Chapter 24: War Is Beginning.

Chapter 24: War is beginning.


'' Honey...Wake up. ''

Sherry opened the eye that wasn't completely bruised and was met with an sight she'd thought she'd never see again. Dwight's smile. He stood next to her bed and he was wearing a black t-shirt and tight jeans. He looked completely restored, if a bit tired.

'' You look horrible, Sherry. ''


She tried to move her right arm so she could touch his cheek, but all she felt was an numb pain going through her hand, and she looked down, seeing that her arm was in an cast.


'' Thanks for the compliment...I FEEL horrible. Like a stampede went over my head....and over the rest of me. W..where's the doc? ''

'' Nicole went for lunch, i think....or went for a nap. She's been working nonstop these past few days that...well, she needs it. She woke me up...told me to check on you. I had barely watched over you for 10 minutes before you woke up. ''

Dwight suddenly winced in pain as he sat down on the chair next to her bed.

'' Dwight, is there something wrong? ''

'' I..it's nothing. Nicole told me I'm gonna be a bit sore for a few weeks...If I dont overexert myself, i'll be fine. ''

'' I know that feeling, sweetie. Nicole hooked me up on painkillers, eh? That's why I dont feel....quite so utterly terrible. Like...a 6 on the pain graph, 1 to 10. Without the meds, i reckon it'd be a 9. Record holder right there. ''

Dwight chuckled for a bit, even though Sherry could not smile back, her face feeling so numb and swollen that she could barely emote whatsoever.

'' Yeah, I suppose so. Do you want help sitting up? ''

'' Yeah...I cant pull myself up, not easy to push down with only one arm free. ''

He helped her to slowly sit up, but she quickly laid back down again, the pain in her stomach feeling sharp like a knife and too unbearable in longer periods of time.

'' Nicole told me about what went down. You...You didnt need to do that, Sherry. Why would you take such a huge damn risk? ''

'' Do you REALLY have to ask WHY? I did it for YOU. You wouldv'e done the same thing for me...and you know that. ''

'' Yeah...But you...you killed someone...I...I had hoped you'd never have to.... ''


'' I did. She attacked us...and I took my chance. Still....I dont feel happy about it. Now that I look back at that last moment when I shot out her brains....I dont feel anything. Im not happy...I'm not sad. I'm just...empty. Like it didn't mean anything in the end. That said...There is no need for you to do all the dirty work. Burdens can be shared... I just...dont want you to bear everything on your shoulders... ''

Dwight didnt know what to say, but he took ahold of her free hand and held it in his own. It felt warm, and her fingers, whilst she was still weak, wrapped around his. What had been done cant be changed. All he cared about was that she was still alive.
___________________________

Gerard sat down at the table. The interrogation room used to be an storage room and it was dark and cold, with very little light, only enough to make out the people inside, barely.

He looked at the woman infront of him.  Tara looked as fierce and angered as usual, but she now also had a huge bruise across her right cheek from the rifle hitting her earlier.

'' Now, I will go straight to the point....Tell me where your base is, Tara....It's Tara, right? ''

She chuckled and brought up her chained hands and flipped Gerard off.

'' Fuck off and choke on your balls. I'm not telling you shit. You think I'm jut gonna tell you nicely? ''

Gerard pushed his glasses up and kept speaking to her calmly.

'' Wrong. You are going to tell us, because you are not stupid. Because there are two ways this can go. You tell us, and live. You dont tell us, and I will personally put a bullet between your eyes. ''

'' Again...AINT. TELLING. YOU. SHI...!! ''

Gerard had let the knife in his sleeve fall into his hand and with one swift move, Gerard stabbed her right hand so roughly that it went right through like her hand was made out of butter and nailed her hand to the table. He held onto the knife as she tried to get out, but she was met with the barrel of his Mauser right infront of her eyes. Gerard still had his calm tone and he had not a shred of anger on his face. It was stoic and almost like a statue's.

'' The thing is...Tara....You and your Red Sun friends....You went too far. One attack was hardly tolerable. A second one? You really want a war, don't you? Well....the war is beginning, and we are striking back. Right... ''

He began to twist the knife around, moving it about as blood ran out onto the table.

'' ...Now. ''

Tara was sweating in panic as she yelled out:

'' ...FUCK, THIS HURRRTS!! YOU MOTHERFUCKER...!! ''

She was met with an the handle of the Mauser hitting her between her eyes, and she fell back in her chair as her hand madea reflex move, making the knife shake, sending a shiver of pain throughout her hand.

'' Shut up. I dont want to hear you speak unless its about where Red Sun is located. Do not waste my fucking time. ''

Blood was trickling down from the gash the handle had made inbetween her eyes, and she smiled devishily through her bloodied teeth.

'' You like that, eh? Beating on women? Does it make you feel big down there, huh?  *spit* Motherfucker. ''

'' No...I do not take pleasure in what I'm doing....but...I want my son back. For him, I will do anything. You are the key to his release. Tell us where Tuco lives...and you'll be set free. That is all. ''

Tara spat on his coat and began to laugh mockingly, as to which Gerard did not even react to.

