Author's Note: If you haven't read the first two stories in this series (or even the other interlude story, No One Else Will), I would strongly recommend it, though it is hardly a requirement if you are determined enough :P So let's get straight into it.
10:00 AM — April 25, 2027
Ledge [Lydia]
She was suffocating.
Every breath felt like a constant struggle not to puke. The air sweltered, like the feeling of being trapped in an oven with no way out. Lydia's confines offered nothing but pitch-black, coupled with the occasional jolt whenever they hit a road bump.
Jackson was a pile of ashes, a victim of both nature and mankind alike. Both cruel. Both unrelenting. It all happened, just like mother said it would.
Now, they were even more fucked.
The girl's wrists were starting to bleed, her punishment for fighting the bindings, and the soldiers who loaded her in.
"I'M NOT GOING BACK, YOU HEAR ME?!" She screeched, thrashing her shoulders against the walls of the cargo compartment, kicking them, smashing them with her fists.
Exhausting her options, she paced back and forth, muttering things that would sound ridiculous to anyone sane. She bit down on the rope that tied her wrists together, gnashing on it like a wild animal, so hard that it felt like she could lose teeth. When that didn't work, she reverted to some more kicking and screaming.
Ledge [Negan]
Negan had his window down, letting the breeze to hit his face.
A gloved hand rested on the steering while, while his other nursed Lucille in his lap.
A goddamn beautiful sight, wasn't it? Too bad the vista wasn't something he could enjoy, since all Negan could think about was how many angles he'd been fucked from.
From that bitch that'd taken his child, to the other bitch trying to raise an army of bible thumpers against him. His plate was full of shit to deal with.
Then, there was the fucking zoo animal in the back, making a bunch of noise that was seriously starting to piss him off.
"Hey! Shut the fuck up, will ya? Trying to catch up with my boy up here!" Negan stuck his head out the window, smacking Lucille on the outside of the truck.
Negan turned his attention to the one who was sitting next to him in the passenger seat. The boy's wrists were tied together, though he should consider himself lucky he wasn't thrown in the back.
They were long overdue for a fucking man-to-man chat... since that's what little Grimes was now. "So, we got a mental asylum patient back there, also a girl with a mangled as shit leg.
"Then there's you, the biggest fucking disappointment." Negan said, glaring into that creepy-ass eye of his. "You could've been well on your way to becoming one of my top guys by now, but you had to go and be like daddy, didn't ya?"
Try to mess with the rules, abandon post at the Saviors and try to run away with his little friends. Luckily, Negan had a knack for wrangling up deserters. Now, he had no choice but to start over with him, with a place that seemed just right.
"I wanted better for you, kid. That's the goddamn truth."
Vi [Kat]
Riding with the boss was always a pain. Personally, she chose to sit in the back, even after the offer to sit next to Carl. She would rather not force herself into a conversation with Negan today if she could avoid it, and besides, the extra room gave her the chance to prop up her leg. Unlike the other two, her hands were unbound and currently crossed over her chest. Considering the man hadn't actively called her out on anything, or threatened to harm her in any way, she could pretty much assume that this was definitely the reassignment she was dreading. Negan didn't need help transporting teens.
She heard the vague conversation of Negan overhead before it was drowned out by Lydia's screaming, something that was starting to give her a headache. She understood it though: the fear and anger of not knowing where you're headed next. The girl lost her home, lost her people, and now was forced to a live as a solider if she wanted to stay alive.
Let her scream. She's earned the right to.
Besides, nothing Kat could say would help her at this point. Either she warned her of Negan's anger and she ignored it, or she learned for herself. Katrina didn't feel like talking anyway.
Crimson [Carl Grimes]
Carl leaned his head outside the window, preferring to look at the landscape outside rather than the monster next to him. He pondered if it was worth it to try and unbind himself to beat the bastard with his own bat.
Lydia's scream became the perfect background noise for the grim scene of a fallen Jackson, a monument to all his failures. Then Negan had to come and pour salt on the wound.
Great, he started talking. He gave him a quick glance and an annoyed sigh, then tried to ignore him, but it became clear he wouldn't shut up until he got the attention he wanted. "I left my opinions real clear last time we spoke," said Carl, turning around to face him. "If you were expecting me to randomly change that, you're the one setting yourself up for disappointment."
Ledge [Negan]
"Oh, I'm still expecting a big fucking change, and it sure as shit ain't gonna be random." Smiling was a rarity this past month, but there was something about talking to Carl that he found entertaining.
The kid had his dad's fire, but not his thirst for blood and rebellion. Negan likened it to a more diplomatic and tempered type of Grimes. The better kind, one that would be prime Savior material. Not one of the low-level pissants, but someone high up the chain. He'd get a taste of that power one day. That's when he'd turn over a new leaf, because who in their right mind didn't love the power of spouting an order and watching people fall in line. Rick was the same.
Negan didn't let the silence fester for too long, he never would. A crooked grin slithered onto his face, before he turned to Carl again, and watched for any reaction to his next words.
"We found your mommy Andrea, by the way. With Miss mangle-leg back there. Getting her transferred somewhere else."
