FIFTY NINE. end of the after

WHEN Adeline was thirteen, she found a puppy on the side of the road. It was skinny, abandoned with no home or someone to care for it and keep it alive. She took him home with her in hopes of convincing her parents to let him live with them. With a few persuasive speeches, they eventually allowed the dog to stay. From there on out the Grimes girl gave it a home. A place to be loved. She named the puppy Seamus, raised it to be her best friend.

A few years later, Adeline returned home to find her best friend missing. It felt like her heart had been ripped from her chest, like there would never be a pain that would amount to the one she felt. She spent months searching for Seamus, and she came up with nothing. She put hundreds of posters around King County, hoping that someone would have answers about her best friend.

No one did.

Until one night, she awoke to the sound of scratching outside of the back door. It led to the events of her whole family waking up - a sleeping Shane that had stayed over being the first to arise from his spot on the couch. When she opened the door, she felt a feeling that she had never experienced before in her life. It was as if a thousand pounds had been lifted off of her shoulders.

There Seamus was, undoubtedly skinner than when she last saw him, but he was alive. And in that moment, that was all that mattered to her. Even if it was just dog, it was her best-friend. And she had went without him for far too long. He had found his way back to her - and she didn't plan on letting him go any time soon. Adeline believed that she would never feel that same feeling of relief again.

But then she thought she had lost her husband, and still managed to find her way back to him. Even then, she thought that it would be the last time she felt that relief. The kind where you had to go through so much pain to be able to feel it. And Adeline never thought she would allow herself to be separated from the ones she called her family - she knew that she never wanted to feel that pain again.

Until she did.

The eight days that she was separated from her family was some of the most painful days she had ever been forced to suffer through. Having Judith helped keep some of the pain at bay, and the unexpected bond with Tyreese pulled her out of the dark road her mind was heading down. Adeline had to keep the hope that the rest of her family was still alive, it was what kept her from falling.

And when she emerged from the tree line and saw her brother. She knew that she had to protect herself from ever feeling that pain again. The pain of not being with the ones she loved - of not knowing who was alive and who wasn't. And when she killed Lizzie, Adeline felt the growth of her need to keep everyone become stronger with every second that passed. She had to keep them safe.

There had been a few of unfamiliar faces that joined the group, and upon receiving the information that they were the reason why Glenn, Maggie, Sasha, and Bob made it out alive - Adeline felt that she owed them her gratitude. Especially for Glenn. He had become her best friend the moment he fought for the bodies of their people to be buried instead of burned. He was one of the good ones.

Adeline and Tyreese had broken off from the group in search of water, a silent look of reluctance and worry lingering in Rick's features as he watched his sister walk away. Theo had been glued to the widows side ever since her return, but the eleven year old decided to stick by Carl instead. It had been an endless loop for the past day after the group escaped from Terminus - walking and taking small breaks to scavenge nearby creeks for water.

"Carol said you killed him." Adeline spoke, breaking the comfortable silence between the two. They were crouched next to a small stream of water, the widows hand dipped in the cold water as she allowed the moving water to fill the once empty water bottle in her grasp. "I didn't look in the cabin before we left. So, did you kill him?"

Tyreese pulled his troubled eyes away from the creek in front of them and onto the woman. A part of him wouldn't allow himself to lie to her, which is why nothing but the truth slipped from his lips. "I let him go." He answered her question truthfully, Adelines breathing in deeply as she nodded her head in confirmation to his words.

"Do you believe that was the best choice?" She inquired, pulling the bottle from the water and screwing the plastic lid back onto the surface. As the man thought about his answer, she grabbed the remaining bottle and dipped it back into the stream - her hands becoming numb.

"I do." Tyreese answered, repeating her reactions with the plastic lid before turning to face her again. "Do you?" He questioned, watching as her expression faltered slightly at his inquiry. "No." Adeline answered honestly, a troubled look worn on her features as she finished filling the water bottle up. "But a part of me wishes that I do." The words fell from her lips, a deeper meaning held within them.

