The Battles End (#wattys2016)

Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Another Adventure

It was the morning after I woke up. The watch I had read 6:54. Bow was letting the twins and I stay with him. But the worst thing was, I wasn't able to walk as well. Still getting use to the prosthetic, I could walk on my own, but not as well.

I sat in the armchair in the living room, on the wall right next to the gun rack, hung my bow and quiver. The mahogany wood was spotted with dust. I had managed to come far from touching to the two objects in several years. After I had found the crossbow, I found every excuse in the book not to go near my bow. I had left that part of me behind a long time ago. Picking it back up, could cause a lot of trouble I wasn't about to face. I looked at the curved of the neglected weapon, before Bow's movement caught my attention.
"Keira is watching the twins." I gave a nod, as he stood next to the chair I sat in. "C'mon. I have something I want to show you."
Confused but interested, I nodded. "Alright. Where are we going?"
Bow's eyes sparkled. "You'll see."

And here I found myself following him. Through town, and out the gates. My awkward walk smoothed out little by little the further we went. We stayed close to the fence, keeping it in sight.
"Do you have a husband?" Bow asked.
"No. Boyfriend." Of sorts, I think. I thought to myself. Bow nodded as he led me up a small hillside, I was still trying to figure out what he was doing, when we reached the top, and stopped. I gave Bow a questioning look, before turning my gaze to the landscape that spread out past the hill. The rolling hills and tall waving grass was quite impressive, I had to admit.
"Hope....." I raised a hand.
"You have things you want to know. But I need answers. I'm not gonna play twenty questions. But a question for an answer. Answer for a question." Bow nodded.
"Alright. What about your real name?"
Being true to my word I had no other answer but the truth. "Aahana. Aahana Hope Dixon. But most people call me Su- Hawna."
Bow gave a nod. "Alright, what would you like to know?"
"Where exactly are we?"
"We are technically standing where the city limits of EastHaven, West Virginia ended."
It took a minute for Bow's words to sink in, and my gaze shifted to the openness that lay before us. "Why'd you bring me out here?" My voice was soft, as my eyes found Bow's.
"Well. I need a new running partner for in the mornings, and you seemed to be a good pick. Someone where we can push each other." Bow paused, looking back up at me. "But. I also wanted to bring you out here... I have no right to ask you to stay. I know you probably have people you need to look for. But a few other members, along with myself would like to ask if you would take a seat on the council. We all trust you have a good head on those shoulders of yours."
I hung my head. "That's not the first time I've heard that." I mumble. Thinking of Hershel Greene.
Bow took a step forward. "Like I said. We understand if you want to go looking for your people. And we are here to lend a hand if you let us, or give you space. These people hardly know you, but they respect you." He paused, starting to walk back. "I'll give you time to think it over. I should be easy to find once you do."

I had two kids to think about in this decision of mine. They were my top priority besides the fact of finding the group. I was still curing myself for going the wrong direction. If I only had one look at a map. Then I could get back. But honestly, I had to work with what I had at the moment.
"Bow." I called before he could get too far. He paused, looking back at me. I nodded my head. "I'll stay and help. But only if I will be allowed to leave with my kids at any sign of our people." Bow gave me a smile as I walked beside him. He placed a hand on my shoulder as we made our way back to the gates.
~~