Negan knew how important that woman was to him, and he'd be a fool not to take advantage of that. "I know you're a bit blind, but you're not deaf, so listen very carefully."
"If I catch so much as the tiniest whisper that you're trying to escape again..." The smile dropped, and his tone wasn't as lighthearted as before. Negan wanted this kid's thick skull to absorb every word. "Lucille here… is gonna make Andrea's big beautiful brains into fucking mashed potatoes."
"Got an opinion on that?"
Crimson [Carl Grimes]
Hearing Negan's words made Carl wish he could kill him right on the spot; not wanting to back down, he was close to replying in a defying way, but his lips tightened instead. Messing up with Andrea's life on the line wasn't an option. He turned around, to keep Negan from seeing the anger in his face. "I don't think escaping is an option right now," he said. "But if I'm trapped with you, I have to tell you that your protection is shit."
He glanced one last time at Jackson's ruins, not even the Savior's guns were able to save it. "Tell me, how many successful communities have the Saviors run over the years? Before they rebel against you. One would think you'd have already gotten the hint."
Ledge [Negan]
Negan swung his head back with a throaty chortle.
He was lucky, that the rest of his soldiers were driving behind them in a convoy. Had someone else heard what he said, Negan might've actually had to punish him for it. You let one person disrespect you in front of a crowd, other people would naturally think they could do the same.
"Y'see, this is why I love our little catch-ups! Not even my right-hand man has the guts to talk me like that." Negan said, honestly reveling in this conversation. A nice distraction. For so many years, he was surrounded by people that answered his beck and call. After a while, it got annoying, so at least Carl was consistent in not being a boring ass-kisser.
"Alexandria. Jackson. Yeah, they fought back. Look where that got 'em."
Both were destroyed because they refused to be saved. If they'd just followed simple instructions, things could've gone better.
"They rebel because they're a bunch of dumb fucking fucks that can't accept shit as it is, that's why," Negan said, the glee in his eyes giving way to a tiny bit of frustration. Why couldn't they see that Negan would always be the one to come out on top? "One way or another, you and your friends are gonna learn how to fucking obey. This new place will get your head screwed back on, don't worry."
Crimson [Carl Grimes]
Carl didn't reply, it was obvious even Negan believed his own lies. Yeah, evade the question, asshole.
He looked out the window again, and realized Jackson was now out of view; another community claimed by the dead. Setting his eye on the road ahead, a feeling of powerlessness overwhelmed him.
4:12 PM
Dot [Negan]
It had been a long fucking drive in half-silence. With Carl being his boring ass fuckin' self, it left Negan to be the one filling the air with shit. But, at least, when that shitpile of a city came into view, he knew that this journey was finally almost over. The city that cunt would eventually stumble into, and he'd kill her and take AJ back. 'Till then, it'll be where these fucking rugrats will eat, shit, sleep, and work for him for the rest of their miserable fucking lives.
Right there in the glorified daycare. One good fucking thing came out of this place. At least Minerva is a fucking competent soldier.
They'd met up with a pair of soldier from a nearby outpost near the entrance to the trail, mainly to make sure Bitchy the Blonde and One-Eyed Grimes didn't get any bright ideas. At least the redhead knew when to follow orders. Only one in the fucking bunch that he could trust.
"There it fuckin' is!" Negan's boisterous outburst echoed through the ridge as they approached the walls of Ericson. "And you kids better not fuckin' give 'em a hard time. If you so much as try to escape, I'll have Marlon kick you in the boy and lady balls.
"Speaking of… Marlon, get your ass out here! Don't keep a man waitin'!"
Crimson [Carl Grimes]
Carl walked behind Negan, his hands still tied and his mouth still shut. He observed his surroundings, a new community he had no idea existed. It wasn't as impressive as Alexandria or Jackson, but apparently it was big enough for Negan to be interested in it.
Why was he bringing them here? The main gate stood before him, and his future beyond it. Whoever that Marlon was, it sounded like he might be in charge in this place; hopefully he was just another Tripp under Negan's thumb, and not a bigger problem.
Art [Marlon]
He dashed downstairs, through the hallways and past the front doors—past the patches of grass that surrounded the benches and tables scattered throughout the courtyard, and across the black t-shirt they waved as a flag at the center of it all. His combat boots sunk into the ground as he pushed the gate open, huffing and heaving until the way was clear.
Today had to be perfect. Or all their asses were on the line.
Marlon shouted out in his clearest voice, ushering the guests in with a wave of his hand. "Sir! Welcome back! My fault it took so long. We're in the—in the middle of a thing, right now."
He was nervous, too, because how couldn't he be? You expected it as best you could, planned it all out in your head every night before bed… but when Negan showed, Marlon never did feel ready, and certainly never looked it.
Didn't matter. For his people, for his friends, he had to be.
Dot [Negan]
Negan tapped his foot as if he were to pull out a watch and check the time. Thankfully, Marlon never made him ask twice. If he counted long enough.
"Mullet Boy! Good to fuckin' see ya!" He put an arm around the boy's neck, giving his blonde hair a noogie with his other fist for good measure. "That 'thing' of yours better not be important, 'cause I got some kids I need you to take in for me. You still got room, right? Not a lot of you little fuckers running around yet."
