Anna moved fluidly through the motions, shifting the stick in her hands as she struck her imaginary opponent. She had snuck out of Hilltop, finding a quiet place in the surrounding trees to train alone. But the sun was just starting to turn the sky a muted shade of blue, and she knew her time to herself would be over soon.

She settled her stick by her side and relaxed her stance before walking to a tree. She leaned her stick against it and sat down, her back pressed to the bark. Anna laid her head back and closed her eyes for a moment, listening to the sound of the woods and breathing in the morning air.

Opening her eyes, Anna raised her head and picked up the book that laid on the ground beside her. Flipping to the first page of the main text, she reviewed what she had read last night, taking the time to think about what was being said before scribbling her understanding in the margins and moving to the next statement.

Consider your actions carefully before execution.

Maintain advantage.

Be willing and capable of adjusting as needed.

Weather, terrain, leadership, and discipline must be determined.

On she went, until the sun was fully in the sky and it was time for her to return. She pushed herself to her feet and grabbed her stick when she caught movement in her peripheral.

Tensing, she dropped the book and readied herself for a fight, facing the new presence.

"Hey, sorry. Didn't mean to startle you," Jesus said quickly, holding his hands up in surrender.

"Damn it, Jesus," Anna huffed, letting herself relax.

"Sorry. I saw you heading out here, and since it's time for training, I figured I'd come get you. Thought maybe you lost track of time," he explained as she scooped up her book.

"I was just about to head in," she said, dusting off the cover. "Is everyone gathered?"

"They're trickling in," he said. "By the time we get back, they should be ready."

Anna nodded, and the two started toward Hilltop.

"What were you doing out here, anyway?" Jesus asked.

"Training, reading," Anna shrugged.

"The Art of War," Jesus mused. "Emma give it to you?"

"Yeah."

"Good. I think you'd make the best use of it," he said, smiling at her. "Emma's good about giving the right books to the right people."

"Maggie and Sasha would have done just as well with it," Anna said.

"Maggie and Sasha don't have the military training you do," Jesus countered.

"I was only with the military for seven months after the turn. Why does that make me the expert?" Anna huffed.

"Doesn't basic training in the army only last three months?" Jesus asked.

"Two and a half," Anna muttered.

"So, you've got more than double the training time," he said. "Who were you with, anyway? Army? Marines?"

"A few different branches. National Guard, Army," she listed. "Drill Sergeant was a Marine," she admitted sheepishly.

Jesus gave a low whistle.

"I was low ranking, and was only ever used for patrols, until I was volunteered for a Search and Rescue," she insisted.

She became very quiet, her mind rapidly going through everything that had happened on her first and only mission outside the base. She almost didn't hear Jesus speaking.

"Well, of everyone here, you're the one with the most military training. I've got my martial arts, but you've got actual training in the art of war," he said, gesturing to the book in her hands.

Anna glanced down at the book and back at him.

"I'm not some General," Anna said as they walked around Hilltop to the clearing that they had been using for training. "Don't mistake me for one."

Jesus smiled at her, gesturing for her to take the lead as they approached the gathered group.

"Do you have your knives on you?" Anna asked.

"Yeah," Jesus said, showing her the knives strapped to his hips.

"Good. We're going to show them disarming today, after a review of yesterday," she explained as she headed for the group.

Anna walked with Jesus to the house, conversing about the sessions today. The group had done alright, but they needed a lot of practice. Tomorrow would have to be another lesson on disarming.

But she was distracted. The thought of what she had read today lingered in her mind.

Weather, terrain, leadership, and discipline must be determined.

Terrain in particular caught her attention.

"Jesus," she said, interrupting whatever it was he was saying. "You've been to the Sanctuary. Do you think you'd be able to draw me a map of it?"
"Why do you want a map?" He asked as they stopped on the front steps of the porch.

"I'd like to explore all possible avenues."

"Yeah, I can make you a map," he assured, jogging the rest of the way up the stairs and heading inside just as Emma was coming out.

