Thud.
"On your knees, all of you let's go."
They were surrounded, reaching for their own weapons would be a death sentence. They had no other choice but to obey. So with great disdain, they dropped down glaring at their suppressors. With a quick glance at one another, Rick nodded and he and Daryl joined the others on the ground. It was just like with the cannibals they needed to wait for their moment, it would come.
"Fret not, despite your current perspective, this is indeed a blessed event." an unfamiliar man called standing before them. "You are about to be in the presence of the savior that so many of us have already accepted and do not deserve. To which you will be received. But you must be dragged through the shadows for a chance at the light."
Not knowing what he meant with his talk of shadows and light they watched as he and the rest of his men dropped to one knee facing the forest seeming ablaze as the sun set behind them. The Alexandrians watched with trepidation as the supposed savior remained unseen. But then, a silhouette started to form out of the treeline. It was misshapen and lumpy at first, slowly taking on the shape of a man leading a pure white mare. He wasn't a terribly tall man, average in height but not so it looks. His hair was cast down to his shoulder, a shortly trimmed beard covering his chin and upper lip. But the most piercing was his eyes, which held such a calm intensity that seemed so out of place yet brought a sense of balance to this random and unprovoked assault. Blue or green, they couldn't decide which. Perhaps both. They stared the survivors down, his eyes gleaming with an untamed mania that made them all pause in their plans of escape. He was shirtless, wearing only a pair of cargo pants and battle boots a knife strapped to each leg and a nine-tail whip adorned with interwoven rosaries to his left hip.
He paused before them, handing the reins off to one of his men and surveyed the scene before him.
"Our Savior, Jesus." The man holding the reins addressed, keeping his head bowed. "This wayward flock has stumbled into salvation's shadow, however, they have potential to earn the path of light."
He walked up and down the line of survivors, scrutinizing an averting the gaze of everyone. Only one held it, and of course, it was the fearless leader. The "savior" paused then, kneeling down to his level. Their eyes locked in an intense staring contest. Measuring one another.
"You strike me as a fellow shepherd." Jesus nodded.
"You don't want to do this." Rick drawled. "Our paths may have crossed, but this doesn't have to end in violence. You're people don't have to die tonight. We can part ways right now and never see each other again. Go on as normal."
Jesus laughed a hearty and deep chuckle.
"As a fellow shepherd you must understand that sacrifice is necessary." he mused. "Cut that which will drag you to hell away and salvage what is left for heaven. And now my fellow shepherd's it is up to you to choose who will be salvaged and who is damned. Cut away the one leading you down the path of sin and save the rest of your flock."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Rick demanded.
Before answering, Jesus nodded to one of his men. The man rushed to the horse pulling the strings on the mare's saddlebags and letting loose tons of skull-sized stones. They tumbled to the ground sounding like galloping hooves, making the ground vibrate as they hit. The vibrations traveled from the ground and up the survivors' bodies resting in their chests with a sense of dread.
"All humans have sinned. Some more than others." Jesus began to explain, looking up at his men and to the survivors, watching as his man handed out stones to all the Alexandrians. "Those who are true sinners are the ones that need to be cast away lest they bring everyone else down. Everyone has at least one. You point them out and we'll deliver them home."
"You want me to choose one of my people for you to kill?" Rick growled, clenching his fists at his sides.
"Not me." Jesus smiled standing, looking down his nose at the man. "You must cast them away with your own hand."
"No." he growled again.
"You must." Jesus insisted. "If you want to walk the path of light."
Rick gritted his teeth looking to his people knowing that he would rather die than choose any of them. He looked to his surroundings. They couldn't fight this many people without losing their own. He wouldn't allow that.
He made his choice.
"No." He hissed.
This made the piercing man sigh.
"Very well then." he breathed looking to the line then pointed to Maggie. "Bring me that girl."
"NO!" Most of them screamed as two men grabbed the farmers daughter by the elbows and began to drag her forward.
"Me." Rick roared, making the mad man pause. "Me, I'm the sinner. Take me."
"No!" Michonne and Carl cried.
"They're my people." Rick insisted now locking eyes with the would-be messiah. "I won't condemn any of them to death. You want blood it will be me."
"No." Jesus shook his head. "As the shepherd, you lead them. They need you alive."
"But I'm the sinner."
"Sins you've committed for your flock," Jesus assured. "God forgives
"Stop!" Glenn begged fighting the man that was holding him down. "Please, don't hurt her." He was ignored as the men threw her at Jesus's feet. "Please." he cried finally managing to shake off the guard and standing. "It's me!" he urged. "It's me, I'm the sinner."
"Glenn, no." Maggie shrieked.
"And what are your sins?" Jesus asked almost soothingly.
"I… I have murdered innocent people." Glenn lied, knowing the people he killed deserved it. "I have stolen, and I had forced my wife to sleep with me."
"No!" Maggie insisted. "He's lying, I did it willingly."
"I've hurt her." Glenn cried out. "She's so scared of me she'll do anything I say."
They were all quiet then, either too shocked or too frightened to speak.
"Truly heinous sins indeed." Jesus nodded. "Tie him to a tree."
The protests among the survivors were weak with grief as they watched helplessly as Glenn was marched and tied to the nearest tree.
"All of you," Jesus called. "Pick up your stones and cast them at this sinner. Send him to god, send him home."
No one moved.
"Do this." Jesus gritted grabbing Maggie by the hair he then looked to his men holding out his hand and receiving a machete as a result which he pressed to her throat. "Or this woman will die and that sinner will die anyway."
At his command, one of his men went to hold a pistol to Glenn's temple.
"Guys." Glenn's voice was hollow and watery. "Please, It's okay. It's okay."
Still, no one moved for the longest time. They were caught between two impossible decisions. They cherished both these people. How could they let either of them die let alone kill one of them?
"Please." Glenn pleaded.
They all looked up at him then To Rick. He glared at the savior then let the stone fall from his grasp in a clear demonstration of defiance. One by one the others began to do the same.
Jesus's smile fell at that. Then, before anyone could comprehend what was happening, he gripped Rick's right wrist- the hand that dropped the stone- and used it to drag him down on his belly. He raised the machete over his head and in one clean motion, cleaved Rick's right off with a bloody squelch.
Satisfied with his work, the savior stepped back and let his men rush forward to cauterize and bandage the wound. He watched as a few others had to keep the boy, archer, and samurai from going to the leader. This was a close-knit group. They couldn't even see the devil in their midsts.
"Do what must be done." he howled to them all. "It is the only way."
There was a whining growl as Daryl shot to his feet, heft the stone in front of him and hurled it at Jesus's head. For just a split second everyone had hope that this was the moment they were waiting for. For a split second, they had hope. But only for that split second.
Jesus's barely even batted an eye as he stepped forward, leaping into the air and grabbing the stone as if it were a foam ball. He spun around real quick, pitching it back at Daryl. To the relief of all his comrades, Daryl sidestepped the projectile and launch himself at the would be savior fist raised. Jesus only smiled at this ducking out of the way and pushing Daryl's back so he stumbled. The hunter caught himself with practiced ease spinning around and growling at the Messiah. Several of Jesus's men went to detain Daryl but with a gesture from Jesus had them backing off. The fight began in earnest then. Blows were traded, Daryl going at the Messiah with little planning but great precision and force, while Jesus was using a paring then striking strategy. It was tense, for the longest time. It was only due to the fact that Jesus's men were holding guns to Rick and the other's heads that they weren't getting up to help the archer, it was killing them to watch. Especially since it was clear that the lack of success was getting to Daryl. They would like to believe that he was doing this. for them, that he was trying to save all of them yet they knew that that wasn't the case. His emotions just simply got the better of him… yet still, they had hope.