He directed his attention towards the three teenagers he'd dragged out there. "Front and center is my boy Carl, both as smart and as dumb as can be. Never got Blondie's name, but keep an eye on her. Real feral, y'know? And last one's Kat, the only one in this fucking douche troupe that isn't actually a douche! One hell of a plus one."
Quieter, he said, "And I'd probably tie Blondie up until she gets her act together. But not too tight, y'know? Women don't like that. Bad for circulation, or some fuckin' shit."
Ledge [Louis]
This was big!
No doubt, because even Violet came out of her self-imposed quarantine to have a peek at the action.
Negan. The man himself. A guy that practically radiated awesomeness... was here, in the flesh. He didn't think the Savior boss ever bothered to visit camps much, let alone this place. Nonetheless, it was a time to be alive.
Why was Marlon so scared of this guy again? He seemed pretty easy to get along with.
Against his better judgment, Louis kept at a distance. He strolled over to Violet's side, nudging her arm with his elbow.
"Check it. New bloods, for sure." He said, focusing on the figures in the distance, who he was still trying to get a proper look at.
Kentucky [Violet]
What's going on? This was an old feeling. Resurfacing, it brimmed at her lips and bubbled, impervious to any attempts to push it back where it came from. The anxiety of the old Violet, who was just the same as the new Violet in every respect save this fear. The fear of the new. Sure, there had been changes in leadership, changes in functions, but ultimately, life had continued as it normally did. One bureaucratic nightmare was just the same as another, but now Negan was here. Perfect timing too, as half the camp had slunk into the woods for the next three hours to scavenge festering grub, though Violet guessed they just wanted to avoid meeting time.
It had to be new people; why now? Why not give them to the Saviors's army? The questions befuddled her head, but she had no intention nor desire to speak with their leader's leader on the situation. She shook her head, narrowed her eyes, crossed her arms, and gave Louis not a glance. "They can fuck off. We're full."
Ledge [Louis]
"Okay, note to self... keep Violet off the welcoming committee." He said, making sure it was loud and purposeful, just to be that extra bit aggravating.
Whatever was happening, Marlon would figure it out. He always did. Simple drop-off and courtesy visit, no biggie. Nothing life-threatening, which was the best anyone could ask for.
"I say we give 'em a chance." He said, shrugging at the sight.
Kentucky [Violet]
Violet couldn't help it; she rolled her eyes. "Jesus, I'm not in the fucking mood." She huffed and her heart grew hard, glaring towards the quintuplet of stooges in the field. They had already had the meeting today, in fact, were in the middle of the meeting when Negan strolled into view. There, Violet detested the thought of newcomers, as it could only mean one thing; Negan was going to take someone else. Was this a game he was playing? Were they his ants in the ant farm, toyed with and watched and subject to his God's will?
"I wonder who they're going to take this time?" She sighed and felt a crooked itch at the base of her neck. "Me or you? Or both of us, maybe."
Ledge [Louis]
"When are you ever?" He said, already knowing the answer. At least angry Violet was chattier than regular Violet, even if he had to work for it. Getting that girl to do anything remotely social was like trying to squeeze water out of a rock.
"Hey, can you not?" He hated it when she did that. Mulling over every worst possible outcome to freak everyone out.
"Marlon won't let that happen."
Kentucky [Violet]
She scoffed, almost laughed. Louis was too naive; she hoped should they take someone, they not take him. He wasn't cut out to be a soldier in any shape or form. A courtroom jester, maybe, but knighthood should be relegated towards those with pragmatism. Besides, in a way, Violet liked Louis and she liked him better here over there. She didn't mean to be horrible to him like she was. It was just a defense mechanism and Louis was too slow to jump out of the crossfire.
"Marlon can't do anything about it." They could have meetings and talks and they could sit around at tables doing the aforementioned planning, but didn't change one fact. We're just entertainment for this guy.
Ledge [Louis]
It was an icky feeling he got, whenever someone moaned about Marlon behind his back. This was his best friend they were talking about, someone who consistently lifted them out of the mud countless times.
Were things perfect? Hell no. But they sure could've been a lot worse. Violet obviously didn't see it like that, as much as he wished she did.
"He's got pull with Negan, and I trust him," He said, and left it at that.
It always got awkward between them, when he had no choice but to defend him. Now Louis's mind was scurrying to find a solution.
"Enough doom and gloom," Louis said, brightening up as he looked to his companion, then back towards the gate. "Should we go say hi or something?"
Kentucky [Violet]
Violet uncrossed her arms and laid them next to her hips after a show of distaste, throwing them out. "If you say so." She huffed and waited for Louis to take the approach, but she kept her feet firm where they were. "You go say hi. I'll watch from here." In Violet's opinion, they could say hi to her later, if she was even still here.
Ledge [Louis]
"C'mon, don't be like that," He said, on the verge of a whine. Louis understood that staring at people awkwardly from a distance was sort of her thing. This time, he wasn't going to let it slide that easy. Surely, she had to be somewhat curious too? "I wanna know who we're dealing with here, might as well get it over with now."
