It felt like they were walking for a long time, but Parker didn't want to stop. She wanted to keep going until they found a safe place to stay. A place where Judith could be safe and Parker could spend the rest of her pregnancy without the fear of starvation or being eaten by walkers. She knew it was probably just a pipe dream because, after everything they had endured, it seemed like the world was constantly against them. 

Still, she clung to the hope that they would find somewhere. Somewhere safe. As she walked with Judith in her arms, keeping pace with Daryl, she realized how drastically this group had changed. They no longer had Herhsel or Beth, but they had formed unlikely friendships with these new people, and Parker knew she could trust them. In the same way she trusted Rick. 

They had set up camp for the night and Parker sat next to Daryl in front of the campfire. Daryl kept an eye on everyone as the group settled in for the night. Constantly ensuring Judith was alright, wrapped up in a blanket they had found. A rustling in the trees made both of them tense up, their eyes scanning the brush around them. Daryl quickly got to his feet, positioned directly between Parker, Carl, and Judith and whatever had caused the disturbance beyond the darkness. Parker pushed herself to her feet, her hand hovering above her gun.

"Do you see anything?" She whispered, her eyes darting around as she scanned the darkness, it was nearly dead silent.

"No," Daryl mumbled, "It's nothin'."

"Don't say that," Parker muttered, glancing at him through the corner of her eye as she slowly did a one-eighty. "I know you. You felt something."

"Someone could be watchin' us." Daryl finally told her. "I'm gonna see if I can find anything in the morning." Parker nodded slightly, letting her hand fall to her side.

"Don't let it bother you too much." She sat back down, laying Judith in her lap.

"You're going to be a good mom," Carl whispered from where he was lying, his arm being used as a pillow.

"I hope so." Parker smiled, shrugging off her mangled flannel and giving it to him to use as a pillow instead of his arm.

"You've been a good mother to me and Judith." Carl pointed out as he moved his stuff closer. "Even though you're our aunt. You never abandoned us."

"I could never abandon you," Parker told him, pulling him into a one-armed hug. "You're my favorite nephew."

"I'm also your only nephew," Carl hugged her.

"Yes, but we don't need to mention that part. Minor details." Parker smiled as Judith shifted in her lap, her face twisting in a way that made Parker's nerves skyrocket. She rocked her carefully, lowering her voice to a whisper. "Please don't start crying."

"She's fine," Carl said after a very tense moment. "Look, she's asleep again." Parker sighed in relief, her body visibly relaxing.

"For a baby, she's pretty quiet." She commented, looking down at her sleeping niece.

"I know," Carl agreed instantly like he had been thinking the same thing for a while. "It's like she knows not to make any noise."

"Exactly!" Parker whispered, happy someone else had finally agreed. "Hey, you tired?" She asked Carl when she noticed him try to stifle a yawn.

"A bit."

"Then get some sleep." She stretched her legs out in front of her so he could use them as a pillow. "There's enough room for both kids. Just use the flannel as half a blanket. " Carl smiled as he shuffled around in the leaves, trying to get comfortable.

"Thanks, Aunt Parker."

"You're welcome," Parker responded as Carl lay down and closed his eyes. Parker had fallen asleep that night with one arm around Judith and the other arm resting on Carl protectively. 

Daryl sat beside her, watching as he tried to control the uneasy feeling in his stomach. That rustling in the trees could have been anything. Could have been human, an animal, or a walker. The animals were quieter, faster than humans, and it couldn't have been a walker because whatever it was moved too fast. No, there was someone watching them, whoever it was, Daryl was going to find them. Parker rubbed the sleep from her eyes, yawning as she looked at him. "You can sleep," Parker said after a minute. "I can keep watch." Daryl shook his head at her offer.

"No, I can't sleep anyways."

"I don't think anyone will after today," Rick spoke up from where he was supposedly sleeping. He got up, joining Daryl and Parker. "How are you two?" Parker shrugged her shoulders.

"As well as can be expected considering those people, you know, ate people. And were going to eat us." Rick almost laughed at Parker's tone, suppressing it with a smile. "There are sick people in this world." Parker rubbed the sleep from her eyes with the back of her hand.

