Chapter 34: "Loss" Part 1
Negan stood over the dying man in the Hilltop courtyard.
"Leave him alone! Just let him die in peace!" Dr Bryce shouted.
Negan looked around at the other residents.
"You know...normally for this disrespect I would have chosen one of you to meet a very special friend of mine. Fortunately for that person that honour is already reserved for someone else."
Negan voice then became menacing.
"You work for me now….what is yours is mine. Don't let this happen again."
His voice became chirpy again.
"So….who wants to give me a tour of the place?"***********
Rick, Abe, Jesus, Daryl, Glen and the others are running through the forest to their vehicles, cutting down walkers in their path. They lost five people today. Suddenly, Tobin cried out.
"Rick!"
They all turned to watch Tobin.
"Something's wrong."
Rick and the others looked at him puzzled until he started coughing up blood and collapse to the ground. They all raced to him frantically looking for a wound.
It was Jesus who notices the blood was dark. He flipped Tobin over on his belly to reveal two bullet holes in his lung area. Tobin started wheezing.
"F*ck! He's suffocating….drowning in his own blood!" Abe spat out through grinding teeth.
"We need to move...now!" Rick commanded.
Jesus and Rick and three others took the lead in front to clear their path of walkers while Abe, Daryl, Glen carried Tobin. The others spread out to both sides and rear positions.
They picked up the pace….it's a matter of life and death now.***************************
After feeding and burping Avery and Dominic, Michonne put her babies to bed. Judith is already fast asleep. She splits her vision between keeping an eye on them, making sure they are ok and watching the front gates of Alexandria from their upstairs bedroom window.
She knows that it may be too soon for Rick and the others to be back yet..but she can't help what she feels…..she wants him home...home with her and their four kids.
Judith, as young as she is, has taking an active step in looking after her new brother and sister. Carl and Enid seem to be getting pretty close and she sneakily suspects other things may also be going on as well. Both her and Rick needs to address that also.
Sasha confided in her about Abe's request to try for another baby but she doesn't think that she is ready and is afraid that Abe wouldn't understand.
'Talk to him..' She had advised Sasha. She had the feeling that Abe only made the request to give Sasha something which she had lost. She honestly believe that he will understand.
Michonne had turned her back to check on the children when she heard loud screeching at the gate. She quickly turned back to the window and watched as the gates opened and they hastily drove in.
The men jumped out of the vehicle and was shouting for Denise. She was horrified when they pulled an unconscious and heavily bleeding Tobin from the back seat.*******************************
During the tour of the Hilltop...Negan was impressed. This place would immediately solve their food problem and reduce the amount of time they spend out on supply runs. He chuckled to himself. Gregory thinks that bringing him here will make him part of their group. He is sooo wrong.
While Sandy is grudgingly showing Negan around and the rest of his men stand guard, the other Hilltop residents huddled around an injured Dr Bryce on the front porch of the manor house.
Negan's men was watching them but made no attempt to disperse them as they obviously see them no longer as a threat. The residents whispered among themselves.
"What are we going to do?"
"Whatever happens don't mention that we supply Alexandria with food…ever. Negan can never know that Rick is connected to this place."
They had just nodded in agreement when Negan had finished his tour. He walked over to the congregating group which quickly disassembled. He addressed the Dr.
"Your community will supply us with whatever we need and in exchange we will provide protection." Negan smiled…"See? I am a reasonable man."
Dr Bryce said nothing. He knows there's no point in refusing or fighting back...atleast not yet. His mind is now thinking on ways to get the word out to Jesus and Rick to warn them. He grind his teeth in anger when Negan's men began barking orders to his people to start loading up their vehicles.***********************
"I am so sorry Carol."
Denise looked at Carol and the rest of the people who was huddled around Tobin's body. Carol just stared at Tobin, their hands clasped when he died. Everyone was looking at Carol, who seemed void of any emotions...she seemed empty.
Kissing Tobin on his forehead, Carol got up and walked outside. Maggie, Sasha and Rosita followed her, while the other stood by sadly. Rick quietly slipped upstairs to see inform Michonne.
Michonne was furiously pacing the floor when Rick came into the room. She was hearing all the commotion downstairs but didn't investigate as she was not leading the children alone.
"What's going on?!" Michonne said half shouting.
Rick sprinted up to her, hugging her...lifting her off the ground. He buried his head on the curve of neck. Her shoulder hurt abit but she didn't care.. Rick was home.
"We lost six people." Rick said, putting her down. "We lost Tobin."
"What?!"
Rick walked over to his sleeping children. Michonne gasped.
"Oh God! Carol."
Michonne turned around and saw Rick kneeling beside his children.***************************
Negan left half of his men and Gregory behind at the Hilltop. He left instructions with them that the Dr was still in charge and to keep a very close eye on Gregory. He didn't want any trouble while he was gone.