Before they knew it, they returned back to the group with filled water bottles. It was a gesture that they would soon run short on, because the farther they walked - the more intense the heat of the sun grew to be. Adeline wore a thin tank top underneath her deep green field jacket, familiar weight of her machete finding its way situated around her black jeans back to her side alongside her pistol.

Seventeen survivors walked amidst the forest, making it nearly impossible to mask the sound of their footsteps. The fresh bruises that littered the faces of Theo and Daryl caused a deep worry to settle within Adelines stomach, her footfall landing between the two of them. "Find anything out there?" She spoke lowly, making sure to keep her voice from entering the ears of others.

A night had passed since they left the small cabin, and Daryl had been the one to set watch with Carol a few feet away from their small campsite that they had since left. The two of them heard the sound of twigs snapping and leaves rustling, and that next morning the archer went out to trace for tracks. He shook his head at her words, "No. Nothin'. Just some squirrels." He informed the widow.

Adeline turned to him, watching as he shifted his hold on the string of squirrels thrown around his shoulder. She raised her eyebrows in amusement, "Remember that time in the Quarry when you threw some squirrels at Rick?" She questioned, a small smile curled around her lips as she watched the man chuckle underneath her breath.

"Yeah," Daryl informed- nodding his head, the dark strands of his hair falling over his bruised eye. Adeline felt the smile fade from her lips at the sight, knowing what had happened by Michonne telling her the story of the proclaimed Claimers. And that following night, camped within the forest, Theo slept tucked underneath the widows arm with nightmares haunting her dreams.

Offering the comfort he preferred the most, Adeline silently brought her hand to his - curling her fingers around his own and squeezing softly. Daryl felt his heartbeat quicken in his chest, but his face remained completely stoic at her touch. And he knew he would be lying if he said he hadn't longed for her return.

A loud scream of help! tore through the forest, Adeline pulling her hand from Daryl's as she unsheathed her machete. The group stood still, all eyes on Rick as his sister noticed a look of deep contemplation held in his features. Carl unholstered his pistol and turned to his father with an expecting look, "Dad, come on!" He ushered, ready to run at any given word.

"Rick?" Adeline stepped forward, laying her hand against her brothers arm - "This is your call." She reminded, her fingers tightening around the red handle of her machete as she spoke to him. He pulled his eyes away from the forest and turned to his sister, a reluctant look held in them as he nodded his head in confirmation, leading the group of seventeen through the forest and towards the sound.

Branches and twigs snapped underneath their rushed footsteps, weapons at the ready. It didn't take long for them to reach the screams of help, a large boulder situated in the middle of the forest with a man dressed in black sitting on top of it. He held fear in his eyes, legs kicking at the several walkers surrounding the rock he was on.

Carl fired the first shot, taking one of the walkers down as Adeline rushed forward - slinging the blade of her machete into one of the rotting skulls. Dark blood splattered onto the sharp blade, the body of a walker falling limp against the rock as Daryl fired a bolt into one of the cold bodies that attempted to reach out towards the woman.

Rick stepped forward alongside his sister, grabbing one of the walkers by the shoulder and slamming its head against the rock as Michonne hammered the base of the rifle she held into another. Theo kicked her boot into the back of one of the walkers knee, causing it to stumble to the forest floor as she raised the sharp blade of her hunting knife into its skull. Carol took care of the last one by pulling it back by it's shirt, slamming her knife up through its jaw.

Silence filtered through the forest, Adeline sliding the blade of her machete across her jeans before returning it back to its sheath. Bending down, she pulled the crossbow bolt from the skull of the fallen walker next to her and held it out to Daryl. "Thanks." She breathed, a line of sweat rimming her hairline as she smiled softly.

The archer shrugged his shoulders, carefully grabbing the arrow from her grasp. "Ain't gotta do that." He spoke, watching as the widow nodded knowingly before turning to the figure on top of the boulder. Rick looked around the forest, eyes squinted slightly - "We're clear. Keep watch." He yelled out, a few of the group branching off further into the forest to keep an eye out.