"Emma," Anna called. "I was actually about to start looking for you. Do you have a second?"

"Of course. What's up?" Emma asked, stepping down the rest of the steps.

"I need a list of everyone fighting with us," Anna said. "Names and profiles on them, if you have it."

"I don't have profiles on everyone yet, but I can get you the names," Emma said. "May I ask what for?"

"I just want to organize our forces—however limited it is," Anna said, starting up the steps.

"If you need help, let me know," Emma said. "I'll get that list for you."

"Thank you," Anna said, before turning away to head to her room, only to pause and look back. "One more thing."

Emma stopped midstride and turned to her expectantly.

"How often do the Saviors come here?" Anna asked.

"Once a month for pick up. They've already been here this month, so don't worry," Emma assured.

"Alright," Anna nodded. "Thanks."

With that, the two women went their separate ways.

At the end of the day, Maggie deemed it necessary to have a small dinner party to unwind. Jesus borrowed a grill from one of his neighbors and set it up. The smell of fresh venison filled the air as they dished up their plates.

Anna cast a worried glance over her shoulder at Daryl sitting alone on a picnic table, busy making bolts for his crossbow.

"Daryl didn't have to go hunting, but I'm sure glad he did," Emma said as they walked together back inside the trailer.

"I'm still upset he went without me—or at all," Anna huffed as the two sat down at the table. "But he can't be locked in here all the time."

Emma nodded in agreement, pulling apart her meat and popping a piece in her mouth. She hummed her enjoyment as she chewed. Anna gave a small smile. Everyone gathered inside the trailer, conversing and laughing as they ate until their plates were empty and their bellies were full. Everyone except Daryl.

Frowning, Anna glanced out the door and saw the shadowy figure of Daryl in the pitch darkness still sitting by himself on the picnic table. Pushing herself to her feet, Anna made to go check on him when Maggie placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I'll go. Stay," Maggie instructed.

Anna pursed her lips but allowed Maggie to gently push her back into her seat. Maggie walked outside with a plate.

"Is he alright?" Enid asked, pulling Anna's attention back to the room.

Anna tensed at the way everyone looked to her, awaiting her response. Nervously, she cleared her throat and straightened in her seat.

"He just doesn't like being crowded," Anna assured.

Maggie stepped back inside at that moment.

"How is training going, Anna? Jesus?" Maggie asked, shifting the attention and atmosphere of the room.

Anna felt herself relax as Jesus chuckled where he stood leaning against the counter, shaking his head, arms crossed.

"Yesterday, Anna asked me to help her demonstrate, neglecting to tell me exactly what she was going to do," he explained, a teasing note to his voice.

"What did she do?" Sasha asked.

"She knocked him on his ass," Enid laughed. "Bertie told me."

"It's not like we were fighting," Anna defended. "I was just showing a way to get out of a hold."

"You know, I don't think I've ever seen Anna fight without a gun," Sasha said.

"She's got a mean right hook," Maggie insisted.

Anna remembered that day on the farm when Andrea had shot Daryl. It was the first time Anna had ever broken someone's nose. Her knuckles had ached and Andrea sported some serious bruising for quite a while. All because of Daryl.

As the others continued laughing and talking, Anna got to her feet once again.

"I think I'm gonna turn in," she announced, heading to grab her stick from where it rested against the couch.

"Already?" Emma asked.

"Yeah," Anna nodded. "I'll see you guys tomorrow. Jesus—interested in helping me more tomorrow?"

"Sure, but maybe give a little more warning of what you're gonna do next time?" Jesus laughed.

Anna rolled her eyes with a smile and exited the trailer, the laughter of the others fading as she approached Daryl, who was picking at his food.

"Hey," she greeted softly.

"Hey," he muttered.

Anna pressed her lips together, her brow creasing in worry.

"Let's head in," she said, gesturing for him to come with her.

Daryl set his plate down and jumped off the table. He gathered his newly made bolts and they started toward the house in silence.

Anna reached out and brushed the back of her hand against his. He reciprocated the touch as they entered the dark house.

