The Sheriff and The Archer

Chapter Twenty-One: Strength

We snuck in through the gates, it was a little further down from where we left, but it worked just as well. They didn't have any guards still, which I though was really stupid because they knew we could be coming back any time.

"Wait!" I whispered, getting everyone's attention just as we were beginning to break apart. Everyone turned around and several of them gave me concerned looks. "They know we're coming."

"What?" Maggie spun around, the quizzical face telling me she was utterly caught off guard.

"How do you know?" Sasha spoke and looked around. They weren't out here... at least not yet.

"Because why would they just let me go like that? They let you guys go because they owed me one, but I had been with them for a year and a half. They were like family to me... Mary, Gareth... everybody." I stomped my right heel down, searching for the right thing to say - I don't think there is a right thing to say.

I continued, "I don't think they'd just let me go like that. Especially with the way I left and how I found out about my sister. They know that I could make my way through that place blindfolded. I think that they've been waiting, or something. They probably figured out that we'd come back to see if your people had went there. They're waiting it out."

"We need a new plan," stated tiredly.

"Hells yeah we do," Daryl deadpanned.

Fuck. Square one doesn't feel so good.

"Are we screwed or what?" I lightly laughed at my pathetic attempt at humor. I nodded my head slowly and said: Really? Nothing? Come on, that was classic apocalypse comedy! No response. "All right, all right. This is what we should do: go in -"

"Together? I was thinking the same thing." The world ceased to spin. As I turned around I expected Earth to fall out of orbit. With that smug smile of his stood Gareth, with fifteen - maybe twenty - other people from Terminus. Was it just me or did you feel like throwing up too? I recognized every last one of them, and each of them were holding a gun. Whether is was a pistol, or a shot gun, they each had one and I was pretty sure they were fully loaded. Shit.

My hand was starting to shake. I was wrong. I couldn't see them so soon. I didn't want to. So I did the only thing I could think of: turn it around.

"What the hell?" I shouted and put my hand on my hip. "Gareth, what do you think your doing pointing that gun at me? I'm like your daughter." Yup, everybody should be confused by now. Gareth's aim wavered as did the others from Terminus. I was getting to him. Poor guy, I was using his mental instability against him. Time to lie, Jade.

I could've let them know that I was acting. I could've crossed my fingers behind my leg or something to let them know what was happening, but I didn't know how well they could act. They might blow the whole thing... I couldn't let that happen, I was trying to save them.

"I brought them back. I don't like what happened to my sister, but I thought it over... I didn't need her. She was always trying to boss me around." More like take care of you when you shut down. "I miss you guys. I miss my family. I didn't know if you would take me back... so I brought -" I struggle to get the word out without wincing "-food. I hope you guys can forgive me."

Gareth and the others turn and talk to each other. I have to tell them. My group needs to know that I'm lying. Just as I move to wink at them or something Gareth's attention comes back to me. He smiles like a proud father. It makes me sick to my stomach.

"Jade, come here." Immediately I speed walk next to him. "Never scare me like that again, okay?" He looks down into my eyes and it takes everything in me just to nod back. I turn to the group and cross my arms. Put on a show. Go with it.

"Take them to the arch," Gareth barks. The group, realizing they're outgunned and outnumbered, surrenders. I close my eyes. This isn't happening. This isn't real. I shake my head left and right a few times to clear it. When I opened my eyes I was expecting to see the group surrounding a bonfire or something. I was expecting us to be away from Terminus. Maybe Carl was holding my hand or something.

Of course not though, because when I opened my eyes I saw the group looking at me with shock, betrayal, sadness and anger coming from Abraham. I had no idea what the arch was or why Gareth would take them there. I just hoped that all of us would make it out of here alive.

As my old group members and my current ones passed Gareth and I, I used every last bit of strength I had not to beg for their forgiveness, or sob, or collapse.

Gareth turned and started walking back, so I did too.

"Hey, are you okay, honey?" His hand landed on my shoulder. I tried my hardest not to brush him off.

Lie, Jade. Lie like a carpet. (haha. Do you guys get the joke? I'm so punny) "F-fine. I'm just glad I'm not with them anymore and I can be home again, sleep in my own bed. I - I missed it here," my voice almost cracks, but I stop myself.

"Good. I missed you too."

We finally make it to the entrance. I take a huge breath and try to prepare myself to go back to the hell hole I never wanted to see again. Back to Terminus.