Adeline placed her foot on one of the smaller rocks that surrounding the boulder, her eyes drifting off to Theo who used the material of her long sleeved shirt to rid of the dark blood on her blade. Moving away from the rock beneath her, the widow made her way over to lean against the tree behind the girl - keeping a protective eye on her.

"Come on down." Rick instructed, looking up at the man dressed in black on top of the boulder. Adeline caught sight of the white mark in the collar of his shirt, giving her the insight that he was a priest. Or at least used to be.

The red head by the name of Abraham stood next to the doctor, his gun held against his chest - pointed towards the ground. The priest on the rock climbed his way down, a weary expression held in his features as he eyed the large (and heavily armed) group that surrounded him.

Rick tilted his head, eyeing the man who stayed silent. "You okay?" He questioned, watching as he hastily nodded his head before raising a finger - bending over as vomit spluttered out of his mouth and onto the forests floor. Adeline scrunched her nose at the sight, pulling her eyes away from the sight and towards Abraham who held the same look of grimace on his features.

"Ew." Theo spoke, taking a step back from the guy.

"Sorry." The priest apologized, lifting his head from the ground and back to the group around him. He sniffed, his eyes resting upon Rick - "Yes. Thank you." He nodded, a tight lipped smile worn on his face. "I'm Gabriel." He introduced, wiping his sweaty hands down the sides of his pants as the group held the same stoic look on their faces.

"Do you have any weapons on you?" Rick questioned, getting straight to the point. He rested his hand on the hilt of his pistol, shifting his weight to one side as he eyed the sweaty priest before them who chuckled at the inquiry.

Gabriel furrowed his brows, "Do I look like I would have any weapons?" He retorted, raising his hands slightly.

"It was a yes or no question." Adeline spoke up from behind her brother, leaning against the tree with a sharpened look held in her eyes. Abraham nodded in agreement with her words, "We don't give two short and curlies what it looks like." He added onto her statement.

The priest sighed, "I have no weapons of any kind." He informed, gulping after his words. "The word of God is the only protection I need." He stated, his information causing Theo to furrow her brows - "What kind of gun does God have?" She questioned, Adeline covering her mouth with her hand as the muffled sound of laughter broke through.

Gabriel looked to them with the slightest hint of being offended before wiping it away. "He carries no weapon. Only his blessing. I called for help. Help came." He informed, the group going silent as Adeline lowered her hand from her mouth and squeezed Theo's shoulder.

"Do you have..." Gabriel started out, "Have any food?" He questioned, shifting on his feet. "Whatever I had left, it just hit the ground." He spoke, gesturing towards the pile of vomit on the ground. Theo clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth, "Crap, I left my five ounce steak back there." She spoke, a low chuckle coming from Abraham who stood next to the widow behind her.

Rick sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose as Carl dug into the depths of his bag. "We have some pecans." He offered, holding the snack out to the man in the palm of his hand. Gabriel gingerly took them out of the boys hand, a warm smile wrapped around his lips.

"Thank you." He said graciously, cupping the pecans in his hands as the sound of twigs snapping caused his head to turn to the source. Tyreese moved to stand on the other side of Adeline, a cooing Judith in his arms that reached out for the widow at the sight of her. Addy smiled softly at the sight, carefully taking the baby from Tyreese's grasp and holding her in her own.

"That's a beautiful child." Gabriel complimented, causing the group to look at him with cautious eyes. Adeline shifted in her space, hoisting Judith onto her hip as she furrowed her eyebrows at the man who looked around with an awkward look. "Do you have a camp?" He inquired, swallowing the fear in his throat.

"No." Rick was quick to answer, "Do you?"

The priest nodded, "I have a church." he informed.