Even if she did nothing, he'd at least feel a little better knowing she was with him. "Fine. You don't even have to say anything. Just stand behind me and look tough?"
Art [Marlon]
Marlon always faked the same lopsided smile to get by — 'specially now, in the middle of someone's chokehold.
All he wanted right now was for things to work into place. Maybe it wasn't like that for everyone in Ericson, but Marlon actually wanted to try. Saviors, they stole, they killed… and still, they're the only ones who ever treated them like people. Way he saw it, they took from communities who had it way too good, and they used what they had to make everyone's lives better.
Including theirs. Especially theirs.
Marlon took note of the names in his head, and said, "Yeah, I'll tie her up. Whatever you need. We got room, we'll make it work."
He nodded to himself and saved the questions for later. No use arguing, really. He wasn't the type to.
Vi [Kat]
The sight of a boy closer to the trio's age was a bit shocking to say the least. The outpost had kids, sure, but they practically were swarmed with adults so you barely noticed them. Mullet boy, as Negan so gracefully labeled him, seemed to hold a respect for the man… or he was a good actor. Either way, introductions were done for her—the note that Negan didn't have a negative view of her settling worries she had prior to arriving. This wasn't a punishment for her. This really was only reassignment.
Kat only made eye contact with Marlon for a moment to offer him a wave in greeting, her attention more so focused on the shifting figures in the distance. She couldn't make them out from here. More people to meet regardless, which is the worst part. She's tired of moving. Everyone is either a dick or a liar.
That's at least three people in this place. Who knows how many more.
Kentucky [Violet]
Violet didn't say anything, opting instead to sigh and put her hands on her hips. She looked down, shook her head as she often did, then placated Louis by way of his demands. She placed her palm facing up in front of her and rose it up at the newbies, indicating for him to lead the way.
Dot [Negan]
Negan smiled. "Good kid. Now, it's a long fuckin' way back to base from here, so I hope you got room for all of us. My ass's getting sore sitting in a fucking seat all day." Letting go of Marlon, he traipsed across the threshold of the open gate, admiring the camp within.
Not much to look at compared to their other outposts, but given this place is run by a bunch of fucking teenagers, it was at least put together. Cabins and a large central building littered the inside of the walls, and two not-as-familiar faces looking in their direction.
He swore he'd never seen the blonde smile before. At least dreadlocks boy could.
"Might wanna help your friend with the new kids," he chuckled as he walked past. "They're quite the fucking handful."
With that, he strolled towards the main building, hoping he'd arrived just in time for some fucking dinner.
Ledge [Louis]
Louis was officially the best negotiator on the entire planet. Nothing else would convince him otherwise the moment Violet 'agreed.'
"Booyah!" He pumped a fist, celebrating his glorious victory. "I knew you cared about me." He said, stretching out a hand as if to stop her from complimenting him. "Don't need to say it, by the way. I already know."
That was when a voice boomed out, causing Louis to straighten his posture. Holy shit, he's right there.
"You got it, sir." He said, with a big toothy grin on his face.
Louis double-timed it, eager to see what all the fuss was.
Oh boy...
A not-so distant shrill pierced his ears. Only for him to witness the struggle happening near the gate. Wasn't anyone he recognized, maybe people from another community entirely? He glanced over his shoulder to Violet, showing some concern. Wasn't gonna be the nice welcome he was hoping for, that was for sure.
"Heyo, the big man said you might need some help," Louis said, tossing a wave to his mulleted friend. "What's the go?"
Kentucky [Violet]
Violet refrained from rolling her eyes again; third time's the harm, after all. "Don't let it get to your head." Her voice came, slow and shaky. Up and down her pitch fell and rose, always a rasping refrain to sling at the heads of passerby. She stopped in her tracks as Negan called out to them, the mild fun she had begun to have with Louis and the hints of her smile disappeared. She pursed her lips and stood at attention, straightening her posture just as Louis had. Wordless and deadpan, she watched him walk towards the main building, then turned her attention to the new ones.
One, a boy with an eyepatch. Boy wasn't the proper word; he looked to be her age, maybe somewhat older. His hair was long and unkempt, but not a rat's nest mullet like Marlon's; no, this boy's hair actually suited him. The other was the petulant child, screeching. Her head was going cloudy and dizzy. The shrieks became all encompassing, and Violet's focus became lost. She considered thrusting her hands over her ears, but denied this instinct in an effort to not embarrass herself. The other girl there was a redhead, tall. She reminded Violet of Minerva. Violet decided she didn't like her at all.
Violet looked back at Louis, shrugged and tilted her head. This is your problem. She followed him towards Marlon, staring at the other boy's wispy hair. Anything to take her mind away from the screaming. Violet couldn't ignore it anymore. She glared in the direction of the trio and called to them. "Hey! Quit screaming! Shut up!"
Art [Marlon]
Well, it could always be worse.
Watching Negan leave like that... Marlon couldn't drop the stare even after the guy was gone. It was fear, today. Fear of fucking up.
Marlon shook himself, tasting a queasy anxiety that may as well've been pumping through his veins for the last ten minutes. The relief he felt at seeing two faces he knew and desperately needed, it didn't help nearly enough.
