minute?" Morgan asks the man, who nods.
"Yeah, I have to go check on Laura," Gabriel says before he leaves. Daryl looks at Morgan.
"What's up?" Daryl asks.
"Alicia said that you had an idea about a place where we could get supplies. I was just wondering where?" Morgan asks.
"Shut the door," Daryl tells Morgan, who closes the garage door. "The Prison,"
"The Prison that Maggie's father died at?" Morgan asks. Daryl nods. "The one in Georgia?"
"Yes," Daryl says. "It would be a few days to two weeks, but nobody would go close to that place: the fire, the bodies, the walkers. Nobody would go close to there, and we left guns, food, medicine,"
"And you would be able to go back?" Morgan asks.
"I have to. We need it, and it will give me a chance to give Hershel a proper burial," Daryl says. "We'll talk to everybody tomorrow, though," Morgan nods as he opens the door and leaves.
Troy's P.O.V
They stop the van outside and step out of the van. Troy pulls out his knife and stabs a walker in the head as it comes over to them. He looks at the warehouse. "You weren't kidding. This place is huge," Troy says to him.
"I know. I never told Rick about it. He was too busy with the saviors, and I figured it was too dangerous," Aaron says.
"Well, let's take a look," Strand says. They nod as they walk up to the warehouse. They could hear the growls of the walkers as Daniel looked at the trucks.
"You said these were unloaded before the turn?" Daniel asks.
"I think they were," Aaron says.
"Why? Do you have an idea?" Cole asks.
"Maybe," Daniel says. "But I won't know until we can see inside of them,"
"What is the plan if they are empty?" Troy asks.
"We trap the walkers inside of the truck and burn them alive," Daniel says.
"It might work," Troy says. "But it might destroy the trucks,"
"We could ask Carol and Ezekiel for some trailers to move the things if the trucks don't work after," Cole says.
"Yeah," Aaron says. "Okay, well, we have some of a plan. Let's head back," They nod as they head back to the van.
Shane's P.O.V
Shane walks into the church and looks at Rick. "Michonne says you were looking for me," Shane says to Rick, who looks at him.
"Yeah, would you mind doing me a favor?" Rick asks.
"What do you need?" Shane asks as Rick grabs a tray of food.
"Can you take this to Negan?" Rick asks.
"Yeah," Shane says as he grabs the tray and leaves. He walks through the streets and walks down the stairs to Negan's cell. He opens the door and shuts it. He looks at Negan.
"New guy," Negan says.
"You killed Glenn," Shane says.
"The widow's husband," Negan says. "You knew him?" Negan asks as he grabs the tray.
"I was with Rick, Glenn, Carl, Maggie, and Carol back at the start. I'm Judith's father," Shane says.
"So, Rick is just taking care of her," Negan says. "But she'll never call you Dad," Negan says.
"Glenn didn't deserve to die. If you ever get out of here. I'll make sure you wish you stayed in the cell," Shane says. "Enjoy your food," Shane turns to leave.
"You know. I could have killed Carl at one point, but I didn't. I brought him back. I fed him, and I killed the man that wanted me to kill Rick," Negan asks.
"And before that, you killed my friend in front of his pregnant wife. You killed Abraham. Not killing Carl just shows me that you aren't a complete monster," Shane says before he leaves.
Alicia's P.O.V
Evening
Alicia walked into Aaron's garage and saw Daryl and Aaron talking. "Rick wants you two. Everybody else is around the church besides you," Alicia says to them.
"I was trying to avoid it," Daryl says.
"Well, you told him to do it," Alicia says. "Also, you can't have a welcome home party when one of the people you are throwing it for aren't there,"
"When did Oceanside get here?" Aaron asks.
"An hour ago," Alicia says. "Come on," Daryl sighs as he follows Alicia away with Aaron behind them.
Al's P.O.V
Al sat in her van watching the tapes she had of Hilltop and Alden's interview. "You want a beer?" Maggie asks as she climbs into the van. Al looks at her and nods. Maggie holds the beer out to Al, who grabs it. "What are you doing?" Al asks.
"Watching the tapes. You are one of the leaders. Why aren't you out there celebrating?" Al asks. "Is it because of the saviors?" Maggie nods as Al sets down the camera. "Can I give you some advice?" Maggie nods. "I get why you hate them, and you have every right to hate the saviors. But you hate them because of what happened to Glenn. That was Negan, not the rest. They did what they had to survive, and now they are trying to make up for it. I didn't know Glenn, but I have a feeling he wanted what was best for all of you. You can hate a Negan, and you hate the saviors. But from my understanding from Alden. Some of them stood with Tara, and the rest gave up and are just trying to live. They did what they had to to survive, and now they know there is a better way. They'll never get that better way if you continue to avoid them. We've all done bad things. It's easier to hate them than give them a chance. Try doing the harder thing. It will help everybody," Al says before she leaves the van. "Negan deserves hell. They don't," Al walks away from the van.
Daryl's P.O.V
Daryl walks up to Rick, who was talking with Nick, Madison, and Shane. "Hey, can I talk to you for a moment?" Daryl asks Rick, who nods. Shane, Madison, and Nick walk away.
"What's up?" Rick asks.
"I'm going back to the Prison," Daryl tells him.
"What? Why?" Rick asks.
"Supplies and to bury Hershel. We left a lot of stuff there. Rick and my group could use it. I'm going to talk to them about it tomorrow. I don't know who will all come," Daryl says.
"You sure you can even go there?" Rick asks.
"Being honest. We should have gone back a long time ago," Daryl says. Rick nods as he looks at everybody.
"This might have just worked," Rick says. "No fights. They are talking like they have known each other for years,"
"You were right back at the Junkyard. We could never run away from people," Daryl says as he looks at his group. "People belong together. I'm glad I didn't realize that before I left," Rick pats his shoulder.
"I'm glad you found them," Rick tells Daryl, who nods as they watch everybody. "This is the start, Daryl. That new world I was talking about. This is the start," Daryl nods as the two friends stand together.
Thanks for reading. The story will start to pick up in the next chapter. The next chapter will start to separate everybody for a little bit and make all the stories I want to do easier. The Prison idea was the original path the original story could have gone, but I like the way I'm doing it now. As always, suggestions, ideas, and feedback are welcomed. Until next time.