Chapter 131-The victims
The day of the fair
Jesus's P.O.V
Jesus walked up to Aaron and Gracie, who were near the start of the stands. "You should stay." Aaron said "I mean you're the guest of honor right?"
"I'll be back soon, besides everyone has to pitch in." He says with a smile. "You guys enjoy the fair," He says as he hugs Gracie. "You keep Daddy out of trouble."
"Okay Papa." Gracie says as she kisses his cheek.
"I love you, sweetie."
"Love you too, Papa." Gracie says before Jesus kisses Aaron.
"I'll be back in a couple of hours." Jesus says. "I'll have one of the strongest groups with me."
"Just be safe," Aaron said looking at the gate then back at him, concern clear in his gaze.
"I will," Jesus says. "I love you."
"I love you, too," Aaron says as he kisses him again.
Smiling, Jesus turned and headed to the gate where the rest were waiting, but stopped as he suddenly heard a commotion.
Laura's P.O.V
A banging got the patrol group's attention, and they turned to see Laura coming up with a pistol in hand, cocking it. Arat stared at her on the driver side of the carriage, blankly looking at her "Uh, the fuck are you doing?"
"Coming." Laura said curtly.
"What?" Ezekiel looked worried. "Laura-"
"Don't."
Nick frowned, stepping forward. "Laura, you went through something traumatic a few days ago. I think you need to stay here. For the baby."
"THE FUCK!?"
"Oh shit," Carol muttered next to her husband.
Negan stormed out of the buildings pointing right at her "Laura Reggis, you get your ass inside right now! You're fucking not going out there!"
Laura turned to him, her face tight. "I just need to clear my head. Just a quick patrol, then back. Besides, those Highway guys are out there too."
"I don't give a flying goddamn holy fuck about that!" Negan roared. "You're staying with Kate inside here, goddammit! Franklin would rise from the ground and whip my ass from here to Daniel's fucking barber shop if I let his grandkid get out there!"
DJ slowly came up, holding his hands to his old leader. "Negan, easy. Look at the first sign of trouble we'll send her-"
"DJ." DJ paled as he saw the look on Negan's face and stepped away. "And for you-"
"Negan!" Laura slammed her hand on the carriage, screaming, taking them all by surprise. "Shut up! Your Not my Father, so don't fucking tell me what I can't do!"
At this, there was an air of uneasy silence, Arat looking between the two wide-eyed and unsure who to side with.
"...I'm aware." Suddenly, Negan just looked tired "...Fuck, fine, this isn't over. Have fun." With that, he turned and trudged off, Laura's face falling, raising a hand to call out, but Arat grabbed it "Don't just...let him cool down."
Laura nods as they prepare to leave.
Maggie's P.O.V
Maggie walked with Georgie as the woman looked around. "We have done great things, Maggie." Georgie says. "We have helped build this fair, brought in new people."
"You've done a lot of it. I mean I know Alden and Daryl and Morgan did it too but none of them went across the country like you did." Maggie says. "You've found a lot of communities that can help us if we need more allies."
"I am doing what I can to help build the New World and besides I had a lot of help." Georgie modestly waved her hand "You have helped build this world as well."
"I'm glad I met you, Georgie," Maggie says.
"As am I." She then paused and put a hand on Maggie's shoulder "And listen, when this fair is over I have to talk to the rest of you and especially Eugene about something."
Maggie paused, turning "Something?"
She saw Georgie's lips pursed then sighed "No, I apologize. Enjoy the fair, I promise when it's over I'll explain."
Frowning, Maggie nodded as Georgie walked off.
What had the older woman found?
Clementine's P.O.V
Clementine walked up to Lily and A.J, A.J running up as Lily chuckled warmly at this. "Hey, goofball," Clementine said with a smile as the boy ran up to her and hugged her.
AJ frowned "I heard you faced monsters."
Clementine grimaced and looked at Lily, who looked at her sternly "You told him?"
"Oh gee, you mean you running off to save someone you barely know-"
"Hey." Clementine frowned. "I had to. Arya wanted to help her!"
AJ winced, causing the two to look at him, then back...sighing Clementine muttered "Sorry." Soon hugging Lily in apology.
"How are you doing?" Lily asks her, letting go.
"I'm okay," Clementine says. "We're getting closer and closer to winning this war, we have everybody here. We're gonna win."
"We are, but just be careful dearie," Lily says. "Kenny would be proud of you. And...I know I never met him But I know Lee would be too."
At that last name, Clementine's eyes welled up and just gave Lily another tight hug.
