"I get rid of the problem;that's it."

My lips puckered once again as I took a drag from my cigarette, feeling the nicotine drowning my lungs in smoke before I blew it out. The smell instantly filling the decayed air.

I put the stick out on the counter, watching the end sizzle until little to nothing smoke rose from it.

My next job was standing right behind me so now it was time to do what I do best. There wasn't any moment to lose so I could be back on the road with Optic.

That was the only place I truly knew I could count on. The only place I'd really call home now.

I looked down at my fingers on the table, keeping my entire body turned from whoever was behind me.

Their guns were still pointed at me as they waited for my answer.

"I'm guessing you have a problem." My voice spoke up, coming out rough and stern.

The man behind me let out a short sigh, "Yeah, you're right." He replied, his southern voice smoothing out his words.

I couldn't help but let out a small chuckle before I turned around to face who my new clients were.

The first thing I saw was the man's hands flinch slightly as the gun was gripped in it. His knuckles were already turning a shade of white due to how tight he was holding the weapon.

My eyes began trailing up until I got to the man's face.

There was a stern look to him as if he meant business and only that. He had stubble on his chin and a scar underneath one of his blue eyes. Curly brown hair rested on top of his head as it gave off a certain glow as if it had been recently washed.

His blue eyes met mine as they widened slightly most likely because of how young I was. He probably expected someone old to be doing something like this.

I was thirteen when the outbreak started and that was twenty years ago. Even during the apocalypse I've aged pretty well. I'm about thirty three years old but I could pass as a teenager. In a world like this that wasn't really a gift but more of a burden.

I looked him straight in the eyes, "I'm ready to talk whenever you are." I broke the silence.

A loud scoff came from the back of the room before a rough voice spoke up saying, "You're just a kid." Making me whip my head only to see two men standing there.

The older man out of the duo standing in the back had long, shaggy chestnut hair. There was a mean look to him as his blue eyes narrowed at me slightly. I knew the rough voice belonged to him.

The younger one looked a lot nicer than the last man. His black hair was slightly combed back, his brown eyes stared at me carefully. He had a slightly fearful look but nonetheless looked like he could do serious damage.

My eyes narrowed at the rough looking man before I shrugged, "Kids have to do something to get by too." I reminded making the youngest one look at me oddly.

The leader pressed his pistol closer to me, making me look at his blue eyes as my back hit the bar counter.

My boots slightly squeaked as I moved them on the metal bar stools. The sound echoed through the tense silence in the room making me breath out lightly.

The leaders eyes stared me down, "Are you lying to me? Are you trying to get yourself killed?" He hissed at me, cocking his pistol.

"Rick." The youngest one spoke out. "We don't have to kill her just because she isn't who we're looking for."

Rick continued keeping his gun pointed at me as his breathing became heavy. He looked at me with hatred even though he didn't know I was telling the truth.

The rough looking man stepped forward, putting his gun down, "Rick, he's right. The kid didn't do nothin' to us." He repeated.

I looked up at the man, my eyes not daring to look away from his.

Slowly, Rick uncocked his gun, putting it away in his holster as he cursed under his breath.

He pinched the bridge of his nose before pointing at me, "You try following us- you try anything whatsoever; I will kill you." He threatened before turning around.

They began walking towards the door in silence, disappointment radiating off their bodies but before even one of them could touch the door I spoke up.

"Her left hand."

They all stopped in their tracks, the words I used immediately grabbing their attentions before they turned to look at me.

Rick narrowed his eyes at me, "What?" He spat.

I sighed, lifting up my gloved left hand, "You heard something about her left hand right?" I questioned carefully.

Rick shook his head, "I don't have time for this." He said before starting to turn around again.

The youngest put his hand on the man's chest, not allowing him to take another step before he looked at him.

"Jesus told us that she doesn't have a ring finger or a pinky on her left hand." He said softly to the man.

The man with the rough look shook his head, "She's got a glove on. She has all her fingers." He said, trying to be quiet.

I chuckled, making them look at me, "Pinky and ring finger right?" I asked before raising my other hand up making them pull out their guns.

"Don't try anything!" Rick reminded loudly.

His southern voice was so powerful it made Optic let out a scared whinny but I simply looked at the man in amusement.

I shook my head, "I'm taking off my glove." I informed sternly.

The youngest nodded, "Do it slowly." He ordered.

I nodded, letting out a slight sigh as my right hand began unstrapping the black leather glove before I pulled at the fingers tips.

My fingers pinched the material until it was completely off, revealing my two metal fingers making the men look at me in shock.

A slight squeak rang through the room as I moved my metal fingers looking at them, "One of my clients made them for me. They reckoned I would like them better than having no fingers." I commented as they slowly put down their weapons.

