Dead love in my hands (Troy Otto story/ Fear the walking dead/ ftwd)

Life is the principles

"Hey, Dell, get up!"

I woke up to my brother's voice. He was very worried about something and was shaking me by the shoulder.

"What are you doing here? It doesn't matter! The Indians are gathering near the ranch! There's a whole crowd of them!"

"What?" I drawled sleepily.

"It's lunchtime, Madison's back from Walker's. This poison is anthrax!"

"Oh, my God!" I quickly woke up from this information. No matter how cruel it was, Walker knew that this poison could kill anyone who took it, but he chose it. Troy was right, they can't be trusted.

"Did something happen to you? Why aren't you in your room?" my brother interrupted my mental tossing.

"Troy and I had a fight," I said, getting out of bed.

"Then it's understandable why he's just furious today. Shouts at everyone. You're wrong to drive this guy crazy, he's good, we had a great hunt together yesterday."

"I didn't drive him crazy, Danny. He was crazy without me."

"Stop it, I know you, you can piss off even the calmest!"

"How's Nick?" I changed the subject.

"It's already a little better, since he's still fighting, it means he'll get back on his feet soon."

I nodded and left the room. After going downstairs, I decided to take a shower and, after a short reflection, headed to the room from which I flew out today, fearing that I would be strangled.

Coming out from under the warm jets of water, I wrapped myself in a green towel and went to brush my teeth.

After rinsing my mouth, I leaned over the sink. After a couple of seconds, spitting out water, I raised my head and cried out in surprise. I saw Troy's reflection in the mirror.

"Don't come near me," I turned my back to the sink, putting my hands on it. Troy ignored my request and in a couple of steps was next to me. I had an unpleasant feeling in my stomach. It was a fright. I was about to call for help, but Otto spoke up.

"Della, I know you don't believe me, but I'm not a monster. Don't be afraid of me, I won't touch you again, I promise."

I silently looked straight into his eyes. He was so dear to me, but at the same time so dangerous.

"We have a problem with the Indians. They demand my father's head so that peace can be made."

"How is it a head? Literally?"

"I'm afraid so," Troy grinned, "I didn't think my words about our corpses would become prophetic."

"What corpses... We're not going to give your father to them, are we?"

"The people at the ranch are confused. They only want to be saved, they don't care about principles. We were given until dawn. Then they will attack."

"So we will fight back."

"There is no one to do it. Almost all the militia are either dead or still don't have the strength to fight like Nick. By the way, I'm only from him, he's better."

"Yes, Danny told me about Nick. But then what to do?"

"Nothing, we will wait and try to negotiate. I don't want to die leaving the land to these bastards," he turned to leave.

"Troy, stop!"

He braked, touching the door with his hands.

"Let's get off the ranch! Together with your father and my family!"

"No, my father rebuilt this place all his life not to give it to someone unknown and wander homeless in his old age!"

"But life is more important than principles, Troy!"

"Della, life is about principles, when they are sacrificed, survival begins."

I didn't have time to say anything else. He went out, leaving me alone. I looked in the mirror and started brushing my hair. Then I put on jeans and a shirt and went outside. There were a lot of people with guns around the ranch. I felt uneasy. Is it really going to end like this? I got to the infirmary. There was no one by Nick's bed. When I approached him, I found that he was not asleep.

"How are you?"

"It's not as bad as yesterday. And you?"

"Not bad."

"I've already been told the news about the Indians," Nick smiled slightly, "soon we will have new neighbors."

"They want Jeremy's head"

"It's harsh. But he deserved it."

I looked at Nick questioningly. He caught my eye and calmly told me what really happened at the ranch many years ago.

"And you're sure of that?" this story was a revelation for me.

"Yes, I found their skulls under the Trimbal house."

"It's sad. But I feel good about Jeremy. I don't want him to be killed. You too, right?"

Nick shrugged his shoulders.

"At first I also thought he was a tough guy. And now I understand that there is nothing in him but cowardice and cowardice. He's pathetic. He takes care of the ranch just to amuse his ego and live an extra day."

"Don't say that, Nick, after all, he's done a lot for us."

"It's selfish to judge a person only in relation to yourself, Della. By the way, this also applies to Troy. He doesn't deserve your love, Dell. You're a good man, and he's a killer. Understand, this is not a fairy tale."

"Nick, I love him, it's hard for me to believe he's a monster..."

"Things will change soon."

"I don't think it's for the best."

"Who knows," my friend mysteriously spread his hands. He no longer looked like he was dying, strength was gradually returning to his body. I went to my parents.

Finding only my mother and Clara on the veranda, I sat down on the steps.

"We haven't seen much of you lately," Mom remarked, taking the dried clothes out of the dryer.

"Yes, she must have started her family life again, and what a full-fledged one! Troy is both a husband and a child in one person," Clara grinned.

"And you stopped looking for Michael as soon as you got here. Did you find a friend in the militia? I hope he didn't die yesterday."

"Della!" mom looked at me reproachfully, and then turned her gaze to her sister: "you're talking nonsense too. Troy is a good guy and a real man."

Clara straightened up and became quiet. I do not know if my sister really stopped thinking about finding Michael, I decided to just say nasty things to her in response.

"Dad and Jake are thinking about how to save the ranch while keeping Jeremy alive. While there are few options, so it's not time to swear yet. Better get busy. Help in the kitchen or in the infirmary."

Clara got up and silently went to the dining room.

"You shouldn't have done that to her. She's really worried about Michael."

"I was worried about Aron too, now I'm worried about Troy, but I don't see much support from her."

"Be above it, honey. You're really above that."

I smiled and hugged my mom.

"Is Troy busy with something?"

"I don't know..."

"He needs you to be with him, imagine how he feels: they want to destroy his house if he doesn't give them his father. Don't leave him."

Mom didn't know what kind of person Troy really was. He knew how to make a good impression. But if I tell her the truth about the Trimbolls murder now, she won't understand how I can even be with him after that. So, nodding in agreement with her words, I went down from the terrace.