Call Signal

New Friend's

Part A: Rick

Rick looked at the walkie for what seemed ages. Hearing Michonne's voice after all of these years made him feel alive again.

Conner and Heath both smiled and let Rick have his moment.

"Let's go to them. They're not far and damn I want my girl now" Rick said with a look of hunger no other had seen in him before.

Conner's smile turned as he tapped the collar around his throat. Rick made a feral sound like a lion would right before attacking its prey.

He put his hand up to the metal contraption around his throat and made the same sound again. They were reminded daily that if they left their controllers designated area that they would receive a sharp shock, most of the time deadly.

Rick finally just slumped to the ground and buried his face in his hands. He felt defeated all over again. The knowledge of Heath and Conner sitting at his sides didn't help much.

Jadis was their controller and she left a very small range of motion for them. He wanted to wrap his hands around her throat until all the life in her was gone but even trying would enact a immediate death.

"You guys need some help?" came a voice from the little plain below. Rick and the others looked down and saw a man in a cowboy hat, and some others including a man Rick never thought he would see again, Morgan.

Before Rick could answer Morgan was leading his group right to them. Once they arrived Morgan wrapped his arms around Rick and held him tightly.

"I heard you died" Morgan said releasing his grip. "I almost did" Rick said smiling. "What's that piece of machinery on your neck?" Morgan asked looking worried. "This is an amplified shock collar, if we leave this friendly circle made by our not so friendly Jadis, we will be shocked to death.

Morgan looked at the ground at Jadis's name. He never trusted her fully and now he knew why.

"I can get that off" came a voice in the crowd. A young man in his mid to late 20's with stringy hair and a body to match cane towards them. Attached to his left hand was a more muscular guy who had a look of trouble maker on him.

"Rick these are my friend Nick and Troy" Morgan said as they came closer. "Nice to meet you both but any try at removing them will kill both of us instantly" Rick said, sounding like a man who has given up.

Without any more talk, Nick moved behind Rick while Troy moved to the front grabbing Rick's arms and holding them tightly.

"Hold still captain, Nick is a fucking genius with this shit" Troy said grinning from ear to ear. Rick let his body relax as best as he could and closed his eyes. He had seen people try before and it always ended up horribly.

"3,2,1" he heard Nick say and then he hears it, the snap of the collar coming off. His heart started beating faster and he felt his optimism in seeing his family again grow.

"Where did you learn to do that?" Rick asked astonished but thankful. "Oh this psycho chick who is still following us by the way, had those on us and Troy and I might've used some of the meaner guys to practice on until we got it right" Nick said pulling Troy in for a deep, passionate kiss.

"Now Rick, shall we go get your girl? Heath said as Nick untangled his lips from Troy's and undid their collars as well. Rick nodded and with the help of his new friends they gathered up their guns and supplies and followed the trail Jadis had taken.

"Just wait Michonne, I'm coming to you my love" Rick said as his new found group started heading out.

Part B: The Safe Houses