I put my glove back on, glancing up at the men, "Have a seat."

Rick stared at me suspiciously, shaking his head, "We'd rather stand." He said, walking closer to me.

My small hand picked up the bottle of alcohol, "Papa told me guests always loved bourbon; even when they didn't." I pressed, raising an eyebrow.

The rough man was the first one to sit down as he grabbed a glass and took the bottle from my hand, pouring himself some.

He brought the glass to his lips, "Your old man was smart." He commented.

My eyes met with the rough man's eyes as I wanted to correct his last statement but I held myself back from doing so. I never gave any vital or personal information to the people I did jobs for. All I did was take care of the problem and be on my way. There wasn't a point to letting myself or them get attached.

Besides, I already have my own family out there. I didn't need a new one.

I grabbed another glass for Rick who reluctantly sat down as I began pouring some for him, "Just one person or a whole community?" I asked bluntly before taking a small sip of my own drink.

The youngest furrowed his eyebrows, "You've taken down entire communities before?" He questioned.

I look at him, "I get rid of the problem; that's it." I reminded. "I don't kill children and if you don't give me what I asked for, I kill you and take everything you have."

Rick shook his head, letting out a sigh, "You talk about this like you've been doing it for a while." He said, looking at me with concern.

My tongue glided over my lips, "In this world you have to do whatever you need to to survive. I found something I'm good at so I use it to my advantage." I replied sternly.

These were always the questions I was frequently asked when making a deal with someone. Every single time I'd meet someone they thought I couldn't be older than eighteen. They'd ask me these questions because they thought I was just a kid who didn't know what they were doing.

Truth was I've been doing this for seventeen years but they didn't need to know that or my age.

Rick cleared his throat, "We talked with a man from another group who said we might be able to get a good deal but that it wouldn't happen unless we brought you."

I raised an eyebrow, "He knew I was here?" I asked curiously.

People usually found me within the first couple of days they've been looking for me. Rick found me just in time before anything bad happened.

He nodded, "He's been tracking you through your clues for the past couple of days. He'll take us to the community tomorrow so we can meet the leader- knowing your line of work it might be something serious that we should be worried about too."

I furrowed my eyebrows at the information I was just given, "The Saviors. That's who they want taken care of. They're lead by a man named Negan." I informed making their ears perk up slightly. "Have they found you yet?"

He shook his head, "Daryl, and a few of my people," He began, lightly nodding towards the rough looking man. "They had an encounter with them that ended up with him having to kill them. That's the first time we have ever had any sort of interaction with them or heard about the group."

Daryl grunted slightly making me look at him, "They tried taking everything and wanted us to take 'em back to our place- kept sayin' how everything was Negan's. I blew the sons of bitches up before they could do anything." He informed gruffly.

I nodded, a small smirk on my lips, "You and me both." I said making them look at me. "A few miles back they found Optic and I on the road. There was about three- tried taking everything I had but 'I blew the sons of bitches up' as you put it."

I gave out a small breath as I shifted in my seat, turning to look at Rick, "There's a lot of them from what I've heard. Negan, the leader, uses fear to control them. That's the most powerful thing to use because fear can make even the smartest man do the dumbest thing." I said.

The leader looked at me, his full attention into my words, "What're you saying?" He asked.

My finger lightly pressed at the counter, "I can't just take down the leader and leave you to deal with the entire group. That wouldn't be a job well done and that'd be on me." I said before getting closer to the man. "Taking down all The Saviors; that's what needs to happen."

"You'd be okay with that?" The youngest questioned making me look at him. "I mean, killing all those people for us."

I opened my mouth about to say something but realized I didn't know this man's name, "Excuse me, what's your name?" I asked as politely as I could. "It'd be nice to know if we're doing business together."

He made an embarrassed face as he realized he never introduced himself, "Glenn. My names Glenn." He answered.

I nodded, "Alright, Glenn, like I said before I get rid of the problem. That's what I'm here for, that's what you need me to be here for." I reminded.

"You could take down that entire group by yourself?" Daryl asked in disbelief.

Before I could answer Rick interrupted me, "She won't need to." He answered for me. "If that's what Jesus's leader wants from L.M.;we'll help her. We need those supplies but so does she. Whatever deal we strike with them it'll be split between us."

The way the man talked about his plan made me feel like this would be one of the easiest jobs I've ever had to do. Most clients are too afraid to even face their own enemies but these people actually wanted to help.

They were strong and even if I didn't know the rest of them I knew they were close. There was no doubt about the fact that they've done harsh things to get to where they are now. Whatever they had must be something worth protecting.