"Desperate people." Rick corrected her.

"No," Parker disagreed, shaking her head. "What they were doing wasn't desperate. The Donner Party was desperate to do what they did in the nineteenth century, but those people had enough room to build a community. They could have done it. That's not called being desperate. It's just... that's just disgusting."

"Luring people just to hang 'em and eat 'em?" Daryl added to what she had said. "It ain't right."

"This is the world today," Rick said with a sigh. Parker looked at her brother, knowing that his words were true, but then she looked at her niece and nephew, a faint smile on her face as she turned back.

"Sometimes I think that the bad outweighs the good. Then I remember that the only reason we haven't become evil is because we still have some good in us. We still have something worth being good at, and now we have another thing to look forward to on the way." Daryl nodded a bit.

"We won't give up."

"We have nowhere to go," Rick leaned in a bit, whispering quietly, aware of the listening ears of the rest of the group. "It's not like before. This time we don't have a plan. We have no weapons, no food, no water. How long do you think it will be before we start to turn on each other? Before we give up?" Parker lazily shrugged a shoulder not having an answer for him.

"I don't think we will." She finally said, looking at Rick. "I know it sounds ridiculously optimistic and probably really stupid after everything that has happened in the past weeks but I have faith. This group is strong. Especially now that we're together. I don't think any one of us will give up that easily, not after what we've been through."

"Yeah, you're right," Daryl quietly agreed. "These people went through hell and back. There ain't no way they're gonna quit unless they're ready." Rick didn't seem too convinced, looking around at the people all scattered around them.

"They expect me to lead them." He sighed, rubbing his hands over his face.

"So lead," Parker told him, meeting his gaze for a second. "You've done it before."

"And look how it turned out," Rick replied dryly, looking around at the trees that they were surrounded by. They'd lost so many people, they'd lost the prison and were now just trying to get by with what little they had left.

"Then be different." Parker offered a small smile. "Be more open to others ideas. If someone has an idea that will benefit all of us... listen. You can be our leader and not have total control. Respect is what makes a good leader. They respect you, they listen to you." Rick nodded along with her as he listened.

"Maybe you're right." He nudged her with his shoulder, "Which is a rare occurrence."

"Fuck off." She shoved him back, laughing quietly. "I'm always right," Parker mumbled- a statement that was once full of sarcasm and humor was just simply boring and sad. It was clear to Rick and Daryl, who knew Parker better than she knew herself, that she wasn't okay after everything that happened. Her terrible experience with the Claimers after being alone for so long had taken its toll on her. She tried her best to stay calm for everyone's sake, especially Carl, but anyone could see that she was starting to crack. Parker was trying not to break down because Maggie had told her stress and worry weren't good for the baby. But she could only pretend and lie to herself for so long. 

They had all stayed huddled together for the night. The rest of the group slept as best they could, trying to take advantage of the few hours before dawn came. When the first rays of sun began to pierce the veil of leaves above their heads, chasing away the shadow of the night before, Daryl started getting ready to head out to hunt. And search for whatever or whoever was watching them. Before leaving, Parker grabbed his arm and pulled him down so that she could kiss him. "Be careful out there." She smiled as he walked away, giving her a silent nod as he looked back over his shoulder. 

The group had packed their stuff and headed off after Daryl had gone off on his own into the woods. Parker was exhausted from not being able to sleep at all that night and her arms were getting heavy from carrying Judith so she was more than grateful when Tyreese had offered to take her for a while. Parker hung close to the back, walking alone for a while until Glenn bumped his shoulder into her.

"Hey..." He dragged out, nudging her shoulder again. "We haven't had a chance to catch up since.... everything." Parker smiled as she looked over at him.

"Yeah, I know."

"Are you okay?" Glenn asked after a minute and she didn't know what to answer that question with.

"I think so," Parker finally answered after thinking. "I have to be, right?"

"I have something for you," Glenn said, as he searched his pockets for whatever it was. "I stopped by the cellblock and found this. I figured you might want it, I know Maggie hates this stuff." He opened his hand revealing a necklace with a dark purple and blue amulet dangling and Parker's eyes widened at it.

"Where did you find this?!" He handed it to her and she eyed it, not recognizing it from anywhere. "Do you know whose it is?"

