The Butchers - Terminus

4

Ally's POV:

I woke in Gareth's bed, I knew it was early because usually I could hear peoples voices echoing from outside, but today it was silent. I didn't remember going to sleep in his bed so I figured that I feel asleep at the table and he moved me here. I sat up yawning, as Gareth barged through the door. "Ah, I was coming to see if you were awake. Lucky for you, you are. Still wanna go out?"

"Yes." I replied, dragging on the 's'. I tiredly sunk myself up from the bed tying my long, tangled hair up into a ponytail with a bobble that was ready for snapping. "Ready." I stated, grabbing my old backpack from the floor and slung it over my shoulder.

"What are you bringing that for?" Gareth asked, puzzled.

"Incase we find food on the way, or anything else." I replied, shrugging my shoulders.

"I sort out the food around here, you don't have to worry about it."

"You can't keep a full supply of meat forever." I reminded him, walking out of the building with him trailing behind me.

"Havent seen u around in a while." A voice clearly spoke from behind us. I turned around to see it was Martin, his hands in his pockets as he slowly walked closer towards us. "Began to think you... left." He said to me, he glanced at Gareth as he said the last part.

"Nope, I'm still here." I answered, gritting my teeth turning to Gareth since he knew the only reason I was still here was because he made me.

"Ally, go and get in the car." Gareth interupted, tossing me the car keys and pointing at the dirty black truck that was parked by the gates. I caught them perfectly and made my way over to the car as Gareth walked the other way, entering the other part of the building.

"So, you coming the party tonight?" Martin asked me, leaning against the car. I sat sideways in the car, allowimg my feet to touch the hard concrete floor as I spoke to him.

"Party?"

"Yeah. Gareth hasn't told you about it?" He asked, but shook it off. "The group basically just sit around, drinking the alcohol we collect over the past month. It's just a chance for us to catch up. Suppose it makes a few people feel a little more sane. You should come."

"I guess." I smiled at his offer.

Gareth returned, throwing a bunch of signs into the back the car. IHe tossed a walkitalki to Martin. "You know what to do if anything happens." He said, nodding his head once at him. Martin hopped into one of the cars beside us with someone I had never seen before and headed out.

"Where are they going?" I asked Gareth, as he started the car.

"Don't worry, they're not coming with us." He said, sarcastically. "Someone spotted a herd of walkers coming towards here, they're going to distract them."

***

"Do you think people will notice it?" I asked Gareth, as I stood back admiring the sign that lead the way to Terminus hung up infront of me.

"Can't miss it." He replied, sitting on the front of the car before taking a swig of water. I turned around, facing him, watching him as he sat cross-legged on the car.

"You know, you're not that bad." I admitted.

He seperated the bottle from his lips and a wide smile spread across his face. "How so?"

"You're doing all this." I replied, gesturing my hands to sign. "You're inviting people into your group, feeding them and giving them a place to feel safe. And I forgive you." I added, teasing him.

Gareth raised his eyebrows and a playful smile dominated his face once again. "You forgive me?" He repated. I nodded my head in reply.

"For kidnapping me and keeping me locked in a room for days." I joked. "You just want to keep people safe. I'd do the same if it was my group." I said, quietly. God, I missed them. Everyday, more and more panic washed over me knowing that they were still out there, alive or dead and alive.

***

We had arrived back in Terminus, there was a small fire which everyone sat around, drinking and enjoying their meals. I sat alone uncomfortably, I didn't know anyone here. Gareth was nowhere to be seen and I didn't bother speaking to anyone else. "Hey!" A deep voice shouted. I turned aroud and came face-to-face with Alex.

"Hi, Alex." I muttered.

"You having fun?" Alex asked me, laughing. It was obvious I wasn't and thats the whole reason why he asked me. "Anyway, have you heard about Martin?" I shook my head, implying that I hadn't. "There was an accident when you's where out. He had a run in with a guy, he's pretty beaten."

"Is he okay?" I asked concerned. I knew what people out there were like, and knowing that they were right outside of the gates was scary.

"Yeah he's okay. Someone's cleaning him up now, though. Gareth's pissed, we don't need anyone trying to bother us." Alex added.

"I'm not feeling too good. I think I'm going to and sleep." I lied. I felt fine. I didn't even know what 'fine' meant anymore but I felt as good as you could when the world was swarming with dead bodies. Alex said his goodbyes and I walked around the camp stopping when I came to a traincart labled 'A'. Martin was stood on top of it with a gun in his hand, quietly muttering to himself as if he was holding a conversation with nobody which was too quiet to hear. "Martin." I yelled up at him.

"Hey, what are you doing around here?" He asked, climbing down from the cart. I had never been over on this side of the camp before and so far I didn't like it. It seemed cold and dark, even with the pots of flowers Mary had dotted around to brighten up the place.

"I was going to bed, but I guess I got lost." I lied again. Truthfully I wanted to explore the place, there was still so much they where hiding frome me. So much that I hadn't seen before. "How come you're not at the party?" I asked him, trying to hold a conversation so he wouldn't guide me to Gareth's room.

"Not in the mood." He mumbled. His eye was a dark purple with a hint of black and his lip was cut and bruised. I didn't ask him about it, I was obvious it would have been a touchy subject for him. "You?"

"Told you I wanted to go to bed." I reminded him, "Plus, parties aren't really my thing either. What are you doing over here?"

"Somebody's got to stay on watch. And somebody's got to stay sober when everyone is out getting drunk." He said quietly but angrily.

"I can stay on watch if you like?" I suggested.

"You would?"

"Yeah. You go and enjoy yourself. I'd only be in my room anyway." I told him.

"I don't know about that."

"You've had an eventful day, you deserve a break." I said, persuading him to let me stay.

"Here." He said, wrapping my hand around the gun. "If anything happens you don't hesitate to shoot, okay?"

"I won't." I replied, simply. Martin walked away, leaving me alone in the dark. I climbed up onto the traincart, looking out into the woods desperately hoping I'd see my group making their way over here. Nothing. No movement. Nothing at all. I folded my arms across my chest, attempting to gather up as much warmth as possible. "Where are you." I muttered quietly, hoping that my group would eventually show.