Cap: 15

"Guess that's it," the man said, watching as Erick pulled the gun from his belt. There was no fear in his eyes, only resignation.

"I appreciate your honesty, but sins aren't forgotten… You're too unreliable to join us and too much of a threat to leave alive. If it's any consolation, we'll take good care of what's left of your community," Erick said, aiming the pistol at him.

They had returned to the dairy farm after looting the water plant and taking everyone who lived there. Now that the man who had provided the information was no longer useful, eliminating him seemed like the best option to prevent him from becoming a threat.

"… I see…" the man murmured in response. "… What we did was for survival… We wouldn't have resorted to raiding if we had a better option…" he excused himself, showing no fear of the gun pointed at him.

"That's something you'll have to explain to the devil, not me," Erick muttered before pulling the trigger.

The man's body fell to the ground, and the soil began to soak with blood. Erick stepped out of the barn to find Andy waiting outside.

"… Messy business in there, but I appreciate you handling it," Andy said, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Erick simply nodded and took a moment to survey the dairy farm.

The farm was surrounded by a reinforced wooden fence, along with a moat dug outside the perimeter to ensure the place wouldn't fall if a horde of walkers appeared. 

Andy expressed his gratitude for their efforts and served a feast for Erick's workers, who had been responsible for fortifying the farm.

The first part of their deal was that Erick and his people would help Andy reinforce and expand the farm as his numbers grew. Currently, there were about thirty people living on the farm, suggesting that Andy had followed Erick's advice and recruited more individuals.

The second part of the agreement was that the farm would serve as a refuge for Erick's men if needed, and they would pay 20% of their production as tribute. Erick himself would handle any bandits threatening the farm.

As long as there were no bandits and the farm required no expansion, Erick would regularly receive a substantial amount of food in exchange for doing nothing. While the idea of demanding 50% or more had crossed his mind, he eventually decided it wasn't a wise move.

One of the reasons Negan fell was that his demands on the communities he subjugated were unsustainable. Taking 50% of everything was simply unfeasible for most communities. When the only options are to fight or starve, people will choose to fight, even if the odds are against them.

Erick discussed with Andy whether he was interested in taking in more people at the farm. After consulting with his brother, Andy agreed, recognizing that additional labor could help increase the farm's production.

The survivors from the water plant were gathered and informed they had the option to stay at the dairy farm or join Erick. 

Since most were women and children, it didn't surprise Erick that many chose to stay. The fact that Erick had killed both the boy and his mother at the water plant must have terrified the women with children, regardless of the fact that Erick had acted in self-defense.

What did surprise him was that about half chose to go with him despite everything. Perhaps the women without children weren't as affected, or maybe they realized Erick had more power than Andy and believed they'd be safer with him.

The half joining Erick was mostly composed of young women who could work at the mansion and have children without issue. The half staying with Andy primarily consisted of middle-aged women and children, who would become more useful over time.

Andy and Danny seemed happy to receive more people at the farm—especially Danny, who gave the children unsettling looks. But that wasn't Erick's concern. The mothers of those children had made their choice and would bear responsibility for whatever happened.

Once the matter was settled, Erick and his group set out to continue applying their new foreign policy during the day. They planned to return to the dairy farm by nightfall to eat and rest.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Erick was sitting in the truck with May on his lap, her gaze blank and trembling. She had been like that since the previous night when he claimed her, and while he was willing to be patient, she needed to understand that his patience had its limits. 

"So, uh… how exactly are we handling this whole foreign policy thing?" Marvin asked awkwardly as he drove. 

"We'll make it clear who's in charge here, and if they refuse, then there's no choice but to use violence," Erick shrugged. 

"Alright…" Marvin muttered uncertainly, grimacing. "But we're still going to help those communities, just like we did with Andy… right?" 

"Of course," Erick nodded. "The idea is for them to work the land and pay tribute. While they could pay us in other ways, most of them will have to turn to agriculture if they want to survive in the long run." 

"Then maybe we should start by talking about the benefits of being under our protection… what we can offer. We could even propose relocating communities that are in areas unsuitable for farming, and if they agree, they'll see it as a fair deal and not extortion. But if they refuse… then maybe we could do it your way…" Marvin finished with a grim expression, looking like he might vomit. 

Erick had to admit that Marvin's idea had some merit. It essentially boiled down to showing the carrot first, and if that wasn't enough, then using the stick. It might work better than just showing up at someone's doorstep and saying, "Give me your stuff or I'll kill you." 

The relocation idea wasn't bad either, given that there were plenty of farms and farmland now that most businesses and farmers were dead. 

However, that strategy seemed boring and required a lot of charisma to pull off successfully. Erick had tried it before with three communities and got mixed results. Andy's dairy farm responded enthusiastically, Lilly's motel reacted with suspicion and distrust, and Hershel's farm initially called it slavery. Erick had to risk his life on a supply run to finally convince the old man. 

Although he managed to convince all three communities, using diplomacy was frustrating, and Erick didn't have the charisma to make his offer seem as attractive as it could be. 

