Alicia and I rode into the Greene farm, my eyes drifting to Rick's group's tent that had finished setting up, campfire was already lit, at least the embers were, and for the first time since Atlanta, the group seemed to settle, if only on the surface.
The gravel crunched beneath the hooves as we slowed. Maggie, standing on the porch waiting, stepped down, brushing the loose strands of hair back as she made her way towards us.
"Took you long enough," she muttered against my ear when she hugged me. Her eyes flicked past my shoulder, narrowing ever so slightly at Alicia.
Alicia shifted awkwardly under her scrutiny, her shirt tight, nipples pressing against the thin fabric. Her bra had been ruined back at the pharmacy when it fell and soaked through with walker blood—it was too risky putting it back on. So she'd been bare underneath ever since.
Maggie gave me a look which I ignored as Lori and Rick exited the farmhouse with Hershel trailing behind them, rubbing a hand over his weary face before giving me a quiet nod.
I returned the nod as Shawn exited the house behind him, moving toward the horses to relieve them of the weights of the duffel bags.
Then—
Suddenly, the moment broke when the study hum of the generator sputtered, coughed, and then died. The yard went eerily quiet without it, the absence pulling everyone's attention.
"Shit," Shawn muttered from the side, already moving.
We circled to the back, where Glenn jogged in from the other side of the property carrying a bag of tools that were of no use, since the generator only needed refueling.
"We're out," Shawn muttered as the generator rattled and roared back to life, leaving an empty can in his hands.
Behind me, Alicia leaned close, her voice low so only I could hear, "The Dairy's running low, too."
I gave a small nod, my mind already running through options.
Rick's voice cut in. "There are cars—up on the highway north of here. Still plenty of fuel in the tanks."
Lori snapped her head toward him, horror in her voice. "Rick!" Her tone was less cautious and more fearful.
I turned to him, my eyes narrowing. "What is it?"
He hesitated, jaw working before he answered. "We encountered a horde there; they were the reason we lost sight of Sophia."
Silence settled thick and heavy over the yard as the rest of Rick's group made their way over to us, witnessing fear on their faces.
"How many?" I finally asked.
Rick hesitated before answering.
"Fifty. Maybe more."
.
.
That's it? I wanted to laugh, but controlled myself, not trying to be arrogant, but I've killed thousands. The only issue is, what level are they?
Seeing that these guys are alive, Level 1… 2 at most.
All things I can handle.
"I'll head over with Alicia," I said, my voice flat, "We also need gas."
"Again?" Maggie's voice broke through, laced with familiar worry, but it was quickly cut off as I glanced at her, shutting her lips in a collapsing silence.
Rick filled the gap, stepping forward with his usual half-authoritative tone. His group was already surrounding us. Missing only a few members, Sophia, Carol, and of course, Carl.
"Take one of ours along this time," Rick said, his tone not suggestive or like an order, it was more akin to a plea, "It's for the best."
Before I could respond, Glenn spoke up, almost tripping over his eagerness. "I'll go, I know the way, plus, we need gas too." his eyes flicked sideways to Alicia for a beat too long to put a bad taste in my mouth.
My lips twitched, though whether in amusement or irritation, I didn't bother pondering. "Fine," I muttered, letting the pause and hope rise, then added. "I'll take her."
Every turned, confusion flashing like a ripple through the group until all eyes landed on Andrea. She stiffened where she stood, eyes narrowing, a frown cutting sharply across her face.
Rick shook his head. "She doesn't have any gun training, let alone experience dealing with—"
"She needs to find her gun, right?" I cut him off before turning to Andrea, "Isn't that right?" The implication in my tone was clear to everyone, and to no one's surprise, it was effective, seeing how her cheeks visibly flushed, and anger flashed through her eyes. Amy held her by the hand, holding her back from lashing out.
"Or…" I said, turning back to Rick, "Alicia and I would be enough; I don't need extra hands." On the other hand, you have to show Hershel that you and your group are a net positive to his family.
But to my surprise, he hesitated, not willing to 'sacrifice' one of his survivors for some goodwill points. Right, he's still the season one Rick.
The light breeze brushed past the crooked circle we had formed, letting the silence settle even more. Daryl opened his mouth to say something, but was quickly interrupted.
"I'll go," Andrea's voice echoed, "and get the gun,"
A slight smirk made its way on my face. I did believe that she'd lost the gun, but it was her or Glenn, and I didn't want Glenn there with me, oogling at Alicia the whole time.
Amy's eyes behind Andrea turned horrid as her grip on her arm tightened.
.
.
.
The Humvee's engine hummed low, steady against the silence of the countryside. Alicia sat close beside me, her arm brushing mine every time the vehicle rocked over a crack in the road. Behind us, Andrea sat rigid with a few empty fuel cans at her boots, her stare drilling into my back like a knife. I didn't need a mirror to know she hadn't stopped glaring since we left the farm. Maybe I should've Glenn after all—
Sigh!
The highway loomed ahead, a jagged wall of steel and glass with wrecked cars chocked every lane.
"Stay put," I muttered, cutting the engine. My door creaked open as I stepped out, scanning the rows of metal tombs. I climbed up the nearest semi, boots scraping over the dented side, until I had a vantage over all sides.
Fortunately, it was just cars, still like gravestones, nothing moved except the leaves on both sides of the highway.
I dropped back down and swung open the door, "Clear."
Alicia climbed out hesitantly, eyes darting across the field. It was her first time truly seeing what the world had become after she and her family escaped Florida.
I placed my hand over her head, "Are you alright?" She nodded in silence, fear easing away from her eyes.
I turned to Andrea, "How far from here?" My tone and place were evident; I wasn't asking about fuel.
Her lips pressed tight, twitching as though she wanted to curse me, but swallowed it down. "Less than a mile toward the creek." She said finally, her tone sharp and bitter, like she hated speaking to me.
I gave her a single nod before turning back to Alicia. "You stay inside. No matter what happens, you don't open the door until we get back, understood?"
"Yes, sir," she gave me a half-assed salute, mocking my commanding tone before laughing. I shook my head with a small smile. Then, before I could step away, she leaned in, catching me off guard. Her lips pressed to mine—soft, quick, yet firm enough to make Andrea stiffen beside us.
"Be careful," Alicia whispered when she pulled away, her hand lingering briefly on mine. "And quick."
I gave a small nod, already stepping back and gesturing to Andrea. Her scows deepened, but she fell into step when I moved, our boots crunching gravel as we left Alicia behind in the Humvee.
A/N[And with that the era of Trialborn draft is over, and the era of Trialborn: Rewriite begins, the name for the rewrite is Trialborn: Rewrite(Very original), check my Webnovel it should've already updated]