The bathroom door shut once she had fixed all of the clothes he'd change into. It was a rugged, brown button-up with tattered jeans. It was barely anything, but it was better than being stuck in his filthy clothes all day, especially after a shower. Justin was far past frustration now. The Sanctuary was hours from Alexandria, and now he was sworn to stay here because that bitch, Rosita, would possibly attack him for sneaking out. He was so sick of the interference from Olivia. Why couldn't she just leave him alone? It was obvious all of this was unwanted. He could handle himself just fine. Whoever was snatching up Saviors would never be a match for him.
However, he wouldn't turn down a shower. The water situation at the Sanctuary wasn't great, so the chance to get legitimately clean was a Godsend. Once he stripped himself of his clothes and pulled his long hair from its rubber band, he stepped into the running water and flinched from the coldness. Hot water was a thing of the past. Dipping his head underneath, he let his mind swim as his hair became wet and slid across his bare shoulders. Healed scars lined his chest and abdomen, even going as far as his thighs. He'd had a long, rough time with this world, but each scar had a story. He was just never ready to tell it.
Negan was in Alexandria...his leader was right here in his midst and he didn't even know. He doubted Olivia would let him see him. Even if she did, Rosita would probably interfere. Still, Justin couldn't help but wonder where they had kept him. Maybe he wasn't alive at all. After all, nobody's ever really seen him since his downfall. Maybe Rick did kill him, but he just told everyone he was keeping him alive as a symbol. Just as that thought ran through his mind, he shook himself of it. Nah. Even that bastard wasn't that cruel. Negan had to be alive somewhere in that camp. Justin just wanted to know where.
Once he was completely clean and he felt like he could scrub no more at his already sore skin, he switched the water off and stepped out, splattering the clean tiled floor with the residue still attempting to dry on his body. He grabbed the towel Olivia had left for him and quickly began to dry himself, not wanting her to return and suddenly walk in on him. He already got the hint she was a complete stranger to boundaries. She had no trouble just grabbing his hand and dragging him around where she wanted him to go.
Pulling his hair back again, he moved to change into his new clothes, feeling how tight they were in the chest region; otherwise, they were completely okay. He glanced at himself in the mirror and grimaced. He was still bruised up from the fight with Daryl. He wondered when it would finally go away. He looked hideous. Shaking his head, he dried up the floor with the towel he used before throwing it inside the wooden bin, where he assumed they threw their towels, too.
Opening the door, he was surprised at how quiet it was. Olivia must've not returned just yet. He stood awkwardly, his dirty clothes piled up in his arms. He really wished she hadn't left him to wander about a house he's never been to before. Not to mention the fact this was the same house as Rick Grimes, the same man who banished him the night before. It felt so faraway now. All he could think of was the night spent in the stupid cabin with a stupid girl before he got dragged here because someone was taking out Saviors for whatever reason. Justin felt it was all some kind of sick joke God played on him to test his faith or whatever.
Justin, now even more irritated than before, placed his dirty clothes near the bathroom door and straightened up once more. He could leave right now. He could walk out that front door and out the front gate without Olivia even knowing. His feet refused to move, however. His brain waves kept them rooted to the faux wood floors. Why didn't he want to leave? Wasn't his entire thought process this entire time to get away from Olivia Grimes and back to the Sanctuary? He excused it as him not wanting to be killed like the other Saviors. That had to be it. Shaking his head thoroughly, he turned and slowly made his way down the short hallway of doors. He wanted to stop his mind from saying much more and making him more irritated.
He was never good with it, the thinking. Not that he was stupid, he just hated being stuck in his own head for so long. It brought terrifying thoughts to him, or worse, memories. When he had been with Negan, he didn't have to think about all that. Negan had him thinking about the next move for their group, or what way they were going to send a proper message to the groups they had a hold over. Never did he think about how he was feeling or how he wanted to feel. God, he missed that. He missed the power, the superior feeling, all of it. Now it was all gone. Thanks to Rick effing Grimes.
