A Broken World

Chapter 84

Nobody trusted Aaron. I could tell before Rick even said anything. Every weapon remained raised, and Aaron seemed smart enough to understand that lowering our guns wasn't going to happen just because he'd shown us a few pictures of clean houses and a wall.

I looked down at the photograph Rick had handed me again. It showed a street lined with houses that looked untouched. The lawns weren't completely overgrown. There wasn't trash everywhere. There weren't bodies in the street. A wall stood behind the houses, high enough that it looked like it might actually keep walkers out.

Daryl stood close enough to see the picture over my shoulder. His crossbow was still aimed toward Aaron.

"What do you think?" I asked him.

"I think pictures don't mean shit," Daryl said.

I handed the photograph back to Rick. "Pretty much what I was thinking."

Aaron remained in the middle of the road with his hands raised. He had already told us his name and that he came from a community called Alexandria, but Rick wasn't interested in hearing about electricity or running water yet.

"How'd you find us?" Rick asked.

Aaron hesitated before answering. "I've been watching your group."

Daryl immediately stepped forward. "You've been what?"

Aaron looked toward him. "Observing. From a distance."

"That supposed to sound better?" Daryl asked.

"No," Aaron admitted. "Probably not."

Daryl raised his crossbow a little higher. I put my hand lightly against his arm, not because I thought he'd shoot Aaron without reason, but because I knew how much he hated the idea of someone watching us without our knowledge.

Rick didn't take his eyes off Aaron. "How long?"

"Long enough to know you protect each other," Aaron said. "Long enough to know there are children with you."

Rick's expression hardened at the mention of the kids. "How many people are with you?"

Aaron didn't answer immediately.

Rick took another step toward him. "How many?"

"There are other people in my community," Aaron said carefully.

"That's not what I asked."

"I'd rather not tell an armed group of strangers exactly how many people we have."

Rick hit him.

Aaron dropped to the road before anyone had time to react. Carl flinched, and Michonne immediately moved toward Rick.

"Rick," Michonne said firmly.

Rick stood over Aaron. "Where are your people?"

Aaron touched his mouth and looked at the blood on his fingers. "I'm trying to help you."

"Then answer the question," Rick said.

Michonne stepped between them. "Beating him isn't going to tell us whether he's lying."

Rick looked at her, clearly frustrated. "Terminus."

"I remember Terminus," Michonne said. "I was there."

"So was I," Glenn added from behind her. "But if this guy has supplies or people nearby, we should find them before we decide anything."

Daryl lowered his crossbow slightly as he studied Aaron. "He ain't alone."