LOYAL [TWD] (third book to TROUBLE)

old times

"Glenn fell for it. I saw the chloroform rag in his pocket," Maggie explains.

Nanami scoffs as Glenn lowers his head.

"Come on," Maggie nods.

Nanami helps Martinez stand. Maggie had just cut them free.

"I'll get them," Glenn tells Maggie who nods.

"Thank you," Nanami mumbles, "Feel kind of stupid falling for it.. Thanks."

"I'm just glad we were here."

Nanami shuffles on his feet. What did he say?

He hadn't seen Maggie and Glenn since.. God.. The bridge? When Sakiko had killed Negan?

"What are you doing out this far?" Maggie questions.

"Just.. trying to.." Nanami struggles.

What were they doing out here?

"Mom?"

At the sound of a child's voice, Nanami flinches.

"In here," Maggie calls.

Nanami knew Hershel had been born. He was probably around Sakiko's daughter's age.

Then, a little girl walked in.

"Josie, this is Nanami and Martinez," Maggie introduces.

"Hi," Martinez waves kindly, not truly aware.

"Hershel?" Nanami questions.

Maggie hums, peering out the door. She smiles and steps back in as Glenn and a little boy walk in.

"This is Hershel. He's grown a bit," Maggie jokes.

Nanami's heart breaks. Maggie and Glenn had two kids.

Josie.. Like Josephine? Maggie's borth mom?

"And.. one on the way," Maggie reveals.

Nanami nearly cries.

"We lost daddy a couple years ago," Maggie sighs, resting her hands on Josie's shoulders, "It was peaceful. Natural."

"I'm sorry," Nanami frowns.

"Story for a later time," Glenn supports.

"If you're here.. Is.."

"We told te Saviors that it was us. Then, we left to keep her safe."

"She's still there? Him, too?"

"She's hopefully leading Hilltop right now. When.. When did you leave?"

"Right after the bridge.. I just.. After everything I needed some time. Then, it got easier to just stay away."

Maggie and Glenn trade a look.

"You should go back, Nanami," Glenn tries.

"Why?"

"I mean.. Sakiko could probably use the help. Daryl is with her, but.. Nanami it's been years. Who knows how different things are?"

"Would you come back, too?"

"We're out here to keep them away from her. Maybe.. Maybe you could go and tell us how things are?"

Nanami sighs, running a hand over his face.

"Na," Martinez calls, "We gotta go, man."

"Yeah.." Nanami gives in, "We're going back."

--

"Any sign of Alden and Luke?" Sakiko asks as she climbs the perch.

"Not yet," Yumiko denies, "We uh.. We went out there. We should've-"