The fight had been going on for a few minutes by this point and it was becoming clear to Jesus that- though at first, this was just a bit of fun- this man was dangerous. He may have been lumbering around like a mad bull at first but he was learning from his past attacks. If this carried on for too long then this could be trouble. It was time to end this. He waited for Daryl to aim a fist for his face before grabbing his wrist and using to bring Daryl's head to his knee. Knocking the archer onto his back with a groan. Using his stunning to his advantage he strode forward barely sparing the leather-clad man a glance as he lifted his foot and stomped down repeatedly on his head.
STOMP!
"DARYL!" Rick cried horsley, his eyes blurring over with pain and tears, barely able to make out what was happening. "STOP, GET AWAY FROM 'IM!"
STOMP!
"No, no, no, no, no, no." Eugene was murmuring burying his face in his hands.
STOMP!
On and on it went, the Alexandrians screaming and begging it to stop.
"Stop it!" Aaron cried finally getting the Savior's attention. "Just stop."
Jesus paused in his actions looking back at the man with keen interest.
But it didn't matter that he had stopped. The damage was done. As crimson water and brain matter spilled across the ground the Alexandrians began to weep at the loss of their friend. The only consolation, Aaron thought, was that Carol wasn't here to see this.
"Rick!" Glenn cried. "Just do it! Please!"
Maybe it was due to the fact that he had just lost his hand. Or maybe because he just witnessed his brother being brutally stomped to death. Or perhaps this whole situation in general. Either way, at the sound of Glenn's desperate plea, Rick stood quickly but clumsily as if he was drunk, grabbed the nearest stone and charged Glenn.
"Aaahh!" With a feral cry, he began slamming the rock on Glenn's temple, as hard as he could. Again and again and again. "I'm sorry…" he sobbed brokenly. "I'm sorry…"
"Stop it!" Maggie screamed. "Rick~ stop, please! Stop!"
"I'm sorry." Rick blubbered, tears running down his face like rivers. "I-I'm so-sorr-y."
"It's… okay." Glenn gurgled almost incoherently. "It's o...k...ay… Rick."
Over and over again Rick slammed the rock down until he was talking gibberish and Glenn's voice stopped. He finally stopped when he missed falling to the ground in a wet pile. Yelling into the ground as his pain wracked through his body.
No one moved, no one could even look at the horrors around them. The gore, the blood, the self-satisfied gazes of the flock and their lord.
As one the flock bent to their knees with the savior and bowed their heads.
"For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." Jesus began. "Be with us now loving Father. Into your presence we come, Father God, mindful of our own failing; our thoughts, words, and actions that have shown nothing of your love. Forgive us, loving Father.
Amen."
"AMEN." They all echoed.
He stood, motioning with his pointer and middle finger, drawing a cross over his chest. Looking up he watched the survivors all mostly slumped over in defeat as they grieved their people. He felt for them but it had to be done. Their sinners had to be dealt with before they progressed further before they traveled too far down the devil's path to be brought back. He glanced over to Rick and found- not at all surprised- that the man was kneeling now and glaring with all the fury he could muster at Jesus. The savior only frowned stepping forward and kneeling down before the leader.
"I am sorry for your loss." Jesus told him, looking almost genuine. "But they would have dragged you down with them. You did the right thing. I know it doesn't seem like it. I know you think me mad for putting this on your shoulders. You may hate me, may even want to kill me-"
"I will kill you." Rick snarled, it was not a threat but a promise and Jesus knew it.
"No." he shook his head. "You will do as I say. You will follow my path, the path of god and you will find peace." He stood then walking back to his men. "In one months time, you will bring offerings to my home. To stay in God's favor you must appease his son. Stay on my good side and you will be guaranteed a way into heaven."
"And if we refuse?" Rick hissed. "If we don't go along with your madness."
"Then you will die." Jesus shrugged without even looking back at them.
Then he remembered something and stopped. Turning he looked back to the line and to the man that had pleaded for the archer. He was weeping of course, most likely one of the closer ones to the archer. He was clutching at the dirt fruitlessly in perhaps an attempt to keep himself together. His black leather jacket reflecting the lights of their vehicles.
"Grab him." he told his men pointing at the curly haired man.
Aaron looked up not knowing it was him he wanted, not until two men grabbed his shoulders and started to force him over toward a van.
"What are you going to do with him?" Rick demanded.
"He's assurance." Jesus answered. "Don't follow the rules and he will pay the price. One month," he told them dropping a map on the ground. "Be there, and not for the sake of yourself, but for that of us all. That is my purpose in this world. I'm not here for the sacrifice of all mortal men, but the sake of immortal souls."
Without a moment's hesitation, they loaded up and sped off leaving nothing but dust and tears.
They didn't know what to do, how to progress. All they knew was pain and rage. And the longing for revenge.
They sat for a while longer, just stewing in their own emotions.
The first to move was Maggie and it did not surprise anyone as she stumbled toward Glenn's body. She pushed anyone away that tried to help her cut him down preferring to do it herself. So they let her. She laid him down on the gravel and reached into his pocket finding the watch her father gave her and placed it in her husbands cooling hand laying hers over top of it and intertwining their fingers.
"I can't forgive what happened." she murmured, softly not really caring if anyone else heard her. "Or those who participated in it." this was directed towards Rick and he knew it but he couldn't bring himself to be angry at her. "And I know you wouldn't like that. You would want me to forgive and move on… But I can't…. I can't…. not without you." no one saw as she unsheathed the knife from her thigh or how she brought it to her neck. "Glenn," she whispered lovingly, a small smile on her face. "I'll find you."
"Maggie no!" Sasha screamed just as she saw as the woman thrust the knife through her jugular. "NO!"
They rushed to her hoping to stop what was coming next but not being quick enough. She pulled the blade from her throat harshly and fell, limp beside her husband's body.
She was dead in seconds.
"NO!" Sasha cried falling to her knees by her friends. "Dammit no!"
The grieving began a new as they were surrounded by the bodies of their friends.
They couldn't go on like this. They just couldn't. And they knew what needed to be done.
"We're going home." Rick said getting all of them to look his way. "We're going to bury our people. And then, we are going after Aaron. We'll get him back. And we'll end those bastards. We'll kill them all."
TING-AAAHHH!
"Faith."
TING-GRAAAH!
"Honesty."
TING-F-AAACK!
"Love."
TING- JUST STOP ALREADY!
"Conviction."
TING-GAWD!
"Loyalty."
Finally, it stopped. The man hammering the nail into his hands, fastening them to the post he was nailed before finally let the hammer fall to his side. There was still a good few inches left and he hoped they would go untouched. Tears were streaming down his cheeks, blood down his wrists, and the man who had ordered this brutality on him stood stoic before him. Calm and unmoving, his steely unshakable gaze boring into his very soul.
