Angel Wings

Chapter 6

The ride to The Hilltop was a bit of a distance. I didn't really talk much. I kept to myself mostly. Jesus kept looking at me and I mentally scream, 'NOT OBVIOUS AT ALL'

"Why you keep lookin' at her like that." Daryl asks watching as he's looked my way for the ninth time in about 12 minutes. Daryl must've noticed how uncomfortable I was, if only he knew.

"What do you mean?" Jesus asks acting clueless.

"You know what I mean, you like her or somethin'?" Daryl pushes.

"No- I'm- I don't even like-" He nervously rambles.

"It's fine." I defend, "just leave it Daryl. Not worth a fuss and we are here anyways."

We get out of the vehicle and Jesus walks up first. I look up to see people aiming weapons down at us.

"Remove all your weapons!" Someone orders but Jesus steps forward talking to them.
"We've run out of ammunition months ago." He whispers to us as we stand down and walk in. They have lots of crops and livestock and seem to be in the process of building a pretty substantial living space.

A man who introduces himself as 'Gregory' comes out and begins to eye me as I stare at the ground. Jesus whispers something to him. After, Rick introduces himself but then decides it's probably best if Maggie does the talking. Which she agrees to. Suddenly we see people headed our way.

"Ethan what happened to everybody else?" Gregory asks as they walk closer.

"They're dead." A man I suppose is named Ethan says as everyone begins to listen in.

"Negan?" Gregory asks

"Yeah." Ethan responds as Jesus looks at me, Stop fucking looking at me! I want to scream but keep my cool.

"We had a deal." Gregory says

"Said it wasn't enough." Ethan replies

"Was the drop light?" Another man asks as Gregory denies the accusation.

"They still have Craig." A girl speaks up

"They said that they'll keep him alive. Return him to us. If I delivered a message to you."

"Well deliver it to me then." Gregory says hastily. Ethan puts his hand on Gregory's shoulder and apologizes before sinking a knife into Gregory's flesh. Michonne and Rick go after the man as he is screaming and yelling. I want to help but I can't I'm frozen in shock and fear. I know I have to push through it but I become dizzy and start seeing spots.

"Don't do this now." I say to myself. The scene plays in front of me Abraham is on top of one guy while Daryl is fighting another. Rick then is taken hostage by Ethan who holds a knife to his neck. While Michonne distracts the man Rick is able to kill him.

"What?" Rick asks getting up and looking around. He looks like a madman all coated in blood. Everyone erupts in confusion and anger until Jesus jumps in.

"What can I do?" Rick asks

"Put the gun away." Jesus says calmly to him as Rick lowers his gun.

"You need to know... that things aren't as simple as they seem." Jesus says switching his glance between Rick and I as my heart sinks.
"Just give me some time." Jesus says to Rick walking away. But I know that message was really to me. I stare sickly at what just unfolded in front of me.

"You good?" A voice says behind me as I jump.
I turn to see Daryl looking concerned.

"Yeah. I'm good." I lie. Truthfully, I'm anything but. After Gregory is stabilized Jesus comes over to me.

"It's time to come clean." He says to me as I nod my head in agreement nervously biting my cheek.

Jesus rallies our group together and has a comforting arm on my shoulder as he guides me into a room.

"Things like that... don't usually happen here. But it's settled." He starts

"We heard the name Negan." Rick starts as I physically cringe.

"Abraham and Daryl had a run in with his men. Who is he?" Rick asks as my palms begin to sweat. I can't hold this in any longer. I feel my heart pounding and my thoughts racing.

"Rick can I speak to you?" I ask boldly.

"Now?" He asks. "Can't it wait?" He adds brushing me off.

"Who is he?" Daryl repeats.

I open my mouth to speak but nothing comes out. I try again, "Negan is the head of a group of people he calls the saviors." I blurt out regretting it immediately. Everyone except Jesus turns to me in confusion and utter shock.

"What?" Rick asks.

"As soon as our walls were built the saviors showed up." Jesus explained.

"Including me." I say disappointedly. I put my head down.

"Wait, wait, wait. What?" Rick says again trying to process the words coming out of my mouth.

"You. You know this man?" Michonne asks.

"I- I- I'm so sorry I didn't say anything earlier. I was scared. I told you there was nothing but trouble this way. This is the exact reason I didn't want to come back north. My nightmares are coming true. I just I thought you'd disown me if you knew how naive I was. He's dangerous Rick. I left when I realized what he was becoming. Shortly after he took over The Hilltop."

"She's right Rick, he's dangerous. He lined us up one by one and said we needed to understand. Killed a sixteen year old boy beat him to death."

I begin to tear up at the memories but don't dare let any tears fall.

"We give them half of everything. Our supplies, our livestock, our crops." Jesus explains.

"Well what do you get in return?" Glenn asks

"Peace. They don't kill us. They don't attack us. And ever since you left Kendall, it's only gotten worse."

I grow dizzy again at the thought of what he's become now. He was bad before, monster-like, but now? I shudder at the thought.

"Why not just kill him?" Daryl asks

"We don't have the weapons or the skills."
Jesus explains.

"Well how many people does Negan have?" Rick asks.

"We don't know-"

"107 men who could fight. Last time I was around... I'm sure the numbers have grown since." I speak up as the group looks at me disappointed. I know I should stop talking but I'm the only one who knows the place.

"Were you a... savior?" Glenn asks.

"Not exactly, I- I didn't know." I mutter as they grow angrier.

"She really didn't. She never killed any of our people and she actually tried to defend us." Jesus jumps in trying to protect my reputation.

"How close were you with him?" Maggie asks.

"Close." I mutter

"This ain't nothing but boogeyman shit!" Daryl explains. "If we take this man out and get your boy back you can hook us up? We want food, medicine, and one of those cows ya got out there." Daryl exclaims as i mentally facepalm.

"Kendall you know where to find him?" Abraham asks

"I- think. I'm not sure. B-but I can't." I say.

"You can and you will." Rick says sternly.

Great

"Confrontation has never been a problem before." Rick adds.

"I'll take it to Gregory." Jesus adds before leaving the room. Everyone stares at me like I'm an animal in an exhibit.

"We need to talk." Rick finally says.