He turned the silver doorknob of the door on the far end. It opened with ease, pushing back into the opposite wall and giving him a full view of what was inside. It had to be a girl's room, by the look of the faded pink comforter on the mattress laying on the ground along with the vanity with chipped white paint. The leftmost drawer had a missing knob, and the entire thing was meant to be lopsided, but a couple of books held itself underneath what used to be a leg. The window was covered by a purple throw blanket, nailed to the wall to hide anybody's sight of what was inside. On the vanity laid a few books, a hairbrush, hair ties, and even a bra. He flushed slightly as he looked on. There was no bed, as stated before, there was only a mattress with a comforter and one pillow. If he had to guess, he'd say this was Olivia's room.
On the other side of the mattress was another door. That must be the closet. Looking back over his shoulder, he decided he didn't want to be racked by her for snooping where his nose didn't belong. Turning back, he closed the door behind him and trotted down the stairs just as the front door opened and in walked the person in question, holding a small child on her hip and a couple of brown paper bags. She grunted in discomfort, kicking open the door fully and struggling to walk inside without dropping the bags or the child. Just as her arms nearly gave out, he rushed forward and took the bags, straightening her with his free hand.
"Oh, thank you," she said, smiling up at him. "Well, don't you look clean? Really should've borrowed a razor there, though, the scruff looks a little dirty on its own." Laughing, she strolled into the kitchen and sat the little girl on the counter. Her beady little brown eyes fixated themselves on him, giving a small smile as she played with the front of her tattered dress. "Could you bring those bags in here? Mrs. Abrody was kind enough to pack us some dinner with her famous casserole. Tastes like dirt, but it fills you up pretty good. She's been watching Judith for Daddy and Michonne."
Justin nodded and walked forward, placing the bags gently in front of her. The child turned quickly on the spot, still giving him a warm smile. It was making him quite uncomfortable. He didn't much like children.
"Say hi, Judith," Olivia cooed, pulling the girl towards her. "This here's my sister, Judith, in case you didn't know who I was talking about. Judy-fruity, this is Justin. Can you say Justin?"
Judith just reached out to grab at his shirt, seeming to recognize it since it was her father's. Olivia laughed and gently pulled her away.
"I really need to get her dressed, so I can head out for lunch with Rosita. You're...you're welcome to come with, if you want," Olivia looked up at him. "S'not like you got much else to do. You're pretty much safer within the gates than out. Odds are whoever's doin' this won't really stick around in plain view."
Justin didn't get to refuse. He really didn't wanna just sit around in an empty house, debating on whether to leave or go find Negan when he knew he wasn't going to do either. He just gave her a nod and watched as she ran up the stairs to get her and her sister ready. A few minutes later, which consisted of him just bouncing back and forth on the heels of his feet, she returned wearing a white blouse and blue jeans with cowgirl boots running up her calves. Her sister was sporting a newer dress with a bright yellow floral pattern.
"Alright, c'mon. Don't mind the staring. Um...I'm guessin' Rosita let it out that I brought a Savior in here, so everyone's gonna wanna get a look at you. Please...just don't lose your temper like you did with Henry." Olivia pleaded, before she opened the front door and walked out toward the porch steps. He grumbled slightly as he followed her. Maybe he should've stayed behind and debated some more. He really wished he had just ignored her wishes and went back to the Sanctuary. Anything was better than being here. It was all moving far too fast for his liking.
Nevertheless, he begrudgingly followed her to wherever these people gathered for lunch. He wondered why she couldn't just invite the damn girl over so he wouldn't be gawked at. Justin was sure there would be a few muttered curses directed at him. Not that he cared what any of them thought. Just a while back, he could bust a cap in all of their foreheads without even blinking if they even looked at him the wrong way. Negan, Negan, Negan... Justin had to repeat in his head how much he missed that bastard.
Apparently, they were going to be eating outside. It resembled something of a park as he approached. There were benches all around, along with other kids running around and playing. Olivia dipped down and set Judith down for her to go and run with the others. They all didn't hesitate to include her. Olivia turned and sent Justin a wide smile before beckoning him forward to the benches. They must've been the first ones there.
"Olivia! Hey, Olivia!"
Both of them turned. A boy was approaching. He was about an inch or so shorter than Olivia, but he was more than a foot compared to Justin. He wore a blue button up with brown slacks and leather bound shoes. He had a boyish sort of face with acne lining his chin and hairline. Even from there Justin could tell his eyes were a vibrant hazel with a button nose and think pink lips. The boy was smiling eagerly at Olivia, just before he stumbled a foot before them because he laid eyes on the man standing beside her.