"Well, Marvin, since you're so concerned… it won't bother you to handle it yourself, will it?" Erick asked. 

Marvin, realizing the strategy they'd use depended on his response, nodded immediately without hesitation. 

"Sure, it wouldn't be a problem for me to present our offer," Marvin replied, a bit nervously. 

Marvin was handsome, had a kind look about him, and far more charisma than Erick, so he seemed like the ideal choice to present the carrot. However, Erick wasn't an idiot and knew the stick would eventually be necessary, so he was eager for that moment to come. 

"Hey… did you bring the chick here?… Can we bring women here?" a man muttered from the back of the truck. 

The guy who spoke was Asian, and if Erick remembered correctly, his name was Zac. Before this mission, Erick had never spoken to him and barely remembered him. Zac leaned through the open window connecting the driver's cabin to the back. 

"May and I are getting to know each other," Erick explained. "And since we're going to be out of the mansion for several days… you'd better find a woman among those joining us in the coming days, unless you want to wait until we get back to empty your balls," he shrugged. 

"… That's good news. We appreciate your generosity, Erick," Zac said gratefully. 

Some of the men in the back cheered at this, while others ignored the conversation or talked among themselves. 

"Hey Erick… I wanted to get your opinion on something…" Zac commented, scratching his head. 

Erick just looked at him, confused, motioning for him to get to the point. 

"What would you do if your woman had slept with a Black guy?" he asked bluntly. 

Zac's question made Marvin start coughing, and some of the men who had been paying attention to the conversation leaned in closer. 

"… I'm not sure where you're going with this exactly…" Erick murmured, raising an eyebrow. 

"It's not that complicated… it's just that my girlfriend at the mansion told me she had a Black boyfriend, and it hit me hard because… well, you know…" Zac waved his hand as if it were obvious. 

Erick nodded, understanding Zac's problem but unsure what it had to do with him. 

"… If your woman had slept with a Black guy… would you stay with her or leave her?" he asked. 

… If I could kill the guy with my own hands… maybe… 

To be honest, Erick hadn't thought about it until now. He wasn't racist; he hated everyone equally. But now that Zac had planted the idea in his head, he couldn't help but feel nauseous. 

The thought of Alexa being naked in bed with a Black man touching her and spilling his seed inside her made Erick's stomach churn. 

"Ugh… I didn't need that image in my head," Erick murmured, and Zac looked confused. "Listen… just keep your girlfriend away from any Black guys and think about the fact that her ex is probably dead along with his whole family tree. You'll get to pass on your genes while that guy gets eaten by walkers. If that's not enough, then it's best to end things and find another woman." 

Honestly, this whole thing about Black guys sleeping with women of other races must be a tough pill to swallow for anyone who isn't Black. Asians have it particularly rough since other races can at least compete… more or less… but in the case of an Asian guy, his woman almost certainly won't feel anything when he penetrates her if a Black guy already has. 

The issue could've ended there, but of course, once the can of worms was opened, everyone had to share their opinions. 

A guy named Abdul, who by his name and appearance must've had family from the Middle East, said his cousin ruined her life by opening her legs to a Black guy and getting pregnant. 

"… I swear, I don't know what she was thinking…" Abdul said with disgust in his voice. "… My uncles insulted me by offering her to me as a wife, but I told them no man with self-respect would touch her with a stick…" 

"What an idiot… didn't she know Black guys have the worst rate of father abandonment among all races?" someone asked. 

"… I don't care. She was a whore, and I wouldn't have married her no matter who she spread her legs for," Abdul replied. 

"Whores will be whores, I guess," someone added. 

"Have you seen mixed babies?… I've seen crap that's less ugly than them…" 

"… What are you so scared of, Zac?… Did a Black guy bang your mom, and now you're dazzled by his dick?" 

"… Fuck you… I don't need you projecting your trauma onto me…" 

People kept talking, unfiltered in the slightest about how they felt on the matter. Luckily, there weren't any Black guys in the truck, or things might've gotten even more awkward—or even violent. 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The first place they planned to visit was in Macon, a railway station frequently mentioned in many radio broadcasts and posters offering safety and refuge to anyone.

"Sanctuary for all. Community for all. Those who arrive survive..." This was one of the phrases recorded from the radio broadcasts by Gary.

The transmissions had stopped six days ago, and there had been no updates about the location. Erick's men began discussing the place they were heading to.

"It's a trap... Nobody's stupid enough to reveal their location and offer refuge to just anyone..."

"...No one grounded in reality, but someone living in a fantasy land might do it..."

"Even if it were a trap, they could be wiped out by a larger group just for revealing their location..."

"I hope there's something worthwhile to loot there... That water plant wasn't worth the ammo we spent..."

The motorcycle scouts diverted herds on the streets and marked a place on the map where they could hide the trucks before marching on foot to the site.