Marlon spoke in a low voice, in a great rush to get Violet away from the poor guests until they figured it out. Fuck, if they figured it out. "Okay, listen…" He didn't waste time breathing. He just talked, and hoped to fucking God the words coming out were the right ones.
"It's sudden, I get that. Awful timing, but... no, this is a good thing. Alright?
"Look, Negan's staying over. You know what that means, yeah? Means I want you on your best behavior. No bullshit. New folks might be temporary, they might not be, I don't know. Just make a good impression."
There was a frown coming from him. Was that asking a lot? Shit, he didn't know. He didn't know if it was Negan's fault for coming over unannounced or his for parroting the orders. Marlon dug a palm over his face, mumbling the rest. "Oh, and… he said to keep the blonde one tied up, so… watch your back. Cool?"
He left the mess for Lou and Vi to handle—and, sometimes, he wasn't so proud to admit that he did that often. Someone had to brief the rest of the guys, and Marlon knew it had to be yours truly, the pile of nerves.
The boy put a hand on each of their shoulders before following Negan inside.
Ledge [Louis]
So Negan was dropping the anchor here after all? Not the most luxurious place to hunker down, but a place nonetheless. Louis wasn't fretting, not on Marlon's level at least. All it meant was they were better protected while he was here, right? "Marlon, my compadre. You insult me."
Gotta keep this kid from busting a gasket...
It always got like this when the adults came sniffing around. It bugged Louis more than he cared to admit. Not that they were here, but how much Marlon would change as a result.
"Stellar first impressions are a known specialty of mine, so don't sweat it."
Louis was about to, though... when he realized Marlon was making a tactical retreat. That's when the smirk was wiped clean off his face. "Wait—you're going too?"
There wasn't any room for argument, not this time. When Marlon kept walking. Louis knew right then. He'd fallen for the trap... and brought Violet down with him.
"Dude!" He called out, raising his arms as Marlon put the distance between them.
Ledge [Lydia]
Lydia frothed at the mouth, squirming around as she tried to slip out of their grasp. Not even the worst kinds of torture would be enough for these bottom-feeding maggots.
Scum. All of them.
Her muscles ached, and she was pretty sure her lungs were about to explode. It was hard to care anymore, in her frenzied state.
When the guards finally had enough, they tossed her down. Lydia hit the dirt, with more than enough force to knock what little fight she had left right out of her. She laid there, utterly exhausted as she watched them dust their hands, following after Negan.
Ledge [Louis]
This was awkward. How were they going to make it not awkward?
The screecher didn't want to be here, was hard to tell the expression on someone with one eye too, but he assumed the same for him. It was a glum vibe all around... but maybe it was salvageable?
Only one way to find out...
He glanced over to Violet again, as if asking what the fuck he should do, before settling on winging it.
"Hey, everyone." He waved, stifling an awkward chuckle. "Names Louis, and this is Violet." He swung a thumb over his shoulder, with the hopes that she'd play along. "We're gonna be showing you around and stuff."
"So, you guys from another one of our camps, or?"
Kentucky [Violet]
This was turning into a disaster already. Not that she hadn't expected it, of course. There hadn't been somebody new at the camp since... well, since forever. Violet watched Marlon leave, half-satisfied, half-disappointed with her correct predictions. Cynicism tended more towards realism, she had begun to find.
"There goes dear leader." When Louis looked at her as if she would know what to do, she didn't move. Her eyebrow raised and she crossed her arms. He was better with people; this was nowhere near her forte, the idiot.
Violet was standing behind Louis now, observing the trio carefully. The screaming girl was silent now, but she had also planted her face in the dirt below. Violet frowned, a sad, piteous expression that was guilty all the same. Despite her guilt, it didn't mean she had to enjoy the tour or even talk to them, if she didn't want to. Her face grew stony once more, the disposition's facade one she needed.
Vi [Kat]
Watching Negan leave left the girl a bit more at ease, her eyes tentatively trailing the man before he disappeared into the building. Marlon followed soon after, sticking close behind like some lost dog. The two people she couldn't see earlier were all that were left, both... or well, one trying to start a conversation while the other hid. At least Lydia was done screaming for now.
Louis. Violet.
Kat offered another silent wave, having to force a smile that only seemed to drop immediately after. "Katrina, but most people just call me Kat."
Introductions were odd, especially with follow up questions like where they came from. Complicated question for the others, not so much for her. "I come from the walls of Paradise before its fall—" She'll leave it at that. Too many memories come from a place with such an ironic name. Strangers don't need to know anything else.
She'll have to make note of the blonde's silence. It speaks louder than the boy's words do.
Crimson [Carl Grimes]
This community was certainly different from any other Carl had seen, the leader himself looked barely an adult. He wondered why Negan had taken them there, instead of a cell, which would be more fitting for people who rebelled against him; with Lydia screaming the way she did, Carl wouldn't have been surprised if he had changed his mind. He looked at how they treated her... unable to do anything, he simply tightened his fist.
Some of the people from the community approached them, their attitudes seemed like polar opposites. It was hard to judge if they were loyal Saviors or just people who'd also gotten screwed by them. As much as Carl didn't feel like talking, he forced the words out of his mouth. "I come from Jackson, but that place doesn't exist anymore."