'' I'll never fucking talk. I'm no fucking snitch. Go shove your cock where the sun don't fucking shine, you cock-suck...!! ''

*WRAAMM*

Gerard then grabbed her hair and slammed her head into the table, and in his other hand, he held his Mauser aimed at her head. She didnt seem afraid however, and merely kept laughing at him.

'' You are just a worthless runt to him. You think Tuco cares that you are gone? You have NOTHING to gain from hiding anything from us. You wont return to Red Sun.  We wont let you. So..JUST  TELL us. ''

'' P..Piss off already.

'' Tell me...NOW. As I said before...You have TWO ways out of this. Out that door....OR....Out through a fucking window with a bullet in your fucking eye. Pick one, and I hope for your sake it's the fucking first one. ''

'' I'll die before I tell you... ''

'' As you fucking wish then. I've had enough of this. ''

The door opened up and Alexander went in to stop Gerard, yelling out to him.

'' ENOUGH, GERARD! ''

Gerard didnt even look over towards him, focusing on Tara and his gun throughout their conversation.

'' Stay out of this, Alexander. I'am in control of this. ''

'' No, you aren't. Besides, I'am supposed to handle these interrogations, you said so yourself. Now calm the fuck down and put your gun down. You might be the boss around here, but I wont let you do this. Get out and let me handle this. ''

Gerard then holstered his gun and let go of Tara's hair. He then looked over at Alexander and nodded.

'' Very well. Do as you wish, but do not give her food or water. The same goes for the others. Until they talk, they do not get anything. Once they give us anything at all....I will give them anything at all.  ''

Gerard grabbed his cane that laid next to the table and walked out the room and towards the stairs. He stopped as he was met with Jennie coming up.

'' Master, I wanted to...help, with the interrogati.. ''

'' It's been dealt with. Alexander is interrogating one of them right now. If she doesnt speak...That meek little couple surely will. Anyhow..I'm glad to see you again. You werent there when they attacked...Where were you? ''

'' I..I was asleep, sir. I'm sorry for not being ther.. ''

'' It's alright...Jennie...once we find out where Red Sun is....I want you and a few others to go look it out. Your judgment is the one i trust and value the most, so I will let your pick out anyone you want to go with you. Will you do that for me? ''

'' Ofcourse. I will have to tell Billy later. ''

'' You trust him. ''

Jennie was not sure why he brought it up. She knew he knew Jennie had been spending time with Billy, but his tone was like a stranger to her. He sounded cold. Distant.

'' He hasn't given me any reason not to. ''

'' I suppose so. But there's more than that, isn't there? You are fond of him. ''

'' Where are you going with this? ''

'' I want you to be happy. If you are falling for him...I'am more than rejoiced about it. But we are in a war now. ''

'' So? ''

Jennie felt uncomfortable. It felt as if Gerard was forcing her to spill her secrets, but she didnt know why. It was like it isn't him. Gerard wouldnt act like this.

'' So I want to be sure you are focused. Forgive the example, but I cant trust your judgment if your one eye is only on him, and not on the victory we have to achieve. That will get you both killed. ''

She suddenly raised her tone towards him, only realising it after she'd spoken, yet he did not take offense to it.

'' You telling me to stop caring about him? The fuck is wrong with you? ''

'' I didnt say THAT. I'm saying there is more at stake here than affection. Love wont mean shit if you arent alive at the end to grab it. If you let your feelings get in the way, guess what? You'll get both him and you killed. And then feelings wont matter anymore. ''

'' The people here need you. I need you. I need to know where your priorities lie. ''

'' I...I understand. I... ''

She nodded towards him, but she didnt look him in the eye.

'' I'm with you. I'll..I'll stop. I'll tell Billy later. ''

'' Very well. Now...I need some rest. See you later, Jennie. ''

He turned around and walked down the stairs as she was alone to her thoughts.

(I'm sorry, sir....But I have already made my choice. I hope you'll understand.)

Jennie then turned towards the stairs again and she decided to walk back to Billy's room. She couldnt lie to herself, and she knew that her feelings for Billy was real. Letting those feelings go would be a lie. She could never do it, it'd go against her entire being.
__________________________________________

Nicole was in the dining area, almost finished with her plate of beef-stew. She was the only one in there, as everyone else had already eaten hours before. She wasn't sure where Jeremy was, but she came to the conclusion that he's probably where he always is. Working.

'' Hi...Room for one more? ''

Nicole looked over her shoulder and saw the punker-girl she had seen earier. The girl she now knew was Jeremy's daughter.

'' Yeah, ofcourse. ''

She nodded and pointed towards the chair next to her. Lucille sat down and leaned back on the chair.

'' I'm Nicole by the way. Jeremy must've told you about me...Lucille. ''

'' Oh..so...You already...know? ''

'' Yes. I havent seen him as happy as he was when he told me you were alive. Now that I look at you...I can seen the resemblance. You got the same eyes. I'm happy that you are alive. It makes him happy, and that's all that matters to me right now. ''

'' So...Lucille, tell me....how are you feeling? Medically, I mean. You look a bit tired. ''

'' I..I feel good, all things considered. I..I have been under alot of stress earlier....heck...I got a heartattack and pneumonia to boot when it was most dire....But I feel fine now....even in this situation, war around the corner and all. ''

'' Heartattack? You have an heart-problem? ''

'' No...not really. Just...overexhaustion. But...I'm trying to take it slow for now....well...for US. ''

Lucille touched her stomach gently for a moment, and Nicole understood what she had meant.