One decision Erick had made was to equip the scouts with cameras to record everything during combat. Since they already had footage of the battle at the farm, more videos wouldn't hurt in case violence was necessary here... The footage could intimidate other communities without the need for violence.

Erick joined his scouts to approach the location quietly while the rest of his men remained with the trucks awaiting his orders.

The railway station had a huge sign bearing what must have been the name chosen by its inhabitants: "TERMINUS."

There was a metal fence along with simple wooden walls that served to keep walkers out but would do little to protect the inhabitants from gunfire from the outside.

"Something's off here..." Marvin reported, frowning as he observed the site through binoculars.

"Explain..." Erick ordered.

"When the boys and I were gathering intel on this place last week... The people inside were different... I don't recognize any of the guys currently there," he explained.

Erick nodded at this information and, seeing that there were no guards patrolling the exterior, moved closer to observe the site up close.

When they heard screams, they stopped and remained hidden in case anyone looked in their direction. They saw men opening a container and throwing a naked, crying woman inside, then dragging another woman out amidst laughter.

The men pulled the woman, who pleaded desperately as she was dragged from the container while being groped. Cries from other women inside the container could also be heard.

"Well... That explains what happened to this place's previous inhabitants..." Erick concluded, showing no surprise whatsoever.

It was naïve to offer refuge to anyone without being prepared for when the wrong people found the place. The previous inhabitants had learned that lesson too late and paid the price... In fact, they were still paying it...

They left Terminus silently, as they had already obtained the information they needed. The location's vulnerabilities and the fate of Terminus's residents left them with a decision to make.

Roger and the rest of the men waiting by the trucks approached to ask about the situation.

"...We should kill them and free the captives..." Marvin muttered angrily as he tossed the camera in his hand to Roger.

The men gathered to watch the video stored on the camera. Reactions varied, ranging from disgust and indifference to amusement, as in Roger's case.

"...Kill them? I don't see why. They haven't done anything to us..." Roger shrugged, watching the footage with amusement in his eyes.

Technically, Roger was right. They hadn't been harmed and weren't obligated to play the hero here. The residents of Terminus had sealed their own fate and could blame no one but themselves.

"...Are you joking? These men are dangerous, and leaving them alive would be foolish..." Marvin argued.

"They're dangerous..." Roger acknowledged. "...But they could be useful. We need all the strength we can muster, and these guys could help us against this Mathews guy..."

"...They'll betray us if we recruit them... That's assuming they don't attack us outright..." Marvin countered.

"...Only if they see us as weaker than them... If we make a show of strength, we can keep them in line..." Roger responded.

"...The captives might be more loyal and useful if we kill their captors..." Marvin tried to focus on another angle.

"...Do you think a handful of raped women will be useful?..." Roger laughed. "...Or the men without dicks, if any of them are even alive?"

"...I've heard enough..." Erick interrupted the debate. "...Does anyone else have anything to add?..." he asked the men around him.

Apparently, no one had anything more to say. The men had been listening to the discussion, exchanging glances, but none of them spoke up.

Erick stroked his chin while leaning against a tree. He currently had 100 men ready to act and doubted Terminus had even half that number. Taking the place wouldn't be a problem.

The real dilemma was deciding what was most beneficial. While they needed all the manpower they could get, recruiting these men would mean constant surveillance and never being entirely sure they wouldn't betray them.

In fact, if they perceived Mathews as more powerful, they might even sell them out for a reward, and Erick might not realize it until it was too late.

An attack dog is useful if it only bites your enemies. A rabid dog, on the other hand, is very dangerous and might bite the hand that feeds it.

Sheep, while useless in combat, can be sheared and made useful in other ways without the risk of them turning on you at the worst moment.

"...We'll kill the men and take the place..." Erick finally decided.

"...Are you sure?..." Roger raised an eyebrow. "...We already have enough women, and I doubt anyone here wants to dip their wick with the women inside that container..."

"...Those men are more trouble than they're worth..." Erick explained his decision. "...We can't trust them, and I can't spare men to watch over them to prevent them from doing something stupid..."

With that decided, the only thing left was to organize the assault on the place.

Marvin and his scouts rounded up a small horde as a gift for the men controlling Terminus.

When the walkers gathered at the fence and threatened to bring it down, the men from Terminus panicked and started shooting to relieve the pressure on the fence.

Erick and Roger used the distraction to sneak into the place, silently eliminating their enemies one by one with bows, crossbows, and knives.

When the enemy finally realized there were intruders in their stronghold, Erick's men, positioned around Terminus to ensure no one escaped, began shooting.

The men of Terminus didn't stand a chance. They were attacked from the rear and flanks while the walkers breached a section of the fence. Those who didn't die from a bullet or arrow were devoured, and Erick won the battle without a single casualty. 

The fight finally ended, and Marvin led the scouts to divert the horde away from the area while the rest cleaned up and salvaged whatever they could from the corpses. 

Forty men were dead, all armed with assault rifles, plus the rest of the weapons in the armory along with their ammunition. In total, there were about 200 weapons of various calibers, and Erick's men kept all the ammunition as spoils. 

