NOBODY'S POV
LEIGH HELPED AARON AND ELIJAH PACK A FEW SUPPLIES OUTSIDE, considering the fact they were going to Oceanside, Alexandria and then Hilltop in order to fill everybody in on 'the plan'. The plan was made after Carol made a deal with Governor Milton, saying that Hornsby would take the fall for Sebastian's mistakes considering sacrificing innocent people for money in return for everybody to be able to leave The Commonwealth and return back home - wherever that was.
He muttered to himself as he did so, aiming his view at the ground. Others assumed he was on edge about the whole plan, although Maggie and Daryl knew that after their interaction with Leah he hadn't been himself. After the supplies had been loaded, he backed away for a few moments near the wall, as they still needed to wait for Jerry, Lilia and the kids to return.
Suddenly, someone came and stood beside him, leaning against the wall. "Hey, man." Elijah greeted quietly, who had noticed Leigh's vacant state since him, Daryl and Maggie had returned from Leah's encounter. "You good?"
Elijah knew he wasn't, but he was hoping his friend would be honest and tell him the truth without pushing too much. Leigh sharply inhaled, nodded a few times as if he was convincing himself, before looking at Elijah, "Yeah...Yeah I'm alright."
The other man tilted his head, sighing to himself as silence engulfed them for a few minutes, "I uh- heard about what happened back there...y'know with Leah." Leigh couldn't help but shuffle in his spot nervously, "And I'm just saying that... if you wanna talk 'bout it, then I'm here."
Leigh looked to the side, but not making eye contact with Elijah. Instead, he saw something else. Someone else. In the trees stood a figure. A figure with jet black hair and scratches down his face, fresh cuts and a bloody bite made in his neck. One eye looked vacant, staring into Leigh's soul, but the other flooded Leigh with familiarity. Leigh couldn't help, but stare.
He couldn't help but stare at the figure who was his brother.
"Leigh?" Elijah asked, snapping him out of his trance.
His head snapped towards him, eyes full of surprise. He looked back at the treeline and saw nothing. No one was there. Leigh looked back at Elijah, "Thanks, but there's...there's nothing to talk about."
His friend nodded understandingly and stood up straight. He went to say something else, but both of them got distracted by more people coming over to their group. Jerry, Lilia and the kids were making their way over to them. Lilia was holding CJ's hand before the kid ran over to Daryl, who gave him a big hug. Leigh admired how Lilia smiled at the interaction before her eyes scanned the area and she saw him.
Lilia couldn't help but continue walking and dart over to the man she had also been so worried about. Leigh made his way over to her too and they crashed into a hug. His hand quickly went up to the back of her head, holding her close as her arms wrapped around his neck.
She let out a sigh of relief into the crook of his neck, before pulling away slightly, but his hands stayed on her hips. "You have no idea how worried I've been!" He smiled and pressed his lips against hers, making her blush, but also smiled as they broke, "I've definitely missed that."
Her hand made her way up to his forehead, noticing the faint cuts on his face. Lilia scrunched up her face, "Rough few days I'm guessin'."
Leigh's eyes faltered for a split second, hoping that she wouldn't notice, but she did. His head shook at the memory of Leah's words, "Something like that. It doesn't matter though."
She nodded faintly, telling herself that she'd ask later in private. Then she saw him look up so she turned around to see Daryl and CJ coming over. CJ grinned and ran over to them, arms wide as he crashed into Leigh, making the man laugh. Lilia went over to her dad as the two had their moment.
Daryl smiled as his daughter hugged him, "What happened out there?" She lowered her voice, eyes covered in worry.
He looked over at Leigh for a second before his eyes returned, "Leah happened." Lilia's heart dropped for a moment. "It's alright, she ain't comin' back anytime soon. Made sure of it this time." She suddenly felt sick again, her stomach making her feel nauseous and dizzy. For a moment she felt the need to grip onto her dad's arm for balance, but luckily it went away pretty quickly.