'' Us? You mean....oh. I see. How long has it been? ''

'' I dunno....a few days. A couple of weeks. I dont recall too well. All I know is that it's still a long way til I'm too big to do my part. I can still help in the days to come. And...yeah, Dad already knows. Told him earlier today. He...he was quite happy about it. He's back down working now though. I think he's gonna tell you later about it...so..uh....try to act surprised, and like we havent met. He doesnt like it when a surprise is ruined.  ''

'' Oh, I know that. And...Well, when it is time...I will gladly help in delivering the child. You needn't worry about that. ''

'' Uh...I gotta ask though...Shouldnt someone be down in the infirmary? Couldnt someone get worse whilst you are here? ''

'' Yes...but then again, I'm not the only one with medical knowledge here. If I'm not there, someone is. Besides....If I overwork, I am useless as a doctor. It'll make me sloppy, tired. So I try to give myself a moment or so every day where I can relax. Keeps me from falling over dead from exhaustion. ''

'' Lucille....promise me you'll take care of yourself. Not just for you. Not just for the child. But for Jeremy. He was almost beyond saving once. Now that he has you back...he is getting better. If he loses you again....He can't take it. So..please. Dont do anything dangerous. Promise me. ''

Lucille at first didnt wnt to answer. She barely knew Nicole, but she had a point. Everything she'd be doing now would be much more dangerous. Something more important than herself was in her care. Her body. One misstep, and everything could be gone. So she said:

'' Yes. You have my word. I will not do anything dangerous. ''

But Lucille knew better. Nicole knew better. They just wouldnt say it.

Lucille was her father's daughter through and through, and Nicole knew Jeremy was hotheaded and prone to making decisions on a whim. She thought that Lucille must be just like her father, doing what they feel must be done, no matter the cost.

And she was right.

_____________________________________

As night had fallen over Paradise and everyone was asleep, one man was still awake outside.

Negan was sitting out on the stonesteps to the hotel, looking up at the stars when he heard a voice behind him.

'' You couldnt sleep, kid? Girlfriend keeping you up at night, hehe? ''

Alexander Davidson sat down next to him and gave him a smile that Negan couldnt see if it was genuine or false under his thick mustasche.

'' Not your business, old man. Piss off. ''

'' Whoa there, kid. Just asking an question mano-a-mano....Although now that I think about it...I guess it came out wrong. My apology. ''

'' No need to apologise....I cant sleep because I slept pretty much the entire day. My day-cycle is shot to fuck. Makes me grouchy, i guess.. ''


'' That sucks, kid. Want an cigarette? Should keep your senses up for a lil bit atleast. ''

He handed Negan an cigarette and lit it for him. He then lit one up himself and inhaled deep before making many smoke rings.

Alexander then asked Negan a question that Negan himself wasnt too sure of the answer:

'' What do you think will happen? At the end of all this? ''

'' I...I dont... ''

'' It's okay, kid. I know it's a tough question....but you wanna know my take on it? My opinion is....that...We....are fucked. ''

'' Nice way of saying it, old man.  ''

'' Nice does not go into it. The thing is...Negan, right? Okay, the thing is...you have to be heartless to win this thing. That is why I'm afraid for Paradise's survival. Gerard sometimes wishes he was heartless for the sake of decisions...but he is NOT heartless. He cant make the decisions that leads to victory, because he still clings to his feelings. Tuco knows what to do in a situation such as this. ''

'' It almost sounds like you fucking support him. ''

Alexander inhaled deeper and then flicked the cigarette away before exhaling one last ring of smoke.

'' Haha, no, no...I would never. That man has killed many of my friends and he's pure evil, no question about it. Not one part of me agrees with what he does. I only see...that as of now, he holds all the cards, even if we got some of his men captive. We need more than finding out where he lives to take him and his group down. ''

'' You got any ideas then, old man? On how to beat them? ''

'' Nah. Hit them at their weakspots when they show them...that's all I can think off, really. But they are weakend now...even if by a little. Eva was one of their top enforcers, so her death has to have some effect..... ''

'' And another thing, boy....Say hello to the miss'us for me. It's the punk-chick, right? Lucy...Lucine... ''

'' Lucille. Yeah, I'll tell her you said hello. ''

'' Marvelous. Well, time for bed. See you around, Negan. Tomorrow, maybe we'll get somewhere. This war can still be won. Remember that, boy. ''

Negan wasn't sure why, but something about Alexander frightend him. The fact that as much as he tried, he couldnt place him.

But he left that thought behind, not wishing to get paranoid, this world had given him enough of that already. All he hoped for the morning was that it'd be a nice and calm day.

But he knew that it was war now. Every moment could change quickly into death and despair.


End of Chapter 24.