~Past~
Marie's mother looked at her husband with wide eyes as he stood in front of her. "You want to what?"
"Charlotte-" He began but she interrupted him.
"We are NOT doing that." She hissed, glaring at him as she leaned against the wall, the baby in her arms cooing softly in her sleep.
"It's the only way we can ensure that we aren't found." He explained calmly, his eyes softening as he gently lifted her head to look at him. "Trust me, please."
"I do, I swear I do but-"
"Shh. I know." He said as he shushed her before looking down at the baby. "There's other ways she can communicate. Plus, this gives her a better chance of surviving."
Charlotte remained silent as she weighed their options. Even the smallest peep from her could give them away, let alone if she started crying while they're surrounded. She looked up at her husband with sad eyes. He stood tall in front of her, his eyes soft as he stared into hers.
"You don't have to watch." He whispered as he took the baby from her. "Just keep an eye out."
The woman simply nodded before turning around so that she wouldn't have to watch, tightening her grip on her rifle. She heard her husband begin shushing the baby before her screams pierced the silence of the room. Stifling a cry, Charlotte kept her gaze forward as she watched for anything that would come to investigate. After a few moments there was silence, the only sound was the sound of metal being put back in its case.
"Alright." Her husband said, making her turn around. The baby's face was red and soft cries were coming out but nothing extremely loud, breaking her heart. "See, much quieter now."
She took the baby from her husband and held her close as her husband gave her a piece of cloth and instructed her to keep an eye on her so that she didn't choke. The baby stared up at her as she cried.
The three of them traveled from where they were through a small town, collecting supplies as they went. Things were tense between the couple as they moved, Charlotte second guessing what they had done every time their baby opened her mouth. They scavenged for food and supplies in the houses, her husband killing any infected that approached.
"We'll stay here for the night." Her husband declared as he led her into the back room of one of the buildings before blocking the door with the desk. "See? Nice and safe."
Charlotte simply nodded as she sat against the wall as she began singing a lullaby to her. "Hush little one, close your eyes."
Her husband sat against the wall, sliding down it to sit next to her and peaking at the baby who cooed softly as she opened her eyes. She stared up at them with huge brown eyes, and then she smiled at them.
"She's got your eyes." Her husband said as he leaned against her, resting his head on her shoulder.
"Hmm." Charlotte hummed before she leaned her head against her husbands. "She's got your smile.
Charlotte woke up to the sound of things moving, catching her off guard and making her stand up as she protectively pulled her baby close. Her husband pushed the desk away from the door, causing her eyes to widen as she stared at him.
"What are you doing?"
"There are people out there, they need help."
"No-" Before she could finish the desk was moved and the door opened quickly as 3 people rushed into the room, slamming the door behind them and then holding it shut.
"That was a close one." One of them gasped, out of breath.
"Are any of you bitten?" Her husband asked as he stood in front of her protectively.
"No, I think we're good." A woman said as she leaned against the desk, gasping for air. "Thanks."
"Ah, I'm Devon by the way." The first man said as he put his hand out to her husband. "This is Kayla and Michael."
Her husband shook his hand before gesturing to him and Charlotte. "I'm Nick and this is my wife Charlotte, and the baby's name is Marie."
"She's cute. How old is she?" Kayla asked as she looked at Charlotte, her head tilted. "Uh, couple months." Charlotte responded as she looked at her.
"Alright, we need to get out of here. We have a small community if you guys want to come with?" Devon offered. "We've got a safe place, clean water. It's safe."
"How many people?" Nick asked him. "We've dealt with communities before."
"Not many, maybe 9 people?" Devon said as he looked at the others who shrugged. "Not counting us so about 12."
"What are your rules?" Nick asked before glancing at Charlotte and Marie, an idea popping in his head. "We were in a community before, they made us cut out her tongue."
Charlotte looked at him with wide eyes, shocked that he'd be so willing to lie about what he'd done to their daughter.
"Nothing like that, I can assure you." Michael said with wide eyes, his tone shocked. "That's demented."
The group discussed with them their rules, the precautions they take when inviting new people, how they earn their keep, how the place is run. Nick got excited when he found out it was a voting based community. Charlotte was skeptical about it, but before her and Nick could discuss it he agreed to go with them. When morning came the group led them back to their community, being greeted by a blonde little girl with green eyes holding a rifle.
"Papa you said no more strangers."
"It's alright hon, they're friendly." Devon said as he closed the door behind the group. "Go call a community meeting."
~Present~
Maria walked out of the building and handed Catherine a cup as she waited by the gates, causing her to nod in thanks. If they aren't back by sundown I'm going after them. She thought as she took a sip. It had already been a few hours, there's no way she got that far in that amount of time. Her body swayed back and forth as she tried to hold herself still, causing Maria to glance at her as she took a sip of her own drink.
"They'll be back." Maria said with a reassuring smile. "It's Tommy."
"If they're not back by sundown I'm going after them." Catherine said before taking another drink, causing Maria to simply sigh before she nodded.
"You and me both."
As if right on queue the gate to the plant opened allowing the four to enter on the horses, Marie riding in the saddle with Ellie. Once the horse was fully stopped Catherine moved forward as Marie and Ellie got off of the horse and it was led away. Marie looked away sheepishly as Catherine began looking her over, before sighing in relief when she saw that she wasn't injured.
"Are you both okay?" She asked as she turned and began looking Ellie over.
"We're fine." Ellie said as she pushed her away, catching Catherine off guard.
"What in your right mind would make you think this was a good idea? You both could've gotten hurt." Catherine said before stopping when she saw the sad look in Ellie's eyes.
"It won't happen again."
She softly sighed before pulling her into a hug, surprising Ellie as she tensed. "Just think next time."
In the corner of her eye she watched Joel turn and say something to Tommy, making her scoff quietly to herself before she let go. Ellie moved away from Catherine and to the two horses that remained, petting one of them as she waited for the two to finish talking.
"We're not gonna leave them are we?" Marie signed after getting her attention with sad eyes, making Catherine sigh as she shook her head.
"No," She said before looking back at Joel. "We're not."
Catherine watched the two brothers speak quietly for a few moments before she walked over to Ellie and looking over the horse. She pets it for a few moments before sighing and shaking her head. "Ellie-"
"Come on Ellie." Joel called as he climbed up onto one of the horses and looked at her, earning a bewildered and confused look from her.
"What?"
"Come on, don't make me repeat myself." Joel said as he held the horses reins. Tommy looked at Joel confused. "You sure about this?"
"Your wife kind of scares me." Joel said as he readjusted how he sat while Ellie climbed onto the horse. "Don't want her coming after me."
Marie looked excitedly at Catherine before moving to get onto the other horse. "You sure you don't mind us keeping you company?"
"Course not, now come on. The sooner we go the sooner we get there." Ellie chuckled with a smile, her mood higher than it'd been a few minutes before.
Catherine got on the horse as Tommy helped Marie get up. "Sure you don't mind us taking your horses?"
"As long as you bring him back alive," Tommy gestured to Joel as he spoke. "I'll take it as a fair trade."
They chuckled as Marie looked at Maria before signing to her, "We'll be back!"
Maria simply chuckled as she shook her head. "I don't know what that means."
"She's saying we'll be back." Ellie said with a smile. "Adios little brother." Joel said as he turned the horse around before they took off, Catherine and Marie following close behind him.