Sunlight didn't blare down into her eyes like it normally would if she were lying comfortably in her tent and her father would come barging in to wish her a good morning and set her on her duties. Since the only windows in that room were boarded up, the only thing that could tell her the sun was shining again was the sound of a few birds chirping outside. She had taken up pretty much the entire bed, her arms and legs stretched out with her long brown hair splayed underneath her head in a tangled mess. She nearly forgot why she was there in the first place. There really was no going back now; she helped an exiled man who caused more trouble than he was probably worth. Her father was so going to be angry.
Sitting up and grimacing at the cracks that elicited from her back, she glanced towards the still closed door. He could've just left by now. He could've just taken the couch, not to be a gentleman toward her, but to give him the opportunity to leave her for good and rush off to the Sanctuary. Or he could be snoring on the couch now, not ready to abandon her presence just now. Olivia smiled, running her fingers through the nest on the back of her head, deciding she needed to fix it before he saw. Not that she cared about her appearance or anything, but she didn't want him cracking any jokes.
Once she worked it into an okay braid, she stood from the bed and tiptoed her way to the door, twisting the doorknob so as to not make any noise. She still had her pink pocketknife in her back pocket. Light snoring coming from the living area told her he was still there with her, not exactly friends nor enemies. For now they were just acquaintances, her more of an accomplice to his escape from death. Olivia didn't mean to pat herself on the back, but that was the way she felt. After all, she was positive if it weren't for her, he'd be walker food.
"Hey," she whispered, approaching the couch. She wasn't willing to shake him or anything. She didn't know if he would wake up violently. She settled to just calling out to him as loudly as she could without drawing any nearby walkers to this particular cabin. "Hey, Justin!" He snored on, ignoring her pleas to wake up. Now a little irritated, she stepped closer. "Justin, wake up! We have to go! Justin!" She tentatively took her hand, slowly bringing it up to his shoulder to shake him gently.
"Don't even think about it," he mumbled, interrupting his own snoring. She flinched, quickly backing away. "Is it morning?"
"Afternoon, I think. I know my dad's probably gonna blow a gasket if he sees I'm missing. I'm hoping he's more distracted by today's duties to worry about it, though. Um...do I need to give you time to wake up...or?" Olivia trailed off as he suddenly sat up and rubbed at his eyes. She watched enviously as his hair cascaded down his shoulders, not a tangle in sight. Must be nice. Clearing her throat, she continued, "I guess I'll be needing to take you back to the Sanctuary, huh? Are you sure that's the best-"
"It's my home," he said sternly, finally switching off the flashlight that was pretty much useless in light. "There's no other place for me."
"I-I know, but with...lack of fertile soil and...some of them are on the brink of a rebellion..."
"That's because I drove them to it."
Olivia's eyes flashed to his, which seemed dangerous now as they gazed into her own. She probably seemed rather stupid now.
"Oh," she mumbled, rubbing her lips together in an attempt to dull the tension now hanging in the air. "Look, I know my dad can be a handful. Trust me, by now I've had to deal with him for nineteen years, but he knows what he's doing. He's the best thing to ever happen to this world. He works for his people, and I know it may not seem like it now, but...he cares about the Saviors, too. In fact, he pretty much thinks Negan brainwashed the lot of y'all-"
"Negan helped us," Justin retorted, finally getting to his feet. It was odd how in the midst of a conversation like this, you actually notice how much bigger people are in comparison of you. Justin had about five inches over Olivia's head. "He kept me alive, he kept my people alive. Maybe it wasn't the fairytale, holier than thou way your dad does, but he did care about his people. I wanna stop talkin' about this. I don't need your help anymore. Thanks for the sleeping place, but I need to head home. And you need to get back to your people before it's too late. Understand?"
Olivia bit her lip to stifle her reply and nodded. With that, he strode right past her and moved the cinderblock out of the way so he could leave. After a moment to calm down her nerves, she followed. The sunlight blinded her for a moment as she went outside, but she could clearly see Justin making his way back to the trees. Stumbling over her own two feet, she ran quickly to catch up with him.
"Wait! Wait! Do you even know your way back?"
"I just keep walking until I don't see any trees. Can you buzz off? Now you're really starting to get on my damn nerves." Justin rolled his eyes, continuing his way. It was clear he wanted nothing more to do with Olivia, and she could understand that, but she was tired of him acting like he knew more than she did. For all he knew, he could be walking right into one of Daryl's animal traps and remain there until an unsuspecting walker found him.
"Can you put your ego aside for one minute and be thankful you have someone who actually knows where they're goin'?" Olivia snapped, moving so she stood in front of him. He grunted in annoyance, skidding to a stop. She could see his hands clench at his sides, but for some reason she wasn't afraid the way she was in the cabin when he admitted he was the one leading the resentment toward Rick and the others. Out here, it was a different story. Daryl made sure to show her all she needed to know about defending herself. "Just...let me show the way back to the path and we can go our separate ways then. You don't have to ever think about the fact that I pretty much saved you last night ever again. Instead you can go back and live to be an asshole for the rest of your life."
