Grief can feel like an insurmountable weight. It's the fragile thread of hope for what lies ahead that offers us the strength to navigate our pain; envisioning a future where joy can coexist with our sorrow.
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The loss of Sage and Tatum's found f...
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"Help! Help! Anyone, help!"
Sage watches the man flail, his suit caught beneath the tight grip of rotters. They roll their eyes as he kicks his legs, doing nothing to better his predicament. Catching a glimpse of his collar, they note that this is a man of faith. Oof.
Carl is the first to act, splattering the brains of the rotter groping the man as his father slams another against the unforgiving stone. Michonne and Carol finish two more, followed by Daryl dropping the last corpse with a bolt. Sage watches the scene unfold beside Tatum, not looking forward to meeting yet another stranger.
Sage's eyes follow Daryl as he retrieves his bolt while the rest of the group turns to the breathless man. Sage snorts at the fear still lingering across his features.
"We're clear. Keep watch," Rick demands, looking at the group before glaring at the coward. "Come on down," he says firmly, gesturing to the dirt below.
The man Sage has dubbed "Coward" shakes as he nears the boulder's edge, lowering himself slowly. As soon as his feet meet the ground, his face pales further as he shivers. Sage holds back laughter while he looks like he might puke.
"You okay?" Rick questions, searching his face.
Sage's prediction materializes as Coward doubles over, bile leaving his lips. Their face scrunches in disgust as they cross their arms. A small voice tells them he isn't a threat; however, Sage has never been great at listening to it.
Sage locks eyes with Rosita, her face mirroring theirs. At least someone else here has some common sense.
"Sorry," Coward blurts out, wiping the corners of his mouth with his sleeve. Sage shakes their head.
How could he have possibly made it this far being such a pussy?
They notice that the entire group, sans Carl and Tatum, has a discernable air of caution about them, an observation that gives Sage a tiny sliver of satisfaction.
"Yes. Thank you. I'm Gabriel," the man says after a moment. Sage thinks they prefer the name 'Coward.'
If the collar fits.
"Do you have any weapons on you?" Rick questions, not skipping a beat. Gabriel laughs softly, pausing once he meets Michonne's unforgiving stare.
Tatum looks over at Sage, bumping her elbow against their side as she notices they're sporting the same look. Sage brushes her off, widening their eyes in defense.
"Do I look like I would have any weapons?" He shrugs as if it isn't a crucial question, their next approach depends on his answer.
"We don't give two short and curlies what it looks like," Abraham states, about as done with the games as Sage is. Something we can agree on.
