Shattered Wings

Chapter Nine: Alexandria

After a few days Jerry took Beth out and showed her around, it was a comforting and welcoming sight, seeing a community so large and thriving. Jerry explained how they came to be, how the Hilltop community and Alexandria worked as a trade route, all three working together to create a new and better world. After a week Beth began to help out, working in the garden's to show thanks for them saving her life. By the time the end of the week rolled around, she found The King outside, he thanked her for her help in the gardens and asked what she planned on doing next.

"I'd like to find my people." Beth hadn't spoke much about her past or what she was doing in Virginia.

"Ah, so the truth reveals itself." He smiled to her, "You lost your group?"

Beth nodded, "I feel like I'm chasing the wind. I've not no lead on them other than the words of a stranger." Suddenly everything she was doing felt stupid. Why would she leave the state where she last saw them? What would make her travel this far without real evidence that her group was out here? "It all feels...hopeless..."

"You said you were looking for Hilltop?" The King asked, Beth nodded again, "Jerry is taking some vegetables there tomorrow. Every seven days we trade with Alexandria and Hilltop, doing supply runs and helping one another is what makes each community thrive. We need one another in order to survive." Beth listened, "You can ride out with Jerry if you would like. He will stop at Alexandria first, then Hilltop. I hope there you can find your answers." Ezekiel smiled.

"Thank you." Beth prayed she could find some answers. If this was a dead end, it would be the end. Beth would go back to Atlanta and find the farm. Although she could go to Grady, she didn't want those memories to haunt her any longer.

The next day she gathered her things and met Jerry out by the gates, "Where is The King?" She looked around.

"Haven't seen him this morning." Jerry loaded the last crate into the back of the truck, "Ready?" Beth nodded, climbing into the passenger seat and watching the gates pull open for them.

"Alexandria is very nice. Think the housing developments from before, but with walls surrounding it." Jerry was a positive person, Beth admired that. His optimism reminded her of herself when she was eighteen. "We wont be there too long, I know you want to get to Hilltop."

As they approached the large walls Beth was in awe of how big it really was. The large gates were doubled up and as the door rolled open she smiled, inside seemed to...untouched. "Wow."

"I know right?" Jerry smiled as he turned into the square. "There's our little helpers!" Jerry and Beth looked out to two children approaching the parked truck. Getting out Beth walked toward the back of the truck where Jerry was pulling down the hatch. The children approached them, the young girl had long brown hair and the boy held onto her hand, both smiling at her. "Where is your hat?" Jerry patted the girl's head.

"I got walker blood on it, had to be washed. It's drying on the porch right now." She smiled and looked over to Beth, letting go of the boys hand as Jerry handed an apple down to him. "Hi."

"Hi there." Beth knelt down, "What's your name?"

The girl smiled, "Judith." Beth felt stuck, frozen in her spot but feeling hot in her face, "This is my brother, RJ." The boy waved, the apple stuck in his mouth. Brother? Beth wondered, the boy had darker skin. "What's your name?" Jerry realized the look on Beth's face and turned to her.

"Beth?" He watched as Beth looked down at the ground, "You ok? Another headache?"

"I'm fine..." She looked back up to Judith, "It's just..."

Another child ran up to them, he ran right into RJ and laughed as the apple hit the ground. "That's not nice!" RJ shook his head, shoving playfully at the other boy. "That's a waste of an apple."

"Hershel, say you're sorry." Judith turned to the boys. Beth felt like she was in another world.

"Her..." Beth shuddered, they all turned to her, "Hershel?"

"Yeah, she's Aunt Maggie's son." Judith said like it meant nothing.

Beth felt dizzy, she sat back onto the dirt in order to catch herself. "Beth?" Jerry looked concerned.

Judith knelt down in front of Beth, "Are you ok?"

Beth nodded, "Yeah, it's just..." She felt the smile on her face grow, "Maggie..." She looked up at Judith, "You're so grown up." Jerry looked over at Judith, then back to Beth.

"You know her?" Jerry asked.

Beth nodded, "Maggie's my sister."

Judith looked over at Hershel and smiled, "Go get your mom."