"Why are you trying so bad?" he demanded, gruff, "Why can't you just let me be? Why are you so stubborn in trying to help me?"
Olivia sneered, "Because my brother would've done the same for an asshat like you. That's why Siddiq's here. I don't think you'll be saving lives anytime soon, but I know he would've probably screamed at me from the beyond for not stepping in. After all, all of this was his vision. The...the togetherness, the love, and all that. I just wanted to...help it out, I guess. Just let me lead you back, alright? Don't take it personally. I can't exactly like a man that has pretty much took everything I did to keep him alive for granted."
"I wasn't exactly in danger, princess," he grumbled, begrudgingly following her into the trees as she began to count her steps again. Olivia was satisfied now. He may not exactly want it, but he definitely obliged. In some way, that was better. If only the way back wasn't more awkward than the night before. The silence was eating at her, but she didn't care. She paid her dues. She hoped, in a way, Carl was satisfied from that from wherever he was watching her.
Justin pretty much just hunched over and followed her, sliding her feet so every move he made was accompanied with a sound. Olivia hoped they were getting a lot closer faster. Once she finally stepped out of the brush, however, like she had the night before when she approached him, she heard a sound that startled her to jump about a half foot in the air.
"Rick, there she is!"
A flourish of movement had someone throw their arms tightly around her torso, picking her up so her feet left the ground. She was still a little shocked, but she could tell a moment later it was just her father, Michonne joining the embrace a moment later. This pretty much told her that they did notice her absence. She was glad Daryl didn't think to look at the cabin first. That would've been awful. Biting her lip, she glanced over her shoulder, slightly relieved Justin was remaining hidden within the trees. He knew better than to show his face right then.
"Where the hell were you?" Rick asked, placing her back down as he looked her over. "W-Were you..."
"No, no, I wasn't. I'm fine," Olivia mumbled, swatting his hands away.
"You do not leave without telling either of us, do you understand?" Michonne snapped. "Saviors are livid right now. We have an issue, and you not being where we know to find you...you cannot do that." Olivia nodded feebly, slightly confused as to why the Saviors would be angry. Did they hear about Justin's exile? Were they pissed about that? That wouldn't make much sense since they knew he'd be returning to the Sanctuary soon enough.
More people were joining the trio, Daryl and Enid amongst them.
"You were at the cabin, weren't ya?" he grunted as he searched Olivia's face.
"Cabin? What cabin?" Rick asked, looking from him to his daughter.
"When we were on a run, a storm got in the way and we had to take shelter so we found this log cabin. I, um...I didn't get to clear it out yesterday like I wanted, so I left early this morning to do it. I'm sorry, I just didn't wanna worry you," Olivia lied through her teeth, praying nobody would go and look into the trees to find Justin there and know exactly who she was with this entire time.
"Not telling us where you are worries us more," Rick shook his head. "You need to head home, now."
"What? Why?"
"Justin's missing," Daryl grunted. "Along with Arat and several other Saviors. Just Saviors...we figured since you were missing, they weren't targeting specifics, but seeing as you're alive...looks like we got someone huntin' 'em." Olivia's eyes widened, and for a moment she nearly gave up Justin's position. Saviors were going missing? Why? Who was taking them? How did they know they were even being hunted? For all they knew, they could just be going back to the Sanctuary. But that didn't make much sense.
"I'll get one of the horses. Daryl can ride back with you to Alexandria," Rick said, nodding to him. Daryl was about to leave to do so, but Olivia quickly stopped him.
"Why? If they're targeting Saviors..."
"I won't take the chance. We're gonna go look for Justin and Arat today along with the others to see what's up. I'd feel a lot better if I knew you were home with Judith." Rick said seriously.
"Okay, but...it sounds like you need more muscle. Aaron's down thanks to his injury, and you need Daryl. I can ride back by myself," Olivia urged. "I know the way, and I've got my knife. I'll be fine."
"Here," Michonne said, pulling something from her back pocket and handing it to her. Olivia could see it was a tiny handgun. Rick looked at Michonne like he wanted to stop her, but he remained silent. "You make no stops. You speak to nobody. You tell those at the gates what is going on and you do not let Judith out of your sight. If it's just one walker, don't use the gun. Can lead a herd right where you're at."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Olivia huffed, taking the gun and placing it in her pocket. "Just...let me know what's going on with the Saviors once you find me again?" The two of them nod. Daryl leaves to get the horse for her, and the others who had come in the search of Rick's daughter follow him. Olivia felt slightyl embarrassed that they overreacted. Then again, in a world like this, there wasn't much to overreact to. Everything was just that crazy.
