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Raven stood in the center of the dimly lit room, her voice firm as she addressed Rick's group.
Just as Raven was about to finish, the door creaked open and Beth, slipped into the room. The young girl tip-toed toward Raven and whispered urgently into her ear, "Mom, there's a new group trying to get into the gates."
Raven's eyes widened. "Thanks for letting me know, Beth. Everyone, we've got a situation!" She quickly moved towards the door with everyone else following close behind, their footsteps echoing through the narrow corridors.
As they reached the gate, Raven spotted three strangers outside - two men and a toddler. Her hand reached into her pocket and pulled out her weapon as she sprinted up the stairs to the gate walkway. Her heart pounded in her chest as she raised her voice and challenged the uninvited guests.
"What are you doing here?"
The two men looked up at Raven with desperation in their eyes. "Please," one of them pleaded,
"he's just a child! We need help!"
Suddenly, a member of Rick's group shouted from behind Raven. "They've got a weapon!"
In a swift motion, Raven drew her gun and aimed it at the two men below; they immediately raised their hands in defense. Trying to maintain control over the situation, she ordered
Abraham to handcuff them while Tara grabbed hold of the child.
With their hands bound and weapons confiscated, they followed Raven back inside - all the way up to the 13th floor, known among Rick's group as "the jail" floor. This was the temporary holding place for anyone who showed up unannounced until they could either be trusted or turned away.
The tension hung heavy in the air as their captives stepped onto the 13th floor, a new uncertainty blanketing them all.
As the group followed Raven up the dimly lit staircase, a sense of unease blanketed them. They ascended to the 13th floor, known among the camp members as the "jail" floor.
Upon reaching it, Raven gestured toward Abraham and ordered him to place the newcomers into separate interview rooms. Rick assisted him, ensuring that Citizen's toddler was placed in a child interview room equipped with a double-sided mirror.
With everything in order, Raven entered the first holding room where Rick had taken Citizen Z, leaving the man sitting nervously on a chair. In a calm yet stern voice, she demanded an explanation for their arrival at the camp.
Citizen Z cleared his throat and began to speak. "We...we need your help. My group is stuck outside, and things aren't looking good for us." Taking a deep breath, he continued, "I'm Citizen Z, and this is my friend 10k." He paused to glance at the closed door behind which 10k and his child were being held. "The child is mine, but the mother," he swallowed hard, "she didn't make it."
Raven studied his face for a moment before asking what mattered most: "Why should we trust you?"
Citizen Z met her gaze without faltering. "Because we're good people. We just want to survive like everyone else here. We deserve a chance as much as anybody else."
The conviction in his words struck a chord within Raven. She exchanged an uncertain glance with Rick before her shoulders sagged with reluctant acceptance.
"Alright," she finally said. "We'll give you that chance."
Raven impatiently tapped her foot as she waited for Citizen Z to reveal the location of his group.
"Alright Citizen Z, it's time to tell me where your group is hiding. We're going to pick them up, and just so you know, you're coming with us," she said sternly.
Citizen Z hesitated for a moment before finally giving in. "They're at a small warehouse about three miles east of here," he said quietly.
Raven turned to Aaron and spoke in a low voice. "Take 10k with you and go to the interviewing room, I need some peace of mind," she instructed. Aaron nodded in agreement and left the room.
With the directions from Citizen Z, Raven and Rick led him towards his group, hoping to find a large number of survivors they could bring back to their camp.
As they approached the warehouse, it became clear that they were not the only ones aware of Citizen Z's group. The building was surrounded by armed individuals who seemed hostile. Raven looked at the RV they had brought along, expecting the group would be much larger than it actually was.
Upon closer inspection, Raven could only see five or six people huddled together for safety inside the warehouse. She knew she had to act fast. Turning to Citizen Z, she ordered him to instruct his group to climb into the RV through its top opening.
Citizen Z quickly complied, relaying Raven's plan to his scared comrades. One by one, they climbed up into the RV as quickly as possible. Once everyone was safely inside, Raven floored the accelerator and sped away from the scene.
As they put some distance between themselves and the warehouse, Raven relaxed a bit – until she noticed guns pointed at both her and Rick's head. The armed individuals from earlier had somehow managed to board the RV during the chaos.
"Explain yourselves," one of them demanded, glaring at Raven and Rick. "Why have you taken Citizen Z, and why are you helping us?"
Raven kept her calm and explained their situation. "I'm the leader of a camp with around 130 people. We're looking to welcome more survivors, which is why we came to pick up your group."
The tension in the RV began to subside as most of the armed individuals lowered their weapons. However, one man remarkably determined and skittish kept his gun raised.
"Drop your weapon," Raven ordered him firmly, but there was genuine concern in her eyes. She knew that they couldn't afford any trouble during this delicate mission.
Raven skillfully maneuvered the large RV through the winding roads, glancing back at the uneasy group gathered behind her. Sensing their unease, she spoke up, "Look, my people know Rick and me. We're safe, I promise." Most of the group reluctantly lowered their weapons, except for one agitated man.
The leader finally had enough and barked, "Murphy! Put the gun down now!"
Murphy hesitated for a moment, his eyes locked on Raven's before he reluctantly dropped the gun. With a swift kick, he sent it sliding across the floor to the leader.
"I'm Lt. Roberta Warren," she introduced herself, gesturing to the man standing beside her. "This is Charles Garnett." She continued introducing the group in a clockwise direction. "Addy," she said as she gestured towards a fierce-looking girl. Next was an enigmatic woman named Cass, followed by Mack and Doc – two seasoned fighters. Lastly was Murphy, the sickly guy cradling a baby.
Raven warned them all, "Just be careful around my people; they might be jumpy."
The RV finally rolled to a stop at its destination. Raven and Rick stepped out of the vehicle to be greeted by a throng of young girls calling out "Mom!" excitedly as they smothered Raven in hugs. At the same time, Rick was engulfed by his own group with just as much enthusiasm.
Lt. Roberta Warren couldn't help but smile at the sight. The love and closeness between these groups were clear to see; perhaps there was hope in unity after all.