"Follow these guidelines and your training will do just fine?" the man, Jesus, told him kneeling before him so he was eye level.
"Training." Aaron choked.
"You will be one of my men." Jesus clarified with a shrug. "To bridge our people together. To create a new foundation."
"You want me to help you enslave my people?" Aaron gritted.
This seemed to anger the savior. His hand shot out taking Aaron's chin in an iron grip and pulling him closer. Aaron could feel his fiery breath on his lips.
"I do not enslave people." He snarled, barely missing Aaron's face with his spit. "I show them the way. Before, when I was first born, I took all the sins of the world with me in death. But the world, the people, did not learn from that time. They still sin and slab around like parasites. Destroying the world my father created. That is why the dead rose, that is why I was born again." The was a mad gleam in his eyes now, and he leaned forward so his lips brushed the shell of Aaron's ear. "I am your sins. Now the people will reap what they sew. That is my true purpose."
Aaron starred in fixed horror as Jesus stood, smiling.
"You're sick." he gasped.
The savior only shook his head and smiled turning his back to the other.
"You will come to see my side of things." He promised. "You just need a few days to process. I'll be back with dinner."
And with that he left, another broader man taking his place.
Aaron wasn't sure what was going to happen now. All he really knew was that they didn't seem to want to starve him and that if he moved it was going to tear up his hands. So he did his best to learn most of his weight on the post and think through his situation.
There really wasn't much he could do. He had no idea where he was. He couldn't see anything outside the van and there was a man with a gun on him at all times. He had glimpsed scars similar to the one he would soon have on is captors hands which he had wondered at. But now he understood. This was apparently how Jesus trained his followers. He kind of understood. In a twisted way. Jesus and stigmata. He wondered if the man himself had the same scars. Maybe that's where this whole delusion came from. Either way as far as he could tell there was no getting out of here. Not at the moment anyway. He would just have to play this out and see was it goes. Play his part as captive till the time was right and get the hell out of here.
So for the moment, there wasn't anything else to do but rest and save his strength.
He was just dozing off when the first CRACK sounded and a searing pain exploded across his back.
"Son of a bitch." He hissed looking back at his guard. "What the hell was that for? I didn't do anything."
"No sleeping." the man gruffed. "Not till our Lord says."
Aaron glared at him for a minute, not understanding; but soon enough he got
He leaned his head against the post and gritted his teeth. This was his plan for breaking him. And if Aaron wasn't completely present he may just manage it.
"Shit." he winced.
By the time Jesus had shown back up with food, Aaron was groaning with pain. He had been struck twice more. Once because he had smiley closed his eyes for too long. And his hands had begun to throb violently seeing as he kept jerking them and ripping them open every time he was whipped. To put it simply, he was a miserable mess.
"I see the training is well underway." Jesus smiled receiving a seating glare from Aaron. "Out." he barked at the guard before sitting before Aaron. The plate he had brought was simple and small. Little portions of fruit with a slice of bread. It was meager, so they were just trying to keep him on the edge of starving. Good to know in his opinion. "So, let's get started." Jesus smiled. "I'm going to ask you questions, and you're going to answer as honestly as you can. If I feel you're telling the truth, I'll give you a bit of food." he nodded to the plate, making Aaron lick his lips. "If it's not the truth then… well, I'll have to punish you. Do you understand?"
Aaron nodded not seeing the point in angering this man. He could be a good lier when he put some effort into it. If this man asked anything with an answer that could hurt his people he would lie. If he got caught he would take whatever punishment the man had in mind. He would not break no matter what, he would protect his people.
"We'll start with an easy one." Jesus smiled holding up a slice of peach. "What's your name?"
"A-Aaron," he told him keeping eye contact.
"Very good." Jesus smiled placing the peach to Aaron's lips letting feeling them as they took the fruit. "Now, what were you before this?"
"I worked as an NGO," he told him after swallowing, noticing Jesus eyes on his throat making him shudder. "I would bring supplies to troops and people in need in battle zones."
"I see." Jesus nodded placing another slice to his lips. "And what did you do for your community?"
"I was a runner." he informed. "I would bring supplies to my people. I would go out and find people and bring them back if I thought they were a good fit. And I would go out and try and find other communities to create a sort of trading system with."
"And did you?" Jesus urged looking keen. "Did you find other communities?"
He hesitated.
"No."
The smile fell from the saviors face, and he placed the peach back on the plate. He stood dusting himself off and walked over to the wall out of Aaron's sight. He couldn't see what he was doing but he could hear it. He could tell he had grabbed something heavy, his footsteps where heavier. He thudded rather that pattered. Aaron gritting his teeth, closed his eyes and prepared for the worst.
TING!
"AAAAHHHHHH!" Aaron cried as the nail was slammed a few more inches down into the post and his hands.
"I asked you not to lie." Jesus murmured grabbing the plate and heading for the door. "I'll be back in the morning with breakfast. We'll continue then. But for now, I believe you need some time to think about your place here."
He watched through blurry eyes as Jesus left and a woman came in a second latter slamming the door shut behind her, wooden switch in her hand and a sadistic smile on her lips.
"Just breath," he told himself. "Focus, you're going to be okay. You will not break. You can't break. You have to live, for Eric. You will be okay."
The next day went over the same way. The devoted followers would beat the shit out of him, keeping him awake at all times. Then Jesus would come in and ask him questions and fed him. Whenever he was caught in a lie the savior would wedge the nail deeper. And so far he hasn't got away with a single lie. And as the day went on, it was harder to keep resisting. He was so tired, and he was sure that if he told Jesus everything he wanted then this would all be over and he could rest. But he wouldn't. He couldn't. Rick wouldn't. Daryl wouldn't have. Nor Glenn. He can't let them down. So he fought.
"GRAAAAH!"
It was dinner time, and Aaron has almost made it through a whole plate before he had to lie. Jesus, of course, saw right through it. Just like all the other times.
"Can't you see this is getting you nowhere?" Jesus sighed putting the hammer back. "Make it easier on yourself, just let me have your mind, body and soul."
If Aaron was a more sarcastic man, he would have made a joke about how gay that sounded. But he didn't. He curled in on himself as best as he could and remained silent, biting his lip to keep from sobbing.
Jesus sighed again.
"I'll be back tomorrow," he told him. "By then I hope you will become a little a little more cooperative."
Another sleepless night. And now he was starting to get irritated. He knew this was part of Jesus's plan. Weaken his defenses and make it easier to brainwash him. He knew that he couldn't let himself fall for all this. But it was one thing to say you won't break and another to actually do it.
That night he had been whipped over a dozen times. It was too much. He needed sleep. He kept dozing. It was almost to the point where he could sleep right through the beating. But that only made his guards hit harder and more frequently. By the time the sun was rising, his eyes were crimson with dryness, and the skin under them was purple. He had started shaking at some point. Sitting too long was messing with his nerves. And his hands were finally scabbing. He had to keep his face leaned against the post, facing the wall so his captors could see that he wasn't asleep. But even then he would still get struck. If his eyes were closed for too long;
CRACK!
"Fucking stop already!" He cried out, jerking back and aggravating his hands.
"Enough." they all turned to door find Jesus standing there, plate in hand, eyes as piercing as ever. "Out."