I nodded, shrugging slightly, "That's fine by me. It'd be a first working with others but it's kindly appreciated." I said before breathing out. "I'm good at what I do- I'm confident enough to admit that and it can be hard but that doesn't mean it's not doable."

Rick gave me a look that he hasn't given me since he's gotten here. It was a look of confidence at the words that had just came out of my mouth. There wasn't any resistance in his eyes like there was before.

This man was ready to shed some blood and so was I.

Rick nodded, "What do you want in return?" He asked.

"Supplies for the road and a place to stay during all of this. I never ask for much." I informed.

"Wait, you're letting her stay with us?" Glenn blurted out making me shoot a glare at him. "No offense but we don't know you."

My eyes clenched closed in frustration, "All I'm asking for is just a simple set up." I said before opening my eyes. "If we can't have trust in each other this isn't going to work."

A thick silence rested over the room as Rick focused on his own thoughts. The three men glanced at each other asking one another the question that lied on top of everything.

"Could we trust her?"

Rick let out a sigh, nodding, "We'll give you a place to stay. Everything you'll need will be provided but we'll keep you under watch the first days you're staying with us. When we take you back you'll be riding in the car with Glenn and I while Daryl takes your horse back." He announced. "That's it or we have no deal."

Without saying anything I stuck my hand out towards Rick making him look at it before glancing up at me. His large hand gripped mine tightly as we gave each other a firm shake.

We all stood up from our seats. I grabbed my things before Daryl took the rope around Optic's neck and began leading him outside.

Rick and Glenn made sure to keep a close eye on me as I got into the back seat of their car without a care in the world.

"We have some rules at Alexandria;our community." Rick began as he got into his seat. "You'll need to turn in your weapons at the gate but you'll be able to check them out when you need them."

I nodded as the car began moving down the street, "Whatever rules you have I'll follow them." I informed making them both look at me in surprise. "This is how it's supposed to work. You follow mine and I follow yours."

Glenn glanced back at me, "How long did you say you've been doing this for?" He questioned.

I shook my head, "I didn't but the great thing about my job is that you don't really need to know anything about me and I don't need to know anything about you." I said nonchalantly.

Rick nodded, "We won't ask." He said roughly.

The man's eyes met mine with such a familiar look that I felt a pang of nostalgia hit me. It was a look that I haven't seen in so long that no matter how much I hated it before I'd love to see it from them again.

In seventeen years I haven't seen that look but I yearned to see it again even if it was in a dream. All I dreamt about now was red. All that horrific color we had to see while trying to stay safe. Those couple of years are always going to stick with me even after I die.

If I could go back and change those; I would in a heartbeat.

My eyes look out of the window as only three words came out of my mouth, "I won't tell."

Rick looked at me once again through the rear view mirror but this time the look he gave me was different. I didn't know how to feel about it so I simply looked away and off into the horizon.

We passed by buildings that were rotting away as posters and graffiti covered the walls. Everything around this goddamn place was all the same. I always wondered if different countries were hit with this as bad as we were.

All the damage our country took after the pandemic spread, it was terrible. Every single day I had to be escorted to school with the same pair of torn clothes on my back with grime caked on my body. There was the training I had to partake in that Dad absolutely despised before we made our way to Boston where he ended up staying.

Uncle Tommy and I soon fled without another word but took different routes. He was always bound to follow someone around before he got tired of being bossed around and would become his own leader. That's just who Tommy was, once he got bored he'd do whatever idea that little voice in his head told him to.

As I looked out the window I've realized how different all these places were. Some still had form of government and others didn't. This part of Virginia seemed to be one of them but others of course tried to take over. Negan's community was proof of that but so were The Fireflies.

I cleared my throat, breaking through the silence, "Have you had any problems with Fireflies up here?" I asked curiously.

Rick shook his head, "Not really." He responded shortly. "They seemed to all disappear from this place but I'm guessing they're still around."

I nodded, "Soldiers seem to be getting a hold on them lately. The problem with that is that nobodies and communities are starting to follow in their footsteps- trying to 'restore' civilization." I informed with a small scoff.

Glenn shifted slightly, "We don't really have much soldiers around here. They must've thought the coast of Virginia was cleared off so they never bothered to set something up here. There's still some over in D.C.- well, I've heard." He responded, glancing back towards me slightly.

My hands reached into my pocket, taking out my identification card, "My guess is that you guys got rid of yours a long time ago." I remarked as the men both looked at the object in my hand.

Rick shook his head, "How can you?" He questioned rhetorically. "Everywhere you go it's basically crawling with those scanners. Every single time you try to enter a new district- any movement whatsoever is tracked."

