The Rocking Dead: A New Beginning

Chapter 30: Going Home

Tom's POV: After everything unfolded at the fair, we left to go back home. The moment we were inside the sanctuary, I kicked a bunch of boxes as I tugged my hair. Eric broke down as he leaned against a wall. The others simply wiped stray tears away.

"Fucking fuck!" I yelled, more tears welling up. We've already lost two of our own before this, but Jeff's death is hitting all of us harder for some reason.

"Dad?" Jelly asked as she walked in. She and Penelope had been off elsewhere at the fair when Siddiq informed everyone about the deaths, so I knew exactly where this was going. "Where's Jeff?"

I didn't have the heart to tell her. Instead, I shook my head and wiped my tears. Since Jeff was our band mate, she was closest to him. I'll tell her eventually, but not right now.

"That's it, I'm calling a meeting." My demeanor quickly changed to serious. Everyone gathered closer. "We need to go back to Alexandria. Since the whisperers know about the other communities now, they're in danger too. We've gotta help them out."

"We're only seven extra hands, but it's still better than nothing." Eric vouched.

"Nine if you count the girls." Axl chimed in.

"No, I don't want Jelly or Penelope getting mixed up in this!" I quickly retaliated, "Alpha didn't hesitate to do what she did to Henry, she won't flinch with these two."

"Considering what she did to me I wouldn't want them involved either." Lydia said. After everything that's happened I honestly forgot she's with us now.

"Ok ok, the girls stay away from it." Blackie said, "But the matter at hand is if we go back to Alexandria, and I say we do a formal vote on it."

"Agreed." I replied, "All in favor of going back to Alexandria raise your hand." Everyone, Lydia included, held their hands up. "Then it's settled. Everyone get packing. We go tomorrow morning." We all quickly dispersed to our rooms, packing our things.

"What are we gonna do with Jeff's things?" I asked Eric, sitting on the edge of our bed.

"Take them back with our stuff." He answered, "I'm not letting anyone have anything of his. He was our band mate." I started crying again.

"I just can't believe this happened." I sobbed, "How could she do something like that? Not just to him, but to Henry, Tammy Rose, Addy, such innocent people. How can she be so cruel?"

"Some people are monsters." Eric choked, "She is."

"Dad?" I heard Jelly from the door. I quickly wiped my tears and hid my emotions.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Can you come here for a sec?" She gestured for me to come out.

"I'll be back." I said to Eric. He nodded and continued packing as I closed the door. "What's wrong honey?" I kneeled down so I was closer to her height. Jelly's short for a 12 year old and I'm tall, not a good mix.

"I heard what you were saying and saw how you acted when we got back." She started, "So can you please be honest with me?"

"About what?" I asked.

"Jeff's dead, isn't he?" She bluntly asked. I noticed she was holding her "Night Songs" vinyl under her arm, the same way she usually does with her teddy bear when she's upset. I didn't know what to say. I don't want to tell her the truth, but she's begging me too.

I simply nodded my head, more tears forming in my eyes. Jelly started sobbing as I pulled her in for a hug. She didn't let go of the album as she hugged me back. Both of our shirts became soaked with our tears.

"Don't worry." I said, pulling away, "We're gonna get the person who did this."

"I don't care what you say now." She said, "Penelope and I are helping."

"No. No you're not." I sternly said, wiping some tears away from her face.

"Yes I am." She sternly replied. "I'm old enough now. I can shoot a gun better than Judith. I. Am. Helping." I was speechless.

"Finish packing and we'll talk about it later." I said, walking back into my room.
•
The next morning we arrived at Alexandria, warmly greeted by Michonne.

"Your houses are still open. Get bundled up, there's a snowstorm coming." She said, referring to the falling snowflakes. Daryl stopped by and took Lydia visit Henry's pike. Eric, Jelly, and I got our stuff unpacked and settled down for the day.

"Sweetheart, What are you doing?" I asked Jelly after noticing her digging through the box of Jeff's stuff.

"Nothing." She replied. I just shook my head with a silent chuckle. Eventually, she pulled out one of his scarves as well as his favorite necklace, tightly clutching both in her hands. Eric and I simply watched as she ran back upstairs with it.

"What was that about?" Eric asked.

"She probably just wanted something of his." I answered...

*Hey guys! Sorry to burst you bubble with the last chapter. The pike deaths just happened on TWD and I took advantage of the opportunity. Also gives the rockstars more fuel against the whisperers.

Anyways, I need some opinions.

Next week is the season finale of TWD, meaning this won't be updated for a while. HOWEVER, that does not mean I'm ending this!! In fact, I want to know if you guys think I should split it up into a second book or keep everything in here. This book is getting out of control chapter wise, so I think separating it for next season might be better. Plus I can make a cooler title for the new one.

Let me know what you think!! ~Jess*