"Look. I don't know why you have me tied me up, I was on your side at Terminus!" I yell, a grimace coming to my lips as the rope burns deeper into my wrist the more I struggle, "I almost got killed because of y'all."

The crossbow wielding man spits to the side before kneeling down in front of me, "Shut up, blondie. We'll deal with you soon enough." He says, a gravely rasp to his southern accent.

The man maintains eye contact for a few moments longer, as if he was trying to read my mind, and I see an animalistic gleam in his dark blue eyes. I remember that gleam in Jack's eyes towards the end, and it sends a chill down my spine until I break the connection, looking back as he turns and walks away to where the bearded man is huddled with a large red-headed man, a petite brown haired girl wearing shorts, and a young Asian man. Then look back to me, then to each other, and this process reoccurred a few times over until the Crossbow guy and Bearded man makes their way over.

"What's your name?" Beard asks, watching for my answer intently.

Trying not let my anger show, I look up to them both under my lashes, "Nora Boudreaux, for what it's worth these days." I answer, now watching their faces for a reply.

Beard nods his head, looking around before kneeling over me, "If I cut you loose, Nora, are you gonna cause trouble? Because I don't think it'll end too well for you." His weary blue eyes never leave mine, the deep voice deadly serious, and I move closer to him,

"I'm on your side here.", is all I say leaning back against the tree, feeling confident as the two men stare at me and then to one another, having some sort of silent conversation before Beard reaches behind me and cuts away the rope. I sigh in relief, rubbing my wrists on the camoflage shirt to wipe away the blood stains before using the rough bark of the tree to pull myself up. Crossbow Guy has already began walking away, leaving only myself and the tall, blue-eyed man standing among the trees,

"I'm Rick Grimes." He says, slowly extending a hand, finally giving me a name for the face, "Are you staying or leaving?" Rick asks, obviously a man that has no problem getting straight to the point. I return the gesture, gripping his hand before answering,

"Honestly, I've got no where to go. Being on my own isn't really an option, as you saw the kind of trouble I can get myself into.", I go on, laughing in a failed attempt to lighten the mood, " If you've got room for me, I promise to pull my weight. Like I said, I've been on y'all's side since I saw what they were doing with you. Those people back there.." I shake my head, still unable to understand the monsterous going-ons that had occured right under my nose, "I had no idea, Rick or I would've left a long time ago."

Rick and I stand there a bit longer, the sounds of the forest around us starting to come to life once more, filling the uncomfortable silence. After running a hand through his graying black hair, he nods his head meeting my eyes deliberately,

"Alright. But remember what I said before, I have no problem doin' exactly what needs to be done to protect this group." Once again his voice is serious, and frightening, although I would never admit that anyone else. So, instead, I hide the fear with a small smile,

"Thank you. Thank you so much." My mouth forms the words as my hand reaches out to him, "I won't let you down."