Chapter One
Jay is seen running from an unknown location which has been set on fire and many walkers are emerging from it, hot on his tail. He is wearing a torn, bloodied long sleeve shirt and light brownish, bloodied cargo pants and black and white sneakers, wielding a bloodied knife in his left hand and wearing a large bloodied, formerly light green backpack. His face is scratched, slightly bloody and he has a look of immense fatigue in his eyes and on his face.
A while later, after what felt like an eternity walking, Jay found himself outside a department store, looking around in every direction before deciding to venture inside this time, a pistol, held with his two hands pointed ahead in case, someone or something, approached him, and he had a form of defense from them.
After going in, he took out a torch to give him better vision of the dark and unpredictable store he was in, with his gun clutched tightly in his left hand defensively while also holding his torch up in his right hand.
He went into a clothing store which looked a bit worse for wear as the glass exterior on each side of the entrance was broken, indicating it was looted at the start of the apocalypse. He grabbed a couple puffy jackets, hoodies, woolly jumpers, baggy pants, shorts and sneakers as what he was wearing was shown to be raggedy due to the toll the apocalypse as well as his recent ordeal took on him as well as to prepare for the colder weather soon to come and the warmer weather that will occur after that.
Then, he ventured into what was left of a grocery store, picking up canned foods, bottled water and a few treats like chocolate and crisps, he always had a sweet tooth. Just as he was about to leave the store the booming voice of a man, "Alright! We need to stock on more food and drink for back home!", concluding with, "Let's move out!". Jay opted to hide in between the tills, hoping the group would pass soon.
After what felt like ages, the steps got quieter as did the voices and after a while until he was sure, Jay came out of hiding and just as he was about to leave he heard a voice, "Hey!". He turned around to see a taller, built man, with a moustache, balding dark brown hair and a crazy look in his eyes, pointing a gun at him. Jay immediately put his hands up, "I- I was just passing through.", he instinctively said.
The man looked at him skeptically before saying, "What's in the bag?". "Just some food and clothes.", Jay said, this time more composed, albeit nervous. "We could use that...", the man said, this time more menacingly. "Are you kidding me? This dude is with a bunch of other guys, clearly from a camp, and he wants shit from my back. Fuck that.", he thought to himself, instead he opted to reply with, "Look, you're out here with these guys. I'm out here on my own.", finishing with, "I've been walking for hours until I found this place. My camp was raided. I don't know if any of my people are still alive...". The balding man still remained stoic. "Can you please cut me a break? This is just a quick stop for me", finishing with, "I'll be on my way if you let me go.". Then, the balding man replied, not looking for negotiation, "Open the bag.", the man said, finishing firmly with, "Or I'll kill you and take it anyway.".
Unbeknownst to Jay, a tall, thin, slightly broad man with spiky dark brown greying hair, a greying beard and leather jacket, holding a bat wrapped with barbed wire observed this interaction, with a serious look. He saw Jay was about to crouch down and open the bag and went over before things escalated. "Hey!", the bearded man yelled at the balding man. "What do you think you're doing?", he said. "Just getting extra supplies, Negan.", the balding man said to what looked like his leader. Jay observed this interaction carefully, opting to stay crouched down with his bag, looking up at the two men talking. "Simon, you know we don't threaten people that don't warrant it.", Negan said, as if to make Simon feel stupid. Simon looked annoyed, as if he was a teenager being scolded by his parents for underage drinking. But, he still nodded to show that he was listening to Negan. "You get that?", Negan asked, standing face-to-face with Simon.
Both men were tall but, Negan was slightly taller so he looked that bit more intimidating, slightly towering over Simon. "Yes, sir.", Simon said. "Now, go and help the guys gather up more supplies for the Sanctuary.", Negan said. Simon did as he was told, leaving Jay alone with Negan. "Sorry about that, kid.", Negan said sincerely to the young man, his eyes in direct line with Jay's. "It's fine honestly.", Jay replied, slightly shaken, but composed, looking back at Negan, "I'll just get out of your hair now.". Just as Jay was about to leave Negan sternly said, "Wait.".
Jay, not wanting to put himself in any more danger, obided, looking at the fearsome leader again. "Look, kid. You look like shit", Negan said. "Tell me something I don't know.", Jay thought to himself sarcastically, while looking at Negan attentively. "We have a community with resources, you know, food and all that.", Negan elaborated, "And we could use someone like you.".
"Really?", Jay skeptically said, moreso referring to that last part. Negan looked at him even more stoic than their introduction due to Jay abruptly saying this. Jay, realising what he just said in the tone, quickly elaborated, albeit composed, "Look, man. I'm not doubting your story about having a community and all that but more the "someone like you" part.". "What's there to doubt?", Negan queried, "You're on your own, you've survived this long and these days, you need as much manpower as possible if you wanna increase your chances of getting by.".
"Yeah...", Jay replied, taking in what was just said to him, "You... do have a point...". "So, what's with the hesitation?", the older man laughed slightly, a small smile creeping onto his face. "It's just...", the young man replied, thinking quickly and carefully how to respond, "I don't have the best experiences with communities.".
The last statement intrigued Negan as his smile dropped and his face scrunched slightly, processing what Jay just said to him which increased the latter's nerves. However, after what felt like forever, the former finally spoke, "Well, I'm not gonna press you for more information", finishing with, "While you're the only one that can make such a decision, I can tell you with near 100% certainty that "The Sanctuary" will accomodate you as much as possible".
That last sentence made Jay feel slightly more reassured and given his current circumstances, what other choice did he have?
"Okay.", Jay replied, looking Negan in the eyes, "I'll join you.". Negan smiled at this, reaching a hand out to the young man, Jay shook the older man's hand and smiled back.
End of Chapter One