There were also vehicles, medicine, and a large amount of fuel stored at the site. 

The only problem was the food. Erick wasn't sure what these people's plan was, but the food would only last about three weeks at best—and that didn't account for the prisoners. 

The most uncomfortable part of gathering the loot came when they opened the containers and gathered the captives for a headcount. 

Erick wasn't surprised to see that all the women in the containers were naked. If you're only going to use them as sex slaves, there's no reason for them to have clothes. 

What was a surprise, though it shouldn't have been in retrospect, was the presence of children, elderly individuals, and even some men without clothes… with blood and semen stains on their backsides. 

It seemed the men who ruled the place followed a policy that "a hole is a hole at the end of the day." The captives reeked of urine, were emaciated with hunger, and looked at them with fear and desperation in their eyes. 

"... Are those all of them?" Erick asked. 

"Yes," Marvin replied immediately, his grim expression revealing his thoughts on the matter. 

"... Get used to this because we'll be seeing things like this often," Erick reminded him. 

"Hearing it from your mouth and seeing it are two different things… I'll be fine. Don't worry about me," Marvin said, closing his eyes and rubbing the bridge of his nose. 

In total, there were 80 captives freed—50 women and 30 men. Erick decided to be generous and handed out a bottle of water and a granola bar to each of them before standing in front of them, studying them intently. 

The few captives who had any clothes on were searched to ensure they didn't have weapons. It was a necessary precaution since, even if they weren't enemies, they could still pose a threat. 

The lack of clothing didn't seem to bother them as they ate, and considering what they must have endured, such things were probably the least of their worries at this point. 

"... Is anyone here the leader?" Erick asked after failing to identify one by sight. There were only shattered people wherever he looked. 

"I… I'm the leader," murmured a man in his early twenties, chewing on a granola bar as he raised his hand. 

The man was lying on the ground with his head resting against the chest of a middle-aged woman, presumably his mother. He rose shakily, his gaze lost in another world. 

"... My name is Gareth," he introduced himself. 

"Follow me. Let's talk business," Erick murmured in response. 

Gareth's mother seemed ready to follow, but Erick raised a hand to stop her. Since she was naked like the other women, Erick averted his gaze for a second, catching sight of her sagging breasts before quickly looking back at her eyes. 

"... Sorry… Just the two of us," Erick explained. 

"It's fine, Mom… I'll be okay," Gareth reassured her. 

The two walked until they reached an office, and along the way, Erick observed the man he was about to "negotiate" with. Gareth seemed broken inside, devoid of any willpower. Erick hoped he was at least reasonable, as he hated the idea of killing the people he had just saved. 

Both sat down across from each other at a desk, with Erick taking the boss's chair and Gareth sitting in a subordinate's spot. 

"... We may not be the guys who raped your mother, but the first thing you and your people need to understand is that we're not selfless people," Erick began, to which Gareth swallowed hard and nodded immediately. 

"Yes… I understand…" 

"Good," Erick clapped his hands. "... Now that we've cleared that up… The least you can do for me is tell me your story." 

"... My story?" Gareth murmured, confused. 

"Yes, your story," Erick nodded. "... I'm curious to know what led a guy to accept anyone into his community. And no offense, but I think we both agree that was a stupid move." 

Gareth looked Erick in the eyes with something akin to… anger? Perhaps the guy wasn't as broken as he initially seemed. 

Gareth sighed and lowered his gaze. 

"I… I used to volunteer for an NGO before all this happened," he explained, his words slow and heavy with regret. "I used to serve hot meals in Africa, help build shelters, educate kids… That kind of stuff. I thought… if I showed generosity and kindness in this broken world, I could inspire others to do the same." 

Erick stared at him for a moment, his eyes cold and analytical, as if weighing the value of each word. Finally, he let out a low, dry laugh that echoed in the room. 

"Inspire others?" he repeated incredulously, leaning toward Gareth. "Did you really think showing people you were a good person would stop them from stabbing you in the back the moment you turned around? Did that ever work for you in Africa, or did you only do it because you had an army of reporters and donors behind you making sure you didn't get killed?" 

Gareth flinched at the words but didn't respond. Erick pressed on. 

"Look around you, Gareth. How far did that 'generosity' get you? You didn't inspire anyone. All you did was attract a bunch of parasites and psychopaths, and now here you are, sitting in a pile of shit, silently begging me not to do to you what those men did." 

He leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms and shaking his head. 

"Don't get me wrong. Your intentions were noble, sure. But this world doesn't work like that. Here, generosity isn't a sign of strength; it's an invitation to be taken advantage of. And don't give me the 'not everyone is bad' speech. Of course, not everyone is. But it only takes a couple of bad ones to ruin your life. If you can't understand that, then your people are better off dead than under your leadership." 

Gareth swallowed hard, feeling smaller and smaller under Erick's piercing gaze. 

"So, what do you expect me to do?" he finally asked, his voice tinged with anger. 