"No, but it's not like they'll want it back," They both looked at each other before laughing, and Parker shook her head. "Lucky I found it though." Glenn nodded at the necklace in her hand. "I grabbed some other stuff from the prison, but it's all at Terminus."

"That doesn't matter," Parker replied as she clipped the necklace on after struggling with it for a minute. "As long as you and everyone else are here, the rest doesn't matter." There was a rustling in the trees and Parker spun around, pulling out her gun immediately, standing shoulder to shoulder with Glenn. Everyone waited in silence as they waited for whatever was in the woods to appear. There was another rustle and the bushes split as Daryl emerged from the brush, holding a line of squirrels. Daryl raised his hands in fake surrender when he was met with everyone aiming their variety of weapons at him.

"We surrender." Parker laughed as she quickly walked over. 

"Did you find anything?" She silently asked as Rick pulled the two aside.

"There's no tracks," Daryl shook his head. "No nothin'."

"So whatever you heard last night..?" Rick trailed off, implying the question with the look he was giving.

"It's more what I felt," Daryl answered the unasked question. "If someone was watching us, there would've been somethin'." Rick whistled to the group, gaining everyone's attention.

"Keep close." He ordered, earning a few nervous glances from the others. They continued walking until they heard someone screaming for help.

"Help!" The stranger's voice shouted. "Help! Anybody, help!" Rick jogged to the front of the group, raising a hand making everyone freeze.

"Dad, come on," Carl tugged on his dad's sleeve as the man continued calling for help. "Come on." Carl looked back at his aunt for help and she sighed.

"Rick, we can't leave him," Parker gave in, nodding towards the woods before she and Carl both took off, running towards the voice.

"Parker, wait!" Daryl shouted, leaving after them. With Carl right in front of her, Parker ran through the trees, trying not to trip as they got closer to the man's voice that was still screaming for help. It sounded like there was only one person, and Parker was worried about the scene they were about to run into. As the voice grew louder, she could just make out a man curled up on a large boulder, at least five walkers clawing at his feet as he tried to kick their hands away, his face contorted in terror. Parker shot one of the walkers while Carl shot down another, the rest of their group caught up with them and took care of the rest. Slightly out of breath, Parker stared at the man to get a better read of him. His face was still masked by terror, dressed in a suit with a white collar that reminded her of a priest. She eyed him carefully, wondering what someone like him was doing out in the woods alone, cornered by walkers.

"We're clear," Rick announced after scanning the area. "Keep watch."

"Come down," Parker gestured for the man to jump down and instead he carefully shuffled down the side of the rock stepping over the walker bodies. "Are you alright?" He raised a hand as if to say 'Just a second' before doubling over and vomiting. Parker turned away, her hand covering her mouth, feeling a wave of nausea wash over her at the sight. Daryl walked beside her, rubbing her back.

"You alright?" She nodded, sharply inhaling through her nose before turning around.

"Sorry," The priest apologized weakly, standing up once he was done throwing up. "Yes. Thank you. I'm Gabriel."

"Do you have any weapons on you?" Rick instantly questioned, taking a couple of steps closer to him, his back pinned up against the boulder they had found him on. Gabriel laughed like that was the funniest question to have been asked.

"Do I look like I would have any weapons?" He opened his arms, looking around to see if anyone found him funny.

"We don't give two short and curlies what it looks like," Abraham stomped to the front of the group.

"I have no weapons. Of any kind," Gabriel concluded, his arms slightly opened as he stared at them. "The word of god is the only protection I need."

"Sure didn't look like it," Daryl commented, looking around at the corpses that surrounded the boulder he was just glued to seconds ago.

"I called for help. Help came." Gabriel nodded towards Parker and Carl who were the first to arrive, a grateful smile stuck on his face.

"Yeah, hate to break it to you pal but the only reason help came was because of a thirteen-year-old boy." Parker crossed her arms over her chest.

"Still help," He countered, a smile on his face. "Do you have...  have any food? Whatever I... I had left, it hit the ground." Carl dug into his pocket and pulled out a handful of pecans.

"We've got some pecans?" He held out his hand for Gabriel, offering them over to him. Gabriel took them, grateful for the small amount of food.

