After Death

Chapter 11 (I'll believe in the truth, brother)

Chapter 11: I'll believe in the truth, brother

Ethan Warren

Estimated, May 2024

About two years after outbreak

California, The Circus

Season 3

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"Why don't you just tell me what actually happened, Aiden?" I asked as I stood in front of the door where he was being held. It was a small room in one of the unused houses. Thomas hadn't given me a key but I wasn't planning on asking for one.

"You won't believe me even if I did," he sounded like he had been crying or at least not sleeping.

"Try me. There's a hell of a lot of weird shit that may be unbelievable but is real. The dead walk for Christ's sake," I tried not to raise my voice. I wasn't mad I just wanted answers.

"I can't, not now, I'm sorry."

I sighed heavily but didn't continue on. I left disappointed, prepared to tell Thomas of the un-noteworthy news. I wonder so much now, why didn't he just tell us? He wasn't protecting anyone but there's a lot I don't understand and people's reasons are one of them.

"Tommy, it's okay," Piper comforted him as he sat at his desk, unaware of my presence, "these people trust you. I know you regret what you did but you're gonna make up for it."

"I killed his wife, I destroyed absolutely any opportunity of an alliance with them. Pipe, I can't make up for that," he cried softly but I was more angry than sympathetic. Who the hell were they talking about?

"She insulted our son and our daughter, you had every right too."

"We don't allow killing, I broke my own rule and now I'm imprisoning a man for the same crime."

"We have to protect this secret. If the other's knew he was still alive then everything would be out of our control. It'll be okay, my love, we'll figure it out." She kissed his softly and as much as I wanted to make myself observable, I felt like I needed to keep this as leverage but I didn't know what to yet.

Emilio invited Leah, Rudi, Dallen, Khai, Tai, and I to dinner that night. Khai didn't show but we didn't have any idea why. I learned that Emilio shared a house with his older sister, Nina, his wife, Lila, and his newborn son, Eli. They were a close family. They were comfortable with each other and most importantly, they were happy.

"So you guys will be staying then?" Lila asked.

"Yeah, we kinda have to now," I responded, trying not to sound rude or upset.

"And why's that?" she asked again.

"We're kinda in debt. We've caused problems that we need to fix. Plus, your people have my friend in prison."

"I think this whole "no killing thing" is stupid," Nina interrupted, "I mean what's next? Killing the dead becomes illegal? This isn't the world it used to be, there's gotta be new rules now." I had no argument with her but I would have hated to if I did. She was even bigger than her brother, her body was jacked, she was intimidating. Lila was much smaller than both of them, I'm surprised she had the confidence to live with them but their figures didn't compare to their personalities, I'm sure they wouldn't hurt a fly unless that fly deserved it.

"I've followed King for years but I do think his way of dealing with things is a bit dated, you should talk to him, Ethan, he admires you," Emilio suggested. I nodded in agreement but I didn't really know if I would carry out with it. I didn't want to talk to him with knowing what I know. I didn't trust myself to not say the wrong thing.

We left their house late that night. I didn't feel like sleeping but I knew I had too. Thomas would probably call me in for a meeting about Aiden in the morning and I needed to be able to know what I was saying. I trusted myself enough to be able to keep a secret but I wasn't even sure if it was something I should be keeping a secret. Thomas seemed to know that these people weren't fond of him so there was no chance to create anything from that but what if they attacked. What if Aiden was hiding something because he didn't understand it all himself. I tried to piece the puzzle together but nothing made sense, I wanted to know more. I needed to know more.