The eldest Grimes sighed, "Hold your hands above your head." He instructed, watching as the man reluctantly raised his arms above his head. Rick stepped forward, patting Gabriel down as he spoke - "How many walkers have you killed?" He questioned, the words falling familiar to the majority of the group around them.

"Not any, actually." Gabriel informed, feeling Rick turn him around by the waist to face the boulder. His answer seemed almost impossible to believe to Adeline and most of the group, her questionable expression turning to face Tyreese who held the same look on his.

"How many people have you killed?" Rick continued, a confused look exploring the priests face as he turned his head back around to the group. "None." He answered, almost as if it was a given. The leader finished patting him down before raising to face him, "Why?"

Gabriel furrowed his brows at the question. "Because the Lord abhors violence." He answered, and before Theo could make a comment - Adeline quickly wrapped her free hand around the girls shoulder and squeezed, her head turning to face her as the widow shook hers.

"I won't." Theo whispered, the slight hint of disappointment worn in her features.

"What have you done?" Rick questioned, sharpening his eyes as he looked to the seemingly innocent man. But, the group knew that was impossible in the world. "We've all done something." The leader continued, a testing tone heard in his voice.

Gabriel looked to him reluctantly, "I am a sinner. I sin almost everyday. But those sins, I confess them to God, not strangers." He informed, Rick scoffing slightly.

"You said you had a church?" Michonne questioned, her arm leaning against the boulder as the priest turned to face her. He nodded in confirmation to her words, causing Rick to shove him forward slightly- "Let's go then."

After passing a sleepy Judith off to the open arms of Carl, the group began following to priest to his church. Adeline helmed the front with her brother and Daryl, her hand resting against the red handle of her machete. Theo walked alongside Tyreese, the eleven year old taking a liking to the man just like her esteemed mother had.

"Question, Father." Adeline spoke up, the man that led them turning his head to look at her as he continued walking. "Last night, by chance, were you watching us?" She questioned, fingers curling around the red handle.

Gabriel shook his head, "I keep to myself. Nowadays, people are just as dangerous as the dead, don't you think?" He inquired, causing the widow to shrug her shoulders as an answer. "No." Rick answered walking alongside his sister. "People are worse." Daryl added.

"Well, I wasn't watching you. 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 informed, occasionally looking back at the group before shrugging his shoulders. "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 strap so I can steal all your squirrels." He spoke sarcastically.

Adeline furrowed her brows, looking at the man with a dirty look as he turned to glance back at her. His smile faded, "Members of my flock had often told me that my sense of humor leaves much to be desired." He informs, watching as Rick inched closer to him with his gun.

"You don't say." The widow scoffed, pushing past her brother and curling her hand around the priests shoulder.
Giving him a soft shove forward, she watched as he stumbled into a bush before stepping out and continuing to lead the way to his church.

Sooner or later, the group of now eighteen had finally reached their destination. A white church sat in the middle of the forest, a small wooden fence surrounding a section of the perimeter. Adeline walked alongside Daryl as Gabriel led them to the steps, wooden double doors being the entrance of the building. Her attentive eyes caught sight of the sign outside, ST. SARAH'S CHURCH.

As the priest pulled out a set of keys to unlock the doors, Rick was quick to stop him. "Hold up." The leader spoke, causing the man to cease his movements. "Can we take a look around first?" He questioned, obviously not waiting for an answer as he jogged up the stairs. "We just want to hold on to our squirrels." He added sarcastically, holding his hand out for the keys.

Gabriel reluctantly handed him the set, taking a few steps back as Rick motioned for some of the group to join him in clearing out the church. Adeline met him at the top of the stairs, unholstering the pistol on her side and pulling the barrel back. After a few others joined the siblings on the steps, Rick twisted the keys into the door.

Opening it slowly, the group filtered into the building. Adeline kept her gun in her grasp, her attentive eyes skimming down the church pews as the wooden floorboards creaked underneath her weight. Pushing further into the building, Glenn came to her side as she opened one of the doors in the back - stepping into it.

