Abide » Alden

7. And 8.

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7. Sacrifice

The Saviors have left. A mere few months ago I would have been more than delighted. Now I just feel indifferent.

I've seen a few of them change into better people. Arat made a good impression on me during her time in helping with construction.

I respected her. And then she was killed.

Maggie and Daryl swore they couldn't find who did it. But I know they're lying. I've spent almost a year lying to everyone about everything I am. There was no way I wasn't going to see through them.

I see the way they look at Cyndie and the Oceansiders. They have a secret and I bet I know what it is.

So I decide to confront Cyndie. Knowing Daryl and Maggie, they won't tell me. Despite the years we spent surviving together, I have no indication of their trust. But they also have no indication of mine. So, that's fair.

I walk up to Cyndie, "Hey, Cyndie."

She looks at me with confusion written on her face, "Hey..."

"Paesyn," I introduce. I glance around us before lowering my voice, "I know you did it."

If I can get her to confess, I won't be jumping to conclusions.

"What? Uh—Sorry, I'm lost," Cyndie rambles.

I lean closer with a twinkle in my eye, "No you're not. You know exactly what I mean."

Cyndie stares at me before sighing in defeat, "Okay, okay. Yes, I—we did it. You don't understand. They took everything away from us. How is it fair that we offer them our kindness when all they did was slaughter us?"

I find myself answering without the circulation of a thought on my tongue, "People can change."

Cyndie scoffs in amusement, "Of course you'd think that. You're so attached to that Ex-Savior, Alden. How do you know he changed?"

I look down, embarrassed, "He was a farmer for the Sanctuary."

"So you're saying he didn't actually kill people. Funny the difference murder makes," Cyndie concludes.

I softly argue, "Not all of them enjoyed it. If any of them said 'No', their heads would get bashed in by Negan's bat."

Cyndie doesn't say anything.

I see Alden from across the camp. We make eye contact and he waves me over.

Before I walk away from Cyndie, I whisper to her, "You have no idea what the Saviors put me through."

With that, I put on a smile and walk towards Alden. I just focus on him as I walk, too afraid to linger on the past.

We walk side by side and he starts, "Carol's asked me to track down the Saviors, head them off and lead them back."

"Are you sure they'll even want to come back? What about the guy who tried to kill you?" I shake my head.

Alden laughs, "He punched me. I don't get beaten down so easily."

I slightly laugh at his words. "Do you know if they'll even listen to you? It could be a mob on one situation," I warn.

"Mob on two," Alden grins.

I ask, "What?"

"That is, if you're interested."

I furrow my eyebrows, "You want me to come with you to head off a bunch of Saviors..."

Alden takes a second before replying, "Yes."

I take a deep breath and smile, "Okay. When do we leave?"