Unbreakable threads

Chapter Seventy Three: Trapped in terminus.

"Welcome to Terminus," the man said, spreading his hands in a gesture of openness. "We're glad you found us. My name's Gareth."

Rick's eyes narrowed as he studied Gareth, his expression unreadable. "Saw the signs," he said simply. "Sanctuary for all?"

Gareth nodded, his smile widening. "That's right. We offer safety and community to anyone willing to follow the rules. But first..." His gaze flicked to their weapons, and his tone grew slightly firmer. "I'll have to ask you to hand over your weapons. Just a precaution, of course. You'll get them back once we've welcomed you in properly."

Rick hesitated, his hand tightening on his revolver. Alyssa glanced at him, her jaw clenching as she caught his eye. She didn't trust this, but Rick gave her a subtle nod. Reluctantly, he handed over his gun, and one by one, the group followed suit, laying down their weapons. Alyssa felt the tension in her chest rise as she handed over her knife, but she didn't take her eyes off Gareth.

"Thank you," Gareth said smoothly. "Follow me. Let me show you what we've built here."

The group followed Gareth through another gate and into the main courtyard of Terminus. The smell of food hit them immediately—something was cooking over an open fire, the aroma filling the air. A woman stood nearby, stirring a large pot with a wooden spoon, her movements calm and methodical. She looked up and smiled warmly at the newcomers.

"This is Mary," Gareth said, gesturing to the woman. "She handles the meals here. I'm sure you're hungry after your journey."

Rick's eyes scanned the courtyard, taking in every detail—the neatly arranged tables, the open spaces, the seemingly welcoming atmosphere. But his attention caught on something, and his expression hardened. Alyssa followed his gaze, and her stomach dropped.

Hanging from the waistband of one of the men standing near the gate was a familiar object: Hershel's pocket watch. It gleamed in the sunlight, the same watch Hershel had given to Glenn. Alyssa's breath caught in her throat as she nudged Rick, her voice low and urgent. "Look," she whispered, pointing discreetly.

Rick's jaw tightened as his eyes locked onto the watch. It confirmed what he'd feared—Glenn had been here. But the question that burned in both their minds was clear: Was he still here?

Rick and Alyssa didn't even hesitate. In a heartbeat, both of them lunged forward, grabbing the nearest men in chokeholds, their movements swift and ruthless. Alyssa's arm locked tightly around the neck of the man closest to her, her face a mask of fury, while Rick grabbed the man with the pocket watch, wrenching it from his belt loop with a snarl.

Rick's voice was ice-cold, sharp enough to cut steel as he stared Gareth down. "Where did you get this?" he demanded, holding up Hershel's pocket watch for everyone to see. The familiar glint of the metal in the sunlight sent a chill through the group.

Gareth's calm façade faltered for a split second, but he quickly recovered, his smile returning, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Must've been scavenged," he said smoothly, his tone light as he gestured vaguely. "The man probably found it somewhere out there."

Alyssa's grip tightened on her captive, her eyes narrowing dangerously. "Bullshit," she hissed. "The prison's miles away. That watch didn't just get found. Glenn kept it on him. Always."

Rick's nostrils flared as he stepped closer to Gareth, his free hand hovering near the weapon of one of the Terminus guards. "You're lying," he growled. His voice was low, but the fury behind it was palpable. "Where. Are. They?"

Gareth raised his hands in mock surrender, his smile still plastered on his face. "There's no need for this," he said, his tone too calm, too measured. "We're peaceful here."