The Ruins Part 2 (Sequel to The Ruins)

Chapter 72

Preacher Jack stood next to White Bear, both of them scowling down into the pits. "Which one of you Calvary Boys dropped the bat?"

The boys lowered their heads, none responded. Ryes was in the back and doing the same face since he was the one to drop the bat. He wanted Mal to live, but she's dead anyway. They all coward as Preacher Jack stayed still, waiting for some punishment before he sits down and let the boys off of their merry way.

As they went, Calvin pushes Ryes against one of the pitches. "You did it, didn't you?" He growled. He brought his forearm against his neck, pressuring it to cut his airflow.

"So what? They're gonna die anyway."

Calvin chuckled. "Got a soft for Mal, eh?" Then he slammed his head beside Ryes head, his thumb grazing over his left ear. "Just keep this a secret between us, ok."

Sitting beside White Bear, he scoffed. "This is taking too long," said the old man.

"They're pretty good," replied White Bear. "I mean, Negan is not kid, however, seeing him in action from all the stories of him, man. I'm actually starting to enjoy this."

Preacher Jack snarled, "They should be dead by now."

"Lighten up, Dad... Charlie's got their number. Those lovers are Happy Meals, you'll see."

Preacher Jack leaned closer still. "You listen to me, boy, if they find that bell and we have to let them go, then-"

White Bear laughed deep in his chest. "Dad, for a man of faith you could use some for your own kin. I got everything under control, and..."

His words trickled down and stopped as he realised that the crowd had suddenly fallen silent. The people weren't looking into the Pits of Judgement. They were staring in shock at the back of the hotel. Preacher Jack and White Bear whipped their heads around to see a figure standing on the porch. He had a pistol in his belt holster and a rifle sling over his back.

"Tom," murmured Preacher Jack; then he threw back his head and bellowed the name. It echoed all around the arena. "Tom!"

Beside him, White Bear grinned like a happy ghoul. He stepped forward and pitched his voice for all to hear. "Well, ain't this just a treat? Come to watch the fun and games, Tom?" He laughed, but only the guards and Calvary Boys laughed with him. The people in the bleachers shifted in shocked and uncomfortable silence. Preacher Jack held up his hand, and every face turned toward him.

"Why am I here?" Answered Tom with a faint smile. He spoke loud enough for the crowd to hear him. He held out a copy of the bounty hunter sheet and showed it to everyone. "It's pretty clear that you not also want Negan, but you wanted me here:"

"That's true enough," answered Preacher Jack. "You and your little pack of sinners and murderers."

"By that you mean Mal? And Negan, Vix, Lalon, Lugh, and the Saviors?"

"Sinners all." Preacher Jack nodded.

"Where are they, Marion?" Tom demanded.

"Oh," said Preacher Jack, not looking at the pits, "they're waiting for their chance at redemption."

Tom crumpled up the sheet and dropped it off the porch into the dust. "This is just between you and me. Leave them out of this."

The preacher spat on the ground. "This is between the Saviors and mine. Yes, you killed and destroyed the KillGames, but Negan killed two of my sons. Don't pretend you don't understand that, Tom. It was you who destroy a sanction. You and him owe me a blood debt."

Tom ignored the jeering catcalls of the guards and the nervous buzz of the crowd. He locked eyes with Preacher Jack. "Charlie dealt the cards, Marion, don't you pretend he didn't. He ran these hills like they were his personal kingdom, and he didn't care who got hurt as long as he got what he wanted. He was a parasite, a thief, a murderer, an abuser of children, and certainly a rapist to children."