Hey anyone who's reading!
Thanks for stopping by my story to check it out! This isn't my first time writing fanfiction but it is my first Walking Dead fic so hopefully, this is up to par with what everyone else writes for this fandom :)
Okay, so this story is set in a world where the group, Rick, Glenn, Michonne, Maggie, etc., have taken over Terminus. They decided to stay and run the place for themselves. I don't read the graphic novels so if that's what happens I had no idea when I was writing this.
Anyways, this chapter is right before Glenn and Maggie's anniversary.
If I have some of my facts wrong or something then let me know and I'll try to fix it. Again, since I only watch the show, I only know the things from that world.
I hope you enjoy! Thanks for reading!
We. All. Got. Jobs. To. Do.
~Maggie Rhee
"'Cause I know that time has numbered my days
And I'll go along with everything you say
But I'll ride home laughing, look at me now
The walls of my town, they come crumbling down"
-Babel.
-Mumford and Sons.
I'd learned how to tell time by watching the way the sunlight reflected off the trees. When the sun's beams are gold and turn the leaves vibrant, I knew it was about mid morning. This was the time Sasha and I went to the main building to train the others.
This was always long after Glenn had left our room and gone to take his shift watching the perimeter. He normally wakes me up to say goodbye when the sky is still gray and the air isn't quite crisp yet.
Ever since we'd conquered Terminus things had been okay. We'd found that the people who had been captured, like we had been, weren't entirely useless. Rick said that with certain training, from people like me, Sasha and anyone else from the prison, we could build a good enough army to expand the territory we'd claimed.
I knew why we were really training people though. When we had defeated the cannibals they'd warned us about another group similar to theirs. The Termites said the other groups would come to seek vengeance and take back Terminus. While I doubted this was true, Rick said we could never be too safe. I figured it was an empty threat. When people, who you thought would be your meal, are holding knives to your throats and guns to your head, you'll say anything to try to survive.
Once we'd managed to settle back into the routines we'd had at the prison, with a few changes of course, the council had been reinstated.
Glenn and Rick had been voted to share my father's spot as the two co-heads of the council, for which I was both glad and scared. People around here liked Glenn, and I could see why. He was very personable and made you feel safer than you actually were. That's why the council voted him to the head chair. He was the one to make announcements to the people here and had to help answer the hard questions that no one else wanted to. If anyone had a complaint or a problem with something they took it up with him. That's the part that scared me. Glenn couldn't satisfy everyone and I was worried that someone would come after him one day. I tried not to think about it too often. I was thankful Rick was his equal so he had someone to share the responsibility with.
When Glenn moved up, it left an extra spot open for Abraham to join and Michonne filled Carol's spot. I liked the group we had in place now. They were trustworthy people, all of them. However, it didn't make me miss my dad any less.
I walked across the main square to the building where Sasha and I taught our first class.
The class schedule went like this; Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays we trained with knives. Tuesdays and Thursdays we trained with guns. There weren't classes on weekends. Instead, one of the men who had been captured who was a pastor before things fell apart, held a sermon in the dining hall after breakfast on Sunday morning.
It was nice to know that people still had faith after all this. There were still people willing to turn to God even though we felt abandoned by him. It was comforting in a way. Hearing about the Lord reminded me of my dad. That's why it took so long for me to start going but after I went I was glad I did. I went with Glenn first and then Beth joined us. After some convincing, Beth even got Daryl to go. It was nice to have friends to spend time with on Sunday mornings.
"Okay guys," Sasha said once a good amount of people were in front of us. "Today, we're going to be teaching you where to aim for when you attack a walker."
"It's very important that you know where to stab at. A second try could cost you your life." I said.
"Now we all know, or should know, that when you're killing a walker you aim for the..." the group mumbled things about the brain and Sasha continued. "That's right. Good. However, you should always pin point one spot where the walker is most vulnerable."
"The easiest way to get through the skull, especially if you're not the strongest member of the group, is to go through a soft spot in what's left of their face." I added.
Sasha picked up a knife and flipped it between her fingers. "Maggie will you be my example?"
I smiled. "Of course." I walked over to her.
She motioned to my face as she spoke. "Unless you can clearly see an open gash on the side of the temple or forehead, then aim for the eyes." she pointed the blade towards my irises. "If that's not available, then the ear might also be a good spot to aim for." she said. "Another good thing to think about if the amount of force you put into your stab." she lifted her arm, knife in hand, above her head. I didn't flinch. "Make sure it's enough the puncture the-"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," I heard from the doorway. Sasha dropped her arm and I turned. Glenn was leaning against the frame looking very amused. "Could be a little more careful with my wife, please?"
Sasha smiled. "Could you interrupt my class a little less please?" she countered. "Another thing to remember, everyone, is to not let yourself get distracted from what's in front of you." she flung the knife towards Glenn. It flew past his head and stuck in the wall next to his ear.
He plucked it out of the dry wall. "That's a very important tip." he said. He tossed it back to Sasha and she caught it by the handle. "Maggie can I talk to you for a minute?" he asked.
