𝙴𝙿𝙸𝚂𝙾𝙳𝙴 𝚂𝙸𝚇𝚃𝚈-𝙽𝙸𝙽𝙴 - 𝙺𝙸𝙲𝙺
The three were still driving with the music blaring out loud when they spotted a little warehouse where they may find some food. Rick and Daryl went to check it out whilst Madelyn stayed in the car like she promised her husband. Madelyn looked down at her baby bump and smiled as she rubbed it.
"I can't wait for you to be in my arms." Madelyn said softly. "You'll live a happy life. Daddy and I promise you that." Madelyn gasped when she felt something. It was a kick. The baby was kicking. "Oh my god. Well done." She said as she began tearing up.
"Hey, Maddie, is there anything that you-" Daryl asked as he approached but stopped when he saw Madelyn's teary eyes. "What happened?"
"The baby's kicking, D." Madelyn said, making Daryl's face soften.
"Really?" He asked, his voice barely coming out as a whisper.
"Yeah, feel it." Madelyn said. Daryl opened the car door and knelt down in front of Madelyn where she guided his hand on her stomach. Daryl gasped when he felt a kick. He smiled and looked up at his wife who was smiling back.
"Looks like we have our own little ass-kicker." Daryl joked, making Madelyn let out a soft laugh as they both felt her stomach. Daryl smiled and left a kiss on her stomach as Rick approached.
"What's going on?" He asked.
"My little ass-kicker is kicking. First time." Daryl said as he felt another kick. "Yep, it definitely likes that name."
"Can I..." Rick asked.
"Yeah, go ahead." Madelyn said. Rick crouched next to Daryl and placed his hand on Madelyn's stomach, feeling a kick which made him smile.
"Wow. I remember when Carl first kicked when Lori was pregnant. You never forget that moment, the feeling that comes with it." Rick said.
"I know I never will." Daryl said.
"You guys should probably go back to looking for food. God knows we need it." Madelyn said.
"Is there anything that you need?" Daryl asked as both men stood up.
"I've really been craving some chocolate so if you find any-"
"Yeah, you got it." Daryl said.
"And I know the chances are low but any baby stuff would really come in handy." Madelyn said, making Daryl nod.
"Okay. Stay in here. We'll be back soon." Daryl said. Madelyn nodded and gave him a kiss before the two men went to have a look. They ended up finding an entire truck filled with food, clothes, medicine. It was a bloody gold mine.
Daryl, Rick and Madelyn ditched the car and sat in the truck to drive it back to Alexandria but they decided to stop at a gas station first. Daryl let Madelyn step out since it looked safe and she needed to stretch her legs. Plus, she was happy eating a chocolate bar that was found in the truck.
Rick and Daryl found an old vending machine on the ground and used the truck to flip it over to see if there was any food inside. Since Rick and Daryl were working, Madelyn kept watch as she ate her chocolate. "You like chocolate, don't you?" Madelyn said to her baby bump when she felt another kick.
"It's soda and candy. Why the trouble?" Rick asked Daryl, making Madelyn turn around. He was looking for Denise. Madelyn's eyes widen when she spotted someone run towards Rick.
"Rick, behind you!" Madelyn called out before a man bumped into Rick, making all three of them pull a gun out on him. The man was wearing a beanie, a long leather jacket and gloves. He also had long, light brown hair and a mask covering his face. He had his hands up.
"Hi." The man said.
"Back up! Now!" Daryl said, his gun still pointed at him.
"Keep those hands up." Rick said.
"Whoa, easy, guys." The guy said. He seemed to have a very soothing voice. "I was just running from the dead."
"How many?" Madelyn asked.
"Ten, maybe more." The man said. "I'm not risking it. Once it gets to double digits, I start running and I'm guessing that you're pregnant so if I were you, I'd start running now."
"Where are they?" Daryl asked.
"About a half a mile back." The man said. "They're headed this way. You probably have about eleven minutes."
"Rick, Daryl, we should probably go." Madelyn said.
"Okay. Thanks for letting us know." Rick said as he lowered his gun.
"Yeah, there's more of them than us, right?" The man asked. "Gotta stick together, right?"
Daryl lowered his gun, making the man lower his hands. "You have a camp?" The man asked.
"No." Daryl said.
"Do you?" Rick asked.
"No. Sorry for running into you. I'm gonna go now. If this is the next world, I hope it's good to you guys and the little one." The man said, pointing to Madelyn's stomach before turning to walk away.
"I'm Rick. This is Daryl and Madelyn." Rick said. "What's your name?"
The man stopped and turned around before pulling his mask down. "Paul Rovia. But my friends used to call me Jesus. Your pick."
"I like Jesus. You look like Jesus." Madelyn said with a small smile, making Jesus nod.
"You said you didn't have a camp." Rick said. "You on your own?"
"Yeah." Jesus said. "But, still, best not to try anything."
"Best not to make threats you can't keep, either." Daryl said.
"Exactly." Jesus said before turning to leave.
"How many walkers-"
"No, not this guy." Daryl said to Rick.
"Why not? He seems nice enough." Madelyn said, making Rick nod.
"How many walkers have you killed?" Rick asked Jesus.
"Sorry, gotta run. You should, too. Think you got about seven minutes." Jesus said before leaving.
"Well then." Madelyn said.
"What the hell was that?" Daryl asked.
"He was clean. His beard, it was trimmed." Rick explained.
"You think he's lying about not having a camp?" Madelyn asked, her hands still cradling her bump.
"I think there's more going on there." Rick said.
"He didn't have a gun, either." Daryl said.
"We could track him, watch him for a while, get to know more." Rick said. "See if he's really alone. Maybe bring him back."
"I think a guy that friendly is bound to have a few friends hanging around him." Madelyn said.
"Nah, guy calls himself Jesus." Daryl said.
"What? I like that." Madelyn said before the three heard gunshots, making them turn around and follow the sound. Madelyn decided to stay put. She noticed Jesus sneak back and head towards the truck. "Hey, what are you doing?"
"We need this stuff." Jesus said as he sat in the truck.
"No, you can't take this. Please, our people are hungry. I'm eating for two, please." Madelyn said.
Jesus' face softened as he looked at Madelyn. He felt bad but he didn't have a choice. "I'm sorry but we need this stuff. I'm sorry. I'll give you these." He said, handing Madelyn a couple packets of chips and a bottle of water before starting the truck and driving away just as Rick and Daryl came back.
"Shit." Rick said as the three watched the truck drive away.
"I'm sorry. I tried to stop him but-"
"No, it's okay." Daryl said. "Who was it?"
"It was Jesus." Madelyn said.
"That son of a bitch! I knew it!" Daryl complained.