Unsure of how to proceed, Rick sat in the passenger seat of the car. They were on their way to make a deal with the survivor group in the junkyard. They had 63 guns to work with, 63 guns to bargain their fate. But, even if this could be the answer to everything, his mind wandered elsewhere.
It had been years ago. When he left Sophia in those woods all alone. He could still recall that look of fresh terror on her face, and he could even remember his own anxiety over it. She was young, and it was idiotic to leave a kid younger than Carl in those woods. However, he didn't have a choice.
Rick still felt guilty about it to this day. They never found her, zombified or otherwise. This could explain why. Daryl had found her doll, abandoned, they had to call off the search eventually. Carol was devastated. If their places were reversed, the old officer couldn't imagine trying to accept Carl's death, especially without proof.
Then, there was Daryl. Taking a look in the rearview mirror, he glanced over his friend. Everyone knew Daryl and Carol had a great connection, hell, it was Daryl who had organized the search for Sophia. If he told Daryl that Sophia was alive, then his priorities would be screwed when he needed the hunter focused on only the Negan problem. If he knew, then he would go looking for Carol, and then, together they would go after the girl, cause who knows where she went. Idly, he let those thoughts go, for now. He had to focus on Negan.
**Sophia**
It was supposed to be a low-stakes mission. Scout one of the numerous trucks leaving Negan's compound, and figure out what exactly they do, and where they go. No interaction, avoid detection at all costs, and don't get involved. Of course it went to shit.
By the way of very democratic means, it was determined that Gabe and Sophia would be going out. (Rock, paper, scissors) Ren had put up a fight, but in the end, relented, after being promised that he could have first dibs on the lemonade packets that were in the food stores they got from the traveling carnival. Secretly, Sophia was glad that Ren let it go, it had technically been her turn to stay behind and watch the little kids. But, she was feeling adventurous.
Awhile back, Gabe had discovered where Negan and his men set up camp, and to their best ability, the small group drew up maps, highlighting the roads to stay away from, as well as places that the Saviors worked with. It was still an ongoing project, but so far, it was working.
"I hear them coming." Gabe murmured from beside Sophia, his hand at his side, where his steel club laid. Ren and Sophia had come across Gabe awhile back, he was young for the apocalypse, just like them, and it made them kindred spirits immediately. He had been kicked out of a survivor group, they claimed he wasn't worth pulling his weight. He was dying of exposure when Sophia and Ren found him, because the group had dropped him off on the side of the road with nothing but the clothes on his back.
Since then, the trio had 'adopted' kids in their journey, either ones cast out like Gabe, or ones who had nothing left, like Ren. Now, they were a group of six, just trying to get by.
Sure enough, a red SUV pulled around a corner, followed by a grey pickup. From their vantage point, Sophia couldn't see the driver, but she was familiar with the vehicles. The grey pick up had wooden boards welded to the back window of the truck, most likely a zombie preventative measure, giving the pair a perfect opportunity to hitch a ride.
At the moment, they were hidden by shrubs, waiting for the truck to pass by. Since there was a bend in the road coming up, the vehicles had to slow down, giving them just enough time to hop on, feet placed on the lip of the rear bumper, hands holding on the truck bed, sitting back on their haunches so their heads didn't even reach higher than the truck bed.
Sophia grumbled as she bit her tongue during her quick movements, trying to soothe the sting. The pair held on carefully, ready to jump and run if the driver and passenger of the truck had seen them get in. The truck didn't slow down, instead, increased speed. They were safe, at least for now.
"When they start slowing down, we're gonna have to jump and hide. Get enough distance between us." Gabe murmured just loud enough so he could be heard over the rumble of the truck's engine. The metal was cool under Sophia's fingers, and she partially regretted not wearing gloves, as her skin already began to ache.
"Wanna bet on what they're doing?" Sophia couldn't help herself, as she began thinking of the possibilities, knowing very well that Gabe would take the bait. His shaggy brown hair hung in his face, but she saw the challenge in his eyes nonetheless, he was so in. "I'm guessing, that they're picking up guns."
"No way." Gabe scoffed. "They've got enough guns. They're probably supposed to find out who's been stealing from their stores."
"I'll bet you my book of jokes." She had this awful book of cheesy jokes, one she had found awhile ago, and brought out only in the most dire of circumstances. Or, just when she thought she could annoy Gabe.
"Oh ho ho, this is serious, is it?" He shifted slightly, so he could glimpse what was in front of the truck, they were still heading east, "And, I'll bet that box of chocolates I found back in that pawn shop."
"You're so on."
**Sophia**
The truck began slowing down in an industrial sector, so, without pushing their luck, they hopped off. Sophia braced herself, and when her shoulder hit the ground, she had to bite back her groan of pain. Not having a moment to dwell on it, she stumbled to her feet, before running for cover behind a broken-down car. The roads were littered with them, and she had no doubt that Gabe was utilizing that fact on the other side of the road.
Something bad must have gone down around here, quite a few cars were crashed into each other, or buildings. A few rotting corpses decorated the ground, but so far, none of them have moved.
Crouching, she continued to move forward, still hidden behind a car. In the back of her mind, she noted that the rumble of engines were abruptly cut off, so she peaked around the car.
The two vehicles were parked, and six people filed out of the car. Each was as intimidating, dirty, and sour as the one before. All carried guns, some were pretty heavy duty, which wasn't a good sign for her, at least as far as the bet went.
"What are you idiots doing?" She murmured, they just stood there, not even talking amongst themselves. Whatever they were doing, she didn't like it, anything complicated usually pointed to a higher intelligence. Which also meant someone powerful, someone with lots of guns, lots of food, and usually, lots of death.
