Rick Grimes ducked low behind the car, his gun banging lightly against the metal. Rick sucked a tense breath, the air was strangely cold and the smell of blood and rotting invaded his nostrils, but it was nothing unusual. He could feel body heat just behind him, the only presence of the small, silent Korean that had volunteered to accompany him on this supplies run. A shiver of uncertainty ran up Rick's spine as he noticed the apparent absence of breath from the man behind him, but he quickly set aside his theories, knowing all too well that being soundless was a special skill Glenn possessed, and a very useful one at that. Without warning a loud groan emanated from the other side of the car and Rick's breath hitched as Glenn stiffened nervously. The groan was followed by the proverbial, hateful shuffling and soft moaning. Raising a finger to his dry, chapped lips, Rick spun round to face Glenn, marvelling at how wide the young man's eyes had suddenly become. They waited in silence till the noises had passed, then Rick cautiously raised his head so he could see through the car window. A few walkers ambled around aimlessly a few metres away but none of them close enough to notice the two, dirty men who were crouched behind the rusting vehicle. Rick breathed deeply in relief as he watched the walker who had been beside the car, stumble away, its broken, bloody arm hanging limply at its side. With a brief nod Glenn took off from the cover of the car, moving swiftly to one of the buildings nearby, his backpack bouncing happily on his back. Rick followed, keeping low to the ground as he crossed the area, sprinting the last few metres as one of the geeks began to turn toward them. The gate shuddered as Glenn swung it behind Rick and again they took off, moving through the open door of the building, ducking behind the wall and surveying the area. It was messy and someone had obviously had a quick run around the place but it hadn't be properly ransacked and Rick could see some random, useful supplies strewn across the floor.
The raid took around a half-hour, Glenn and Rick working together, searching every room carefully, and taking out any odd Walkers that got in the way with deadly speed. Soon they had filled Glenn's bag and were about to leave through the open door when the roar of engines filled the air, causing Rick's breath to hitch as he ducked further into cover. Laughter ricocheted off the walls as whoever was on the street dealt with the walkers, calling and wailing to each other as if it was some game. The overwhelming urge to run consumed Rick as he heard a group of people approaching, and he bristled uncomfortably but Glenn gestured for him to stay still. Voice echoed outside, the southern drawl evident in their voices before they seemed to fall silent, footsteps leaving the scene. Feeling safer, Rick watched Glenn poke his head around the door and take a glance at the events outside without warning a hand reached inside, seizing Glenn in an iron grip and yanking him outside. Rick leapt through in a second, his revolver already whipped of its holster and raised.
Rick was blinded by the harsh sunlight and he struggled to see anything but shapes. Everything focussed and Rick's breath caught his throat as he realised he was staring down the barrel of a gun, its smooth surface shining in the light.
"Drop it!" yelled a sinister voice and Rick was aware of gun's clicking noisily around him, as they were pointed toward him. Rick saw Glenn being held before him, an arm wrapped tightly in a choke hold around his throat. The man holding him had dark, ebony hair and a dirty long face and lips that were curled into a sinister smile as if this situation was just a game. Glenn gripped the man's arm fiercely, his face pale as he struggled to breathe. The others dotted around them were equally as battered and bruised, their clothes torn and bloody. Rick knew he was beaten, so he lowered his gun slowly, placing his only weapon on the ground whilst never leaving the other man's eyes.
"Looky what we have 'ere, boys!" the man sneered, jolting Glenn painfully. "What are you two doing around these parts?"
Rick looked up but kept quiet, letting the awkward silence pan out as he glowered darkly at the man. The guy tilted his head questioningly, the drove the gun into Glenn's temple. Glenn cried out and tried to wriggle free but was held firmly.
"Speak or this here Chinese kid gets a bullet through his Asian skull."
Rick could have sworn he heard Glenn mutter weakly "I'm Korean," but it was barely audible so he concentrated on the men around him. He and Glenn were unarmed and completely helpless, the only chance they had was trying to talk it out.
"We're scavenging…we needed food, there was a rumour that there was still some supplies here."
The man looked to one of the other men-who was holding Glenn's now open backpack-who nodded to confirm his story before the other man turned back.
"My name is JT, and this is my crew-the Ghosts-what's your name?"
"Rick, and my friend is Glenn." Rick replied casually, trying to appear as confident as possible-might earn him a little respect.
JT smirked and loosened his grip on Glenn ever so slightly "Well then Rick, you seem to be an intelligent man, we could use a new member in our merry little band, whadda ya' say?"
Rick narrowed his eyes, studying the man for deceit "We've barely met and you're holding my friend at gunpoint and you want me to join you?"
The guy laughed "Yeah, keeps me on my toes, half my men here we just randomly picked up along the way, makes departing easier."
Glenn gave Rick a worried glance, obviously trying to guess what his friend was thinking and tugged uselessly at the JT's arm. For a moment, Rick stayed silent, evaluating his options and wondering of the best way to get back to the rest of the group. Daryl and Carl were guarding the vehicles a couple of blocks from their current position, if Glenn and Rick could somehow make a break for it, they may have a chance of making it.
Rick stared at the ground for a while before meeting JT's gaze again "Okay, sounds like more fun than what I'm doing right now."
Rick saw Glenn tense up uncertainly, the he was propelled forwards and he landed heavily on the tarmac next to Rick with a small cry. JT and the others chuckled softly, a couple patting Rick on the back in an apparently welcoming gesture. Rick watched confused as they swivelled to face Glenn, guns trained on his head.
"Wait, what are you doing?!" Rick asked desperately, looking over to JT who now stood behind him, gun also trained on the young man lying on the ground.
JT looked at Rick nonplussed "The offer was only for you, Rick. Strict rule, no yellows or blacks. This is a white world now."
Glenn bristled fearful on the ground, his eyes wide and desperate as he silently begged Rick to help him, but as Rick stepped forward to move he was pulled back by a couple of the men around him.
"No! JT please!"
JT didn't look away from Glenn, smiling at the terrified look in his eyes "We're severing your ties, Rick, it'll be easier on you if we end your old life now!"
JT smiled gleefully and all Rick could hear was the sound of a gunshot ringing in his ears.