The guard nodded and sauntered to the door not sparing Aaron another look.
"Whatever you're going to do," Aaron snarled. "Just do it already. Get it over with, you fucking psycho."
Jesus paused at this, kneeling down and taking Aaron chin in his iron grip. He stared at him. Turning his face this way and that before smiling.
"I think you're almost ready." he grinned setting the plate down and taking something out of his pocket.
"I won't help you hurt my people." Aaron growled, back to leaning on the post.
"I don't want to hurt them." Jesus assured, standing and setting whatever he had on a table. "I want to lead them."
There was an FWICK and light letting Aaron know that Jesus had just lit a match. When he stepped away from the table he could see that there was a white candle now.
"Ha." Aaron barked. "The torture isn't working so you think romancing with me candles will work? Maybe you should check your own sins."
Jesus didn't seem perturbed by this outburst. In fact, he seemed to expect it. He had done this to countless others, so he had probably heard all this before. He sauntered back and settled in front of Aaron holding up and apple slice. Aaron instantly scrunched up his nose.
"Now what's that face for?" he asked tilting his head. "Aren't you hungry?"
"I don't like apples." Aaron gritted.
"I see." Jesus nodded taking a bit of the apple himself, contemplating while he chewed. "Anything else you don't like so I know not to bring it?"
"What's the point?" Aaron growled. "You don't really care. I'm just a tool for you so you can have your way."
"That is a bit untrue." Jesus shrugged. "I would rather have you as one of my closest confidants."
"Why? To make yourself look like less of a monster to my people."
"In a way." He nodded."And you intrigue me. You don't strike me as a mindless sheep. I wouldn't mind having that around."
"So you want me to not be mindless, but you want me to follow you without any question?" he laughed at that. "That's a bit of a contradiction isn't it?"
"Perhaps." Jesus shrugged. "But it is going to happen. One way or another."
At this, Aaron leaned closer so he could hiss in the Savior's face.
"Not gonna happen."
Jesus only smiled and nodded.
"Take the bread at least." He urged holding up the bread slice to Aaron.
Grudgingly he did as he was told. Not looking at the other while he did. They didn't talk after that. Jesus just watched while he ate then stood when he was done. He thought that the man would just go away and leave him to misery but no. Instead, he went somewhere behind Aaron. And he knew what that meant.
"What are you doing?" he demanded trying to see where Jesus was. "Why." he cried. "I didn't lie."
"You refused my offerings." Jesus informed.
"I already told you, I don't like apples."
"Yes, but to refuse an offering from the lord is foremost rude."
"No wait please!" Aaron begged as he watched the hammer swing down. "No, don't, you can't-TING- GAAAAHHH!"
"I will see you later tonight." Jesus assured. "Get some rest till then."
Aaron wanted to scream about how that was impossible, but something caught his eye just then. His new guard was wearing a bandana. He stared at him for a minute trying to understand why. Maybe it was just a fashion choice. But then a scent wafted across his face as the door slammed shut and he remembered the candle. He looked over at it and began to understand.
"Son of a bitch." he gritted.
That candle had to have something special in it. Something to lower his defenses. And he had no way of blocking it out.
"Goddamnit." he thumped his head against the post, closing his eyes. CRACK! "MOTHER FUCKER!"
"Language." The guard tutted, flicking his wrist and giving Aaron another CRACK.
For the rest of the day, Aaron was straight up delusional. Not because of the candle- that seemed to have no effect on him at the moment- but because he was exhausted. He kept talking to people that weren't there. He would beg his mother to stop. Speak softly to little African children that were afraid of him. Yell at the assholes that tried to hurt him and his people. He would call Jesus some awful names that always got him a whipping. And he would talk to Eric.
It was when he started doing this that Jesus showed back up. It was late in the night. Perhaps early morning and he had finally decided that Aaron needed some food.
"Eric?"
He paused watching Aaron for a moment.
"Eric is that you?" Aaron's eyes were swollen from sleep depravity, his skin taut and pale, and yet he smiled like he had finally seen the sun. "Eric?"
"No." Jesus told him kneeling. "I am not Eric. But who is Eric?"
Aaron's face fell for only second, lifting once again at the idea of being able to talk about the man he loved so much.
"He's the best." he chuckled, almost like he was drunk. "He is the love of my life."
Jesus frowned at this. This could cause an issue in his plans. But still, Aaron seemed to be becoming more susceptible so perhaps he could work this to his favor.
"I see." he nodded. "But then where is he now?"
"What?"
"Well if he's the love of your life, then I'm assuming you're his. So then where is he? Why has he not come to see you?"
Aaron paused at this. Somewhere deep down he had known that this was bullshit. But in his sleep-deprived state, he did begin to wonder the same thing.
"I... " he swallowed. "I don't know."
"Well, that's just sad." Jesus sighed. "He seemed to have you believing in a fantasy. Otherwise, he would be here."
"But…"
"Aaron," Jesus hushed leaning so he was once again caressing Aaron's ear with a whisper. "You don't need anyone else, but me. I will lead you on the right path. I will keep and protect you. You can only trust me."
Aaron wanted to protest, but Jesus's voice was so soothing, and the room smelt so good. It lulled him into a false rest filling his head with all kinds of nonsense that, moment, in his exhausted state, made sense.
They went at it for hours. Just hushed whispers and quite hums. Till finally, Jesus pulled away. He quietly fed Aaron then left without even driving the nail further down. It was peaceful for a moment. One blissful moment where he could fall asleep.
CRACK!
And then the moment was ruined.
The next day Jesus had spent mostly with Aaron, whispering in his ears and feeding him fruit and bread. Then left him to the horrors on his guards. The only time Aaron was safe it seemed was with Jesus.
And the savior knew it.
The next day when he came, Jesus was beaming at the half-dead man before him.
"Don't leave." Aaron murmured hoarsely. "Please."
This only made Jesus's grin larger.
"I think you're finally ready for the next stage in your training." He soothed running his hand through Aaron's hair. "But first, you must take communion, I imagine you must be thirsty."
With slow and deliberate movements, Jesus produced a knife from his belt as Aaron watched him press the blade his palm. Jesus smiled kindly as he held his fist above Aaron's head, making the man look up. Squeezing his fist, three drops dripped onto Aaron's cheek, then two on his lips. For a man of immense thirst, this was salvation. His tongue slipped from his mouth lapping at the life substance greedily then turning his face up to catch the falling drops. Jesus watched him for a moment before pulling his hand away much to the despair of Aaron.
"You're ready." Jesus cooed. "But first you need rest."
Aaron screamed when they pulled the nail through but then fell into blissful oblivion as he was dragged away. Not sure where he was going and not caring. As long as Jesus was there he would be safe.
Sooner than most thought the end of the month came, the time of the tithe was upon them. With antsy minds, the Alexandrians began their journey to Eden- that's what Jesus had written on the map- home of the devout and their deity. They took a team of five; Rick, Carl, Michonne, Abraham, and Eric. They had originally planned on bringing Sasha but Eric insisted on coming for obvious reasons. So she stayed behind with Rosita and kept their people going and safe. Not a wise idea in Abraham's opinion, but Rick had faith that the girls wouldn't make trouble with one another. If Alexandria was still standing when they got back they would know who was right.
