The Rocking Dead: A New Beginning

Chapter 20: Safety

Tom's POV: After everything that happened we went back home to Alexandria. Eric and I went straight to our house, worn down by what happened. I can't believe Vince is gone. And at the hands of the Whisperers.

"Tom, I don't wanna stay here anymore." Eric said out of the blue.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"If there's more of these people in the masks, they're gonna be coming for us here." He explained, "As long as we're at Alexandria, we're doomed."

"Well then, what do you suggest we do?" I asked.

"Leave. Gather the other rockstars and leave to find our own sanctuary." He answered.

"What do you mean leave?" I heard Jelly's voice. She was sitting at the top of the steps.

"Jelly, why aren't you in bed?" I sighed, walking over to the steps.

"I heard you guys come home." She answered, "I was gonna come down and ask what happened, but then I heard you talking about leaving."

"Honey, this doesn't concern you. Just go back to bed." Eric chimed in.

"I don't wanna leave Alexandria." Jelly said, clutching the teddy bear in her arms, "I'll miss Penelope. And Blackie. And the other rockstars."

"Well if we do leave, they'll all be coming with." I explained, "We're not splitting from them, we just need some time away from here so we can be safe." She slowly came down the steps so she could give me a hug.

"Goodnight sweetheart." I said, kissing her forehead.

"Night dad." She replied before walking over to Eric, "Goodnight daddy."

"Goodnight honey." He said, hugging her. She quietly went back upstairs.

"Let's get to bed." I said to Eric, "We'll get everyone over here tomorrow to discuss this." Eric nodded before we both went upstairs to bed.

I fell asleep rather quickly and was out for a few hours. But a sudden scream from Eric jolted me awake.

"What happened?!" I asked, concerned. He just sat up, breathing heavily. "Eric you gotta talk to me hon, what happened?!" He tightly grabbed my hand before breaking down crying. I didn't hesitate to pull him into my chest.

"I fucking hate him." He murmured into my shirt.

"Who?" I asked, trying to get an answer from him.

"Negan." He choked. Now I understand. He had another nightmare. He hasn't had one about his time in captivity for years. Why is it happening now? Most likely from the Whisperer incident, that's the only thing I can think of.

"Daddy?" I heard Jelly's voice from the door. She was peering in, teddy bear in her arms.

"It's ok sweetheart, daddy had a little nightmare. Just go back to sleep." I explained. She quickly closed the door and left as I comforted Eric.
•
This morning we held a small funeral for Vince. Some of our smiths made a coffin for him so it could be proper. He was buried next to Rachel. Nikki seemed almost emotionless during the whole thing. It's not that he wasn't sad, but it was like he couldn't feel anything.

"Blackie." I called him when the whole thing was over, "Get the rockstars and meet us at our place. Now." He nodded before gathering everyone.

"What's the matter Keifer?" All asked and everyone walked in.

"Eric brought something up to me last night and he made a good point." I stared, "We need to leave here and find a place of our own."

"Are you kidding me Tom?" Joan asked.

"These people who killed Vince, they're gonna come looking here for us. The hilltop and kingdom isn't any safer." Eric explained, "I don't want any more of us dying at the hands of other people. This is the only way we can sort of assure our safety until this blows over."

"We don't have to completely cut ourselves off from these communities." I chimed in, "We can still interact and help them out. Even come back to visit. But if we want to keep each other safe we need to do this."

"The saviors all left the sanctuary and spread out between our communities. We can go there." Axl said.

"It would help keep Penelope and Angelica safe." Blackie said.

"And as long as no one sells us out those people won't find us." Sebastian said.

"Guys, this is—Nikki, what do you think?" Joan said. Everyone was silent, waiting for an answer.

"I agree with Tom." Nikki finally said, "It's the best thing."

"Then it's settled. Go home and pack up. We'll take a few cars and go tomorrow." I said...