Kentucky [Violet]
It was hard to keep a cold face over this sorry bunch. One of them had a name, the redhead that Violet didn't like. Katrina. Kat. Was that with a K or a C? Her mind wandered briefly. Was that an accent? She'd never heard anyone with an accent like that before. Where even was that from? She looked at the boy with one eye, and listened to him speak. They were both from alien towns, different planets as far as Violet was concerned. She felt bad for them, but that was the extent of it.
Jackson and Paradise. She swore she heard one of the Saviors talking about Jackson at least once; Paradise? She'd never heard of it in her life. Who would call a place Paradise in times like this? Could there have been a more obvious trap? Some part of her questioned if Paradise could have been, well, a paradise, but the idea dissipated as quick as it had come. "What happened to... your eye, Jackson?" She pointed at her own eye, slowly, her face drawn into pity.
Crimson [Carl Grimes]
"Nothing interesting," replied Carl, trying to avoid giving them too much information. "Just an injury from a fight."
The girl was hard to read, she looked cold, so her real emotions weren't immediately visible. She was probably doing the same right now, wasn't she? Reading his every move; hopefully for her own mental notes and not to report it to Negan. The leader seemed loyal to the Saviors, so one could never be too sure.
"Name's Carl by the way," he added. "You guys work with Negan too?"
Kentucky [Violet]
Violet nodded. It was a stupid question, anyways. She crossed her arms, softened her face subconsciously, and avoided his gaze. Her eyes at her feet now, she could do nothing but listen. The boy was named Carl; now two had a name and a place to know them. That left one, but it was even better yet she hadn't opened her mouth. Her next words were likely to be a garbled mess of screams that would only pierce Violet's ears all the same.
The question Carl offered bothered her. There was no good answer. She scoffed bitterly, and the sharpness of her face returned, but now it stabbed dirt alone. The smile faded and turned to despair amid hostility, pure hate for the words she would vomit. "Yeah. I guess." She muttered under her breath, shrugging. Her final act was to turn her gaze to the guards walking towards the shack. Those fuckers would get theirs.
Ledge [Louis]
Katrina and Carl.
Now that sounded like a title to some nostalgic TV-series that probably didn't exist. On the plus side, those names rang well together, easy to remember.
Given that Kat was the only of the three who wasn't tied up, Louis had to assume this 'Paradise' place was one of the many outposts they'd only hear about through the grapevine.
Okay, so one's already with us. Cool.
The other boy looked like he'd been to hell and back. It was already a struggle not to stare at the gross hole in his eye. Louis didn't know how much longer he'd be able to keep it up. Just focus on the good eye. You got this.
When he mentioned Jackson didn't exist anymore, Louis figured that was just a polite way of saying 'you guys screwed me over.' The kid was someone from a saved community, for sure. To that, he tried his best not to wince. Tried even harder when Violet just went straight in with the eye question.
Damn, lost it in a fight? That's pretty badass, not gonna lie.
"That, we do!" Louis finally chimed in, if only to dissolve the awkward silence. It wasn't inherently obvious, but you didn't have to be some mind-reading gypsy to guess how some of them felt. "Say, you guys hungry? I mean, who isn't these days, right?"
What was the quickest way to someone's heart? Louis thought a nice meal was a good starting point. "If you'd be so kind as to follow Lou, we'll get you some stew. Best around, I promise."
Ledge [Lydia]
Lydia had since shifted herself upright, sitting cross-legged in the dirt. She hung her head low, letting the filthy blonde strands cover her face from the rest. There she stayed, slowly refilling her lungs. She didn't pay attention to the voices outside of her own head, not a single one.
When the rest began to move on, Lydia didn't react. She only hoped that something would wake her up from this nightmare; because this wasn't real. It couldn't be.
Ledge [Louis]
"Hey, you do realize that includes you as well?" Louis said, after quickly noticing they were missing one in the line. Please, make this easy.
"Let's go, up and at 'em."
Of course, he got a whole bunch of silence in return. It was like she wasn't even on this plane of existence. Weird. Yeah, too weird for me.
Again, he would look to Violet. Silence was more her wavelength.
Uhhhh... help?
Kentucky [Violet]
Louis was looking at her now. His bright idea was to share with them a meal; yeah, so here's the prison, and here's the prison meals, prisoners! At the very least Sophie was an alright cook; she could be an even better leader, had people just stepped up to the plate.
Violet stared back at him when she felt his eyes on her nape. She looked to what he was talking about; the screaming girl, now unresponsive. Maybe she had burst her vocal chords and gone mute; wouldn't that have been a treat? Violet's mouth trembled. She was certain that Louis would have had this; now, he was looking at her as if she should. Her, Violet, for Christ's sake! He was the social butterfly and she was the one who would just watch or ask questions when it suited her; not whatever this was now.
She looked at the comatose girl's companions. "Can... uh, one of you..." She stared at the girl and twirled a finger from a crossed arm. "...help her, or something?"