Anna scanned the piece of paper, running her finger around the pencil marks that represented a large building.

"It's a tower," Jesus explained from beside her. "Definitely a factory. They've got walkers around the front, with a path cut through for them to drive out."

She considered the similarities between the Sanctuary and Fort Benning. Walkers prevented any approach by foot—for the most part—but were primarily for effect. The real problem lied in the tower. They had visual in all direction for quite the distance. It was thankfully broken up by the surrounding buildings, and that would be their only hope of getting anywhere near the factory.

"What do you plan on doing with this?" Jesus asked, as he had the day before.

"I'm not sure yet," Anna muttered, trying to visualize the setting.

"Well, when you decide, let me and Maggie know. We can help," he said.

Anna hummed her agreement, the sound of the front gates creaking open pulling her attention away. Rosita came walking through, a large pack on her back and her hat pulled low over her face as she made a beeline for Anna and Jesus.

"Where's Sasha?" She asked the moment she was close enough for them to hear her without yelling.

"She's back behind the house," Anna said, cocking a brow at her.

Rosita turned on her heel and started in that direction.

"Hello to you, too," Anna called, shaking her head as Rosita disappeared around the corner.

"I'm going to go find Maggie," Jesus announced, starting toward his trailer.

Anna watched him leave, passing Emma as she approached with another paper in her hands.

"Hello," Emma said cheerfully. "I've got that list for you."

"Thank you," Anna said, accepting the offered paper.

She read over the two columns of names, trying to put faces to the names. She recognized most of them, and she began organizing them in her head.

"How do you plan on organizing them?" Emma asked.

"Well, we aren't an army," Anna shrugged, folding the list into the map and tucking both into her pocket. "But we need some sort of structure."

"Makes sense," Emma nodded. "From what I've seen, the Saviors are extremely organized."

"Alright, I'm going to put these up and then head to the clearing for today's training," she explained, going up the porch.

"Okay."

Anna made her way inside and up the stairs, pursing her lips at the thought of Emma. She was a nice person. Genuine. Someone Anna could see herself being friends with. But she couldn't help but hold her at a distance.

It was fear, really, of getting close to someone again and risking the pain that would inevitably come. She was in too deep with the others to walk away, but she could prevent anything from forming between her and Emma. With Jesus, it was easy to circumvent attachment when his focus was on Maggie. But Emma was something different.

What Anna couldn't figure out, however, was whether it was a fear that Emma would become another Glenn, or another Marley.

Anna entered her room and found The Art of War on the writing desk. She tucked the papers within the cover and tossed it back down before reaching for her stick that she had left leaning against the wall beside the desk.

A bell rang out and she tensed. Forgetting the stick for the moment, she crossed the room to the window and pushed the curtains aside to see the gates opening and trucks pulling through.

She heard footsteps bounding rapidly against the floor, and she whirled around to see Emma rushing into the room.

"It's the Saviors," Emma said breathlessly. "Hide."

"The others—" Anna started, panic rising in her chest.

I can't let them find Daryl.

"I saw Enid leading Maggie and Daryl around back," Emma assured, ushering Anna toward the wardrobe.

She threw the doors open and moved the few clothes aside. Anna stepped in and Emma shut the doors. Anna could just barely hear the front door open and Simon's voice carry up the stairs.

Through the crack between the doors, Anna saw Emma hurry out of the room. She pressed herself into the back of the wardrobe and sighed. She didn't know how long the Saviors would be here, or why they were here, but she was stuck. She hoped the others had found suitable hiding places.

A few minutes ticked by and she heard the front door slam shut. She leaned forward to peer through the doors again. She began to gently push the left door open when she saw movement.

The breath left her at the sight of Isaac wandering into her and Daryl's room, passively looking around.

Her skin tingled and her fingers twitched and she pressed herself into the corner, begging the darkness to swallow her as he drew closer and closer to the wardrobe. He paused at the writing desk, looking at the book and the papers scattered atop it before his gaze turned to something beside the desk.