"Do you have family here?" 

"Yes… My mother, my brother, my sister…" he answered, guilt evident in his voice. 

"Well…" Erick shrugged. "... What you should ask yourself is what you're going to do for them from now on because your entire life has been a huge waste…" 

When Gareth didn't respond, Erick continued. 

"You haven't helped anyone…" Erick began with a smile on his face. "... Those kids in Africa you helped are probably dead from hunger or walkers. But even if that's not the case, the warlords in Africa will make sure they grow up to be as bad or worse than the men who did this to you… And that's just the kids." 

Now that Erick thought about it, the situation in places like India, the Middle East, or Africa in general must be unimaginably atrocious. If things like this were happening in the "civilized" United States, then the situation in poorer countries was probably beyond horrific. 

"... Hey, don't look at me like that…" Erick murmured to Gareth. "... As much as you hate what I'm saying, deep down, you know I'm right. But setting all this shame aside, today I'm feeling generous. And while the resources in this place belong to us as spoils of war… You and your people can leave with the clothes on your backs—or the lack thereof—and be free." 

Gareth was silent for a few seconds after hearing that, then looked at Erick with disbelief. 

"... I… don't understand…" 

"What part don't you understand? I think I've been clear enough…" Erick raised an eyebrow. "... You leave while we stay here with this place and all the resources in it…" 

This time, Gareth started trembling and panicking before regaining his composure a few seconds later. 

"You… you can't do this to us… We can't survive like this. That's not right…" Gareth protested indignantly. 

"... You should be grateful I haven't screwed your family and that I'm letting you leave together as a happy family… If I were you, I'd kill myself out of the shame of letting my mother and sister get raped, but that's your decision…" Erick replied. 

As much as Erick didn't feel much affection for his mother, even he would die before letting other men do that to her. Gareth would have to live with that shame for the rest of his life. 

Gareth suddenly stood, leaning in until his face was just inches from Erick's, his eyes promising vengeance. 

"You're not a hero or a generous person... You're not even human... You're just a cruel and miserable piece of trash like everyone else..." Gareth insulted him.

"Heh, harsh words..." Erick laughed, then looked him in the eye. "...Well, for the sake of the conversation, let's pretend that's true... What are you going to do about it?..."

Gareth, whose hands were gripping the desk tightly, froze upon hearing those words. After several seconds of weighing his options, he finally fell to his knees in helplessness. Erick walked over and stopped beside Gareth, leaning down to his ear.

"...You're upset, and that's reasonable, but I need you to understand one thing..." Erick gently ran his hand over Gareth's head before continuing. "...You are the only one responsible for your current situation... Not me... Not the rapists you invited into your home... You... Never forget that, because if you do, next time, there might not be a second chance..."

Erick pulled out a map and an envelope containing photos of Hershel's farm as Gareth looked at him in confusion.

"...Now that we've knocked some sense into that head of yours... It's time to discuss what's really going to happen with your people..." Erick smiled.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

When the captives were finally able to get dressed and eat, Gareth thanked Erick without looking him in the eye before joining his family.

"This place isn't safe in the slightest..." Erick informed his men. "We'll take these people to Hershel's farm, and there they'll work to produce food while giving us a share in exchange for protection."

Most of his men seemed satisfied, though a few grumbled about not being able to keep some of the women.

"…What a shame… And here I thought I'd seen a pair of tits with my name on them..."

"…At least we got plenty of weapons and ammunition... There'll be time for the holes later..."

"…Anyway, those women were more trouble than they were worth..."

"We've only been away from the base for a couple of days; you can screw your women when we get back..." Erick snorted.

"Heh, says the guy who got himself one almost immediately at the water plant..." Ralph teased. "...That bitch doesn't shut up, and everyone heard the things you were doing to her last night."

All the men roared with laughter, and even Erick couldn't help but chuckle a little at the situation.

"Alright, you can take the women we got at the water plant. But we're raiding bandit bases, and you can't get a second one until everyone has a first..." Erick stated.

The men seemed satisfied, and Marvin approached him with an expression that showed he had something on his mind.

"If this place is going to be left empty... Should we do something about the signs?" Marvin asked, and Erick had to admit it was a valid question.

"No... We'll just keep an eye on this place from time to time in case someone settles here, and we'll recruit them..." Erick finally decided.

When lunch was finally over, they took all the resources from Terminus and departed, leaving behind corpses, bullet holes, and a hole in the fence as evidence of what had happened there.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Erick ordered some of his men to pick up trucks and additional supplies at the mansion and then meet him at Hershel's farm.

The old man's property had been fortified with an 8-foot wooden fence and a deep moat surrounding the entire area. There was also a watchtower where four sentinels could oversee the property.

There were trenches for defenders to take cover in case of an assault and a large bell that served as an alarm for everyone on the farm.

Hershel wasn't happy when Erick disregarded his mourning period and began reinforcing the place, but the circumstances didn't allow for wasting more time. And it's not like any bandit would care about the old man's feelings if they found the place.