The group was quick to clear the church, the only thing being found is the dozens of empty food cans sitting around the wide podium at the front. Adeline caught sight of a sign hanging by one of the walls in the back room, stopping her in her step as Rick whistled for them to return back to the front of the church.

And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

"Addy!" The sharp yell of her brothers voice pulled her out of the trance, hastily making her way out of the room and meeting her in the middle of the church. "You good?" Rick questioned, softly placing his hand on the side of her shoulder as she nodded. "Yeah.. Yeah, I'm good."

The siblings stepped out of the double doors of the church, the group grouped up around the entrance as Gabriel remained on the steps. Adeline squinted her eyes from the harsh sun, allowing them to adjust slowly as her brother handed the priest the set of keys.

"I spent months here without stepping out the front door. If you found someone inside, well, it would be surprising." Gabriel spoke, slipping the keys back into the pocket of his pants.

"Thanks for this." Carl acknowledged, his hand resting against the back of Judiths onesie.

Adeline made her way down the stairs, pushing past Gabriel as she moved to stand next to the railings. Abraham walked from around the corner of the building, standing behind the woman unbeknownst to her- "We found a short bus out back." He announced, causing the widow to flinch at the sudden sound. "Sorry about that.".

"It don't run, but I bet we could fix that in less than a day or two." Abraham continued, patting the widows shoulder as she sighed deeply at her fast heart beat. "Father here says he doesn't want it. Looks like we found ourselves some transport." He informed, moving to the side to lay his eyes on Rick. "You understand what's at stake here, right?" He inquired, the leader nodding in confirmation.

"Yes, I do." Rick answered, running his hand through Judiths blonde hair. Michonne looked at the two of them with an arched brow, "Now that we can take a breath-"

"We take a breath, we slow down, shit inevitably goes down." Abraham was quick to cut her off, Adeline turning to face him with sharpened eyes. "We still have one more person of ours to find. We're not leaving yet." She spoke, her mind trailing back to the missing presence of Beth.

Michonne nodded at her words, "We need supplies, too. No matter what we do next." The samurai added. Rick looked back up the stairs, "That's right. Water, food, ammunition." He informed, moving up the steps and back into the church.

"Short bus ain't going nowhere." Daryl grunted, allowing Adeline to enter the church before following in after her. More of the group began to step through the doorstep, eventually all of them coming to center of the church. Theo flopped down into one of the pews, grabbing one of the bible's from the back of one - flipping through the pages with a slightly bored expression.

Her father never made her attend church. He didn't.

Adeline leaned against the wooden surface of one of the pews, crossing her arms over her chest as she met eyes with the priest. "Haven't had much company?" She questioned, watching as he glanced around the group that filed into his church.

"Not in a long time." Gabriel informed, the widow nodding knowingly at his words.

"How'd you manage to survive this long without leaving? Churches usually don't stay stacked with food, at least from what I remember." Adeline inquired, a curious look to her expression as the group listened in.

"Luck." The priest answered, his hands awkwardly clasped together in front of his chest. "Our annual food drive." He gave a more clear response, watching as the body of Tyreese moved past him to explore the church. "Things fell apart right after we finished it. It was just me." He informed, "The food lasted a long time. And then I started scavenging. I've cleaned out every place nearby. Except for one." He continued, Rick moving to stand next to his sister.

"What kept you from it?" The leader inquired.

Gabriel looked down, "It's overrun."

"How many?" Rick was quick to retort.

"A dozen or so. Maybe more." The priest answered, Adeline starting to realize how much the man had been sheltered from the outside. A dozen stopped meaning overrun to them a long time ago.

"We can handle a dozen." Rick informed, shifting on his step as Sasha looked over at them. "Bob and I will go with you. Tyreese should stay here, help keep Judith safe." She spoke, glancing over at her brother. Adeline followed her eyes, a smile settling on the man's face which brought the hint of one onto hers.

"That'll be okay?" The eldest Grimes questioned.