They heard the sound of the horse and cart moving away, making them look in the direction of Aaron, Jerry, Lydia and Elijah leaving to go to Oceanside and the other communities.
"C'mon," Daryl nodded as Leigh and CJ were walking over to the two Dixons. "Carol n' I'll tell you more about the plan."
•
LILIA DIXON'S POV
As fun as it was to hear about the plan to frame Hornsby for Sebastian's mistakes, I was just glad it meant that we finally get to go home soon. Whilst I was told we headed to the fair in the middle of town where a lottery was going to be held later on in the day, but beforehand there were multiple stalls for the kids and also a wrestling match.
I held Leigh's hand as we walked through the crowd over to my dad, Judith and CJ, who were watching the match. It was certainly a wild crowd, surprisingly, as I had no idea who these people were, but I had to admit that it was fun. The three men in the ring were flipping each other and throwing them into the ropes. The crowd was cheering crazily - I laughed as I heard Judith and CJ clapping and jumping.
One of the men, who won, stood against the ropes whilst the crowd chanted loudly 'COMMONWEALTH' repeatedly. Even Judith chanted it too. I understood that she was partially annoyed that we had to leave since she had just settled in and made friends, but now we were leaving a different place again. Even though CJ liked Commonwealth, he was happy to be able to go back to Alexandria. After all, it was the only place he had really stayed since I have to admit, he has been a bit more sheltered than Judith.
I rested my head on Leigh's shoulder once Sebastian came on stage, unbothered about what he had to say. The way he treated those innocent people and exposed them just for money was sickening and the fact he hadn't been punished yet was annoying as well. I looked up at Leigh, expecting him to have the same reaction, but he was distant. He was looking into the crowd as if he was seeing a ghost.
I nudged him arm softly, instantly shaking him out of his 'trance'. He blinked a few times before looking at me, giving me a small smile like nothing happened.
I wanted to say something, but Sebastian's voice into the microphone interrupted me, "Thank you. It is, uh... It is an honor and a privilege to be with you today to celebrate the, uh... to..."
He stopped speaking for a moment, staring at his book. Then, he closed it, and instead directly spoke to the audience with his own words whilst spectators began to murmur. "I, um... I know that a lot of you don't think very well of me." That was true. "I know that I probably deserve that. Now, it is gonna take a long, long road for me to earn your trust, and live up to my legacy. I don't have the words to describe what this place means to me. But my grandfather did." He looked at Pamela, who was smiling at him, "So, humbly, if you would join me in listening to the wise words of President Milton, founder of the Commonwealth."
Sebastian lowered the microphone, looking at his mother proudly, before nodding at the soundbooth where Eugene was to play a tape. But, once the tape played everything went downhill. Instead of a tape where President Milton was talking, it was Sebastian's voice exposing his mother of rigging the lottery winners. Like the real world before the apocalypse, basically the lottery winners were previously picked so the poor would stay poor, but the rich would get richer.
Obviously Sebastian didn't mean for people to hear that, due to his angry face directed at Max, Pamela's assistant who obviously recorded him secretly saying that. Pamela seemed appalled, not realising that her son was yelling, screaming and running after Max, who was also running for her life.
All hell broke loose at that moment. I instantly grabbed CJ's hand protectively whilst people started to throw objects at the stage where Pamela was. In other words, a riot happened. Soldiers were holding back citizens, some even pointed their guns up at them, but thankfully Mercer stopped them.
"We gotta get outta here!" I yelled over the shouts of Commonwealth citizens, holding CJ close. Leigh protectively put his arm around my back, guiding us out the angry crowd.
I saw my dad in the middle of the street, yelling for Judith, who was stuck staring at a walker biting into someone's neck.
"Shit." I heard Leigh mutter, who took a gun out of his pocket, aiming at the walkers before shooting. Judith flinched at the sudden sound, turning around and seeing us. The girl ran over to us, frightened, and it wasn't long before my dad ran over to us as well.
