new beginnings

Sanctuary

*Sorry everyone for the delay on an update, I've been sick and busy. Anyway, here it is. :)

After a while, we arrived to the Sanctuary. Jordan and I held hands as they pulled in. There was a massive, at least five story building in the huge property surrounded by gates. It was odd, since there were a ton of walkers outside the gates, all on chains. I guess it was to ward off intruders. It seemed very safe and secure.

In fact, it wasn't just a building; it was a factory. I looked around after they closed the gates behind us. The walkers were very audible, since there was so many of them.

The two men got out of the truck and put the tailgate down. I tensed up, unknowing if all of this was too good to be true. Jordan jumped out and put the wheelchair on the ground. The men helped me into it. Jordan stayed close to me as we followed the guys.

People, who I guessed lived there already, were staring at us. Some were passing by, and some were in the huge factory, looking through windows. A man in a black leather jacket with dark hair and a short beard walked over to us. I gulped, since he was brandishing a baseball bat with barbed wire on it. God knows what he does with that.

"We found these two when we were out recruiting," one of they guys said. He stepped aside so we could take a look at the man. Jordan moved even closer to me at the sight of the baseball bat.

"Hi, I'm Negan," the man smirked. I shook his hand, gulping, but trying to look tough, even with my circumstances. He then shook Jordan's hand, and the other two men scattered off somewhere.

Negan just stared at us, I was too afraid to say anything.

"So, what are your names? Am I just gonna start calling you whatever the hell I want?" he laughed. I was really scared, I've never seen anyone act like this when meeting.

"Sorry, I don't have a filter. Get that scared look off your face, you two are safe," he apologized. I relaxed slightly.

"I'm Carl. This is Jordan," I tried to keep eye contact with him.

"You made the right choice with joining us, since you guys are young. Damn, how the fuck did you last this long? The whole world went to hell and you are still standing," he laughed. I got nervous, once again.

"Well, one of you's still standing," he corrected himself and chuckled. What kind of person says stuff like that?

I guess I had a sad look on my face. "Aw, shit. I didn't mean to say that. Again, no fucking filter. Follow me," he said. I reluctantly went along, and Jordan silently pushed my wheelchair. We followed him into the factory building, and went down a long hallway until we got into this huge room, with a ton of tables and a high ceiling. There were a lot of people at those tables, eating, until they saw us. Everyone stopped, went silent, and bowed down to us. Negan smiled.

"Fucking cool, isn't it?" he whispered to me. I nodded, unknowing what to say.

"As you were!" he yelled, and everyone went back into their seats, and continued doing what they were. Negan continued walking, and we followed.

"See that kid, that's called respect. So many people have lost it, thinkin' they know what they're doing. Those guys are all smart," he said, walking towards some stairs.

Negan took a few steps up until he realized we weren't following. He looked back and chuckled, shaking his head. "Shit, I forgot. How the hell are you going to get up here?" Jordan looked at me, silently offering to carry me. I shook my head no.

"I'll go up," I whispered. She shook her head worriedly no. I unsteadily pushed myself up out of my chair and hobbled on the floor to the railing of the stairs. I clung to them and slowly scooted on my butt up some, Jordan following beside me with my wheelchair, now folded up. Negan went by himself to the top of the stairs and stared out to everyone in the cafeteria.

I tried to hurry up, since I felt stupid and slow. Usually, I pay the price when I decided to go faster, and I did it again. Being dumb, I slipped and fell down three steps. Thankfully, I stopped myself and got up quickly before anyone but Jordan could notice. I eventually got to the top of the stairs and sat in my chair, embarrassed, breathing hard.

"Took you a long-fucking-time. Let's go, I gotta show you around before we run outta daylight," Negan said, and walked around the hallways. He told us about some of the rooms, where he stayed, and stuff like that. Most of his sentences included swearing.

After that, I went through another round of going down the stairs. I didn't stumble, so it was alright. Outside, through the windows, the sun was just a while from setting. He lead us outside onto a dirt road. There was a huge 'neighborhood' all secured by the fence, not surrounded by walkers.

The houses were all small and nearly identical, in rows all facing the road. There were a couple rows of houses, and the road went on and on. Some trees and bushes were in front or around the homes. Even there were porches, small and could probably hold two chairs, but had steps leading to the front door on them. Some of the houses were brick, others weren't and had vinyl siding. No two were the same color. Why did they make this development so nicely, who even cares about looks? They have a bunch of impaled and chained up walkers in the entrance, but nice stuff out of sight? The more I thought about it, the more it made sense.

"This is where most of my people are housed. We got so crowded a couple years ago we had to build. Then, a lot of people left, fucking thieves. So now, we have a bunch of empty houses, so take your picks. Most of the ones in the back don't have people in them. Two houses occupied would be a damn dream, someone's gotta take care of them," he explained.

"We'll only need one house," I spoke up. He looked at me, cocked his head to the side, and smiled.

"Oh, you two are together! Christ, how old are you?" he laughed playfully. Then he bent down to me and whispered, "Get that pussy, kid."

I thought that was inappropriate and ridiculous, so I raised my eyebrows, and stopped making eye contact. It was really rude to say that, but I couldn't do anything.

"We'll talk tomorrow, I gotta go get some pussy myself. Later," he laughed and walked to the factory. Jordan and I looked at each other and we began laughing uncontrollably.

"That guy is messed up," I said, pulling myself together.

"That's an understatement. How fucking big is his ego?" she laughed. Her smile made me happy.

"Alright, let's pick out a house. I guess this is what newlyweds do?" I smiled and she began pushing me. We caught notice of one of the houses. It was an olive-green color, and had a tree in its small yard. It was the only one I noticed with a porch swing. We grinned at each other and went up to it. I was sure no one lived in it.

"This is our house," she smiled, and I got off my chair to go up the three steps. Then she put the wheelchair where I could get in, and opened the door.

It was even smaller on the inside, but in a cozy way. It was filled by natural light, with only one lamp on an end table by the couch. The living room had only that and one recliner. Along with the living room was a table with two seats by a window. All the floor was unpolished but beautiful hardwood.

In the next room, separated by a door, was the bedroom. The bed touched the wall, and was right by a window with closed curtains. Its comforter was patchwork and somehow fit well with the gray walls. Jordan looked around in awe, I could tell she loved it.

"It's been a long day, let's lay down," she smiled, and I got on the bed, and she jumped in. I enjoyed the long kiss she gave me and she nestled up beside me.

"I love you so much, Mrs. Grimes," I smiled and stroked her blonde hair.

"I love you more than you can imagine," she replied.

It eased my stress at the sight of her smile. Jordan Grimes was my source of happiness.