"D-Didn't you exile Justin? How do you know he's missing?" she asked in a conversational type.
"He didn't show up at the Sanctuary as far as I know. And seeing as Arat's now gone, too, I could only put two and two together," Rick explained. "All of this...all of this just delays construction and work. It could ruin everything we've been putting together." He seemed to be talking to both Olivia and Michonne now as he cupped a hand over his face.
"It could just be coincidence," Olivia suggested. "I'm sure they're both fine. Arat's strong. She knows what to do."
"And while that Justin was a complete ass, he wasn't a total idiot. Rick, we have to take into consideration that they're leaving with the intentions to do more than just delay work for the bridge," Michonne stated, looking up at him. Olivia flinched; she was thinking the Saviors were cooking up a full blown rebellion to overthrow Rick. But that was impossible for Justin. He was standing just a few feet away from them and none of them knew. Well, none of them knew except Olivia.
"I know...I know...but I want to assume, for the best, that these are all just coincidences," Rick sighed, before turning as they heard the trotting of the horse Daryl brought. It was one of the males, its coat a beautiful jet black along with its dark eyes. It shook its mane beautifully as he approached, Daryl patting it gingerly on its side.
"She ready?" Daryl asked.
"Yeah, I am," Olivia nodded, approaching him. "You guys can go. I'll be fine. Just...get to Alexandria, tell them what's going on...stay safe and all that."
"You're right," Rick chuckled, walking over and placing a kiss to her head. Michonne did the same before the two left with Daryl back to camp, probably discussing how they were going to search for the missing Saviors and discover why they're missing in the first place. Olivia knew where one of them were, but she couldn't really speak for the rest. Once the three were out of sight, she heard a twig snap and whipped around to see Justin stepping out from the trees, looking angry.
"Saviors are missing?"
"Well...you're not," Olivia reminded, grabbing the reigns of the horse and pulling him over to Justin. "M-Maybe Arat went to go find you, so she's off to the Sanctuary."
"She wouldn't waste her breath. She's really desperate to show Rick she's changed. She wouldn't leave willingly, even to find me." Justin ran a hand down his face, then he turned and began to walk away. Olivia bit her lip and pulled at the reigns so the horse would follow her as she ran to keep up.
"You're not still going to the Sanctuary?"
"What does it look like?"
"But you heard my dad! Saviors are going miss-"
"If they are, my best bet is to be with my people to make sure they're safe since Rick ain't gonna do shit about them and just try and go find the others. He didn't even mention sending anyone to go protect them," Justin snapped. "First that Hilltop bitch won't send help for us to survive, and now this? Bullshit."
"I know, I know it sucks right now. B-But it'll get better. My dad'll find Arat and the other Saviors and find out why they're gone. But I can't, in good conscience, send you on your way to get yourself killed, too."
"Who said she was dead?" Justin glared down at her.
"Okay, wrong choice of words. But you know what I mean. You can't go to the Sanctuary now, it's too dangerous. And, anyway, they're more safe over there because they have numbers. You, on your own? It's like drawing a big target on your back. Come back with me to Alexandria." Olivia said it before she even thought it through.
"Are you insane?"
"No. I just...what was the point of taking you in last night if I was just gonna send you to your death today? You'd be a lot safer in Alexandria than on the road by yourself with only your knife to keep you company." Olivia bit her lip. "As far as they know, you're not even exiled. I just...I wanna help."
"Well, stop helping. You don't know what you're getting yourself into. Not only will your father punish you for helping me, he'll probably do something worse than an exile for me staying with his daughter. I'm going to the Sanctuary, and you can't stop me," Justin replied harshly, starting forward again, only to stop right in his tracks as the black steed suddenly lurched forward on Olivia's command and stood right in front of him.
"I'm not gonna just let you die because you're too stupid to accept help. You're going with me to Alexandria. Let's go," Olivia demanded, shaking her hair out of her face as it fell from its braid. She looked up at the horse and did a little jump before she tugged herself onto its back, for once towering over Justin's impressive frame. "Get on, or I drag your ass like a calf."
"Has anyone ever told you how annoying you are?"
"Yes, tons of times. Now, let's get going before one of the search parties come down here and sees you," Olivia ushered him to get on behind her. He straddled the horse, pressed up right against her back and pretty much overshadowing her like a grizzly bear. She didn't seem to mind, however, grabbing the reigns and sending the horse into the way of Alexandria, which happened to be the opposite way Justin attempted to go to in order to get to the Sanctuary.
Justin placed his hands securely on her hips in an attempt to keep himself from falling off. She seemed to know exactly where she was going. Her braid was coming undone, now just beginning to fly across his face and go up his nose. He grunted and shook his head furiously to try to keep it out. This was going to be a rather long ride. He was getting really sick and tired of this girl. She was so stubborn.