Jesus's P.O.V
Jesus walked beside Laura as up ahead Arat and D.J had walked down the road to meet up with the Highwaymen, leaving a woman named Margo with the group to represent the new 'lawmen' walking up and down the road on her horse.
He looked to see her looking down, rubbing her eyes then up at him. "Are you doing okay?"
"I shouldn't have said what I did." Laura muttered. "I was just angry."
"You'll apologize to him when you get back." Jesus says. "We won't be out here much longer."
"I want them dead." Laura's eyes darkened
"This group won't kill them," Jesus says as he looks at Nick and Gage, who are in front of them. "We should head back. We don't want to be caught out here."
They nod as they turn around but stop when they see in the middle of the road...
A Whisperer was there, with a knife to Brandon's neck, the young Savior saying "Guys, guys I'm sorry I just...I went after them, wanted payback for Mark-"
But he froze and suddenly went stiff...he seemed to be looking at Laura.
"...You're not supposed to be out here."
"What?" Laura drew her handgun "Wait what do you mean-"
But then they heard branches and soon looked around them as they were surrounded, Jesus looked left and right saying. "This will not end well for you."
"Drop your weapons." Jesus turns and looks at Beta who drew a massive blade, pointing it at Laura. "Do it now, or I will carve the child out of her and feed it to her." Jesus throws the sword on the ground as the others do the same. They grab them and tie them up and cover their eyes before they push them forwards.
Arya's P.O.V
Arya, Lydia, and Enid walk through the fair, Arya seeing the pinched look on her mother's face. "You know Dad will be fine. He's with Uncle Daryl and Grandpa." Arya says to Enid, who smiles.
"I know don't worry about me." Enid said then looked ahead. "The movie will be starting soon."
"I haven't seen a movie in a long time." Arya says.
"Neither have I, I can't even remember the last one I saw." Lydia shook her head.
Enid grinned "Well come on then, no use in just wondering."
Tammy P.O.V
Wiping her hands with a rag, she went downstairs to the basement area, humming happily as she moved to get another barrel of water. So far, the fair was going swimmingly with all the residents gathered there and nary a Dead one in sight. "Tarnation, where is it?" She cursed under her breath as she looked through the shelves.
"Lost something?" Jumping, she turned and saw a smallish blond-haired woman looking at her from the doorway, tilting her head to the side
"Oh...shit, you scared me!" She paused and frowned. "I'm sorry. Do I know you?"
"Oh, so sorry, dearie." The woman gave a sweet smile. "I'm Dee, I live here in the Kingdom, and your husband sent me to see if you needed help."
Tammy rolled her eyes "Damned fool worries too much. I love the man, but he and that boy of mine worry too much."
Dee came next to her, nodding as she helped her to look. "So you're a Mother?"
"That's right," Tammy said happily as she was able to find the barrel. "My young Man Kenneth is upstairs and even has a few kids that named me their grandmother."
Nodding next to her, Dee said, "Oh, I know. I have a daughter myself. A few years younger but...she's gone now." Tammy paused and looked at her
"Gone? I'm...I'm sorry she died?"
"Taken from me." Dee slowly walked back and closed the door. Oh no...it...it was Her.
Tammy stared the woman down, saying, "What do you want?"
"Want?" 'Dee,' or rather the woman who she learned was named Alpha, tilted her head again like a predator. "I want. My. Daughter. Where is she?"
"A long way from you," Tammy replied sternly, trying to reach a hand behind her to grab her hammer. Like a snake, Alpha grabbed the wrist and twisted it. The older woman was sent to her knees in a gasp of pain.
"Wrong answer." Then there was a knock on the door, and Alpha turned as another entered, saying, "Tammy is something wrong? Earl's been-" Tammy felt hit on the head, and the last thing she saw was Kate gasping as Alpha held a machete to her throat, hushing her.
Charlie's P.O.V
Charlie and Henry watched the kids as they ran between the stalls, the owners happily laughing and seeing the kids playing.
Gracie took some cobs and handed them to AJ and Andrea "This is so cool."
AJ grinned and chewed into it "And tasty!"
"Slow down guys." Henry called in, chuckling.
Charlie touched his arm, warmly saying "Let them be kids just for a few hours."
Sighing, Henry nodded "Yeah I guess."
They turned back as The kids were talking, Judith asking "Hey I've been wondering something. Who do you think our weirdest relative is?"
"Uncle Eugene! He's so stiff!" Andrea laughed. "I never understand what he is saying."
"Not even the adults do." Ofelia nodded, taking a bite from a peach saying. "Uncle Strand is pretty weird, he always talks so seriously."
"What about uncle Negan? Carl always says he swears a lot and tells alot of weird stories." Judith defended.
