"Our memory is always within reach I will return, I will return, Don't you ever hang your head"
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After arriving back at the safe zone, Veronica was once again faced with the disappointed faces of James and Michael. After one agonizing hour explaining everything that occurred during her impetuous confrontation with Negan and the Saviors, she then hastily left the two men and found a quiet area on the compound to think to herself.
She could understand the irritation everyone held towards her at the current moment as it was her brash and senseless behaviour that had gotten them into the difficult situation they were currently facing, but she had owned up to her mistakes and taken full credit by approaching Negan and accepting the offer alone.
She had thought that by doing so the rest of the community would feel at ease and content that they no longer had the threat of working for the terrifying man they had heard their leaders fighting about. She also figured that many would be relieved that she would be departing to work with another group, especially after what Jaqueline had revealed in her spout of anger earlier that day. Unfortunately for her, everyone was now just feeling concerned for her.
Upon revealing the agreement that she and Negan had come to, Michael pulled her into a tight hug, calling her an idiot as his eyes brimmed with tears. James had been standing behind her brother, shaking his head with an expression of worry washing over his face. Veronica had been confident in her decision to accept the deal on her own but as soon as her two closest confidants began treating her as if they'd never see her again, she began to doubt herself.
Would Negan conform to the deal, or would he remain unimpressed no matter how well she performed? Did she make the right choice, or did she just place her community in even more danger?
She was dragged from her thoughts as Brendan rounded the corner, having observed the female leader rush behind an empty house a few hours earlier.
"Hey, Ronnie..." He spoke up as he approached the abnormally quiet woman. He had heard about her visit with Negan due to gossip spreading fast in the safe zone and was just as concerned as everybody else. "How are you holding up? I heard about what happened..." He questioned, taking a seat beside her on the back stairs of the house.
"I'm doing great," She lied, turning to the teenager with a small smile, "I'm worried about the rest of you. No one seems to be taking the news well, I thought at least half of the community would be glad I'm going." She added.
"Are you kidding? You're the main reason we're all still alive! Sure, Michael and James are great, but you help us with everything and let's not forget that you've been on every supply run since the community was founded. We owe you everything!" Brendan spoke enthusiastically. Veronica was he and Colby's friend, mentor and protector, having saved their lives on various occasions. He didn't want her to leave.
"I'll still be around, I'm sure the big bad wolf will let me visit, I'm working with him, not for him." Veronica tried to justify, however internally the teenager's words were hitting her hard. Sure, working as a Saviour was to protect her community, but by protecting them she was also neglecting them. By changing the deal, she lost the offer of them receiving supplies. She would be living with the Saviors while her friends still had to venture out and provide for themselves.
