A Survivor's Diary of the Apocalypse (TWD/Daryl Dixon)

S6Pt14 - Negan's Message

Jesus lead us to their front gates, but once we approached them, two men with spears aimed their weapons at us.
"Stop right there!" One of them ordered from behind the wall.
We all raised our guns at them and were ready to defend ourselves.
"You gonna make us!" Daryl called out as he aimed at the guy.
"Woah." Jesus said and turned to face us.
"Jesus, what the hell is this?" The other guy asked.
"Open the gates, Cal." Jesus said and faced them. "Freddie's hurt." He then turned around and looked at us apologetically. "Sorry about them. These guys get antsy standing up there all day doing nothing." He said and glared at the guards.
"They give up their weapons, then we open the gate." The man said.
"Why don't you come down here and try to take them from us?" I called to them in a threatening tone.
"Gentlemen!" Doctor Carson called out and stepped forwards. "We vouch for these people. They saved us out there. So, lower your spears!"
Rick then walked up to Jesus and turned him around. "Look, I'm not taking any chances." Rick said seriously. "Tell your guy Gregory to come out here."
"No, don't you see what I'm doing for you guys?" Jesus said and looked at us. "I'm letting you guys keep your guns. I'm trusting you. So trust me." He said.
I stepped forwards and nodded in agreement which made Rick sigh. Jesus nodded back and faced his men.
"Open the gate Cal." He ordered.
Cal then stepped off his platform and went to open the gate. Everyone walked forwards to be let in, when Rick gently pulled me back.
"Kelley." He said in a hushed voice.
"Yeah." I said.
"You seem to trust them. Why?" Rick asked.
I looked ahead and saw Jesus talking to his guards, who only had spears and no guns. I also saw the doctor helping Freddie walk because he was injured.
"We still have to give some people a chance, Rick." I said. "I mean look at them, they are definitely not the strongest people out here."
Rick nodded in agreement and looked back at me.
"And if things don't work out.." I said and lowered my voice. "It won't be hard to deal with them."
Rick nodded and I saw a smile forming on his face. He put his hand on my shoulder, and we began walking forwards.
Inside their walls was a small plot of land, and it resembled some kind of plantation. There was a huge three story building in the back of the plot with a row of mobile trailers against one of the walls. There was a large farm full of fruit and vegetables in another corner and pens filled with livestock. They even had a blacksmith's forge and someone was making more spears at the moment.
Jesus lead us to the front steps of the house and then stopped to look at us.
"We got most of our tools from a nearby store, and that's how we build the wall. Most people came from other camps and their trailers came with them." Jesus explained. "And this here is the Berington House."
"How did you people find this place?" Maggie asked.
"The house itself? The family that owned it gave it to the state in the 30's. They then turned it into a living history museum. Elementary schools used to come here from 50 miles away for field trips. This place was running for a long time before the modern world built around it, and it's still here after everything broke." Jesus said, talking like a historian, and then pointed up at the building. "Those top windows provide a great view in front of us, great for security. Come on, I'll show you inside."
He opened the front doors and we walked into the grand entry room. Spiral staircases lead up to the next floor, and a chandelier hung above the center accent table. Hallways went everywhere with many doors, and Jesus held out his arms with pride.
"Most of the rooms have been converted into living quarters. Even rooms that aren't bedrooms." He said.
"So people live in here and in the trailers?" Rick asked as he walked around.
Jesus nodded. "We plan to build." He said. "The world is growing everyday. Babies are being born." Jesus said and looked at me.
Just then, a set of double doors opened and an older man walked out of an office.
"Jesus." He said hoarsely.
He then looked at us and straightened his vest. "And guests.."
"Everyone, this is Gregory." Jesus said and held his arm out. "He keeps everything on time here."
"Well, I'm Rick." Rick said and stepped towards Gregory. "We have a community--"
Gregory instantly stepped away from Rick and held up his hand. "Why don't you go clean yourselves up?" He interrupted.
"We're fine." Rick said.
"Jesus will show you where to wash up, and we'll meet back down here when you're ready." Gregory said and pulled a cloth out of his pocket. "It's hard to keep this place clean."
"Yeah.." Rick said and backed up. "Sure."
"Follow me." Jesus said, a little embarrassed.
I turned around to follow him and I rolled my eyes at Daryl, who just shrugged.
"Like, come on. Cleanliness is what you're worried about?" I sarcastically thought.
Rick walked by my side up the stairs and leaned in close.
"You sure about them?" Rick asked again.
"Him, I'm not so sure." I said, talking about their leader. "Keep our guard up, and we'll be just fine."
"Maggie." Rick said once we reached the top of the stairs. "You clean up first and go talk with him."
"Why me?" Maggie asked.
"Well, I shouldn't." Rick said and rubbed his beard, and then looked at her seriously. "It's a skill you need to know."
She just nodded and Jesus opened the door to a bathroom for her. And then we just waited.