Morgan Grimes

-Chapter 32-

Morgan's PoV

"So, how'd you get out?" Dad questioned the man who sat at the end of our dining room table. It had been a weird morning to say the least and it seemed to only be getting stranger.

The man, Jesus, answered the question swiftly, "One man can't cover two exits or third floor windows. Knots can untie and locks can be picked. Entropy comes from order, right?"

"Right." Daryl joined, keeping his pistol by his side, just incase.

The man took a glance at him before returning his gaze to my father, "I took a look at your armoury and let me tell you, I haven't seen anything like that in a long time. You're very well equipped, but your provisions are low. Very low, considering the amount of people you have." He said, "54?" He guessed our population.

"More than that." Maggie replied, a cold look on her face that differed from the one I was used to seeing everyday.

"Well, I appreciate the cookie. My compliments to the chef."

"She ain't here." Daryl said, stepping forwards.

Jesus turned to face him in his chair, "Look, I know we got off to a bad start. But we are on the same side. We're on the living side of life these days. You and Rick had every reason to leave me out there, but you didn't. I'm from a place that's a lot like this one. We have walls, people, jobs. Part of my job is to search for other settlements to trade with. I took your truck because my community needs things, and the two of you looked like trouble."

I laughed. I really did try to suppress it but nonetheless I let out a chuckle. I quickly tried to cover it with a cough but Daryl was already glaring at me from across the room, a small smirk on his face showing his amusement. Dad tilted his head to the side and raised his eyebrows at me.

"Sorry." I muttered, "Continue, please."

"As I was saying." Jesus began, "I was clearly wrong, you're good people and this is a good place. I think both of our communities may be able to help one another."

"Do you have food?" Glenn asked from the opposite end of the table.

"We've started to raise livestock." Jesus nodded, "We scavenge, we grow. Everything from tomatoes to sorghum."

"Why should we believe you?" Dad asked.

"I'll show you." Jesus told him simply, "If we take a car, I can take you back home in a day and you will all be able to see for yourselves who we are and what we have to offer you."

Before there could be a response from dad, Maggie interjected with a question, "Wait, you're looking for more settlements? Meaning you're already trading with other groups?"

Jesus sat back in his seat, a smile now stretched across his face, "Your worlds about to get a whole lot bigger."

———

Carl and I were outside, collecting gas in red canisters so the RV would have enough fuel to get to Jesus' community and back without any issue. We had been out doing jobs for the group leaving shortly ever since the meeting this morning ended.

I crouched down tightening the cap on the canisters when I heard Carl speak, "You sure?" He said and I looked up in confusion, it left quickly when I saw my dad approaching with Judy in his arms.

"No." He told us honestly and I rose to my feet as he continued, "But if he's telling the truth, then this could be the start of everything." He stopped talking for a moment, turning his head at the sound of Michonne a voice. She was walking down the porch steps, talking with Jesus. Dad looked back at us, "Look, I was gonna tell you about me and Michonne, but it just happened. It just happened. Last night."