𝓗𝓮𝔂 𝓐𝓷𝓰𝓮𝓵 | 𝓓𝓪𝓻𝔂𝓵 𝓓𝓲𝔁𝓸𝓷

Chapter 21: Unwanted Visitors

"Well hello there boys," I charmed forcing a smile onto my face. Both Rick and Glenn gave me a confused look but soon realised I was just trying my best to not start trouble.

Grabbing the tall bottle of liquor I had gotten, I sauntered around the bar as the men took seats.

"I'm Dave," The taller man introduced as I poured them something to drink. "The scrawny looking douche bag there is Tony," he chuckled pointing at the larger man that had arrived with him.

"Eat me, Dave," The man retorted with a chuckle slouching over more in his chair.

"Hey, maybe someday I will," Dave offered. given the world, it was entirely possible. "We met on I-95 on our way out of Philly. What a shit show that was."

"I'm Glenn, it's nice to meet some new people," he grinned grabbing his own glass that Rick handed to him.

Although admittedly it was nice to see that there other people on earth still alive, at this point I had never been fond of new people. The only reason I had been okay with the group before was the familiarity of Rick and the trust of Glenn which he had earned from me surprisingly quickly. Once I got to see what the others were like I was happy to stay with them and I wanted to keep them safe. But this I didn't like. Two men by themselves ones who have each other's backs but can't tell where they stand with you.

"Rick Grimes," he said as I walked back around the bar feeling the eyes of both men on me sporadically. I would guess they hadn't seen a woman in a while.

"How bout you, pal, have one?" Dave asked in an almost suspiciously friendly voice, to me at least.

"I just quit," I heard Hershel says as I ducked back down under the counter fishing around for another glass. There was surprisingly little left here save for the liquor bottles all undoubtedly nice hence why they were kept out of sight.

"How 'bout you pretty thing? What's your name?" Dave asked as I stood back up with a glass pressed between my fingers. He shot me a cheesy grin as he continued to eye me up.

"Lilith," I replied not really looking at him but watching the golden liquid trickled from the bottle into the smudged glass as I poured myself a rather large drink of whatever the hell this was.

Talk continued and I was simply waiting for where we had come from to be brought up. A subject we would all be happy to avoid bringing these men back to our camp was the last thing we were going to do.

Though they may not be completely trustworthy yet, they gave us some valuable information about the various rumours that had been floating about the apocalyptic world. I had settled myself on the bar tucking one knee up into my chest and resting my arms them chin on top of that. The men's eyes always found my form every now and again it made it clear to me that they had not seen a woman in a long while.

"Hey it's doesn't look like you guys are hanging your hats here. You hold up somewhere else?" Dave asked curiously sitting up and little more from where he had begun to slouch casually in his chair. I noticed Rick stand up a little taller too. With the dreaded question asked we now had to play our cards right.

"Not anywhere really," I answered after a small pause. "There's not many places round here that are strong enough to be made permanently secure." I took another large sip from my glass emptying it of the contents.

"Those cars outside. They yours?" He questioned with an underlying note of suspicion.

"Yeah, why?" Glenn answered not sure why this was being brought up.

"Well, we're living out of ours but yours they look, uh, kinda empty and clean. Where's all your gear?" He asked as I made myself look busy finding more drinks and ducking back under the counter.

"We're with a larger group," Hershel explained which was undoubtedly not a smart move but what's done is done. "Out scouting thought we could use a drink."

I checked how many rounds were in my gun quickly and as quietly as I could. I felt that unfortunately, it would be in need of use.

"A drink? Hershel, I thought you quit?" Dave asked clearly suspicious of us now.

"My idea," I interjected pouring another drink. "I mean I have always like to drink but with the whole world gone to shit. I like doing it a whole lot more often." I offered the men more drinks and the now almost interrogation masked by pleasantries continued as did the beating around the bush as Dave attempted to narrow down where we were staying and disappointingly coming to the conclusion it was a farm.

"This, this farm sounds pretty sweet," Dave pressed. "Don't it sound sweet, Tony?" He asked his larger friend for backup.

"Yeah real sweet," He agreed walking back around to Dave in a slow manner as my hand once again drifted to my gun.

"How about a little bit of southern hospitality?" He went on becoming more insistent and less questioning. Rick continued to stare at the man his gaze stern and unwavering.

"We got some bodies back at camp, been having a real hard time. I don't see why you can't make room for a few more. We could pull our resources and manpower." I admired his persuasion technique of attempting to sound reasonable and guilt trip us at the same time but it wasn't going to work.

"Look, I am sorry that you have been through some shit but let's face who hasn't at this point and as I bad a feel for your situation. Letting you in just isn't an option," I stated putting on my best frown and sorrowful gaze.

The men didn't take this well both frowning slightly though it seemed to annoy and frustrate more than anything.

"Doesn't sound like it would be a problem." He wasn't going to give up any time soon. Dave was making this abundantly clear but unfortunately, that meant a peaceful resolution was slowly going out the proverbial dust-covered window.

"I'm sorry, we can't take anymore."

Dave continued to press on trying his best to persuade us even going as far as to try and get us to show them where the farm was.

"That's not gonna happen." Rick held his ground staring down Dave who continued to look disappointed for his failed attempts.

"This is bullshit," Tony spat, clearly the less level headed of the companions.

"Calm down," Rick admonished attempting to try and keep the calmness in the room knowing what would likely happen if it were to be lost.

"Don't tell me to calm down. Don't ever tell me to calm down. I'll shoot you four assholes in the head and take your damn farm," He threatened as my hand went flying to my gun. Rick stayed almost emotionless but stood up rapidly and got in the man's face still not speaking.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, calm down. Take it easy," Dave attempted to pacify also rising from the slightly wonky wooden chair he had been sat. "No one's killing anybody," he assured jumping over the bar near me prompting me to back up towards Glenn.

"Relax sweetheart I'm not gonna bite," He teased.

"Yeah well I do, Sweetheart," I bit back with a sweet smile. "And I think it's about time to leave," I suggested as Dave poured drinks with his gun placed on the countertop.

"Really, sweetheart?" Dave questioned as I glanced to Rick who gave me a short nod.

"We don't have room. You're not getting anywhere near my friends. Ever."

"Oh really."

Bang.

He went for his gun. I was faster going straight for the head sending blood scattering across the mirror behind as Rick shot Tony. I whirled round to see the man writhing in pain his gun still on his shoulder just out of his reach as Rick dealt the final blow.