It took them nearly three hours to finally find the place.
It was once, before the world reverted to it Darwinistic state, a convent. A place for those who devoted their entire beings to god. It now served as a home for a false messiah and his followers.
"Remember," Rick hissed to them. "We're scoping the place out. We need to know what we're dealing with before we try anything. Otherwise, we'll just be endangering Aaron." He gave Eric a pointed look at this, before turning back to Eden. "We play by there rules for now, till we know the situation with Aaron."
They all nodded and followed their fearless leader into the enemies den.
It had surprised them that there were not many walkers around, but as soon as they got close enough to the front door they saw why. There were rows and rows of dead and undead bodies strung up on crosses emitting an acrid stench. Any walker within a ten-mile radius would smell it and believe that there was nothing alive here. There was no guard at the door so they walked up, glanced at one another confused, then Rick knocked.
The door opened after a second to reveal an average man with an unaverage face.
"Alexandria?" he asked to which Rick nodded. "You're late."
The man with the half burnt face ushered them through the door and led them through the lobby into an office where two other groups were. Rick stared at them for a moment realizing that these were people from other communities. Jesus had a far reach it seemed, but it may very well be his downfall.
"Set your stuff here." the man told them. "I'll check it to make sure it's acceptable."
"And you are?" Rick asked raising a brow.
"Dwight." the man answered rifling through their supplies.
"Well, Dwight, can I ask you something?"
"You can ask all the questions you want, doesn't mean I'll answer."
"Did Jesus do that to your face?"
Dwight froze at this. It had definitely caught him off guard, perhaps no one had the courage to ask that question. Or had been rude enough. Still, Rick needed something to keep Dwight talking while his people surveyed the area.
"No." finally Dwight answered, keeping his eyes down.
"Who did?"
"...This man I used to work for, Negan."
"Why did he do that to you."
"Because he was crazy." Dwight spat. "He took my wife from me then punished me with the iron when I tried to see her."
"Did you run away?"
"No." at this Dwight smiled, a wistful dreamy smile. "One day, Negan's right hand Simon brought in Jesus to work. Jesus wouldn't bow before Negan and when Nagan confronted him, Jesus killed him. He saves all of us. But many were still loyal to Negan. So after a few months of Jesus being in charged, he saw that it was time to weed out the non-believers. So he tested us." he held up his hands at that so they all could see the circular scars on them. "We had to be tested the same way he was. He nailed our hands to a post and questioned us. The true devout were set free while the Judas's were killed and used as our guard. Even in death, they serve our Lord and savior."
Rick glanced back at the front door connecting the dots.
"I see he nodded."
"Where is Aaron?!" Eric suddenly accosted stepping up to Dwight.
Dwight sized up the man, his serene smile tightened into a thin line.
"He is with our savior." he answered. "He is safe."
"I want to see him." Eric insisted.
"Eric." Rick warned.
"That is not my call."
"Well, then whose is it?"
"Our lords."
"Then get him out here." Eric roared losing patients. "He should be here anyway to accept our offerings. Where is he?"
"He is not to be disturbed." Dwight snarled.
"I am not leaving until I see Aaron!"
"Eric, enough." Rick ordered.
"No!" Eric rounded on Rick pushing him back. "You go get Jesus and tell him I want to see my boyfriend."
There was a sudden sorrow to Dwight's eyes as if he sensed a coming tragedy and he nodded.
"I'll get him." he told Eric, empathy thick in his tone. "But I warn you, you'll regret this."
And with that, he scurried through the door and up a flight of stairs.
"Eric." Rick hissed gripping the other man's arm. "This wasn't the plan."
"Back off Rick." Eric hissed back. "I doubt that if it were Michonne or Carl here you would bite your tongue."
"This could have put Aaron in more danger." Michonne urged. "He may hurt Aaron just because we disobeyed."
Eric only had a second to look regretful before Dwight was back.
"He'll see you." he told them, then looked to the other groups. "All of you. Follow me."
Quiet and apprehensive, they followed him down a long hallway lined with brightly lit stained glass windows till they reached the chapel. Standing at the front, with more than nine dozen men flacking his sides was across looking, Jesus. All his men were on one knee, their heads bowed, some wearing hoods, with their rifles, bows and melee weapons sat vertically before them. Their hands placed one on top of the other atop them. There was a man, kneeling right beside him shirtless and scared, but filled out. He wore a hood as well so that all they could see was his nose and mouth. Dwight led them right to the edge of the platform which Jesus stood then went to join his people becoming another kneeling devout in a crowd of saints.
Jesus glared at them for a moment, eyeing each one of them with a disdain he showed no sign of possessing in that clearing.
"Which one of you was the one to demand an audience with me, on this our holy day?" he hissed. "This day, for which the lord demand we rest. Which one of you is so disrespectful?"
Rick glanced to Eric, before looking back up to Jesus.
"We didn't know." he told him. "He wasn't aware that today was a holy one."
"The crime has already been committed." Jesus spat, gripping his whip so hard his knuckles turned white while the other hand gripped at a new hammer at his belt. "Punishment will be dealt. Who did it?"
Not even taking a second glance Rick's way, Eric strode forward so he was standing tall and undaunted before Jesus.
"I was the one who wanted to see you." He told him.
"Eric!" Rick gritted gripping his shoulder.
"You're flock don't seem to listen well." Jesus told Rick. "They need another lesson in obedience."
"No." Rick looked pale now. "No, I'll make them understand. You don't have to do that again."
"But I do." Jesus now looked mournful. "Choose Shepard. Which of your flock will serve as the example?"
"No," Rick wanted to argue, but Eric pushed him aside once again.
"I'll do it." He told the false prophet, he knew what he was saying but he also knew that he couldn't let someone die for his brash behavior. "I'm the one who offended you, so it should be me."
"No!" This seemed to be all Rick could say. "Eric, get back. We can talk this out."
"A noble act." Jesus smiled, seeming pleased with this development. "To save your people from your sins. I do think my father will see this and let you through his gates."
"Jesus please." Rick begged.
"Silence." Jesus hissed.
"But, before you do it." Eric spoke up, his own smile watery as tears slipped down his cheeks. "Can I make one final request."
Jesus glared at this.
"It doesn't do to fall to greed, my son." He told the blonde.
"Please…" Eric whimpered. "Just let me see Aaron, just let me feel his arms around me one last time. One last time, please."
The smile was back, though now it was cruel and sadistic.
"Very well." Jesus agreed placing a hand on the hooded man next to him. "Aaron," he said lowly so no one could hear. "I do this with Kindness."
CRACK!
The whip lashed across the man's shoulder as Jesus lifted the hood. No one really understood what happened, there was a fleshy blur that darted across the platform then launched itself on Eric. And that was when they saw what, or who it was.
It was Aaron.
The man barely resembled the calm collected man they had grown so close to. He was filled out in the arms, and marred beyond belief. His eyes were bloodshot, his pupils barely seeable dots. And his teeth… his former family members starred in horror as he used his knew filed teeth to lean down biting into Eric's shoulder and tear the flesh free. Eric's screams were haunting as yet again Aaron embedded his pointed teeth into his former lover's chest and tore.
"AARON, STOP!" Rick cried rushing forward.