Fuck, she thought bitterly, realizing she'd left her stick out in the open.

Isaac continued past the stick, languidly strolling toward the wardrobe as he whistled a soft tune.

Her heart was pounding in her head and her ears rang as he reached for the little doorknob of the wardrobe. She felt her stomach churn and she covered her mouth to mute the sound of her dry heaving. Her eyes were wide in abject horror as she stared at his face and he started to open the door.

"There you are!"

He turned away, letting the door fall back into place as Emma entered the room.

"We've got the fruits and vegetables gathered in front of the house," Emma explained, her voice carefully even. "Simon wants you to look them over before they're loaded up."

"He sure is bossy, isn't he?" Isaac said good-naturedly. "Thanks, Emma."

Without another word, he strolled out of the room. Emma stood still until they heard the front door open and close.

Anna launched herself from the wardrobe, her chest heaving as she nearly collapsed on the floor.

"Are you okay?" Emma asked as she went to Anna, her hands hovering as if unsure of what to do.

She shook her head, gasping for air as she straightened and wiped at the tears running down her cheeks.

"He almost found me," she breathed. "Isaac, he—" she stopped herself.

"So, you've met him already?" Emma asked, her hands dropping to her sides.

"We go back," Anna muttered, wrapping her arms around herself as she turned away from Emma.

"You're scared of him," Emma said suddenly. "He—he hurt you, didn't he?"

Anna chewed on the inside of her cheek. It felt like there was acid in her chest.

"He can't hurt you anymore, though," Emma assured, taking a step toward her.

"He can," Anna said quietly. "And I can't stop him."

"Yes, you can," Emma insisted. "You're strong—"

"No, I'm not," Anna snapped, whirling around to face Emma. "I don't know what gave you that impression, but you're wrong. I'm weak. I couldn't stop him before and I can't stop him now. I'd rather hide in a fucking closet like a scared little girl. I'd rather abandon my friends and hide in the fucking woods than face him," she hissed, trying to keep her voice low. "I thought he died once before, but here he is. Too much of an asshole to just fucking die."

Anna and Emma stared at each other for a moment, listening to the sounds of the trucks outside roaring to life.

"You're not weak, Anna," Emma finally said.

Emma brushed her short hair off her forehead and sighed.

"You said you'd rather abandon your friends and hide, but you didn't," she said. "You're here getting ready to fight. You're scared, sure, but you're still here. You're human. And so is he."

After managing to calm down, Anna and Emma peered out the window to watch the Saviors. Anna's skin crawled as she watched Isaac look over the fruits and vegetables with that same appraising look he'd always given her.

"I never liked him," Emma said as Isaac ordered for the produce to be loaded up. "He seems nice enough, but there was always something about him that just didn't sit right with me."

Anna looked at Emma for a moment.

"He's very good at pretending," Anna said as she looked back at Isaac.

"Is that Harlan?"

Two Saviors led the doctor from the medical trailer to the trucks they had arrived in. Gregory stood off to the side, hands in his pockets as Harlan was herded into the back of one of the pick-up trucks. She recognized Simon as he climbed into the passenger seat and slammed the door shut.

The convoy started down the hill. Anna found Isaac sitting in the back of the last truck, a satisfied smirk on his face as he disappeared beyond the wall.

"Load 'em up," Isaac called, gesturing to a few nearby Saviors.

They started taking the baskets and boxes of produce and putting them in the back of the black moving truck as the Hilltoppers gathered. He glanced at Gregory, standing idly by as Simon loaded up their doctor. He rolled his eyes. He'd never had any patience for the bumbling, stuttering idiot. But he knew from experience that it was easier to control a coward.

As the last of the produce was loaded, Isaac climbed into the back of the truck, a flash of red catching his eye.

He looked up at Barrington House, spotting Emma in one of the windows, her eyes glued to the doctor. Beside her… Isaac's lips pulled into a smirk.

Someone's being a bad girl, he thought. Don't worry, Annie. I won't tell.