I glanced at Sasha. She seemed to understand that I didn't want everyone to listen to what Glenn might say to me. Even though I didn't know what it was, I didn't want it to turn out to be important. If rumors started circulating folks might get mad and that's what I tried to avoid with Glenn.
Sasha nodded. "Okay guys, everyone sit down around me over here. We'll brush up on how to sharpen blades." She led the group over to a table in the corner that was farthest from Glenn and I.
"Aren't you supposed to be watching the fences?" I asked.
"Yeah but," He put his hand on my side and pulled me close to him. "I just wanted to say hi. Plus I got Carl to cover for me."
"Carl?" I asked. "He's, what, twelve?"
"Have you seen him? He's an animal. In a good way."
I shrugged. "Regardless," I craned my neck back to look into his eyes. "You interrupted Sasha to say hi? You're gutsy."
"Well I miss you that's all. You know with these job assignments I hardly get to see you before lights out and when I do we're both exhausted."
"Yeah I know." I said. "I miss you too."
"Well you know," he smiled. "Our anniversary is coming up."
"Another one? Already? Are you sure?"
"Yeah," he nodded. "I've been marking the days down pretty closely so I might be a few days off but that's all. According to what I've been keeping track of it should be tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" I asked and he nodded. "Well what did you have in mind?"
"Are you sure you're up to it?" he asked.
"As long as I'm with you." I smiled.
He grinned. "Try to find someone to cover your shift on the radio tomorrow night. I'll get someone to cover mine at the fences. We'll skip out on dinner and celebrate our own way."
I nodded. "Sounds amazing."
"I thought so too."
"Well, I better get back to class. I'll see you later tonight." I said.
"Yeah, I'll see you." he leaned in and kissed me on the cheek.
I watched him as he walked away. I couldn't believe how in love with him I was.
Maggie always had really horrible cramps when she's on her period. The first day is always the worst but the second is pretty bad too. She screams and moans in pain for hours. All I can ever do is hold her and run my fingers through her hair. I hate seeing her that way. She says that when I stay with her, though, it helps her through the pain. I wonder if that's really true or if it's because I always give her the pills she needs to feel better.
The last time I went on a run to Maggie medicine was before we left the prison. I'd been able to get quite a bit and it lasted a while but she took her last dose a month ago. If I'd been counting the days correctly then she was due for it soon and she would need the pills.
I made sure to always take Beth with me so I knew I was getting the right thing. She never seemed to mind going with me much, especially for those months when all she did was take care of Judith. Now that Judith is gone, though, she seems to be annoyed by my asking her to join me. I noticed that Daryl seemed annoyed too.
"I don't know why you need me to come with you every time." she said as we near a stop-n-go.
"I just want to make sure Maggie had what she needs. You know how she gets."
We stood on either side of the doorway. Beth opened the door and I make sure the first few feet are clear before I motion her into follow me.
We'd made it down a few isles before either of us spoke. "So Maggie said she thinks you're planning something special for your anniversary."
"She did huh?" I smirked.
A walker popped out from behind a shelf and I stepped aside so Beth could stab it. There was no need to waste a bullet on just one, especially when the sound might attract others.
I looked at her to make sure she wanted to proceed and she nodded. Maggie didn't give Beth enough credit for how strong she actually was. She turned out to be very useful when we went on runs and came close to walkers.
"It's these right?" I asked, holding up a pink box to Beth.
She smiled. "See? You didn't need my help after all."
I shrug. "I disagree." I glance down to the bloody walker and she seems to get what I'm saying. I picked up another two boxes of the same pills, happy that they had this many, and a few boxes of tampons. "Did you need anything?" I asked her.
She glanced around the place nervously. "Well, I did but it can wait." she tried to move past me.
"I mean, we're here now. If you need something you might as well take it."
"Okay." she said without moving. I figured she might want some privacy.
"I'm going to go see if I can find anything to give Maggie tomorrow. Let me know when you're done."
I walked around the store for a few minutes before I found something I thought Maggie would appreciate. It wasn't anything glamorous and was, actually, rather practical but it was the best I could do.
After I was done and had the things in my bag, I went back to Beth.
I found her standing in front of the condoms. She grabbed different types and sizes and brands before turning to see me.
My expression must have shocked her because her eyes got wide. "Don't tell Maggie." she said.
I couldn't help but laugh. I grabbed a box for myself and looked at her. "I won't if you won't." I said.
She smiled before trying to shove the, at least twelve, boxes in my bag.
"Whoa, Beth, I don't think you need this many."
"Well, it's not like I know what to get." she crossed her arms over her chest. I knew she was embarrassed and I tried not to make things more awkward than they already were.
"You've never..." I trailed off. She gave me a look that said 'no' and I nodded.
"What do you and Maggie use?" she asked.
"Um, I don't know if Maggie would really want you to know all the details of our sex life."
She scoffed. "Glenn, please. We're sisters. We talk about everything. She tells me everything."
My face got hot. "Everything?" I asked, not knowing if I really wanted and answer.
She glanced down to my pants and then up to my face again. "Everything."
I nodded as every humiliating thing I'd ever done in bed came rushing back to me. "Great."