Ledge [Lydia]
The urge to see someone helpless was an innate trait in every person. Many of these types were nested in the Saviors. A lot of them got off on it, just like Negan. At least they were honest with themselves. The ones who claimed to have no choice; just as despicable. She didn't care which these were. A Savior was a Savior, just how a leopard never changes its spots.
The girl would lift her head ever so slightly, only to cast a glance at the one who'd told her to shut up before. Everything was spinning, yet for a split moment, she held some clarity together. "I don't need help, you dumb cunt." She said, in the direction of the frail-looking blonde. Maybe she'd be her first throat to slit once Negan was gone.
"I just need you all dead."
Kentucky [Violet]
Any sort of pity for the girl faded as soon as she opened her mouth. Violet squinted and chewed on her tongue, face flushing, the sparks of tears forming in the corners of her eyes. She sucked it up though, and backed a step away. She couldn't even talk right now; who the hell was this girl? It wasn't the first time she had been called a dumb cunt. It wasn't the first time someone had said they were going to kill her.
Violet didn't have anything to say. No fancy retorts. She stood there, her eyes wide for a second, then stony the next. She looked at Louis, then to Carl, then to Katrina. She didn't look at her attacker, lest she lose control of her emotions.
Ledge [Louis]
"Wow, okay..."
Louis was puzzled, with wide eyes that mimicked Violet's at that moment. It didn't happen a lot; times where even he was left stumped. "I get that you're mad, but death threats already?"
Marlon, why did you have to dump this on me?
"Can you please just get up... it'll make this whole thing a lot smoother."
Ledge [Lydia]
Lydia didn't move a muscle, nor did she intend to. "Make me."
Kentucky [Violet]
She couldn't ignore it for long. The final comment from the rebel girl had been, unfortunately, too much. In a moment, a synapse in her head crumpled into itself. Violet, frustrated, exclaimed in disgust. "Oh my God, just let her rot there. Fucking Jesus." She dismissed the girl with a limp hand wave, and marched towards the kitchen where Louis invited their beloved guests.
10:00 AM — 6 hours earlier — Outskirts of Ericson
Art [Rosie]
Rosie's tail had spent the entire trip as high as it stretched. She sniffed her way through the woods with her belly grazing dirt and grass alike, brimming with energy after a hefty morning meal. Those had become rarer, in all the years since she'd arrived in her new home—but Rosie wasn't one to notice things. Rosie only thought of eating, running, and sleeping; and she enjoyed all those things.
She wasn't alone, whiffing and playing near the trees, and she never liked to be. At least, so long as the smell was familiar. Those walks outside the walls, they had also become unusual, more tiring every day, though she always put her best paw forward. Things had always had a knack for turning exciting, especially when she caught a scent she didn't recognize.
Rubber. Leather. Bone. Rot.
Her steps only became faster as she approached, barking to share her own little find.
Art [Narrator]
Above ground, stuck to a tree branch, were two corpses tied to each other, both with enough flesh missing to be called skeletons. Their limbs were covered with tangled strings that tore through their military clothes, all coming from the same place: A parachute that never quite opened, and had become sown to a pair of bony shoulders. The corpses hung there, unmoving and silent.
And the corpse at the back, before death, had been carrying a heavy knapsack.
Kentucky [Tenn]
He followed along step by step, pace by pace, as fast as his little legs would take him. They were longer than Rosie's by a only a little, Tenn not having hit his growth spurt just yet, but Rosie had four legs where he had two. She was always faster than him, and she always likely would be. It was Sophie's idea; good to get Tenn out, good to take Marlon's dog for exercise while he was busy with more important things. Negan was coming today. Some time later, he thought: Sophie had said to take a walk for the whole day.
A whole day of exploring. What would come of that? Tenn only hoped in his little head that it wasn't the infected.
He was running towards what she was barking at. It wasn't like there really was infected around here, anyways. When he saw her in between the trees, he skidded to a stop, driving ruts through the last of the snow melt, now flurried with mud.
People. Dead people. Not infected or walkers or anything like that. Just people. They were skeletons now, dressed in military garb, but not the FEDRA ones he remembered in hazy dreams alone. He stared up at them and patted Rosie on the back. "Good girl." He drug his fingertips through her hair, scratching her head for the brilliant find.
How to get up there was the question. Tenn was much too short to simply climb the tree and knock it down. A fine sack of loot hung from one of the corpses, their skull sneering at the young'un on the ground. Come on up and get it, little Tenn-Tenn...
He wanted to. Everyone was so down since Minerva left; even he was feeling sad. Maybe this could make them happy again. Maybe they could give it to the Saviors in exchange for his sister. A feasible pipe dream in his child mind. Tenn picked up a branch and began to poke at the skeleton's leg, swaying from the weight and length of the disproportionate limb. He stumbled forward and lost his aim; then brought it back, hooking the flimsy branch through the bony lower leg.
Art [Narrator]
With a single pull, the skeleton's limb was torn off, its boot and rippled pants falling to the ground.
Art [Rosie]
Rosie nearly leapt backward, facing the sudden movement, only to bark at air. She tried sniffing the old leather, thinking she'd find something, but the dead foot was no threat. The dog just chewed on it, then.