"Who's Negan?"
Charlie froze as she realized Hershel was the one who asked, looking at Judith strangely.
"You don't know Uncle Negan?" Andrea asks as Charlie and Henry run over to them, the two exchanging a brief look of panic.
"Come on, the movie is on." Charlie says as she pushes them toward the movie.
"What?" AJ looked at them "No it's not, we have a few minutes."
Henry said "Uh well we need to get good seats, now come on."
The pair hurried the two inside, Charlie's heart clenched as Hershel looked at them both with an equally confused look.
Lydia's P.O.V
Lydia looked at Arya as she stood up with the movie just starting. "Where are you going?"
"I'll be back. I'm going to go check on Judith and Andrea, Charlie and Henry said that Judith said something she shouldn't have." Arya says. She laughs at the movie as a woman sits down beside her. She looks at the woman, and her smile drops.
It was her Mother, who just stared at her.
Silently, she put a finger to her lips and Lydia nods. "If you scream or say anything, I'll kill that girl," Lydia nods and Alpha leads her out. They get behind a car, and Alpha pushes her up against it, grabbing her by the shirt. "What were you thinking? These people are the enemy, they defie everything the world is."
"They aren't. Mama please." Lydia begged, trying to keep her voice steady at the harsh look in her Mother's eyes. "They're good people."
"They are liars, fools. Weak. They call this a 'New World?' All I see is a bunch of children playing Make Believe." Alpha sneered, looking at the fair in utter disgust.
"No, you are." Lydia growls causing Alpha to slowly turn her head. Lydia kept her voice firm, knowing she never talked to her in this tone. "You were wrong about these places. They are real. They are going to stand. You need to leave, please."
"I'm trying to protect you." Alpha growled at her.
"Than leave, just go." Lydia says. "I don't need you anymore."
"My bug-"
"I'm not your fucking bug, Mom please, if you love me, even a little, you will leave."
"You will realize your mistake. Or you already have." Alpha says as she leaves, and Lydia wipes the tears from her eyes.
Lydia then looked up, her Mother vanished from sight and ran inside, feeling her Mother was about to cause something horrible.
No one's P.O.V
Jesus, Nick, Tammy, Rosita, Kate, Gage, Georgie, Dorie, Lily, and Laura were on their knees in a large barn as they stared at the skin wearing Whisperers who surrounded them for several hours now, Beta in the front just staring down at them. "What do you want?" Jesus asks.
"Your people must pay." Beta says as Jesus does his best to untie his ropes. "All we wished for was the return of the Girl. But you defied us, attacked us, killed many of us. For that they will understand what we are when this is over, that I swear to you." Beta says. Then they hear the door open and Brandon walks into the barn.
"I've done it." Brandon says as he looks at them. "I helped."
"You fucking traitor!" Jesus snapped.
Brandon just stared at him "Negan will return to who he was because of this. You will no longer hold him hostage."
He paused and looked at Laura and Kate "I'm sorry, I didn't know you two would be here. But maybe it's for the best. Your holding him back, it's time for his true self and not this shell that he is to emerge."
Kate just looked at him in disbelief "You're fucking insane."
"You'll die for this." Rosita promised darkly.
"Go. Alpha will get you when we are ready," Beta ordered Brandon, who nodded as he walked out of the barn but froze as he got there, staring at something.
"What the- Get down!"
Beta looks at the entrance at Brandon's shout as they hear gunshots. The rest turned and looked at Arat and D.J. as they run into the barn, weapons drawn. Arat cuts off a Whisperer's head as D.J. kills one by slamming his bat into his head, Arat drawing a gun and shooting another in the head. Jesus quickly moves and kicks a Whisper in the leg knocking him down. The group stands up and starts to fight off the Whisperers, Tammy tackling one to the ground, Gage grabbing one and choking them, Dorie Sr and Georgie attacked a couple of whispers but were quickly knocked to the ground and restrained
Arat stabs one in the head as Rosita grabs Kate and tries to get her to the entrance. Arat throws her knife into the head of a Whisperer, trying to stop them, and Beta moves towards the two women.
Seeing this, Arat looked between them and knew what she had to do. With a defiant scream Arat jumps on his back, wrapping her arms as hard as she could around Beta's neck and the man stumbles, choking for a moment.
"Get her out of here! GO!" Arat shouts at Rosita, who quickly leads the pregnant woman out of the barn. Arat smiles as Beta throws her off, she quickly stands up, but then her head is taken off by an arriving Alpha, who comes into the barn her face emotionless, but eyes brimming with cold fury.
