It's been over two weeks since Michael left.
Prison Camp, also called Hope 101 by Michael.
On the western side of the prison, the survivors had built an archery range for everyone to practice the bow with.
It was built with the intent that when the time comes that firearms become obsolete. Everyone would not have any problems dealing with the scenario when firearms become no longer useful.
So nowadays, several survivors would come here and practice during their free time or after they're done with their duties.
Twang!
"Nice shot."
"Thanks."
Placing his bow down, Glenn smiled as he turned his head around to see Rick standing at a safe distance from him.
"It seems like you've slowly gotten the hang of it." Rick looked at the arrow that struck around the bullseye before approaching Glenn.
Glenn picked up another arrow while responding. "Yeah, I've only just found out that I'm actually quite good at it. So, what's up?"
Twang!
Thud!
Rick looked around them. He was hesitating a little before finally opening his mouth. "I know it's none of my business, or any of us. But as someone who is concerned for the well being of everyone here. I just need to ask. Last night, I saw you and Maggie had gotten into quite an argument. Is there something we can help with your problems or is it too personal to share?"
Glenn stared straight into Rick's eyes and saw that he was actually being serious. "You're actually serious."
Rick playfully tilted his head to the side and responded. "I am. Just think of this as counseling."
"Do you even know how to do that?" If a trust gauge were present right now, then Glenn's trust towards Rick would have fallen by a point by now.
Rick shrugged his shoulders. "Well, I've already helped two people with their problems. So I think I'm actually doing quite well."
Looking around their surroundings, it seems like it was only now that Glenn was noticing the changes around them. "The group has really grown since then huh."
"..."
Then there was silence between them as the two men just looked at each other.
"Maggie's pregnant." Glenn looked at Rick with a straight face, while the latter looked at him with a dumbfounded expression.
"What the heck, Glenn."
"I know, I know, It's bad." Glenn forced a smile while clutching a fistful of his hair.
Rick let out a sigh as he knows what the man is also going through. "It's fine, with Lori pregnant, we've already prepared most of the things she'd need when she goes into labor. Maggie wouldn't have any more problems ater her."
Glenn let out a chuckle. "That's the problem. She doesn't want it. She says it's too cruel for a child to be born into this world where surviving is uncertain everyday."
Rick looked at him before turning his gaze towards the survivors tilling the garden beds.
"We've already built a secure place and in a couple of months, we'll reach self-sustainability."
"Partially that is." Glenn corrected him as he knew those produce from the garden would only be able to feed the entire group for almost two weeks, three weeks if they ration it and that's only with our current population.
"We'll only achieve self sustainability if we can fill the entire yard with crops."As a man whose hobby is gardening, Glenn already had a rough estimate on how long those crops can feed them.
Rick smiled at him. "I thought you were more of a pizza guy."
"I do gardening on the side and have attended some workshops to learn the ropes." Glenn responded with a shrug of his shoulders.
Rick placed his hand on Glenn's shoulder."Anyway, enough about this talk. Seeing that your problem can only be solved between you two. I'll leave it to you two to figure it out between yourselves. If you really can't talk her out of it, come to me then and I'll talk to her."
"Yeah, thanks for coming to talk to me." Glenn nodded in response and just as Rick was walking away, he suddenly remembered something. "Wait, is it true? That you and Daryl encountered Shane the other day?"
With his back facing Glenn, Rick halted in his tracks when he heard him. "Yeah, we saw him with a group of armed people, along with Merle."
"Merle? That jerk is actually still alive?" Glenn was surprised as his eyes even widened.
Rick turned around to face him with his hands on his hips. "Yeah, this is actually bad news for us. I don't know what that guy will do if he discovers us."
"What about Daryl? How did he react?" Knowing Daryl, Glenn wouldn't be surprised if he acted impulsive during that time.
Rick shook his head while looking around for a moment. "I was expecting that he'd go and try to go meet his brother, but he surprisingly remained calm and stayed put."
He knew what Glenn meant by his words since almost everyone knows that Daryl is quite the impulsive person and would immediately act on his feelings.
"So what's our next step then? Daryl might be able to suppress his feelings now, but the longer this drags on, his feelings for a reunion with his brother will grow stronger until he finally can't suppress it and might do something drastic that might endanger the entire community." Glenn became even more worried than finding out his girlfriend is currently pregnant.
Rick sighed as this is also causing him a headache. Banning Daryl from going out is also not an option and will only make their situation worse than it already is.
"If only we're as heavily armed like them, then proposing a meeting between the two groups wouldn't have been a problem."
"So, everything still boils down to our lack of appropriate firepower huh. If only we had something that could intimidate them like a rocket launcher." Glenn was talking out loud, but during the latter part of his words, he seemed to have realized something and looked at Rick, who also happened to be looking at him at the same time.
"Michael."
Both men shared similar thoughts and it wasn't a specific weapon they thought of, but a resourceful monster who had been missing for over two weeks now.
Fresno.
After spending a day on the road with minimal trouble along the way. Michael and Rosita had gotten to know each other a little better, with the latter now letting her guard down towards him.
While the kids on the other hand, had become closer, especially Noah and Jose who had been sticking to each other like glue while Athena kept her aloof attitude.
At first, Michael thought she was just being cautious, but it's actually just her personally. Pretty arrogant for someone who got kidnapped, almost got sold off and their lives put into danger before Michael luckily found them.
"Your friend lives around here?" Rosita was curious as they drove past the luxurious houses along the road.
"I don't know. It's my first time coming here, and we've only known each other for around a day or two. So, I don't think we're at that level of calling each other as friends yet." Driving slowly, Michael responded while looking for that familiar army truck.
Scrunching up her eyebrows, Rosita turned her body towards Michael. "And you're risking your life for them? What's in it for you to go that far?"
"Our two camps are allied with each other." Michael responded to her doubts.
Rosita had more things to say, but then realized that two survivor communities are separated between the State of Alabama and this ensures that both camps wouldn't infringe upon their own interest, making her worries unfounded.
"Found them."
After another short drive, Michael finally spotted that familiar army truck on the road ahead. He also saw Joel and the others who were in the midst of loading the goods on the back of the truck.
Michael was about to smile seeing them safe and sound, but he immediately frowned when he saw the worried and hurried looks on everyone's faces.
On the other hand, Roxy, who was tasked as the lookout, had long spotted the familiar but at the same time unfamiliar vehicle. Roxy became wary at first, but relief quickly came when she saw Michael in the driver's seat, accompanied by new faces.
"Finally, some backup!"