CRACK.
With a started cry, Rick backed away, clutching at his face as it bled. Jesus stood before him, whip raised as if daring him to try it again.
"Rick." Michonne urged coming to his side, her face was frozen in terror.
When Jesus was sure Rick or the others wouldn't try anything he backed away so they could see the gore before them. The worst of it is when Aaron savagely latched onto Eric's throat cutting off the man's screams. He ripped the flesh, his head flying back as he spat the meat out. Eric gurgled and stared, eyes watering as the man he once loved, this monster before him leaned down so his lips caressed Eric's ear.
"Where were, you." he rasped harshly making Eric cry all the harder but silent all the same.
It wasn't until Eric's sloppy gurgles died away to silence that Jesus finally called Aaron off.
"Enough." he called, freeing the hammer from his belt and slamming against the metal end of Kindness. TING!
The brutality instantly stopped. Aaron frozen, images of nails and hammers, whips and whispers flashing before his mind before he composed himself and crawled on all fours back to Jesus, kneeling at his feet. Jesus gave him a gentle smile, and a soothing stroke of the head before looking back to Rick and the others. Most of them were shaking, others were crying, but the sheriff's deputy himself was glaring. Blood running down his face from the three slash marks of the whip. Jesus knew those would leave scars and that pleased him. Let it serve as a reminder to the man he served.
"I hope this time the lesson was received." He told them, still petting Aaron. "By the end of next month, I expect your offerings. Now go."
Jerkily Michonne forces both Carl and Rick out as Abraham covers their back, glaring all the while at the mad messiah. The other groups had begun to rush out the door as soon as Jesus's order left his lips. They all ended up trekking back to their vehicles in silence. That is until they reached them.
"You're new." a tall frowning man asked them.
"Yes." Michonne nodded.
"And that man in there, the one that tore the other to pieces, he's one of you?"
"He was." Abraham said.
"You see." the man turned to the others. "If we don't do something, don't convince Gregory and the King to act, that could be any one of our people. He turned that man into a monster. We need to end this."
At this Rick's spirits rose.
"You want to plan a revolt?" he drawled stepping closer to the man.
"A few of us." the man agreed. "But our leaders, they're the ones that need convincing."
"I'll convince them." Rick promised with a shrug. "I'm not letting that bastard kill another of my men. I've already lost four. Five if you include Aaron."
"We haven't lost any." the man informed. "The King didn't want to lose any of our people and there were fifty of them."
"He sounds like a good man." Rick nodded. "In all honesty, I wish I hadn't been so prideful when I met Jesus. My people didn't have to die for that."
The man gave him a sad nod then held out his hand.
"I'm Richard, I'm from the Kingdom." Richard introduced himself.
"Rick Grimes." Rick took his hand and gave it a hearty shake. "We're from Alexandria safe zone."
"Aden." another man said holding out his hand. "I'm from Hilltop. These bastards killed three of our people and scare the shit out of the rest. I would love to help in whatever way I can."
Rick took his hand and offered another smile.
"Well," he smirked. "Gentlemen, take us to your leaders."
Another month passed, and the Alexandrians didn't waste a single second of it. They had met with the other communities on a regular basis talking about their next plan of attack. Gregory- the leader of Hilltop- seemed less than enthused. But he wasn't a true leader so his people didn't really follow his lead. With some work, they all became decent enough fighters all right under Gregory's bulbous nose. Every day they would get together or at least check in with the other communities and either plan or train. It was all going according to plan.
Soon enough the end of the month came and one by one, the communities arrived at Eden looking innocent and unassuming- Hilltop had Gregory locked up so he couldn't sabotage this. And one by one they gathered in the office just as last time.
"Is this to your liking?" Rick asked Dwight as he rifled through all the supplies.
"Seems so." Dwight nodded looking back up to Rick. "There will be no disturbances like last time I trust."
"Nah." Rick smirked. "But you are going to die today."
With that, everyone from the communities dropped to the ground and covered their heads as the windows suddenly shattered with thousands of bullets raining through like hail. Dwight's body jerked this way and that before the raining fire stopped and he fell dead. The commotion, of course, brought more Devouts and the storm start once more. Except this time it wasn't just targeting the first floor. There were shooters outside aiming at all the floors from trucks and tree just a few yards away. Glass went everywhere, there were screams and cries as the Devouts tried to take cover and got hit. This went on for three minutes then suddenly stopped. Glancing around Rick motioned for his people to get up and loot all the dead mean in the halls and office.
"Get their brains." He told them pulling out his own knife. "We don't need more problems." Looking out the window he nodded then turned back to everyone else. "Half of the group from outside are heading here with Ezekiel to back us up while the rest are staying out there to watch for walkers and take care of any issues there might be. Now, remember we are here for Jesus. We kill him and this whole operation goes up in flames. But if someone tries to kill you, you kill them first. Alright, let's move."
With subtle nods and tense postures, they followed him into the halls and up the stairs. The place was five stories tall and they assumed that Jesus would be at the top. So that was where they were going. But the sudden screams from their rear had them pausing.
"Don't falter." Rick told them aiming his rifle at the threat only to pause. "Shit."
"Aaron?" Rosita cried watching as their friend launched at another survivor ripping out their jugular with a pair of clawed gauntlets.
"Oh my god." Sasha murmured.
"Abraham." Rick called. "You and come of the others stay here and try to subdue him. Don't kill him."
"We'll do out damndest." Abraham nodded.
But before Rick and the others could move on, a hail of bullets started to rain upon them again.
"Shit!" Rick gritted. "Michonne, Carl, stay behind with a few others and cover Abraham."
"Dad-"
"Stay here." Rick urged looking them both in the eye. "I need you here, help Abraham."
They glance at one another before looking back to Rick and nodded. He nodded back than motioned for some of the group to follow him. They had barely gotten the firefight out of earshot when someone called out.
"I just saw Jesus running down those steps!"
Without hesitation Rick followed them down the steps, clearly hearing the man in front of them. He was almost positive that Jesus was scared and trying to make a break for it. Leaving his people behind like a coward hoping they would distract Rick and the others long enough for him to escape. Rick was sure of this. So he followed blindly into the basement and paused.
The basement had been cleared except for a bunch of storage lockers. It was dark and no one could see if Jesus was there. Rick motioned for them to follow him as they crept further into the room checking around the lockers to see if Jesus was hiding behind them.
EEEEP!
The sound had them all freezing in their place as it reverberated off the walls. The lockers gave a sudden chorus of bangs and slams as something inside started to writhe against the walls and doors.
"God had promised the end of the world." Jesus's voice bounced off the walls, graveled through a speaker. "And in the end times, he promised that the dead would rise. The resurrected are gifts from our father. Relish in his gift and let him receive you to hell."
With a crash, the lockers opened revealing walkers by the hundreds.
Chaos broke out then. People screamed and cried in fear as they randomly shot their guns shooting allies as well as foes creating more foes. Others were brought down within seconds and slowly ripped apart as they pleaded for the help of their allies.
"Don't break formation." Rick ordered desperately over the cries. "Stay together."