It took about an hour and a half to even see the gates of Alexandria. He gulped slightly. The last time he was here, he was attacking it and the people inside, including Olivia. Now she was rushing him inside to give him safety because she was worried someone was trying to off the Saviors. He looked up nervously at the people lining the tops of the gates.
"It's Olivia, open it up!" he shouted, banging on the gate obnoxiously. The horse was slowing to a stop as they got closer. Justin heard the gate unlock and slide open, revealing Alexandria in all its glory inside. Even he was amazed at how great it looked. As much as he hated Rick, he did have to give credit where credit was due.
"Olivia," Rosita came outside, smiling wide as she embraced her. "What are you doing back already? Did something happen? Did..." She trailed off as she looked over her shoulder toward Justin, who was climbing off of the horse and bringing it over. She glared slightly. "What the hell is he here for?"
Olivia moved back, looking up at Justin with an awkward smile, before looking toward the other woman. "It's a long story, but...we need to come inside. I need to tell you something. Justin, could you...?" He nodded, fighting not to roll his eyes. He was sure if he did anything offensive she'd try and attack him. From what he could tell, she was a loose cannon. When Negan and Rick were still going head to head, she had taken a shot at him after he murdered Spencer.
"Saviors are going missing. We don't know if they're getting taken, if they're running off, or if they're just dead. Um...I managed to salvage Justin because I saw him before...well, I decided the best place for him would be here until all this blows over, and he'll be back at the Sanctuary no problem. He'll be staying at my place," Olivia said all this in a rush, the two girls walking ahead while Justin handed off the horse to an awaiting boy who was looking at him like he was the dirt underneath his shoes.
"Is your dad or Michonne okay with that?"
Olivia was silent.
"They don't know... Olivia, are you kidding me? Hoarding a Savior in Alexandria, especially right now-"
"I'm not hoarding him! He'll just stay with me until everything clears up, and I promise to let him go after. Rosita, I couldn't just leave him out there," Olivia glanced at him over her shoulder. "If he had died and I knew I could've done something about it...I'd never forgive myself." Justin rolled his eyes; now that definitely sounded stupid.
"I just don't trust him. I say we just lock him down with Negan," Rosita glanced toward Justin in disgust. He perked up suddenly at the mention of Negan. He completely forgot he was even at Alexandria. Olivia paid no notice to his sudden change in posture, her eyes not leaving Rosita as she spoke.
"Just...trust me, okay? Look, it's been a long few days. The bridge construction is being delayed because the Saviors are pissed about their people going missing. I'm gonna take him back to the house. Can I catch you for lunch later?" She seemed hopeful.
Rosita sighed irritably. She took one more glance at the man, before she suddenly approached. Olivia looked like she wanted to stop her, but she stayed rooted to the spot.
"Let me make something very clear to you, hotshot," she hissed, unafraid, "If anything happens to her or anybody in this camp, I'm holding you personally responsible. I'm not Rick and I'm not Michonne. I will kill you." He could only nod. She looked back at Olivia and nodded. "This better not blow up back in our faces, Liv. I'm not happy about this."
Olivia nodded, before gesturing to Justin.
"C'mon, my house is this way." She started toward the long lines of identical homes, some of them slightly tarnished as if they had been on fire at one point. Justin shuffled beside her, looking around him in slight curiosity. He didn't really get to get a good look of the place this last time. He slightly wondered which house they hoarded Negan inside of. He was sure Olivia wouldn't allow him to see him. He wondered if he could sneak out at one point to find him.
"I'm sorry about Rosita," Olivia's voice interrupted his train of thought.
"She always that welcoming?"
"Sometimes. Me and her are very close. She went through a rough patch a while back after her ex-boyfriend was..." Olivia suddenly stopped dead, looking up at Justin before changing the subject completely, "She confided in me her troubles and I did the same when I felt sad. It helped. We just became friends after that. Plus, she is very protective over the community. Don't underestimate her. I would never fight her, personally. I'd always lose."
"And against me?"
"She'd have you on your ass before you could even take that knife out of your belt," Olivia grinned, turning right onto the porch of one of the homes. This one didn't look damaged at all. In fact, it looked quite beautiful. He hesitantly followed her inside, looking around with parted lips. The inside was clean, and organized. He suddenly felt very self conscious for being covered in dirt and sand thanks to that fight with Daryl.
"Alright, you can take the first shower. I'm gonna go find Judith. She's probably being watched by one of the neighbors. She'll be happy to see I'm back," Olivia stated, beginning up the stairs. Once again, Justin was forced to follow. "I'll get some of my daddy's clothes for you to wear. And we have some fresh towels since we haven't been here these past few days."
"You're just gonna leave me here? You put way too much trust into a Savior."
"No, I trust that Rosita will hold out on her word to take care of you if you do betray us. Here's the bathroom; let me go get your stuff."