Condemned. Sequel to 'Don't Look Back'

Chapter 17

Rayne's pov

"Brought dinner." Daryl said, holding a dead opossum he just killed fifteen seconds ago. I looked at the guy who had opened the gate, he had curly dark hair, and small eyes. He looked at Daryl like he was crazy.

"It's ok, come on in guys." Aaron welcomed us and we all sauntered into the new territory. I looked around as I walked, and noticed a girl standing in an old run down home. I stopped and looked, but after Michonne passed me she disappeared. Was I hallucinating?

The gates were closed behind as the last of us stepped in.

"Now, before this gets any further, I'm going to need you guys to turn over your guns." The guy who opened the gate said.

"We don't know if we want to stay." Rick argued, and I grabbed the handle of my knife in its holster. They argued back and forth for a short while.

"Who's Deanna?" Abraham loudly asked as her name was mentioned.

Apparently Deanna was the head honcho here. She was the one who decided whether we stay or leave, but she doesn't really get to decide. We do.

I was next in line for the interviews. I was greeted by an older lady, who had shoulder length brown hair.

"I'm Deanna." She offered her hand to shake and I took it, giving her a firm grip.

"Rayne."

"Nice to meet you, do you mind if I record this talk?" She asked and I narrowed my eyes in confusion.

"Why would you need to record this?"

"We're about transparency here." I nodded, and ran my fingers along the upholstery of the chair. Deanna sat down on the couch and began asking me questions.

"How old were you when this all happened?"

"I just turned twelve." I said, walking to the front of the chair, sitting down.

"I was a congress person, Ohio, 15th district." I nodded in understanding and she continued.

"Why, in your opinion, do you think we should accept you?" I shifted my position and cleared my throat.

"Because we know how to survive." I made eye contact.

"I see. What makes your group special?"

"We're family to one another. Those people out there, we save each other."

"You seem like a responsible young lady, but I know there's more to you, I'm exceptionally good at reading people." Deanna said, leaning forward.

"You wanna know what I've done?" I asked and she nodded.

"I've killed people. I've let people die. I had to kill my brother." I said slowly so that each statement had an impact.

"How many people have you killed?"

"Four."

"Why?"

"A little girl was the first. Her name was Sophia, she died because I missed a walker. The second was a prisoner who held a knife to my throat. The third was another little girl, she snuck up behind me after I escaped being kidnapped. My fourth was an innocent, she didn't know how to protect herself, and she got bit. I shot her right in the forehead without a second thought." I finished and Deanna nodded.

"I see. Now who's your parents? If you have any left."

"Lyla, she's my mom. Daryl, he's my father, my real dad died long before the apocalypse."