The big dark wooden doors swing open, revealing the elegance of the room within. A woman with dark brown hair storms through the opening, a clear scowl on her face. As she steps inside the room her brown eyes stay focused on the older man sat behind the mahogany desk. The man looks up as she approaches him, he strokes his grey goatee before he speaks.
"Ah Martha! What can I do for you dear?"
The woman makes a face as if she suddenly bit into something bitter.
"It's Maggie."
She replies. The man waves his hand.
"Right of course."
He looks slightly uncomfortable before coughing.
"As I said what can I do for you?"
Maggie places both hands on the desk and leans forward.
"I think we should help The Kingdom Gregory."
Gregory scoffs and quickly gets to his feet, he adjusts his jacket.
"And why would we do that? They got themselves in that mess, look around Mildred, The Hilltop is still standing and I intend to keep it that way."
Maggie now stands up straight, making sure to look dead into Gregory's eyes, which forces him to look away.
"I was there when The Saviors burnt that place down! They made sure that me and this baby had a safe place to be. We need to help them rebuild!"
The anger in her voice now very apparent. Gregory holds out a hand.
"We will not help them!"
Gregory's voice now also raised as if in war against Maggie's.
"It is my job here to protect the people of The Hilltop and I will not let you or anyone else destroy this place! That is that!"
Maggie's face changes into something almost deadly, she bangs her fist down onto the desk, creating a loud thump. Gregory jumps in fright, almost tripping over his chair. Maggie points a finger at him.
"No that is not that Gregory! I will be helping The Kingdom and I will be taking anyone from The Hilltop that wants to help! If you want to sit here and be the miserable old man you want to be then do it, but I am leaving!"
The rising ferocity in her voice has now finally scared Gregory into silence. Maggie turns and begins to walk out of the office room, as her hands are about to touch the golden handles she hears a small mumble out of Gregory's mouth.
"Didn't invite you here anyhow."
Immediately she turns on the spot, charging toward Gregory. She wraps her hand around a glass of water sitting on the corner of his desk. Gregory raises his hands but is too late as Maggie thrusts the water at his face. She slams the glass down.
"Goodbye Gerald!"
She turns once more, a smile across her face.
Jesus looks upwards at the blazing sun shining down across The Hilltop grounds. He looks around the community, watching the people work on the gardens, others preparing guns and ammo for the next battle against The Saviors. He couldn't help wonder how many of these people he'll see again. The thought sends shivers along his spine, as he moves his head from side to side in an attempt to get rid of the feeling the sound of the mansions front doors opening stray him from his thoughts. He turns and sees Maggie marching down the concrete steps. Jesus raises a hand and waves at her, he jogs over to her.
"Maggie! How'd it go?"
As soon as the words left his mouth he knew by the look on his face that it hadn't gone well at all. He lets out a sigh.
"That well huh?"
He asks. Maggie places her hands on her hips.
"He doesn't want us to send any help to The Kingdom."
Jesus shrugs then replies.
"I expected as much from Gregory, he's always only looked out for himself."
He brushes the long brown hair out of his face using his hand and looks at Maggie.
"What now?"
Maggie looks around at the residents then back at Jesus.
"I see who wants to help and we leave tonight, screw Gregory."
Jesus eagerly responds.
"Count me in!"
Maggie smiles at his enthusiasm but shakes her head.
"No I need you here, with me gone I need someone who can actually lead here and keep Gregory from doing something stupid."
Maggie looks to see any disappointment in Jesus's face but is only returned with a kind smile.
"I'll keep trying to change Gregory's mind, maybe then he'll at least let us take some supplies to The Kingdom.
Maggie nods and begins to reply.
"I'd take him a towel if you're going to see him, I may have thrown water over him."
Jesus can't help but let out a gentle chuckle, he puts a hand on her arm.
"Just be safe Maggie."
Maggie beams back at him and pulls him in for a hug.
"You too Jesus."
From the upstairs window Gregory watches as the two break apart and begin to walk in opposite directions, he wipes the water from his forehead, grabs the glass and throws it against the wall. Glass shatters everywhere.
Ezekiel looks down at the blood stained shirt that lies in his hands, his fists grip tight around the fabric. Tears begin to stream down the man's cheeks, disappearing behind his grey beard. Lifting the shirt up Ezekiel lets his face fall into the shirt, suddenly he lets out a roar of emotion, tossing the clothing to the other side of the room. A small click behind him forces Ezekiel to hurriedly wipe the tears from his eyes with his sleeve. A woman's face pops out from behind the opening door.
"Ezekiel? Are you okay?"
Ezekiel grabs more clothing from the open drawer and places it into a large duffel bag. He turns to the grey haired woman.
"Of course Carol! Why would I not be?"
Carol slowly opens the door the rest of the way before stepping inside the room. She walks toward Ezekiel and leans against a table.
"You know I heard that yell right?"
Ezekiel tries not to let the building tears fall from his eyes as he forces a smile as he speaks.
"Merely a theatre exercise."
Carol nods almost sarcastically.
"Riiiight, and what's the bag for?"
She points at the duffel bag lying behind him. His fake smile quickly fades. He lowers his head.
"I can't do this anymore Carol, I just can't. Not after what happened…"
Carol steps forward.
"If this is about what happened with Benjamin and Richard that wasn't your…"
Ezekiel rushes forward and grips either side of her arms.
"But it was! It was my job to protect these people and I couldn't! A boy was made to kill one of his own! I couldn't stop it and now the guilt he carries is on me!"
His yells of pain startle Carol, she sees his eyes wide and bloodshot, saliva remains in his beard. Carol grabs his hands and holds them in front of her.
"All of that was Negan, not you! These people need you! They haven't seen you in weeks!"
Ezekiel pulls away from her hold, he continues to pack the duffel bag. He sighs.
"These people are better off without me, I hear Morgan has been leading in my absence. His methods and skills will be good for The Kingdom."
Carol remains silent, knowing whatever she says to the king is hopeless. Ezekiel packs the final item into the bag before clipping it shut. He slings it over one shoulder and crosses the room to pick up the blood stained shirt. Carol desperately makes one final plea.
"Please, Ezekiel… Don't go."
The once king shakes his head.
"My people were forced to kill each other, they were slaughtered like pigs, half The Kingdom has been burnt down. There is nothing left here for me."
Carol's eyes begin to swell.
"Nothing?"
She replies
Ezekiel reaches into his pocket and pulls out something that makes a jingling noise. He holds them out to Carol. She notices that they are keys.
"Take these."
He places them into her hand.
"They're the keys to Shiva's cage. Take care of her. Please."
Ezekiel takes one final look around the room before tossing the blood stained shirt into the fireplace, he leans closer to Carol and gently kisses her cheek before turning and walking out of the room. Carol watches as the fire engulfs the fabric, turning the material to ash.