Tyreese nodded in confirmation, "Sure. You ever need me to watch her, need anything for her, I'm right here." He informed, causing Rick to step towards him. "I'm grateful for it. And everything else." He spoke, Adeline watching the two with a small smile wrapped around her lips.

Three different groups were assigned to go out and gather things, and Adeline had chosen to tag along with Glenn, Maggie, and Tara to a gun store within the small town. Theo had decided to stay back with Tyreese, Carl, and Judith - and the widow had bid them all goodbye with a hug. Carol and Daryl went off to get water, and the rest of the group (excluding Abraham's) went to the food drive.

Entering the gun shop alongside Glenn, the two figures of Tara and Maggie agreed on keeping watch as they cleared the place out. Adeline kept her machete held in her grasp, eyes squinting through the darkness of the store. "I can't see shit in here." She muttered, stumbling over a fallen set of magazines as Glenn chuckled at her movements.

"Yeah," He hummed in agreement. "Finding a pair of night vision goggles would be pretty badass." He informed, looking over the counter. Adeline placed her free hand against one of the shelves, tracing her fingers over the surface in search of anything but coming up empty handed. "Dude, there's literally nothing -."

"Wait." Glenn cut her off, climbing over the counter as Adeline furrowed her brows at him. "What is it?" She questioned, stepping through the store and over to him.

"Mini fridge." He stated, moving a few fallen things out of the way. "Mini fridge?" Adeline repeated, leaning against the counter as she spoke - "Why would there be anything in a mini fridge?" She questioned, unable to see what was inside as he pulled the small door open.

A chuckle was heard from his lips as the sound of metal scraping against a surface echoed throughout the store. Standing to his feet, the boy turned around to face his best-friend with three silencers in his grasp. "Come on, you can say it." He spoke, smiling happily at the woman.

Adeline shook her head, "I gotta give you one. I would've never looked inside one of those." She informed, watching as he frowned in disappointment at her words - "Really? That's all you're gonna give me?"

Putting on a dramatic expression, Adeline cupped her hand to her mouth - "Oh my goodness, Glenn Rhee, I cannot believe you found three silencers in a mini fridge! You are so much smarter than I, Adeline, will ever be." She expressed, watching as he rolled his eyes and began to climb back over the counter. "Yeah, that works, too."

Taking a step back, his foot came into contact with a box - wooden sticks of mops clattering to the floor in a flash. Glenn felt his heart quicken, eyes widening at the loud sound as he moved away from the clatter. "Oh my god." He breathed, placing his hand against his chest. "I think I almost peed my pants." He informed, turning to look to Adeline who tightened her lips together to keep from laughing.

"Oh, ha ha." Glenn mocked, stepping over the fallen mops and making his way out of the store with his best friend following after him. "I could've died." He spoke, his hand slipping the three silencers in his back pocket.

Pulling the door open, the two of them stepped out into the street where Maggie and Tara stood with raised guns. "Was it a walker?" The latter questioned, a concerned look on her face as Adeline covered her mouth with her hand to conceal her laughter.

"Uh, yeah." Glenn quickly stuttered out, "It was a walker." He lied, Maggie not believing a word out of his mouth as she squinted her eyes at him. "Really?"

Glenn looked back at the stores door in defeat, shooting a quick playful glare Adelines way before turning back to the two women. "It was a stack of boxes and a mop... and I tripped." He informed, the three of them laughing at the sudden confession. "Addy just stood there." He added.

"But still, we got what we came for." He spoke, pulling the silencers out from his pocket for them to see.

"You actually found something?" Tara questioned, grabbing them out of his grasp to examine them.

"Yep." Adeline nodded, sliding her machete back into its sheath. "In a mini fridge." She added onto her words, her fingers tucking the loose strands of hair behind her ear.

Glenn slid his hand through his hair, "Rule number one of scavenging- there's nothing left in this world that isn't hidden." He advised, leading them down the streets of the town in search of more supplies - if there was any.