They found some of the men led by Bart at the farm, unloading a truck full of supplies.

Devon came out to greet them when he saw them arrive, raising his arms with a smile.

"…I thought you were going to clear out the bandits in the area. Did you already take off all those parasites' heads?" Devon asked with sarcasm in his voice.

"…Obviously not. We eliminated two hostile groups, but we need more trucks and supplies for what's coming. For now, I'm just passing through until Marvin and Roger catch up with me here," Erick explained.

Hershel came out of his house, followed by Maggie and the rest of his family. The old man seemed to be in a bad mood but didn't voice his complaints aloud.

"…Erick…" Hershel approached without greeting and glanced at the people getting out of the vehicles.

They had taken all the supplies from Terminus and left the place empty. All the fuel would surely be useful for Hershel's farm machinery, and the manpower would help increase production.

"…These poor souls need your hospitality," Erick explained.

The two discussed the 80 people Erick had brought with him. The old man wasn't happy with the way Erick made unilateral decisions without consulting him, but after hearing about the atrocities Gareth's group had suffered, he at least calmed down and agreed to take them into his home.

"…God said: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Even so, they better not cause trouble because I won't put my family in danger," Hershel said.

"…Don't worry. These people are just looking for food and a roof over their heads," Erick reassured him.

They reached an agreement, though, to be fair, Hershel didn't really have much of a choice. Gareth shook the old man's hand and thanked him profusely for taking them in while helping his group settle on the farm.

Erick noticed Maggie and felt his cock starting to harden, but before he could go talk to her, Devon approached him.

"…Bart left me 20 men to loot the town and bring all the supplies here while he went to Atlanta with another 80 men," Devon explained quietly.

"…Alright," Erick nodded. "…I hope all the men made it back alive because if you're telling me this, it's because something happened," he added.

"All the men are fine," Devon replied immediately. "…But we heard gunshots in the town and temporarily aborted the search."

Erick felt a chill run down his spine but maintained his composure and tried to gather more information.

"…Do you have any other intel, or did you just hear the gunshots?"

"…We got closer and saw a group of five men. We followed them silently, and they met up with another 10 men before returning to their camp," Devon reported.

"…How many men were in their camp?"

"…At least 30, although there were many women. There are probably a lot of small scouting groups out there, so there could easily be more," Devon shrugged. "…We didn't stick around to avoid being discovered and just noted the location of their main camp."

"…You did well," Erick said, patting him on the shoulder.

"…Do you think we should attack them?" Devon raised an eyebrow. "…I got close enough to see they had assault rifles, and they didn't look friendly, though I could be wrong."

"…We don't know anything about their character or their foreign policy," Erick explained. "…We should capture one of them and gather more information. If you said they split into small groups, then we can capture a few and interrogate them."

"…Are you thinking about recruiting them?" Devon asked.

"…I'm not sure," Erick replied.

Although he had a shortage of men compared to women, recruiting was very dangerous, and a group of this size could be a problem. Killing them and taking their supplies and women was always a valid option if recruitment wasn't worth it.

"…It depends on what kind of men they are. I'd rather eliminate bandits than recruit them. I have enough men who can get their hands dirty, but I need loyal soldiers," Erick explained.

"…Well, I'm not opposed, but if we're going to face that Matthews guy, wouldn't people who can get their hands dirty be useful?" Devon asked.

"Maybe. But every person we recruit is a risk, and when it comes to bandits, the risk multiplies by ten. Nothing guarantees they won't abandon us, rob us, or betray us if they think it's easier than staying with us," Erick said.

"Well, that's fair. How many men do you have?"

"…20, not counting Gareth and the others, but Marvin and Roger are on their way here with 40 men each as we speak."

"We can either move ahead and attack the camp or capture some of their members instead. I'd prefer the first option since it's fewer people to split the loot with, but it's your call," Devon concluded.

Erick considered both options, analyzing the pros and cons, but ultimately decided to wait for more information.

"…We'll capture some of them. If they're dangerous, we'll take their stuff, but if not, it would be wiser to recruit them and increase our strength," Erick finally decided.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Erick gathered a small team of five men to ambush one of the smaller groups Devon had mentioned. They tracked their movements for hours until they finally found an opportunity near a creek. Two men from the group, separated from the others, had stopped at a bar to rest and chat. 

"Tony, this can't keep going on. Nate is losing it. I don't trust him anymore..." one of them murmured before taking a swig from a bottle of whiskey. 

"And what do you suggest, Dave? That we run off and end up like those idiots who thought they could take control on their own? There are no options, man. Nate's in charge, and we follow orders," the other replied. 

Before they could continue talking, Erick's men surprised them. With guns pointed at their heads, both raised their hands, visibly tense. 

"Relax, guys," Erick said with a cold smile as he approached. "This isn't personal. We just need to talk." 

The two men were tied to a pair of chairs and stripped of their weapons. Surrounded by armed men, they didn't resist and merely muttered curses under their breath. 

