The End of a New Beginning // Daryl Dixon

Part 61

Meredith

WE ALL FOLLOW Jesus through the gates. We were able to get a look inside, seeing trailers set up on the right of us. There are wooden stands set up with black smiths, cow stables, a few other things these people have created to help each other survive. The dirt path leads to a large building with tall pillars keeping the second level balcony up. There's tons of windows, and at the very top of the building, a small white lookout room with windows in all sides of the walls.

The people of Hilltop pause on their tasks and gave us all of their attention. They stared at us, some giving us confused looks, some giving us weird looks. I guess it was a mixture of 'why are new people here'? and 'Do we have new comers, new guests'?

I locked eyes with a woman who seemed to be around my age. She shows me a small smile and waves her hand, lowered by her chest. I returned the gesture, giving her a smile and waving back to her.

"There was a materials yard for a power company nearby." Jesus begins. "That's how we put up the walls. A lot of people came from a FEMA camp. Trailers came with them."

"How did people find out about this place?" Michonne asks. Jesus smiles and turns to the large building we slowly approached.

"That's called Barrington House." He points. "The family that owned it gave it to the state in the '30s. The state turned it into a living history museum. Every elementary school for 50 miles used to come here for field trips. The place was running a long time before the modern world built up around it. I think people came here because they figured it'd keep running after the modern world broke down." He raises his hand up and points. "Those windows up there let us see for miles in every direction. It's perfect for security. Come on. I'll show you inside." Jesus guides us to the Barrington House, walking up the steps and entering inside the house.

Looking inside was...calling me broke in ten different languages...if this world didn't exist. Sure, I had a beautiful and stupid expensive, but still. 

"Good gracious, Ignatious." Abraham sighs out, looking around the large room. Two doors suddenly open up and an older man wearing a grey suit steps out.

"Jesus!" He greets happily. "You're back. With guests."

"Everyone, this is Gregory." Jesus introduces. "He keeps the trains running on time around here."

"I'm the boss." Gregory smiles.

"You seem to dress the part." I nod my head at him. Gregory chuckles.

"Well, gotta stick out from the rest, don't we?" He smiles.

"Or you could save the trouble from dressing professional like you're some business man, running a failing company." I shrug. The room if dead silent. I could hear someone clearing their throat in the awkward silence.

"Well, I'm Rick. We have a community-" Rick goes to shake Gregory's hand.

"Why don't ya'll go get cleaned up, hmm?" Gregory interrupts Rick. I held a glare with him.

"We're fine." Rick nods his head.

"Jesus will show you where you can get washed up." Gregory nods, approaching Rick with a smile. "It's hard to keep this place clean." He nods his head. I roll my eyes at him.

"Yeah. Sure." Rick nods. I knew Rick was already bugged by Gregory. But knowing him, he's gotta play it nice in order to get the things we need to keep surviving.

"Follow me." Jesus calls. He guides up the half-spiral staircase and into a room. We all used wash clothes to clean our arms, hands, necks and faces to freshen up a bit. Not gonna lie, wiping the dirt and any sweat off felt a little relieving for me.