But his commands were lost on everyone as they continued down their doomed paths. Rick fought his way back towards the door killing any walker that got to close with ease and pushing humans out of the way. Finally, he made it back to the door and took a moment to catch his breath. And that was when he saw him. Jesus was staring at him from atop the stairs before taking off. With a growl, Rick tore off after him. He followed the self-proclaimed savior through halls and rooms till he finally hit a dead end but Jesus wasn't there.
SLAM!
Spinning on his heel, rifle raised he found the man leaning against the wall, hand still on the door.
"Is this what you wanted?" Jesus asked shrugging off the wall and beginning to circle the sheriff's deputy. "The death of so many of you comrades? Their screams and cries of pain? Their blood on your hands?"
"This isn't on me." Rick snarled following the man with the barrel of his gun. "You started this. We didn't do anything to you or your people. You just had to leave us alone. But no, no instead you made us kill one of ours, killed my brother, took my hand, scared my face and turned a man into a monster so that he would kill the person he loved. You are a threat, you are too dangerous to let live. This ends today."
Jesus paused then.
"You're right." he agreed. "This does end today."
Rick pulled the trigger, Jesus dropped to the ground throwing his leg out and sending the other man sprawling on his back. Getting back up Jesus pulled out his hammer and whip advancing on the leader. Rick wasted no time rolling out of the way as Jesus brought the hammer down then aimed his gun again taking the shot. The bullet embedded itself in Jesus's arm making the man cry out. Rick backed up taking aim again, but Jesus was faster. He zigzagged out of the way, using the wall to launch himself above Rick landing a solid kick to his temple. From there it was only too easy for the Messiah to stomped forward kicking the rifle out of reach, then place a foot on Rick's throat and press.
"You may be a shepherd," He started watching as the man feebly grappled at his boot. "But you are a danger to your flock. You will only lead them down a path of sin. Perhaps you were right before. Perhaps you were the sinner all along. Perhaps I should have spared that boy. Or maybe… you're all sinners and I was just hoping that you could be saved."
"Fuck you." Rick gurgled making Jesus frown deeper.
"Sinners…" he breathed pressing his foot harder. "All sinners."
He eased his boot ever so slightly off Rick's neck only to slam it down as hard as possible snapping it. Jesus watched then as the light slowly faded from his eyes, a worthy adversary indeed. But he wasn't done, there were still others that must be dealt with.
It turned out that the survivors out in the trees and trucks were overrun by Devouts almost as soon as they stopped firing. Ezekiel wanted no death on their side so he ordered them to lay down their weapons. They were then marched back to Eden and herded before the doors. Michonne and Abraham's groups were subdued as well and forced outside with the others. They waited for what seemed light hours, Aaron growling and pacing before them while the rest of the Devout kept their guns trained on them. Michonne and Carl kept fidgeting as the minutes without Rick ticked by. Finally, after a while, they could make out the misshapen form of some carrying a body through the doors.
There was a split second of hope for the Alexandrians only to be drained from them as Jesus stepped through and threw Rick's corps at his feet.
"NO!" Michonne screamed covering her mouth as tears streamed past her cheeks.
Carl started in shock, his mouth hanging open but no sound coming out. That just couldn't be his dad. His dad was strong. His dad survived everything. There wasn't anything in this world that could kill him… right?
"You nut sucking wanna-be messiah." Abraham snarled jumping to his feet and charging. "RAAAAAHH!"
Jesus was really started to become weary of this. No matter what these people just didn't understand. Barely batting an eye Jesus sidestepped Abraham's charge then brought Kindness across his face like his did Rick a month ago. Abraham cried out, clutching at his eyes as they bleed freely.
"ABRAHAM!" Sasha screamed fighting her captures.
"NO! DON'T HURT HIM!" Rosita cried.
But the counter-attack didn't stop there. With one swift motion, Jesus nudged Abraham to the ground then stomped his boot hard on his shoulder creating a satisfying CRACK.
"AAAAH!" Michonne screamed grabbing her sword- which for some reason no one seemed to think was a good idea to take away- and aiming it for Jesus's chest.
But this did not bother the messiah. He simply sidestepped her then grabbed her wrists bringing her to the ground. Then before she had time to collect herself he brought down the heel of his boot to the small of her back. She felt the bottom half of her body go numb. He couldn't feel her legs. But it was more like they fell asleep rather than she lost them. She still had a chance. Desperately she reached for her sword which had landed just out of her reach. She grappled at the ground feebly letting her rage and sorrow cloud her mind. But it was useless, she just couldn't get a hold of the hilt. But someone else could. Jesus stooped down and grasped her sword making her grit her teeth. He didn't even spare her a soothing glance as he stood, stepped back, then plunged the sword into her back and through her chest. He gave a strangled cry, a few whimpers of pain then was dead.
Carl slumped where he sat then. Not even the death of his best friend could knock him back to his confident self sufficient self. Now it just seemed he didn't have anyone. He was alone in a world so messed up that the dead were eating people and his father and best friend- the Rick Grimes and Michonne- couldn't kill the monster before him. No one could.
"GRAAAA-!" Abraham screamed only for it to be cut off as a chain suddenly wrapped about his neck.
The chain pulled, dragging him across the ground. He coughed and gasped as he went. Reaching around wildly for anything that could help him. All in vain. He finally stopped, but the chain was still pulling just as tight. But it was moving. Looking up he saw why. Aaron was manipulating the chain so that it remained tight around Abraham's neck while the animal man came to kneel at his side. Growling and snarling, Aaron slashed his gauntlet claw across Abraham's belly, cutting deep enough to expose organs. Abraham's screams where gurgled and gasping as Aaron reached inside him and began clawing at his insides reaching for something in his chest. Then he got it. Abraham's gurgles where silenced instantly as pain he had never known raced through his veins. With a harsh pull, Aaron ripped the still-beating heart from Abraham's chest. He let the redhead see it for a moment before he dug his claws in and crushed the life-bearing organ. Abraham gave one last gasp before his head lolled to the side and he was dead. But still, Aaron was going for another dive through the man's body. Not seeing the point in mindless mutilation at the moment, Jesus knocked the hammer against kindness.
TING!
Aaron froze, looking down and away from Abraham biting his lip.
"By the door, now." Jesus ordered pointing with Kindness.
Deftly, Aaron did as he was told and slumped against the wall by the door sudden exhaustion racking his body making him breathe harshly.
The wailing of the other woman was grating on Jesus's already frayed nerves. He looked over his shoulder at his at the other captives and nodded.
Before Sasha or Rosita where able to pull themselves from their grief, a blade was pressed to their throats and thrust in. The knives went so deep they almost touched bone. The girls coughed on their blood before slumping forward and dying in a slow agonizing drowning way. Their faces morphed into fear, their eyes searching for salvation anywhere. But they won't receive any, not yet anyway, not for a few more minutes.
Jesus watched this with a sick sense of pride. Even this little revolution wasn't enough to bring him down. A true sign that he is doing God's work. But something made him pause in his inner boasting. The man that was holding the boy, the shepherd's son, he was supposed to kill the boy as well. But he didn't. Instead, he froze looking to Jesus pleadingly.
"My lord." the man murmured. "He's a boy. Surely he could be spared."
"He is nearly a man." Jesus informed now turning fully to glare at his soldier, the weariness of the day wearing on him more and more by the minute. "Certainly old enough to make decisions for himself. He is a threat."