Later that night, the group had returned to church. A warm light was provided by electrical lanterns, food laid out in front of them from their finds of the day. Adeline sat in the floor, in between Tyreese and Rick who had Judith sitting in his lap. Theo was next to Carl in one of the pews, the two of them laughing over a joke - plates full of food settled in everyone's hands.

"This is good." Tyreese stated, swallowing the food in his mouth as he looked to Adeline with a comfortable smile. "Everyone together. Happy." He added, turning his eyes back to the group - all wearing smiles on their faces. "We don't have to worry about anything else. Just now. That's all that matters." He continued, his voice soft.

Adeline nodded at his words, taking a sip from a small wine glass filled halfway with the red substance. "It is." She spoke, her eyes settling onto Theo who had a warm smile curled around her lips, throwing her head back in laughter at something that Carl said to her. A look of happiness wrapped it's arms around the family's bodies, all of them never wanting the feeling to end. Being together again.

"It is good." The widow repeated, feeling Tyreese's hand curl into her own, squeezing it softly. She smiled, keeping her hand encased in his. Adeline knew it was good. The feeling of being happy and with everyone she loved, even the sight of new additions to the group brought a warmth of acceptance to her mind. Things were good.

But there was that small part of her that was terrified of it going away.

Abraham stood with a wine glass held in his grasp, "I'd like to propose a toast!" He informed, the light chatter of the group ceasing as all eyes turned to him. "I look around this room... and I see survivors. Each and every one of you has earned that title." He stated, raising his cup.

"To the survivors!"

Cheers were heard all around the room, everyone raising their glasses to the toast and drinking the communion wine that Gabriel had gifted them. Theo took a sip of water alongside Carl, the two of them clinking their cups together with smiles. "Is that all you want to be?" Abraham continued with his speech, silence returning.

"Wake up in the morning, fight the undead pricks, forage for food, go to sleep at night with two eyes open, rinse and repeat?" He questioned, Adeline pulling her attention away from Daryl who leaned against one of the pews and back to the redhead.

"'Cause you can do that. I mean, you got the strength. You got the skill. Thing is, for you people, for what you can do, that's just surrender." He informed, the widows eyebrows furrowing at the words. "Now, we get Eugene to Washington and he will make the dead die and the living will have this world again. And that is not a bad takeaway for a little road trip." He continued.

Abraham looked around the room, "Eugene, what's in DC?" He questioned, the man with a mullet looking up from his spot on the pews. "Infrastructure constructed to withstand pandemics even of this fubar magnitude. That means food, fuel, refuge. Restart." He informed them.

"However this plays out, however long it takes for the reset button to kick in, you can be safe there. Safer than you've been since this whole thing started. Come with us. Save the world for that little one." Abraham spoke, his eyes resting upon Judith who laid against Ricks chest.

"Save it for yourselves. Save it for the people out there... who don't got nothing left to do except survive."

Rick chuckled, Adeline turning her eyes to her brother as Judith cooed from his lap. "What was that?" He inquired, a few chuckles heard from within the group. "I think she knows what I'm about to say." He informed, "She's in. If she's in, I'm in. We're in." He stated, a look of relief flowing through Adelines face as she smiled softly.

The group cheered, a feeling that they hadn't felt in a long time reaching their veins - crawling its way up and making a home inside of their minds. Hope.

━━━━━ AUTHORS NOTE.

y'all i love this chapter i wanted to get
a lot of happy and light hearted moments in before
things start to change within the group! i really
love adeline and theo, i'm glad they're both
reunited with everyone and with each other.

i think this chapter really showcases how much
this family really means to adeline. she doesn't
want to risk losing it at all, and i think that will
become a lot more clear deeper into the chapters.

QUESTION OF THE CHAPTER: what do you
expect out of adeline later in alexandria, what
are some things you would like to see?

also this amazing new header was made by a
jcpiters i love her sm its so beautiful ugh

WORD COUNT - 5958