Abide » Alden

6. Together but Apart

"I don't want to do this. But people need to understand that at Hilltop, the punishment fits the crime," Maggie stands in the middle of an empty crowd of onlookers.

Alden and I solemnly watch Maggie's address before the hanging.

Maggie stands and watches the silent people as if she was waiting for some cry of protest.

I personally, am almost happy that Gregory is finally being taken care of... permanently. Of course, I feel bad that death is the only way, but I am certainly relieved to not have to deal with his sorry ass.

Maggie turns to the wooden structure, where Gregory stands upon a horse with a noose around his neck. He struggles to keep his balance on the back of the mighty animal.

"Do you have any final words?" Maggie stoically projects.

Gregory begins his pathetic groveling, like he always does when he gets caught in his bullshit, "What you're doing isn't right. Somebody stop this, please. Killing me in the dead of night because you're ashamed."

I watch Maggie as her eyes never leave Gregory's, "You're wrong. I'm not ashamed."

Daryl is signaled to initiate the hanging.

Gregory begins to beg like he's never begged before, "Please! Now! For the love of God, stop it!"

As Daryl retrieves the whip, Michonne yells and starts to run towards Maggie, "Maggie, stop!"

Rick wraps his arms around her and pulls her to him, "No, no."

Meanwhile Gregory keeps yelling for his pitiful life, "Wait!"

I look over to Michonne and just over her shoulder, I see the children curiously watching this morbid scene.

I race over to distract their curious eyes. Halfway there, I hear the whip crack and the cry of both the horse and Gregory. But Gregory's cry is interrupted by the crack of his neck.

Then everything became silent save for the gurgling of Gregory's body fighting for breath. The gurgling eventually stops.

I turn to see the older man dangling from the unfinished building.

"Get the children back in bed," Maggie orders.

Before I could turn to the children, their parents run past me.

I look back over to Maggie and Alden.

Maggie holds her head high as she explains herself to her community, "I made this decision. But this is not the beginning of something. I don't want to go through it again."

Everyone silently watches Gregory's swinging corpse. The creaking is almost like the tick of a clock that accompanies a swinging pendulum.

Maggie turns back to Daryl, "Cut him down."

————

I leave Hilltop with Alden, Rick, and others to go to Oceanside. It's been forever since I've been to the beach, and I'm excited even though I don't get to actually visit the beach.

During the ride there, everyone is quiet. Sometimes there would be little bursts of conversation. And I wish one of those bursts would happen between me and Alden. He hasn't said a word to me all day other than "you ready?"

I grunt in frustration for the millionth time and Alden finally takes a notice to it. But his reaction isn't what I want. He just glances at me and before continuing the ride in silence.

I scoff, which did catch his attention long enough for him to say something.

"What's wrong?"

I roll my eyes and slow my horse's pace enough to have some sort of privacy. Alden copies my actions and we take the back of the line.