"I'm sure you know why you're still alive," Erick began, his voice firm and authoritative. "I have some questions about your camp and your people. If you cooperate, maybe you'll live to tell the tale." 

Tony, who was short and stocky, looked at him with a mix of mockery and defiance. "And if we don't cooperate? What will you do? Kill us? Big deal, man. We've been dead since this whole thing started." 

Dave, thinner and more nervous, tried to keep his composure. "We're not telling you anything. Go to hell, bastard." 

Erick sighed, clearly irritated. He leaned forward, staring directly at Tony. "Listen, I don't have time for your games. You and your friend have two options: talk or die slowly. And believe me, I won't hesitate to choose the second... All that meat you've got will make a fine feast for the walkers." 

Tony spat on the ground. "Do whatever you want. We're not cowards like you." 

Devon stepped forward, his expression hardened. "Maybe they need some motivation. How about we start by breaking their fingers, one by one?" 

Dave began to visibly sweat, but Tony didn't back down. "Is that all you've got? Try it. You'll get nothing but screams." 

Erick leaned back in his chair and gestured to Devon. "Do it." 

Before things could go further, Dave shouted. "Wait! Wait, please! I'll talk. Just… don't do anything, alright?" 

Erick raised a hand, stopping Devon. "I knew one of you would be reasonable. Now, Dave, I want you to tell me everything about your people... your camp, and any plans you've got. Don't leave anything out, or your fingers will be the least of your worries..." 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Rick stopped next to some bushes, far from the noise the others were making in the camp, and took the walkie-talkie out of his pocket. He pressed the button and began to speak.

"Morgan... If you can hear this... Stay away from Atlanta... It's not safe," he warned after several failed attempts to contact the man.

He had separated from Morgan after the latter told him he needed time to gather the courage and end his wife's suffering before finally leaving the town.

Rick understood that this was something Morgan needed to do himself, but now he couldn't help wondering if maybe he should have offered to do it instead of Morgan.

After putting the device back in his pocket, Rick stopped to think about the man he had left handcuffed on the roof... Merle was his name... He might have been a real asshole, but he couldn't just leave him behind... However, there was also another reason to return to Atlanta, and it was related to the camp's security.

"... Glenn..." Rick called the young man who had saved his life when he was trapped in the tank.

The young man turned around, and Rick quickly explained his plan, to which Glenn finally responded.

"... I'm not from Atlanta, but I know someone who is... He could tell us where to look..." Glenn said, then began walking with Rick behind him.

They approached a bearded man who was digging frantically into the ground with a shovel. Before Rick could ask him what he was doing, Glenn stepped ahead.

"... Hey Jim... Do you know of an armory in the city?" Glenn asked.

"... Armories?" Jim stopped to think for a moment. "... Yes... 38 Pleasant Street..." He answered and immediately went back to digging.

"... Perfect... I have a map in the car... Just follow me..." Glenn ran in another direction.

The young man took a map from the vehicle he had used to lure the herd when they escaped the city, marked an area with a pen, and then showed it to Rick.

"... It's not far from where you handcuffed Merle... So we can pick him up, get the weapons, and get out of there as fast as we can..." Glenn explained.

That was good news. Rick had looked for weapons at the police station, but someone took everything, leaving not a single bullet behind. In the end, he was only able to give Morgan a vehicle before leaving the town.

Before getting in the vehicle with Daryl and T-Dog, Shane approached him with something in his hand.

"... I hope four is your lucky number, man, because that's all that's left..." Shane murmured as he placed the ammo for the Colt Python in his hands.

Rick gratefully accepted the ammo and immediately loaded it into his revolver. It might not have been much, but every bullet counts.

"... I still can't believe you're really going to look for that guy..." Shane murmured in disbelief. "... It's too risky... You just got back, and we need every man to protect the camp..."

"... It's not just for Merle... We need more weapons to protect this place... I went by the police station, and someone took all the weapons from the cage... There's nowhere else but Atlanta where we could get enough weapons for everyone..." Rick explained.

Shane nodded and patted him on the shoulder, wishing him good luck.

Rick said goodbye to Lori and Carl, promising he'd be back, then got in the van and drove towards Atlanta.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The van stopped next to the train tracks, and the four men silently got out of the vehicle.

After using a bolt cutter to open a hole in a fence, they entered the building with their weapons ready in case they encountered walkers.

"... Left the door chained... Those things couldn't have gotten to him..." T-Dog murmured.

Daryl murmured threats and continued the search while climbing the stairs, aiming his crossbow ahead.

They found the door still chained, with no signs of walkers. T-Dog cut the chain, and Daryl kicked the door open before entering, calling for his brother in desperation.

"NAOOO... NAOOO... NAOOO..." Daryl shouted upon seeing what was on the roof.

The man seemed about to cry as the others observed the saw and handcuffs soaked in Merle's blood, with his amputated hand just inches away from both items.