I bent down to my boot, pulling out my knife. "I knew this would come in handy one day." I said and then we did our best to run through the commotion. There was shrieking coming from every direction and a wave of growls coming through some gates we were headed too, so we were pushed the other way.
My sweaty hand gripped CJ's until we were forced to a stop, shocked by the situation in front of us. Sebastian had thrown a walker onto Max, but Eugene managed to get it off her and throw it onto Sebastian instead. Obviously, he had never properly fought for anything in his life, so the walker bit into his shoulder.
My eyes widened at the sight, his screams echoed throughout the entire town, his blood dripped down his shirt and out of his mouth. CJ had buried his head into Leigh's side, not wanting to watch. I saw Judith holding up her gun at the walker shakily - the silver Colt Python, fully loaded.
She shouldn't have to see something this gruesome either, but she had made the decision to shoot the walker with a tear rolling down her eye.
•
Not long after the riot, everyone was packing their stuff to get the hell out of the Commonwealth just in case. However, Eugene was held back, being forced to go on the run despite Mercer being tasked to find him. A 'citywide sweep' and 'capture' was in full effect, but the whereabouts of Mercer's soldiers and the information they knew was unknown since Rosita, my dad and Leigh were no longer soldiers.
Rosita, my dad and I were brought into questioning alongside a few others from Hilltop and Alexandria. Before we were brought in separately, we decided to meet up afterwards in the church where Eugene was.
I was sat inside a small interrogation room, a small window was at the top, allowing a tiny bit of light in. Luckily, Leigh was at home with CJ, for now, packing their things before going somewhere safe. My foot was repeatedly tapping on the ground until the door in front of me opened, snapping me out of my daydreams. I had obviously told myself to not release any information about Eugene's whereabouts.
Mercer walked in and sat down, holding a file.
"Lilia Dixon. 920 Miller Street." He read from the file nonchalantly, "Currently employed in 'Elodie's Treats' as a baker. Partner, Leigh Perkins, with one son, Carl Dixon-Grimes Junior." He closed the file and looked up at me with no expression. I wasn't expecting him to be nice. I hadn't properly spoken to him before - the only time I had was when Carol and I were worried about Leigh and my dad that time they were getting money for Sebastian.
"Do you verify the information to be true?"
I tilted my head silently before scoffing a bit, "You realise how ridiculous you're soundin' right now?"
"Do you verify that this information is true?"
My eyes rolled, unbothered, I sat up straight in my seat and nodded, "Sure."
"Where were you during the riot?"
"Watching that stupid wrestling match before trying to get to safety." I replied honestly.
"Who were you with?"
"I was with my boyfriend, my son, my dad and my sister."
"Did you ever see Eugene Porter during the riot?" He then asked. I paused, until I nodded my head. "What happened?"
"Sebastian had thrown Max, your sister, onto a walker. Eugene saved her life." I firmly spoke.
Mercer sighed, leaning forward slightly and resting his hands on the table together. "You clearly don't like Sebastian, so I see why you would want to protect Eugene."
"Nobody fuckin' likes Sebastian. That's why nobody saved him when that walker was on him." I growled under my breath, digging my nails into my hands. "Me and you both know that he got what he deserved."
"I'm only trying to find where Eugene is locat-"
"Bullshit." I spat, furrowing my brows. "If it wasn't for me, you and Carol that day... Leigh, my dad and Rosita would be dead because of him."
Mercer nodded, but of course he wouldn't back down. "If Eugene remorsefully and cooperatively comes to me, it'll help him severely and everyone else involved." He told me calmly, "But, if he or you and your people make this harder than it needs to be, then no one goes anywhere, and things'll get worse." The man informed me. "Do you want that for your son and Leigh?"
I shook my head whilst glaring at him.
"Then just tell me where Eugene is."
I leant forwards, "I have no idea where he is."