"O-Olivia!" he coughed, correcting himself and outright embracing her despite the fact she had a hand out for him to shake. Justin watched awkwardly, trying to keep whatever laugh that met his lips inside. "I heard you were back! Everyone's already talking about it. Gosh, you gotta tell me everythin' about the bridge! Mama wouldn't let me go out with 'em when Mr. Grimes asked for volunteers. Is there any openings? You think Mr. Grimes would let me in a little later?"
Mr. Grimes? Who was this guy? Justin finally snorted, just before he grunted as Olivia jabbed an elbow into his side.
"Hey, Nathan," Olivia smiled, stepping back. "Um...actually, I don't know if my daddy would accept anymore people. We got a situation goin' on down there, anyway. Saviors are goin' missing. Actually, uh...this is Justin. I took him here because of that reason. He'll be here until Daddy or Daryl or Michonne figures out what the hell's going on. Justin, this is Nathan Wright. He's been here before I have. Nathan, this is Justin, my...friend."
Justin looked down at him, still rubbing the side where Olivia had elbowed him. Nathan looked up at him, still looking intimidated, but he had some sort of territorial gaze in his eyes Justin recognized. Negan would make the same face whenever some of the men back home looked at his wives more than once. But since he was being stared at by most of the other people around them, he put a hand out. Nathan visibly flinched, not seeming to expect such hospitality. Justin wondered what these people thought of the Saviors. Despite them somewhat coming together, they probably still held some animosity for them. He didn't care. The Saviors felt the exact same way.
Nathan's hand was cold as he shook his. Perhaps Justin clenched his fist a little too hard just to assert dominance. Nathan, now clutching said hand, looked back at Olivia with a red face, "Are you having lunch here, Olivia? Would you like me to join y'all?"
"Oh, you can if you want! Rosita and I are having lunch, though. I just brought Justin so he could get out of the house a while."
"R-Rosita?" Nathan somehow grew redder. "Uh, on second thought, I think I hear Momma callin' me. It was...really nice seein' you again, Olivia. M-Maybe we could have lunch together, if that's alright with you? My Momma makes good chicken and tuna sandwiches. I could ask her to make 'em just the way you like 'em." Nathan bit his lip hopefully.
"Uh...I'll let you know, Nathan, but I'm very pleased you asked," Olivia smiled awkwardly. The other boy nodded feebly, gave her another awkward hug, before he scurried off. Shaking her head. Olivia went and sat down on one of the benches, Justin taking the spot to her left as he continued to watch the boy run.
"What...the hell was that?"
"That was Nathan Wright."
"Uh, yeah, I kind of caught that when you introduced us the first time."
"Well, I'd hate to sound a little arrogant, but he likes me a tad, but he's terrified of Rosita, which is probably why he didn't wanna have lunch now," Olivia blew a piece of hair from her face. "Daddy actually wanted somethin' to happen with me and him. He thinks Nathan's good for me, after the last one. You remember Spencer, right?"
Justin's mind clicked and he looked up at her in surprise. She was with Spencer?
"I actually just got with him to piss my dad off, to be honest. I was angry with him when we originally came to Alexandria, after Terminus. You probably don't know much about that situation, so I won't bore you with the story. Anyway, I didn't trust Alexandria, and Daddy pretty much ignored all my protests. So I decided to be the brat that I was. Then I watched Negan tear his guts out. But...Nathan's just...he's too...I don't..."
"You know you don't have to have a reason why you don't like him, right?" Justin said. "The kid looked like a scrawny little prick, anyhow."
Olivia rolled her eyes playfully. "Oh, be nice! He's real sweet. But...thanks for makin' me feel better, I guess."
"Olivia!"
Rosita had arrived, still wearing what she had earlier when Justin and her first crossed paths. Much like Nathan had, she stopped short when she saw Justin sitting beside her. However, she straightened up quickly and strode over, tossing something into Olivia's hands. Upon further inspection, Justin could see it was an orange. An orange for lunch?
"I thought we'd be eating alone," Rosita commented.
"I know, I know...but I didn't wanna leave him alone in the house. Plus, until we discover what's going on with the Saviors, everyone here has to get used to havin' him around," Olivia stated, still leaving out the part how Justin was technically banished and could possibly be murdered just for sitting on this bench with the leader's daughter and one of his best gunman.
