The Walking Dead: Season 5: Episode 1: Sacrifice

Scene 3: Rules of the Game

the two guards lead the 12 people through terminus, past the pile of bones, through the candle, room, than continue their path. Their hands have been tied behind their backs. Rick is in the front with Carl next to him, and Michonne next to Carl. They are the three leading leading the four groups of three in an organized fashion. "Dad, are we going to be alright?" Carl asked. "I don't know." Rick sighed. "Dad, I don't want to die. I want to make it through this world, and live to tell my children about how i survived." said Carl. "Well then, you will." said Rick."No, that isn't true.." said Carl. "You even said everyone dies." "That's true, everyone does die. But as long as I'm here, you're not gonna die anytime soon." "Dad-" "No, Carl I want you to listen to me. Everyday my heart beats, everyday I fight, everyday I do anything, is for you. The only reason I keep going everyday is for you. Now you're big enough that I don't have to protect you anymore, but I'm still your father and my job is to raise you. Now if one of us had to die, it would be me. Every time, every time, no question. I would lay down my life for you Carl, but only if it was absolutely necessary, I want to be here to raise you."

"Dad, I can't ask you to die for me." said Carl. "Well, too bad you don't get to make that decision." Rick replied. "Dad, if you died because of me, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself. I would kill myself." said Carl. "Now you know I wouldn't let you do that." said Michonne. Rick and Carl both look at her and chuckle. "Well, it wouldn't be your decision to make." said Carl. "Don't matter, I'm gonna need someone to keep me company." said Michonne."No, you won't." Carl replied. "Oh yeah, you're gonna have to deal with boring old me." said Michonne, "It's alright, I don't bite, most of the time." Rick and Carl both laugh, while Michonne joins in.

The dozen are led into a huge garage-like area. where there is a circle of a dozen Terminus citizens in the center of the room, with Gareth at the head. "What is this?" Michonne demanded. "A test." said Gareth. "A test for what?" Daryl snapped. "To see if you're strong enough to survive." Gareth replied. "What the hell are you talking about?" Abraham demanded. "Well, if you survive, you will join us here, and will earn your status as a child of God." "We're all God's children, you piece of shit." said Rick. "No, children of God, don't do wicked things." said Gareth. "What did we ever do to you?" said Bob. "You killed one of our own, and caused chaos in our settlement. " Gareth replied. "What happens if we don't survive?" asked Glenn. Gareth smiles. "I'm glad you asked. If you don't survive, you will be sacrificed to God in our worship room, and he will make the gift of food. "

Rick observes the circle they are in the center of, and notices that all the terminus citizens have their possessions. Rick's gun, Carl's gun, Michonne's sword, Daryl's crossbow, Glenn's riot gear, Maggie's poncho, Abraham's gear pack... "Now, we're going to cut you loose, and if I were you I wouldn't try anything, seeing as we are armed, and you are not. Also, Gavin here has a bad temper." Gareth gestures to a man, on his right, who is 6'6, 370 pounds, and extremely muscular. "Gavin here used to a professional wrestler, tll the shit hit the fan." Two guards than came up and cut the dozen survivors loose.

"Where's Beth?" Maggie sobbed. "Who's Beth?" said Gareth. "Sweet blond girl, looks like her." said Daryl, pointing at Maggie. "Oh her? we picked her up a few days ago, tough little thing, but we finally got her, on the sixth day of the standard seven we hunt you for. It was a shame to have to sacrifice her." Maggie begins to sob uncontrollably, while Glenn holds her close, and everyone else tries to take it in. "YOU SON OF A BITCH!" Daryl yelled, hitting Gareth in the face. Gavin than softly cuffs Daryl on the side of his head, knocking him off his feet, at which point he gives Daryl a hard kick in the ribs.

Rick and Michonne help him up, and Rick looks Gareth square in the eyes. "That,'s enough. Now you listen to me, asshole. Once I get the chance, and I will, I'm going to kill you." said Rick. Gareth chuckles. "Don't you know Rick? Killing is a sin." said Gareth. "You are doing the same exact thing." Rick replied. "We're doing it for the greater good." said Gareth, "With every victory there comes a sacrifice. Now the 12 of you have a week to stay alive, if you live, you ge tot join us." "This is sick." Rick snarled, "I have met some pretty sick people, but cannibalism? That's a new one." "Not cannibalism, a gift. With sacrifice there is always a reward, and with every victory there is a sacrifice." said Gareth. "No. Every sacrifice is a loss, and at the end of the day if people are alive then and only then is there victory." said Rick. "Right, anyway, let's get started." said Gareth.