•
After leaving the interrogation place and making sure I wasn't seen, I made my way to the church as quickly as I could. I knocked on the door, hearing footsteps on the other side. "It's Lia."
Rosita opened the door, quickly ushering me inside, "How did it go?"
"Intense starin' mixed with asshole questions. You?" I replied simply, as she closed the door. Rosita breathed out, "'Round 'bout the same."
I walked to the seats at the front seeing my dad with Eugene, who was looking tired and rough. "How you holdin' up Eugene?" I asked worriedly.
"Better than I deserve." He replied, wiping the sweat off his forehead. "I'm assuming, unfortunately, you don't have any news considering Max's whereabouts?" I shook my head, feeling sorry for him, "No, I'm sorry."
"It may seem trivial in light of all the melee and mayhem, but I'm the one who should be truly sorry." Eugene said to all of us, looking down at his shaking hands, "It's my actions that put you three and others in extremely compromised situations."
"No, don't be." My dad interrupted, "That prick had it coming."
"Alright, what we need to do now is figure out how to get you out of here." Rosita pointed out.
"I know a way. The east gate." My dad mentioned. Rosita nodded as she knew about the shifts too, "I know when the shifts change. Might be a window we can slip out."
"Alright, good. We can meet up with the others on the road to Alexandria."
I noticed how quiet Eugene became, "Eugene, what's up?"
"At the risk of sounding ungrateful for all your efforts on my behalf, I cannot leave without my beloved." He was talking about Max. He seemed desperate and truly worried, but it was too risky. "I need to go find her."
"You got every trooper in the city looking for you. You wouldn't make it a block." My dad told him.
"Well, be that as it may, I cannot... I-I will not leave without her. At the very least, ascertain her safety." He desperately looked to Rosita and then me.
The other woman sighed, before slowly nodding, "Okay. You stay here. I will go look for Max. If I can find her, maybe we can get both of you out. Is that a deal?"
Eugene instantly agreed. "Deal."
Rosita headed for the door, as I pointed at her, "Be safe!"
"I will be!" She called back before exiting.
•
Rosita came back in the morning, alone. I sat up from my spot near the window since I was on watch last, walking over to everyone else. Eugene's face scrunched in confusion.
"Max?" He questioned.
"She's not coming." Rosita sadly told him.
"You found her?"
"I did, but it was too late. She's already in police custody. I'm sorry, Eugene."
My dad had picked up his stuff, including his crossbow, "Shift's about to happen. We should get going."
Eugene stayed sat down. "Then it's time I bid you adieu."
My dad sighed, looking at me and gesturing to the door, "I'll check on the others. Meet you at the gate." He said to Rosita and Eugene when I stood at the door. Then he came over to me and we left, shutting the door behind us.
"I'll meet you at the gate. I need to go back to my place to get Leigh and CJ." I told my dad.
"Alright, be quick and be safe."
"Always am." I smiled and we went in different directions. I went the quickest route back to my place, jogging down the streets, up the stairs and to the apartment blocks.
I would be lying if I said that I wasn't nervous about everything. What's going to happen to Eugene? He doesn't deserve any of this. All he did was save Max. Who gives a shit about Sebastian? Not long ago people were protesting about getting rid of him and wanting justice for what he did to people's friends and family members. Eugene basically, accidentally, did everyone a fucking favour.
I entered my apartment, hoping to find Leigh and CJ ready to go.
They weren't here.
"Leigh? CJ?" I called, praying that they just didn't hear me.
No answer.
There was a mess everywhere. The table had been flipped over, CJ's bag was scattered on the floor as if it had been ripped from his body. A knife was on the floor by the island, someone, I'm assuming Leigh, had tried to defend them, but he was obviously outnumbered. Someone took them...
"Leigh! CJ!" I yelled, running into every room, but found no one. " Shit... dad!"
I ran back into my bedroom, grabbing my bow, knives and a gun before dashing out of the apartment and to the meeting place where my dad and everyone else should be.
Hopefully I wasn't too late.