"So which ones?" her tone had a sudden confidence.
I pointed to the bright yellow box and she picked them up to examine them. After some switching around, she handed me two boxes and then walked past me.
"Wait, Beth," I said after looking at the boxes. "Are you sure these are the right ones?"
Her eyebrows furrowed. She looked at the boxes again and nodded. "Yeah."
"You're sure?" I asked, pointing to the size which was rather intimidating.
She smirked. "From what I've heard." her eyes went to my zipper again. "I'm sure."
"Yeah, we're definitely not telling Maggie about this." I said as I stuffed the boxes into my bag.
"Why not? Ya' feeling inadequate Glenn?"
I gave her a look and scoffed. "Damn Beth, You're stating to spend too much time with Daryl."
"Oh," she said. "I'm sorry. Maggie says I shouldn't let his personality rub off on me but it's hard and-"
"No," I stopped her. "It's okay. Besides, I think I like you spunky."
"Good." she smiled. "Me too."
It was later that night, I was walking past Beth and Daryl's room and I figured now was as good a time as any to ask her.
"Hey," I said.
"Hey Maggie." she said with a smile. I'd never seen her as happy as when she's with Daryl. They were an odd match, but a good one nonetheless.
"Me and Glenn wanted to spend some time together tomorrow night for our anniversary."
"Luck man, Glenn." Daryl said. Beth elbowed him in the ribs and he laughed.
"Anyways," I continued. "I was wondering if you could take my shift on the air-way tomorrow night. I'll leave a copy of the message for you to read. All you really need to do is sit there and say if again for a few hours. It would really mean a lot to us if you could help me out."
"Of course I'll do it Mags. No problem. Besides, you and Glenn deserve a night of fun. You two do a lot around here to make things work."
I smiled, that meant a lot to me that she felt that way. "Thank you."
"Of course. What time do I have to report?" she asked.
"7:00." I responded. "Right after dinner."
"Okay, I'll be there."
I turned to leave when Daryl called my name.
"Hey Maggie.' his rough tone said.
"Yeah?" I asked.
"Does Glenn need someone to cover for him?" he asked. "Doing the fences?"
"Well," I said. "I think he was going to ask around. He probably didn't want to bother you with it."
"It's not a bother. If he needs somethin' let him know I can do it."
I nodded. "That's really nice of you Daryl. Thanks."
He nodded and I left.
When we'd first found Beth when we got here and she'd settled in, it took her awhile to tell me her and Daryl had left the prison together. When she did, I had mixed feelings about them.
I knew that Daryl could keep her safe and was independent enough to know how to handle himself. However, I hoped Beth wouldn't change. I didn't want his rough-n-tough ways to rub off on her and make her a less kind, gentle person than she is.
My reason for wanting her to stay the same were selfish. Back on the farm, she had always been quiet and she. She was definitely fun-loving and had a great personality, but she was reserved.
I supposed I wanted her to stay the same because it reminded me of the way things used to be. Her innocence reminded me of much better days on the farm with Dad, long before we had to worry about being eaten alive. I was trying to face the fact that I couldn't rely on her to maintain the person I used to be before the world went to Hell. I had to do that myself.
I decided to go see Maggie after I had done my rounds at the fences. She had control over the radio.
When our people had taken over, the council had decided to keep most things the same. Things like the name, the signs on the tracks, and the message that Maggie read on the airway, were kept. It was just easier that way. Plus, I had to admit, those termites had come up with a damn catchy slogan for their little hell hole. "Those who arrive, survive.." I thought it was rather clever.
I walked over to Maggie who was repeating the same message over and over. It was like second nature to her now, and I could tell she was barely paying attention to what she was saying.
Her eyes lit up and she waved at me when she noticed I was there.
"Hey," I mouthed so I didn't interfere with the message.
She waved for me to sit down across from her. I did and she held my hand from across the table.
She held her mic away from her face. "Hey,"
"Are you allowed to do that?' I asked, referring to her pause in routine.
She shrugged. "I am, so I guess so."
I smiled. "Listen, did you get anyone to do this for you tomorrow night?"
"Yeah Beth did and Daryl said he can do the fences. I think you should take him up on it instead of putting all your work onto Carl."
"It's good for him." I said.
She rolled her eyes and hit me in the shoulder. "So, I'll let Daryl know when he should be out there to start."
I nodded. "Sure."
"Great." she smiled.
"Okay, I'll see you in a bit. I'm going to head to bed." I stood up and started to walk away.
"Okay," she said. "Oh, wait, Glenn."
"Yes?' I asked, turning to look at her.
"Where am I supposed to meet you tomorrow night?"
I smirked. "You know the way up to the roof of the center building?"
"Of course, up the back steps and to the left." she nodded.
"Meet me there."
She beamed. "Okay. I'll be looking forward to it."
I smiled. "Me too."
Okay, so that's the first chapter I hope everyone liked it! Let me know what you thought in a review!
I'm really excited to write this one so let me know if I should continue!
Thanks!
We. All. Got. Jobs. To. Do.
~MaggieRhee