Kentucky [Tenn]
The branch snapped in his hands along with the leg, amputating the poor skeleton at the knee. With Tenn's tool broken and his best bet of reaching the knapsack on the ground, he had one option left. "I'm gonna climb it, Rosie!" He whispered excitedly, anxiously. Maybe he had misjudged it last time... this couldn't be so bad, could it?
He leapt up and grabbed onto the first branch he could. There he was, hanging above the ground, just as his skeleton friends did too. He managed to pull himself onto the tree, a hearty thing with a thick trunk and offspring of similar heft. He moved onto the next branch, holding his balance, careful as a cat as he went along. This was fun even. By the time he had made it up to the paratroopers, he thought he almost had this tree climbing thing down to a tee. This was, until Tenn looked down.
He was so high, higher than he had ever been. The ground was so far away, he was on so little ground, so little room... he wavered and threw his arms out for balance, before they clasped around the trunk itself in a bear hug. "Oh no. Oh no." This had been a terrible idea. Now he was going to fall and crack his head and nobody would ever find him this far away from the camp—oh no no no no no no no…
Tenn turned himself around. The paratroopers were right there. All he had to do was crawl over; and not look down. He swallowed and kept his gaze forward, staring at the sack the back trooper had on him.
"Okay Rosie! I'm getting it! I'm gonna get it Rosie!" He cooed to the dog in an effort to keep himself from panicking.
Before he even knew it, he was on the first paratrooper. Now just reach out to the other one. He reached forward as far as he could and grabbed hold of the skeleton's shirt. It didn't weigh much up here, without the fat and meat to treat its bulk. The boy pulled on it towards himself, hoping he could just get something...
Art [Narrator]
Slow and steady, the knapsack's right strap slipped off the skeleton's shoulder. It didn't take long until gravity did the rest, pulling the ancient corpse with it.
Art [Rosie]
Again, Rosie jumped at the sudden impact. The bag in front of her was halfway shut, stuck that way thanks to an old rusty zipper. Inside, though the dog could hardly make it out, were small piles of ration cards under four boxes of ammunition. And on the skeleton beside it, a tactical hatchet stuck to its waist. Rosie also picked up the smell of rusty iron, where a stubby shotgun lay, long away from the sun.
Kentucky [Tenn]
He had done it! Just like that, to the victors, the spoils! Tenn was so excited he nearly fell from his perch, but with glee he frolicked back down the tree, just as he had done before. It was several minutes before he hit the ground, his knees shaking and his body bending to the force of the drop. He stood himself back up before Rosie, grinning at the half-open sack. First, he grabbed the zipper and tried to force it. Failing that, he pulled at the sides and watched the threads pop and quiver, but they went no farther than a single strand sticking from the side. Tenn finally recognized that his arms were just too weak.
He looked at Rosie, then back to the bag. He knew somebody who was strong enough. He pointed at the bag over and over. "Bite it! Bite Rosie!"
Art [Rosie]
Rosie's head tilted slightly to the side. However, watching the boy point at the bag, she thought she understood. It was no bag; it was a threat!
She leaped forward and clenched her jaw around it, ripping the nylon open with her teeth. Then, Rosie snuck her head inside, through the hole, looking for more threats to chew on.
What she found, between paper folds and steel boxes, was a single green ball with a pin on top. Rosie bit that too, pulling it out, though she couldn't quite rip it apart. It was hard like iron.
Kentucky [Tenn]
This was beginning to go off without a hitch! Tenn smiled at his handiwork and backed away, giving room for Rosie to perform her duties. She shook the bag apart, growling and sputtering all the while, before sticking her head into the hole she created. Coming out, she brought with her a new toy. Tenn's expression faltered. What was that thing? Some sort of ball in a military bag? What was the...
His face dropped completely.
"No! Down girl, drop it! Drop it!"
Art [Rosie]
Her snarl was a ferocious kind. As saliva dripped down from her fat lips, Rosie slowly recoiled from the shouting, planting her paws firmly on the ground.
Sensing that the boy was reprimanding her, she let go of the ball in place of a thunderous bark. Why wouldn't they let her play? Why were they making these walks outside so much shorter, and so much rarer?
In a fit of rage, Rosie ran off to the opposite direction, where she could finally enjoy the outside without being disturbed.
Kentucky [Tenn]
She dropped the bomb on the ground, now nestled in slobber among dead pine needles. Tenn jumped back, fearing that it would explode and send both of them to their graves, but it did not. Instead, Rosie was gone, and Tenn was left with the body and the bag. He flinched again when he saw it; it could go off at any moment. At least, that was what the Saviors had told him. Standing over a dead FEDRA soldier, scavenging her body, his neck caked in blood and a bullet.
"Dude! He's got a fucking grenade! Holy shit! Fucking awesome!"
Tenn asked Minerva what a grenade was. She told him what the FEDRA drill instructor had told her, and that was that. Now, Minerva was gone.
The grenade never did blow up. Dissatisfied, Tenn grabbed the bag and dragged it away from the grenade, then returned to the body to steal the hatchet. He threw it into the bag and dragged it along the ground, calling for Rosie all the while.
He would miss being king of the trees; on top of the world.