Even if I didn't have Angel and CJ to look after, I might have stayed anyway. I couldn't go out errand blindly try to find my way back to Alexandria.
Slowly I found my place on the council. Bow and I would go on a walk outside the walls every morning. I was regaining my ability to move quicker, we were almost at a normal job beside our trot. Taking a breath. I adjusted myself in the saddle.
"Are you sure?" Bow asked. Furrowing my eyebrows. I nodded.
"Gotta re-learn somehow. It'd be so much easier if it was all the same. But there's bound to be some differences."
"You got that right." He gave me a small smile before handing me the reins.
All went fine at first, but it was close to when I was about to get off, one of my feet slipped from the stirrups, causing me to slam into the ground.
Bow was quickly at my side. "Hawna, are you alright?"
"Yeah, yeah." I waved it off, standing as someone put Cobalt away. Bow was next to me as we walked away from the stable. "Bow. There's is something I want to ask you, and I want you to be honest." The few council meeting I had been to and helped out with, I picked up on something they were hiding. Something I was missing about this place,
"Shoot." With the go ahead, I looked Bow in the eye.
"What's with this place? What are you trying so hard to hide?"
Bow stiffened. We had know each other for over a month now. We trusted each other. He was almost like a long lost uncle to me. "Aahana." He placed a hand on my shoulder. "There are a lot of problems with this community, hell there always is one. Some are greater than others. And this is one of them. It's not time to worry yet, so try not to get mixed up in it right now. You're still trying to get use to this place. Alright?"
I bite my lip. "Alright." As much as I wanted to know, I could suck it up for a little while longer. I put my trust in Bow, and he put his in me. He was asking me to drop it. I was slapped in the face of the fact, that a few years ago I would fight tooth and nail to find out what this was.
Bow smiled at me. "Thank you."
I sighed. "Tell Keira if she or the kids need me, I'll be at radio."
"Okay. I'm starting to wonder what will happen the day they pick up." Bow chuckled as he walked away.
"I am too." A cool breeze rushed between the buildings I stood next to. Pulling my jacket closer to me, I made my way to the radio tent.
Another bump in the road to get back home, it was getting colder.

I had been trying almost everyday since my first council meeting to radio someone, anyone.
I remembered the channel numbers, trying Alexandria first. With no luck. Sighing I changed the channel.
"Bentford..... Come in Bentford..." I sat there for the longest time, getting not even the slightest response. It was around noon when Bow stood next to me.
"Hey there. Any luck?"
"No. Just like usual." I looked up at him from my chair. "What is it?"
Bow gave me one of his signature smiles. "A few of the council members and people from trade, including myself, are going to visit an ally of ours. I think you're ready to come with us." I smiled at the possibilities. With a nod, I went to say a quick goodbye to Angel and CJ before I left.

The car ride was a little lengthy, I must have dozed off halfway between EastHaven and this "ally".
"Hawna. C'mon, we're here." Bow shook my shoulder. I opened my eyes to find our car parked right next to the wall on the outside. But my heart sank when I didn't recognize the area. With a sigh, I got out of the car and followed the small group. There were five of us. Three from trade - who work out trading - and two from the council. When Bow told me a few people from the council were coming, he failed to mention that was just going to be him and I. The four of us stood in front of the huge gates as the opened.
"Any of this seem familiar to you?" Bow asked as we walked in. The trio from trade instantly went to go barter.
I raised an eyebrow confused. "No why?" Bow was about to answer my question, when a man with long brown hair and a beard approached us.
"Well it's good to see you awake for a change." He smiled at me. "Hope wasn't it?" I was about to open my mouth, but this time I was interrupted.
"Yes, but her real name is Hawna. Let's maybe keep that between us." I didn't get where Bow was going with that, but I tried to play along the best I could.
"Alright. Most people around here call me Jesus, but my actual name is Paul." I took his outstretched hand for a short handshake. "Welcome to the Hilltop..... Again."
I shot a questioning glare at Bow, and he set a hand on my shoulder. "After Nate cut off your leg we brought you here, it was closest. Once you were stable enough, we thought it best to move you to EastHaven. We have a larger medical center there." With the two sources of power EastHaven had, it made sense. They had solar, and hydro. I nodded, still trying to wrap my head around it all.
"It's a lot to take in. I know." Jesus gave me a kind smile. "Well C'mon, I'll show you around." He waved Bow and I to follow him.
Off for another adventure.

A/N
Sorry there isn't much action in this chapter, but Sunny gets to the hilltop! Again......¡

Could this mean she finds Alexandria faster?
Do you guys/gals like the twins? Is CJ more likable than Angel ?
What is EastHaven's big secret?
Will Sunny find out or get caught in the middle of it?

Please vote and comment........ And find out in the next chapter!

Happy Easter everyone!