"Thank you." Judith babbled in Tyreese's arms, picking the worst time possible to draw attention.

"You're okay." Parker rushed over, trying to distract Judith before she started crying. Daryl tensed when he saw Gabriel look at Judith, worried by the smile that appeared on his face. Since Parker wasn't paying any mind to Gabriel while she was trying to entertain Judith, Daryl blocked his path to them and warned Gabriel not to do anything.

"That's a beautiful child," Gabriel looked around Daryl before he thought of something. "Do you have a camp?"

"No," Rick said, "Do you?"

"I have a church," Gabriel told them and they all passed looks around with each other, silently discussing things over with one another.

"Hold your hands above your head," Rick finally said, fed up with his answers, Gabriel slowly raised his hands so Rick could pat him down for any hidden weapons. "How many walkers have you killed?"

"Not any, actually." He stuttered nervously, still trying to keep a smile on his face.

"Turn around," Rick demanded. "How many people have you killed?"

"None." He said again.

"Why?" Rick asked the last question, looking to his sister to see if he was telling the truth.

"Because the Lord abhors violence." Gabriel replied as calm as ever. Even though Parker gave him a slight nod of approval, Rick didn't seem all too convinced that Gabriel was as innocent as he said he was. Everyone had secrets, some worse than others but that also means it had already happened.

"What have you done?" Gabriel looked uncomfortable after Rick had asked the question and Parker raised her eyebrows at him.

"We've all down something." She pressed further, now curious.

"I'm a sinner," Gabriel admitted. "I sin almost every day. But those sins, I confess them to God. Not strangers."

"You said you had a church?" Michonne spoke up from the back, bringing the conversation back to more important things.

"Yes." Gabriel instantly nodded, his voice still oddly calm.

"Can you take us there?" Parker asked as she bounced Judith in her arms. He seemed against the idea for a moment but nodded anyway. Gabriel motioned for them to follow him before leading them through the woods to where his supposed church was.

"You alright?" Daryl asked Parker, both hanging at the back of the group.

"Yeah," She nodded, "Just the sight of him vomiting made me feel like I was about to."

"You hungry?" Parker eyed him, raising an eyebrow.

"Is that even a question?"

"Well, I got us some squirrels." Daryl pointed out, sighing.

"Hey," Parker said, noticing his defeated expression. "The baby and I will be fine."

"You better be right," Daryl muttered.

"When am I not?" She smiled, grabbing his hand.

"You're pregnant?" Carol turned to face Parker with wide eyes. "Congratulations."

"Jeez, I forgot you didn't know," Parker said, slightly startled. "I accidentally told everyone at Terminus after saying I wanted to keep it quiet."

"How far along are you?"

"Can't be too far, I mean I only started feeling like shit when the sickness broke out at the prison. I kept thinking I had it." Parker answered, thinking back to the first day that the illness spread from just one cellblock to over half the prison. "Other than that, I've really got no clue."

"I'm so happy for you," Carol smiled before nudging Daryl. "And for you, becoming a father. I'm proud of you." Daryl looked at his feet.

"Thanks."

"Hey," Rick called up to Gabriel. "Earlier... were you watchin' us?"

"I keep to myself," Gabriel replied, glancing over his shoulder. "Nowadays, people are just as dangerous as the dead, don't you think?"

"No," Parker shook her head. "The people are worse."

"Well, I wasn't watching you," Gabriel assured them. "I haven't been beyond the stream near my church more than a few times since it all started. That was the furthest I've gone before today." He paused for a moment before looking back at all of them. "Or maybe I'm lying. Maybe I'm lying about everything and there's no church ahead at all. Maybe I'm leading you into a trap so I can steal all your squirrels." Nobody laughed. In fact, everyone looked quite dangerous at that moment, fingers all hovering over the triggers of their guns, their eyes hardening. Gabriel realized no one was laughing and cleared his throat awkwardly. "Members of my flock had often told me that my sense of humor leaves much to be desired."

"Yeah, it does," Daryl grumbled, glaring at him. Gabriel stared around at all of them, stumbling backward with wide eyes, walking right into a low hanging branch when he tried to turn around.