Daryl aimed his crossbow at T-Dog, but Rick held his gun to the man's head to force him to calm down.

When Daryl finally lowered the crossbow, Rick promised to help him search for his brother on the streets after they got the weapons the group needed.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Rick and his group moved cautiously through the alleys, following the map Glenn had marked. The armory was just a few blocks away, but the streets were a maze of debris, overturned cars, and scattered walkers.

When they arrived at the marked building, they stopped after hearing voices coming from inside. Rick raised his hand to signal for them to stay still, and with silent steps, they moved toward a broken window to observe. Inside the armory, a group of at least 20 men was methodically working, placing boxes of weapons and ammunition into a military truck parked in front of the building.

"Shit..." T-Dog whispered, watching the scene with concern.

"Too many," Glenn said, assessing the number. "... If they spot us, they could kill us easily..."

Daryl, with his jaw clenched, murmured, "So what? Let them take everything? We need those weapons... Maybe they've seen Merle around here...?"

Rick stayed silent, observing the group from the shadows. They seemed organized, equipped with assault rifles, and communicating with each other using walkie-talkies. They weren't just ordinary looters; this was a well-planned operation.

There was something else that intrigued him... walkers... Dozens of them... With jaws and arms ripped off... Tied to posts and vehicles on the street...

"We need to be smart... We can't risk it..." Rick said finally. "Let's wait for them to load the van and leave... Then we take whatever they've left behind at the armory."

However, an unexpected noise rang out behind them. A walker was coming toward them with the intent to devour them, and Daryl shot it with his crossbow, causing it to fall to the ground with a dull thud and hitting the concrete.

That was enough for one of the armory men to look up and spot Rick and the others.

"Intruders!" the man shouted, raising his weapon.

Chaos erupted in an instant. Rick and his group stayed where they were, protected by cover, but the bullets started raining down on them from multiple directions. They didn't have time to react before they were surrounded. They were ordered to drop their weapons, and Rick, recognizing they were at a disadvantage, slowly raised his hands, signaling the others to surrender.

"This isn't going to end well..." Daryl grunted, throwing his crossbow to the ground in resentment.

A redheaded man who appeared to be in charge approached them while whistling a children's tune. His amused gaze scanned each one of them.

"... Looks like we hit the jackpot today... These guys seem tough..." He said while stroking Rick's jaw as if it were a freshly acquired prize horse.

"... Bart... The gunshots will attract walkers here... We need to leave..." one of his subordinates pointed out.

The leader, apparently named Bart, nodded, and the armed men shoved them toward a black van, making sure no one tried anything. Rick tried to assess his chances while Daryl threw murderous glances at their captors.

When they were finally shoved into the van, Rick looked up and was surprised. There, sitting against the vehicle wall with a makeshift bandage around his arm stump, was Merle Dixon. The man raised his head upon hearing the noise, and a twisted grin appeared on his face.

"Well, well, look who decided to join the party!" Merle exclaimed with a mocking laugh. "What, couldn't live without me?"

"Merle!" Daryl shouted, incredulous but relieved to find his brother. "What the hell happened to you?"

"These bastards found me on the streets when I could barely walk," Merle replied, pointing to his amputated arm. "They said they needed more 'manpower,' but it looks like they've got plenty of company now. What? Came to rescue me, or just wanted some company?"

Rick stared at him, quickly processing the situation. Merle wasn't just alive, but now shared their fate. This complicated things, but it could also be an opportunity.

"We need to get out of here," Rick said calmly as the van doors slammed shut, and the vehicle started moving toward an unknown destination. "And we need to do it together."

Daryl nodded, although his gaze remained fixed on his brother. For the first time, determination, not resentment, filled his face.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

[Author's Notes:

Morgan and his separation from Rick:

In the canon of The Walking Dead, Morgan Jones separates from Rick supposedly to teach his son Duane how to shoot.

In reality, this is an excuse, as Morgan decides to stay in the town because his wife, Jenny, now turned into a walker, is still roaming around their home. Despite knowing he should "release her," Morgan cannot gather the courage to kill her. This internal conflict emotionally ties him to the place. Rick, though understanding of his struggle, continues his journey with the hope of finding his family.

The Termites and their transformation into cannibals:

In the canonical story, the inhabitants originally tried to turn their community into a safe sanctuary for survivors. However, the place was invaded by a hostile group that abused them and took control of the area.

Eventually, the survivors of Terminus managed to reclaim the place, and although it is never explained in the show... it's not unreasonable to assume that the bandits ate all their food and locked them up while starving them.

The following are my own deductions, but after killing the bandits, it's very likely that, with no food left, Gareth and his group, in desperation, ate the corpses of their captors. From there, the cannibalism addiction that we know in the show began.

Since Erick killed the bandits and freed Gareth before the canon events, they never had the need to eat humans and avoided their much darker fate, but not without suffering greatly before being freed.

I'm writing this because years have passed, and it's possible that someone may have forgotten those details or missed them... Thank you so much, and until next time.]

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.