The couple times that Sophia had come across 'Negan', she didn't like it. He instilled fear into his lackeys like no other, and she didn't want to find out what he had done to get that kind of reaction. The kind of actions that has gotten him soulless soldiers like the people in front of her.
While she sat there, she tired to figure out what they were doing, with no luck. Until, she heard another vehicle approaching. Her heat beat quickened, diving for a spot where the newcomers wouldn't be able to see her, almost eating dirt in her attempts.
This one, was a truck, and not a lame one like the silver one. It was built for cargo, and was quite a bit sturdier than that of a civilian vehicle. There were a few people standing in the back, and a few in the cab of the truck.
Slowly, they filled out, and didn't look very happy about it, she figured that these guys must be one of the groups that lived in fear of Negan. So far, she knew of one, and had no doubts that there had to be more, like these ones. It was like they were forced to be here. As she peered around the car, she saw maybe seven newcomers, all decked out in armor, which she could appreciate. At least they weren't idiots that though cotton was the new Kevlar.
They began talking, in short bursts, but Sophia was too far away to make out what they were saying, all she could tell from their body language, was that both groups certainly didn't enjoy each other's company.
In a quick movement, one of Negan's men hit a big guy with a huge stick, forcing him to his knees. Her hand went to her side, here one of her knives were tucked away. As far as she could tell, nothing happened that deserved that kind of reaction. But, she continued to watch their interactions, and she quickly realized she was right, about Negan's controlling these guys as well.
The new group had their own weapons, but didn't even retaliate, but they were afraid of the Saviors, who clearly couldn't give a damn. Whatever was happening, she didn't like it. And if Gabe had half a brain cell, which he did, Sophia knew he would be picking up on the same vibes.
It was tense, out in the strange, abandoned parking lot, the suspense was so think Sophia could have cut it with her knives. Slowly, the group parted for the Saviors, as one walked through them, towards their truck. She liked it even less as tensions rose, and then, guns were raised.
Cupping her hands, Sophia made a split decision, and blew into the cupped space between her palms. A shrill cry came out, a bird's call. She trilled three times, and stopped, waiting for a response.
It came not a moment later, two trills. 'Yes.'
Gabe would back her up on her play, she just had to make the first move. Even if this group was idiotic enough to get trapped in some sort of deal with the Saviors, it didn't mean they were bad people, just that they were dumb. Luckily, the groups were too invested in their silent staring contest and gun show to pay much attention to the bird calls.
They stood there, for awhile. Sophia had no idea what they were saying, other than what she guessed to be threats. Seriously, they needed to step away, before they all died. The group which was at the mercy of the Saviors seemed to follow one man's lead, he had silver dreads, and she had no doubt that he was trying to be a peaceful leader, as he passed over his guns.
They yelled again, and silver haired dude moved to the back of the truck, his hands raised in an attempt to show he wasn't a threat. Sophia hated this, whatever it was. Some sort of awful power play, as the group stood their, hands raised, fate decided by a bunch of psychopaths.
One man, a Savior, creepy long hair and mustache, suddenly pushed a gun in another man's face, and all of the 'good' group , the gunshot echoed through the compound.
The one who took the bullet couldn't have been much older than herself, probably late teens, falling to the ground, screaming. That, she could hear. The Saviors scattered, with one of of dreadlock-man's men trying to stop the bleeding.
"We need to go, he's bleeding out!" That, was loud enough for Sophia to hear, and she had to thank Ren for insisting that she bring along her medical kit. The Saviors turned back to their trucks, not interested in the other group anymore, so Sophia took the risk.
Standing up, she came out from behind the car, with her hands up in a portrayal of peace. Running towards the group, she anticipated the two guns in her face, while the others were trying to help the downed guy.
"Who the fuck are you?" One woman sneered, close to shooting Sophia. In her peripheral, Gabe stood up, revealing himself.
"Look, we can argue who I am later, I can help him. I've had enough of that stupid group to last me a lifetime, let me help." The kid screamed in pain, which helped her cause, because their leader turned to her. He faltered, probably wondering what a kid could do, but gestured for her to come closer.
"Let the strangers help. He will not make it back to the Kingdom." Sophia jumped into the bed of the truck, and Gabe followed. She pushed her bag into his hands, before looking at the damage. "Let's go!"
The gates were closed behind Sophia, and she decidedly cut everything outside of the five foot radius out of mind. Tearing off her jacket, she turned to the adults in the vehicle.
"I need you two to hold him down, I need to stop the bleeding." Sophia began cutting up the boy's jeans, and gestured to one of the men standing around her. "I need your belt. Gabe, get me the Witch Hazel, and alcohol. What's his name?"
"Benjamin." One person told her, and she held her hands out to Gabe, who doused her hands in the disinfectant. Then, she took the jar of Witch Hazel from him.
"Okay, Benjamin, look at me. Tell me when this is too tight." She met his eyes, and he was slipping in and out of consciousness, his eyes kept closing, but she took the belt anyways, and tightened it as far as she could. It would help a little. Then, she slathered plenty of the Witch Hazel on his wound, it was great for making blood clot. This was what he needed, since the bullet hit an artery. "Benjamin, how many letters are in the alphabet?" He was mumbling, which could be good or bad.
"We're almost at a safe place, where we have more medical supplies." The man in charge told her, and she nodded absentmindedly.
"Gabe, I need you to prep a needle and thread, like you did for Grace." Examining, his leg, she cringed noticing that the bullet was still in the kid's leg. "When we get there, I need a pair of disinfected tweezers, or something of the like. I need him to be carried as flatly as possible." The car stopped quite violently, and Sophia hopped out of the truck, ushered in by the adults. Gabe followed, working with a needle and thread.
Sophia didn't notice the woman standing in the garden, and the woman standing in the garden was too preoccupied to notice her, instead she went to the leader of the shebang, and did her best to clear a spot for the patient, her friend.