"Everybody's already making up rumors," Rosita stated, peeling her orange so she could eat it. "Some of them involve you, Liv."
"Let them talk," Olivia rolled her eyes, rolling the fruit around in her hands. "I wasn't about to let him die when I knew I could've prevented it. And, anyway, I'm sick of having to defend my decision. Can we talk about anything else? What's been going on here without my dad and Michonne? Everything seems to be running smoothly. But Mrs. Abrody said there was a hunting accident the other day?"
"Yeah, Terry Zane got scratched. Um...Montague put him down for his mom. There was a whole herd east. We didn't even see them."
"Terry Zane? Ain't he the one that pointed-"
"Pointed the gun right at you."
"What?" Justin spoke up from the other side.
"Terry was a bit trigger happy. When the war with Negan first started, he and I got into an argument and he pointed a gun straight for my head. Daryl beat the ever living shit out of him, kind of like what he did with y-" Olivia quickly cut herself off, blushing profusely and clearing her throat. Rosita couldn't know about the ruckus before the Saviors incident. She'd find out when her father arrived, anyway. By that time Justin could finally go home.
"He pointed a gun at your head?" Justin asked, his contentedness subsiding in favor of sudden anger.
"Yeah, but it was out of bullets. Think he just did it to scare me. Didn't talk to him since. Dang...so he just...died?" Olivia turned back to Rosita, completely oblivious to Justin's sudden change in posture. "As much as I hated him, his mother was a nice woman. How is she doing?"
"Terrible. Keeps going on and on that it wasn't a herd."
"How would she know?"
"Because Montague told her there was no herd in sight. In fact, he said they found the walker tied to a tree before he got free when it took notice to 'em and scratched Terry," Rosita recalled, before shrugging, "But what do I know? I wasn't there."
"Wow..." Olivia shook her head. "Unbelievable."
She slowly began to peel away the orange she had, now seemed to be completely lost in thought. Rosita, however, was staring at him over her shoulder. He knew the expression well: hatred. She hated him. He hadn't done anything to her, and she hated him. Justin snorted indignantly, removing his gaze and staring toward the children instead, who were still playing. He could see the girl Judith amongst them, her dress covered in mud as she laughed loudly. She was having a good time.
"Who said it was a herd?" he asked finally, breaking the awkward silence.
"Don't know. But they'd rather say that then raise any questions. Why would a walker be tied up?"
"Maybe he was tied before he was turned? Why does it have to raise any red flags?" Olivia sighed irritably.
"Because that's the world we live in," Rosita said, just as they heard static. Justin and Olivia looked around in confusion, but they turned in time to see Rosita pull out a radio. She pressed the button and murmured something into it before she turned back to the two. "Have to go. I'm on watch now. Just to reestablish things, watch yourself." She was speaking directly to Justin. "As for you, goodnight. Remember what I said, Liv. If this blows back up in your face-"
"It won't," Olivia promised, getting to her feet as well.
The two girls hugged and Rosita left. Justin grunted and got up as well, figuring they were going to leave since 'lunch' was over.
"Judith!" Olivia called, beckoning her sister toward her.
"What the shit is going on down here?" Justin asked, pulling her to face him. "A man dead, some kind of conspiracy theory about a herd...Are you kiddin' me?"
"I guarantee you it was nothing. Mrs. Zane just wants someone to blame for Terry's death is all. Guarantee Montague just told her that so she could be angry instead of miserable. It keeps her distracted." Olivia seemed to not find anything weird about it. Justin had to remind himself that this girl was as stupid as nails. He shook his head, wanting to say more, but Judith had arrived. The little girl threw her arms around her sister's torso, Olivia obliging her wishes and pulling her to her hip.
"C'mon...we should head back. I think someone needs a nap!" Olivia cooed, walking in the direction of her house with Justin trailing behind. He felt a little smaller, still feeling looks on him from passersby. He was still the attraction in Alexandria, and that's not a good thing. He wondered if, wherever he was, Negan would gain notice to one of his old followers' arrival. What would he think of him, shacking up with Rick Grimes' daughter? He'd probably get the wrong impression.
But right now Justin didn't care about that. His mind just couldn't help but curl around the subject about the death of Terry Zane and how exactly he died. The whole thing was just so peculiar.
Peculiar, indeed.