Until the world falls apart - Fear The Walking Dead

XXI- Declaration of War

It was pitch black outside; I despised this situation, but I had to do everything to protect my family. I listened to the conversations, hoping to pick up even a hint of information about the situation, but nothing interesting came up. They talked about their lives, what they had found in abandoned places... Nothing that could help me get out of here safe and sound, except staying as compliant as possible. Alicia was resting quietly; she seemed rather serene and calm, much more than me. I was constantly on edge, alert for any sound towards us or near our tent. Fatigue gnawed at me, but it was out of the question to close my eyes and sleep; I had to be ready to react.

"You can rest, you know. Nothing will happen to us," murmured Alicia.

"You don't know that," I replied firmly.

"They haven't harmed me."

"Not yet. Everything depends on Jake, and I don't trust him as much as before after he left you here."

"Bella, it was my decision. Jeremiah would never have listened to me."

"You should have come talk to me about your plan; I would have helped you."

"I didn't want to put anyone in danger," she explained.

"I'm afraid you did just the opposite."

I paused. Alicia was about to reply when Walker opened the tent and asked me to walk with him. As for Alicia, he instructed her to do things. I hesitated to accept, but Walker didn't really give me a choice. We both got up, and Alicia left directly, while I followed Walker.

As Walker and I walked side by side through the camp, the tension between us was palpable. The silence was heavy, every sound of the night seemed to amplify our underlying hostility. Walker eventually broke the silence, his voice laden with resentment.

"So, Bella," he began in a bitter tone, "what do you really hope to accomplish here? Do you really think you can change anything?"

I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye, trying to contain my anger.

"I'm here to watch over my sister, Walker. Nothing more."

He chuckled, a sarcastic smile on his lips.

"That's noble of you, really. But let's be honest, your presence here won't change anything. Our camps are at war, and a family visit won't fix things."

"I know it's not simple," I retorted, my voice becoming harder. "But we can't go on like this. Constant fighting only leads to innocent lives being lost on both sides."

"And you think I don't know that?" he spat, stopping abruptly to face me. "Every decision I make is to protect my people. We can't afford the luxury of mercy, especially not with people like Jeremiah who occupy our lands."

"They only want to survive, just like us when we arrived here!" I exclaimed, feeling the anger rise. "But all you do is treat us like enemies, without ever trying to understand our intentions."

Walker clenched his fists, his icy gaze locking onto mine.

"Your intentions? All I see is greed and betrayal. Your camp occupies our lands, and you're willing to do anything to keep them."

"And you think we don't suffer?" I retorted, my voice trembling with rage. "Alicia chose to stay here to try to negotiate peace. But you're too blinded by hatred to see that there's another way."

He fell silent for a moment, jaw clenched, then resumed walking, and I followed, fists clenched.

"Let's say I believe you," he finally said, with a hint of contempt. "Let's say I want to try to find a solution. What do you propose?"