Negan and the rest left with the supplies they had for home. He saw a clearing up ahead and thought that it would have been the perfect opportunity to arrange a meeting between Gregory and lucille.
Whenever Lucille meets her victim, Negan likes to explain why. To do so now would expose Renée's pain in front of his men. At the same time he can't risk him finding out about Jasmine either.
Also, Renee didn't give any indication of what she wants to do. As they pass the clearing, Negan began formulating a new plan in his head as he spied another clearing up ahead. Nothing came to mind. *************************
Maggie, Sasha and Rosita found a numb Carol sitting on the front steps.
"When we didn't know who the traitor was among us...I told Tobin we had to separate for awhile.. He said he understand but I could tell he was hurt."
Carol started to cry.
"Why did I do that?!" He is a good man..he was a good man! I knew it!"
Carol wailed. "I loved him!"
The ladies all reached out to comfort her.******************
Renee sat and contemplated how easier things would have been if Gregory never showed up….or even if he was dead. For eighteen years, she carried the pain Gregory inflicted on her but she is somewhat grateful as she wouldn't have had Jasmine.
She wouldn't trade her for anything, but she also can't risk a meeting between the two. The only way out is for Gregory to die. 'Can she live with that?'*********************
A small quick ceremony was held for Tobin. The ladies, including Michonne offered their shoulders of support for Carol who said a few words. In twenty, minutes….it was all over.**************************
When Negan pulled up at the Sanctuary gates, he knew something was wrong. All the men was on high alert and fully armed. He met Marcus inside.
"What's going on?!"
"One of our outpost was attacked!"
"What the f*ck! Which one?"
"Cedar Valley. Everyone is dead."
Negan stared at Marcus.
"Where's Zane?"
Marcus swallowed hard.
"He isn't here…..he got bit at the outpost so he stayed behind."
Negan remembered that Jasmine was also with them.
"Is Jasmine alright?!"
"Yeah..she's upstairs with her mom."
When Negan went upstairs, he met Renee at the door. She too was armed. She signalled for him to be quiet. He motioned for her to come out into the hallway.
"Whenever she's upset or stress out, she sleeps. It calms her." She paused. "I am sorry about Zane. Are you going to see him?"
"Yeah. I have too…. You wanna come?"
Renee hesitated. He knows that she's thinking about Jasmine.
"Jasmine will be ok here. Come with me."
It was then she noticed Gregory's absence.
"Did you kill him? Gregory?"
"We need to talk."***********************
Negan and Renee drove in a car alone while the others followed in three cars behind them.
"Is he dead?"
"No."
Renee looked partially relieved and disappointed at the same time.
"Like I said before...it's your decision. I wanted to but I knew you wouldn't have approved"
"Don't be too sure about that." She grumbled
Negan turned to her surprised.
"Dont look at me like that! I don't like or approve of killing people..period...but this sh*t is personal. I lived in fear of this man for years, that he will find me, find out about Jasmine and want to be in our lives….."
Renee folded her arm across her chest, pissed off at herself.
"Biologically, he is her father but she's my child...mines alone."
They were quiet for awhile…
"There is one other option.."
Negan can't believe he was suggesting this. Renee looked at him, knowing fully what he meant.
"Yeah…" Renee said quietly as she closed her eyes.
Carol has had a steady stream of visitors from the residents since Tobin's funeral. The Grimes family was spending some quality time at home. Michonne was breast feeding Dominic on the sofa while Rick held Avery, rubbing her back so her meal could digest.
It was past midday...early evening and Enid and Carl was arguing in the kitchen about what to make for dinner tonight. Judith was in her chair..taking it all in. Rick stood by his window looking out...with a restless movement of his feet. Michonne took note.************************
At the Ford residence, Sasha had the long conversation with Abe about her concerns about getting pregnant and losing the baby again. Abe reassures her that he is good with whatever decision she makes...as long as she is happy. They embraced.***********************
Rosita Dixon looked at her sleeping husband and son on the bed. They both had shaggy hair covering their peaceful faces. She smiled richly as she went downstairs to prepare dinner.**************************
Maggie forced her face into the pillow as Glen ride her. She was on all fours and he took full control of her hips. He jammed into her, hard and deep and it felt good…..
"Raise up!" He commanded and Maggie willingly obeyed.
He removed one hand from her hips and gripped her shoulders. Maggie pushed back on him as he leaned forward. She held her breath as he sank deep in her, spreading her legs wider.
Within three deep thrusts...their bodies in unison..shuddered together as they collapsed in a sweaty heap on the floor. They embraced weakly as Elsa slept soundly upstairs.*****************************