MAKNAE [twd] *editing*

【121】

Returning to life in Hilltop was much different than when we left- though when you have four communities in one place and you're in the middle of a war, it's to be expected.

Jesus, Taeyang, and Jae were out- scavenging to find food and supplies for the large number of people we now had here. We had convoys laid out in watch of the Saviors' return. Everyone was scattered yet together. Together yet distant.

"Maggie has thirty something prisoners, so I'm thinking if we make a trade, it could work. Their people for Gabriel, Carson, and Eugene," I decide.

"No," Rosita shakes her head, "To hell with that hijo de puta. Eugene doesn't deserve our help."

"He's one of ours," Michonne reminds softly.

"He's helping them. If not for those garbage freaks I would have blown him up on the spot," Rosita glares at the table, "Hell, I still want to. I'd do it if I had the chance here and now."

"He's not thinking straight. You know Eugene. Better than most of us," Michonne tries to diffuse, "He saw Abraham-"

"Look, if we're going to make a trade then make the damn trade. I'm not going to sit here and be lectured about Eugene. And I'm sure as hell not going to wait around while you tell me about Abraham," Rosita snaps.

"Rosita," Sasha delicately pulls her back, hand on Rosita's shoulder as she whispers to her.

I look to Michonne who sighs, placing her hand on her head stressfully, "What has Maggie said about this plan?"

"She's okay with it. That's one of the reasons she has them here," I assure, giving another glance to Rosita and Sasha, "But, I don't get which ones to trade."

"What do you mean?" Bea asks, "They're still their people. Does it matter?"

"It does," I nod, "Some of the prisoners are workers. Carol said that Morgan recognizes some of them that used to do pickups at the Kingdom. So, some of them could be just as 'Negan' as the man himself."

"Innocent slaves mixed in with assholes lying in wait," Michonne sighs.

"Yeah," I frown, looking over to the pen, "Some of them could have knowledge on weapons and artillery. We could accidently hand the Saviors a tool that could take us all down in no time. Or, we hand them a worker that gets punished and beaten just for being."

I rest my palms on the table, looking to the book that Maggie had left me, "She wants to do a trial run with them. Let two of them out at a time and get a vibe how how they feel and react when around. That could help tell us what kind of person they are."

"It's risky," Bea tilts her head back and forth, "But, it does seem to be the only way to get a feel for things."

"We need at least three to trade for ours. Once we have that decided, Rick, Maggie, Ezekiel, and I are going to plan who goes to do the trade. Best case- we get our people back. Worst case- they figure out a trap before we do."

"Why don't we set a trap first?" Sasha asks as she and Rosita return.

"We don't know what kind of shape the guys are in. They could easily get hurt in the crossfire," Michonne purses her lips.

"Thing is.. They think Dwight is dead. The leader of the other compound, Gavin, was killed at the Kingdom attack. They would send Simon or Regina. Negan himself wouldn't risk coming to a trade."

"If it's Simon-"

"If it's Simon there's no way this goes down without bloodshed," Bea cuts Sasha off.

"Rick and I went back to Jadis' place to make another deal. She was alone, Simon killed all of the others," Michonne recalls.

"And he's the one that led the assault on Oceanside," I add.