MAKNAE [twd]

【125】

There were six council members at Demeter- dad, Tina, Tyler, Karina, Nancy, and the leader- Jonah.

Dad was in a position much like me- architecture and building the walls up. Tina was in her spot due to her teaching background. Tyler was Jonah's best friend's son, a military raised man who looked like he'd been through wars himself. Karina was their medic. Nancy was Jonah's sister in law to the brother he'd lost early on- her position something like an assistant.

It felt more fitting than ever that the six of us were sat across from the six council members of Demeter.

"I understand that you're having an issue with another group. If you would, can you explain in detail how and when this began between your people, the other communities you've aligned with, as well as the group in question," Jonah speaks.

"Originally, the five of us come from a community named 'Alexandria'. The first time our people came in contact with the Saviors was when four of our people were attacked and then one of them met three people who escaped from them and were on the run," I explain before looking to Jae.

Jae clears his throat before speaking, " The four of us were rerouting a herd that half broke through our walls. While out, the Saviors began shooting at us and we got separated. Daryl was mistaken by the three for one of Negan's people and so they held him captive until they were nearly caught by the Saviors themselves. Then, they began to work together. One of the people died after being attacked by the dead. The other two left him there out of fear."

"Once we found each other again, we made our way back to Alexandria. On the road, a group of the Saviors blocked us off and told us that we needed to provide for them. We were nearly killed until Daryl saved us once again. That group is now dead and we didn't hear from them for awhile."

Jae looks back to me and I nod, taking the reigns back-

"While on a run, two of our own ran into a member of the Hilltop colony. He brought us there to make trades and we found that they were already being ruled by the Saviors. They had been tormented by them for months after Negan- the leader of the Saviors, killed of of their own in front of them all. A sixteen year old boy. Since then, they've killed a number of their people including one of their doctors. The other doctor is currently being held captive by Negan as we speak."

"Alexandria made a deal with Hilltop. We would begin trading and Alexandria would wipe out the Saviors so we could live in peace together. Alexandria won the fight, but it turned out to only be one outpost. During that, two of our own were once again held captive and threatened by them."

I glance to Nancy who was taking notes on everything, her pen working just as quickly as the words left my mouth.

"The Saviors ambushed a group of our people- killing a man named Abraham. He was part of our construction crew and they blindsided them. Another man in our group was shot during the attack," I recall, feeling that lump in my throat return.

"The Saviors laid out traps after that, pinning down another group of our people. That was Alexandria's first encounter with Negan himself. He forced our group to their knees, told them that he was in charge of everyone and anyone who questioned him would be taken down. To make sure we understood that, he killed two of our people." 

"A man named Tyreese," I glance to Julie to make sure she was okay, "And a man named Glenn."

Jonah looks over to dad, already knowing the story somehow- my guess being Tina.

"Alexandria and Hilltop both were forced to give supplies to them afterward. Medical supplies, food, clothing, something as simple as dressers and beds. The Saviors showed up weekly to take whatever they pleased in the moment. They took all weapons and only allowed a number of them per community and person."