Arat's head rolls on the ground as the Whisperers knock the other down. A whisper stabs D.J. in the side, taking the man to the ground, three Whisperers holding Jesus down and another stepping on Nick's neck
"The women." Beta growls, standing up and starting to step forward, about to pursue them.
"Leave them. They won't make it far." Alpha says, Beta stopping immediately at the Alpha's orders. "Once they are dead, we will send someone after them." Alpha says as she looks at Gage. "Bring him forward."
"No, please, don't!" Gage begged as a Whisperer shoved Gage on his hands and knees.
"He's a kid!" Jesus shouts as Alpha brings the machete down, taking Gage's head clean off. Alpha looks around and motions Tammy forward, the elder woman staying silent as she is put on her knees.
"Nothing to say now?" Alpha cruelly asked the older woman who looked at her.
"No, 'cause it doesn't matter. You will die, and my family will kill you. You're evil. We're good." Tammy says as she lowers her head. "Goodbye, my loves," Alpha brings the machete down on Tammy's head, taking it off.
"Him." Alpha says as she points at D.J., who is brought forward.
"You don't have to do this!" Jesus says.
"Shut him up." Was her only response as a Whisperer grabbed Jesus arm twisting it, causing him to scream in pain.
"It's okay, Jesus." D.J. says. "They'll win." Alpha brings the machete down on his head, and Beta drags his body away.
"Her next" Alpha says as she points the now blood drenched machete at Lily, who struggled and teared up begging.
"Please, don't. I have a sister, a son, and a daughter. They need me."
"They will see you soon." Alpha says as she takes her head off.
Looking around with cruelty, she looks at the old man. "Him."
Dorie falls to his knees. "I have lived a long life," Dorie says. "My son will carry on my family. You will die, and no one will remember you, but my family will be remembered."
"Bold words." She complimented as she brought the machete down, taking off the old man's head. His blood leaks onto his beard as the body is dragged away. "Her." She says as she points at Georgie as Jesus, Nick, and Laura struggle.
"I have built the New World. You will not destroy it. I know that." Georgie says. The machete is brought down on her head.
Her lips curled at the mention of the New World, she looked up then pointed at Laura "Her."
"NO!" Nick and Jesus shout, screaming and fighting as hard as they can. "Don't hurt her, she's pregnant, please, kill us, but let her live, she is pregnant!" Nick pleaded. as Laura is put on her knees. A tear went down her cheeks as she just held her stomach tightly and her lips trembled. "Kill me! Kill me!"
"You will all die, that is my will as Alpha" Alpha says without remorse to the duo, but paused as she looks at Laura. She bends down in front of the woman and lifts her chin. "I am giving your child mercy. This world is not one for the weak, but for the strong."
"Go to hell." Laura growls as another tear goes down her cheek. "You're a monster. Our people kill monsters."
"You are brave. I respect that. I will think of you as your friends die." Alpha says as she stands up.
Laura just stared hollowly and looked down at the dirty quietly whispering and begging "I'm sorry, please don't lose yourself."
"Don't!" Nick shouts. Alpha brings the machete down, taking off Laura's head. Her head rolls on the ground, and Alpha smiles as the two just sagged
"That was mercy." Alpha says. "I gave her a quick death. Him next."
Nick is brought to his knees. The man stares at the ground hollowly and looks at Alpha. He stares into her eyes. "My family, we have survived worse than you. We will beat you. You have fucked with the wrong people, my sister, and my mother. They will tear you limb from limb. My wife and brother-in-law will kill your people and make them scream. I wish I could be here to see my family tear you apart." Nick growls.
Raising an eyebrow, her only response was to bring the machete down, taking his head off, and she looks at Jesus. THe last one in the now blood soaked barn...Alpha said quietly "Ah you're the one the boy talked about...the one named 'Jesus' the supposed 'Founder' of the New World." She pointed her machete and said icily "They took my child and poisoned her against me. So in return, when the time is right, I'll burn down your dream to the ground and force the 'Brothers' to watch."
For a long minute, Jesus just stared at Alpha then just lowered his head to the dirt.
"You have accepted your fate." Alpha almost complimented. "That takes strength."
"You best accept yours now as well 'cause he was right. You have fucked with the wrong people. The New World is coming for you."
At this, Alpha stared and her lips curled in rage as she raised her machete, and for one last time, brought it down.
Thanks for reading. At first, I was only going to do Jesus and Arat, but I decided to do them all. It felt right to give them all a send-off, but fuck, that was hard. I loved a lot of those characters. Next chapter, we see reactions and Negan makes a choice that will change how people see him. As always, suggestions, ideas, and feedback are welcomed. Until next time.