"He's a boy." the Devout insisted. "Please, just give him a chance."
Jesus looked from his soldier to the boy then sighed. He strode before the boy and kneeled so he was eye level.
"Look at me boy." he ordered.
It took a minute but eventually, Carl looked up to Jesus with cold dead eyes. Jesus studied him for a minute. Then, with a sad frown, he made his decision.
"You're already dead aren't you boy?"
Carl didn't answer. Which was all the answer Jesus needed. He stood then grabbed Carl's shoulder and threw him before his dead father. His dead father who had started rising. They were all rising and all the survivors could do was watch in horror. Carl didn't seem to care. He did scream and cry out, but not once did he begged his father or best friend or any of the others to stop. He just lay there defeated and broken.
Tears ran down Aaron's face as he watched. For the first time in nearly two months, his mind was clear. He didn't know if it was that last TING of the hammer hitting Kindness or the fact that he was watching a child getting torn to pieces and eaten alive. He didn't know, and right then and there, he wished that he wasn't so clear. He couldn't even move. Didn't dare stand to help the boy, it was already too late anyway. He just couldn't move. Hearing Carl cry brought another voice to his head, one he could hear so clearly and wished to God he couldn't.
"Eric…" he whimpered too quiet for anyone to hear, as he pressed his hands to his ears futilely trying to block out the screams of his agonized lover.
"How could you?"
He knew that voice. Startled and worried he looked up to see father Gabriel pushing through the Alexandrians and against the devouts desperately.
"Can't you see this is all wrong." Gabriel pleaded. "This is not what God would want. Especially from his son. You have to see that what your doing is wrong."
Jesus examined this man carefully his eyes instantly falling on the white and black collar.
"Let him through." he told his people watching as Gabriel marched forward, a look of pure disapproval set in his face. "You are a man of God." it was an observation rather than a question. "Then you must have known that one day I would come back. That I would lead the people in time of apocalypse. I am here doing God's will."
"No." Gabriel urged. "You are not. God would never condone the death of good men and woman."
"These people were sinners." Jesus insisted, his friendly demeanor falling just the slightest. "They deserved this."
"What sins had they committed?"
"Pride." Jesus spat. "They believed themselves better than any other. They believed themselves better than the son of God."
"What man or woman is without sin?" Gabriel said softly. "We confess and learn from our sins. But if you kill them they won't learn. Don't you see? This may be God resetting the world for the better, but you are not our messiah. You can't be with all the death in your wake."
Jesus clenched his jaw then, his glare a piercing blue fire.
"You are a man of God, but you have been lead down Satan's path." He informed gripping his whip. "Repent now, profess your love for me and promise to serve me and my father and you will be forgiven."
Gabriel's eyes looked all the sadder at hearing this. He shook his head and fell to his knees as if to pray. But he did not take his eyes off Jesus.
"I will always serve our Lord." Gabriel swore making Jesus smile. "But I will never serve a false prophet. If I am to die this day, then it is with the knowledge that I never betrayed my true lord."
Jesus gritted his teeth at this, his grip on his hammer growing all the tighter.
"Then be received by my father and beg his forgiveness." He growled raising the hammer high and bringing it down on Gabriel's skull with one sickening CRACK!
Gabriel's eyes rolled back into his head and as Jesus pulled the tool-free he slumped to the side starting with the whites of his eyes, staring right at Aaron.
"Get them all on crosses." Jesus ordered his people, looking to the walkers still feasting on the boy who now lay silent. Then he looked to the other survivors. "I understand why you all did this." His voice boomed. "I also know you would never have tried had it not been for these devil sent sinners. You think me a tyrant. And perhaps I am. But the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Cut the flesh away for it would damn you. These people-" he pointed to where his men were rounding up Rick and the others- "Were sent by Satan to put you on the path of destruction. I will love you, but I will not coddle you. Now go home, bring the next tithe at the end of the month. Never question my role again. Follow the commandments. No harm will come to you or yours if you do so. Now go."
Ezekiel was the first to make his people go. He had already lost Richard and a few other foolhardy of his people, he was not willing to lose more. The Hilltop followed shortly after. They weren't fighters to begin with. They had no business with this. Jesus didn't bother them that much anyway. They could live with this. The Alexandrians on the other hand… they lingered, watching as their leader was forced to a cross and nailed to it. They didn't know what to do. Without Rick Grimes and the rest, they were without fire. It died with them. It was almost as if the drive of Rick was what had them becoming more than what they had started out as. Now… now they were reverting.
"Go home." Jesus growled.
And they did, in a way just thankful they were still alive and that they still had some semblance of leadership. They would work out who would lead the community when they got back, perhaps Spencer seeing as his family lead before Rick got there. One thing was for sure, they would never rise against Jesus again.
Everyone was gone, all that was left was the Devout, Jesus and Aaron.
Aaron who had stopped shaking now.
Aaron who had stopped crying.
Aaron who had had enough of this.
"I won't let you get away with this." he hissed glaring at Jesus. "You made me kill my lover. My friends. You killed Rick and Daryl… I'm going to kill you."
Jesus was watching peacefully as the corpses were placed as guards around the perimeter. Watched as his would be enemies suffered their eternity in hell. He truly believed that their souls were still in there. That they were trapped in endless torture. Hell was no longer where you couldn't see it anymore. It was here. It was the walkers. It was their penance.
He was so caught up in his thoughts that he barely noticed the person behind his with nefarious intent. Yet his reflexes proved to be the topmost perfect as he dodged the dagger-like weapon, rounded on the assailant and forced him to the nearest wall. Without thinking he pulled his knife from his sheath and plunged it into Aaron's abdomen.
He stared for a moment, perplexed at the events that had just unfolded before him.
"Aaron?" he wondered. "Why?"
Aaron gasped, clutching at Jesus's wrist but keeping his determined glare.
"You- cough- you di-din't bre… break me." he managed to get out, his voice rasping with effort.
Jesus's eyes softened then, but it was a cruel kind of softness. Pity rather than compassion. As if he were looking at something with an extreme lack of intelligence.
"But you wrong." Jesus assured gently angling the knife and pushing up. "I did break you. That's why you did what you did. You were mine. And even in death, you will still be mine."
Aaron had a second to look utterly mortified before the blade found his heart and he passed out from the pain. It wouldn't be long before he was dead. And then he would serve a new purpose.
One of the Devout, having seen all this, saw it was time to collect the body.
"Do you want us to put this one on a cross as well? Or should I place it in the basement?" He asked glaring down at Aaron, this man had been so close to their lord, their Lord had shown him affection, yet he saw fit to attack the savior. Utterly revolting.
"No." Jesus hummed picking up the chain Aaron had used to drag Abraham. A twisted smile on his face. "I have a better idea."
A month went by in a flash and the communities came back with their tithes. No plans of revolt this time, only survival supplies. They approached the wall of crucified walkers not wanting to spare them a glance. But a sudden growling accompanied by the rattle of chains had them looking up in time to see a walker in a mask pulling uselessly at it chain reaching clawed hands at them. The Alexandrians knew this man. Even with the dog mask and dead eyes, they knew him. It seemed that Jesus needed a guard dog, and it seemed he got one.
"Poor Aaron."
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