I shrugged, putting my card away, "People have their ways of getting off the grid and not being bothered. It's worked for some of them but others- well, that's another story." I said, my voice low as I looked down at my hand tracing the small wrinkles on my leather glove.

With that being said the car fell into another form of silence before the car came to a stop making me look ahead. What I said before me made me smirk slight as what these people had built didn't surprise me.

There was a gate and a large wall that went around the entire community as there were people guarding their home from a post. That's the first thing you saw right outside Alexandria and what you saw at most communities that have survived this far.

A couple of seconds passed before a woman slid open the gate for us, allowing the car to pass behind the walls.

My eyes widened slightly at how well organized and clean their home was. It looked like a suburban neighborhood with their garden, nice houses, solar panels, and who knows what else.

There had to be electricity here since there were solar grids. Electricity means water and water means water heater which mean hot water which ends in me taking a long shower.

Alexandria has to be one of the top places I've been to in these past twenty years. Quarantine zones look like jack squat compared to this place.

Rick turned off the car before looking over at me, "You try any little thing-"

"I'll be another one of those corpses we passed by on our way over here." I interrupted, finishing his sentence.

The man pointed a finger at me, "Anything." He reminded sternly before the three of us got out of the car.

As soon as I stepped foot on that paved road I felt everyone's eyes instantly lock on me making my body stiffen.

I took a step towards Rick as the brunette that opened the gate for us, instantly slung the gun she was holding on her shoulder before Glenn embraced her.

I've never seen someone this delighted for a while it made me feel a tiny bit sick.

Daryl jumped off of Optic, keeping the rope in his hand before simply tying him to post by the garden before joining us.

The brunettes green eyes looked at me before glancing back towards Glenn, "That's her?" She questioned.

Glenn nodded with a hopeful smile, "That's her." He reassured making the woman look back over at me.

Within the few seconds I've been here there was already a decent amount of people circled around myself and Rick. They all had the look of curiosity yet fear in their eyes as they stared me down, waiting for their leader to say something about the mysterious woman standing in front of them.

Without thinking much about it I raised my gloves hand, giving them a small wave, "Glad to be at your service." I announced, my voice soft.

Rick let out a small sigh, "She's going to be staying with us for the time being. It won't be long but she'll be good help around here." He informed with a loud, rough voice.

A woman with black hair pulled back into a bun stepped forward, "Is she dangerous?" She questioned.

I shook my head, "I'm not the one you should be worried about." Is all that came out of my mouth making everyone look at me slightly taken back.

A large red headed man stepped forward, a sly smile on his face, "Mother Dick." He remarked.

I couldn't help but look at the man oddly, turning to look at Rick, "Did he just say 'mother dick'?" I questioned confusedly.

Rick sucked in a breath, running a hand through his hair as he turned back to his people, "She's going to be staying with me until we can trust her enough to stay alone. For now, we're going to discuss things with Jesus and see how everything plays out and tomorrow me and a few others will go to his community." He informed his people. "We're going to be fine."

As soon as the man said that it was as if the weight of a million elephants fell off of the people's shoulders as they continued in a circle.

Rick looked at me, "Hand over your weapons before we start with anything. You'll get them back when we go to the community tomorrow." He responded as Daryl rolled over a small table.

I nodded, "Alright." I replied, setting my backpack on the table as Rick began taking out my weapons.

The first things that went were the ones I always carried on me such as my gun, hunting knife, throwing knifes, and tomahawk. Then the man began digging into my bag where all the interesting things were.

All the bombs Tommy showed me how to make where set on the table making the men in front of me stare at each other in a bit of surprise. Molotov cocktails were also put on the table which made my backpack a lot lighter.

Daryl roughly tossed my bag at me, "Here, kid." He grunted before pushing the tray towards a heavier woman with glasses.

She looked at me, clearing her throat, "Is-is this it?" She asked, her voice shaking slightly.

Rick was about to answer for me but instead of letting him interrupt me another time I quickly responded.

"Yeah, that's about it. Feels sorta better actually-not carrying all those things around." I said kindly, trying to lighten the mood.

My attempt seemed to work as the woman gave me a small smile before rolling the cart away towards another house. That had to be where they kept their armory; it couldn't be anywhere else.

"C'mon." Is all Daryl said before grabbing my arm roughly and turning me around.

I pulled myself away from him, "Easy." I grumbled, walking between Rick and him.

We made our way into one of the houses before going into the living room where I man with a long black coat and long brown hair stood looking at the painting on the wall.

Rick let out a frustrated sigh, "I told you to wait in the room." He hissed.

The man shrugged, his back still facing us, "This painting seemed interesting. I wanted to look at it more closely." He said before turning around, his body immediately freezing as his eyes scanned me over.

I walked over to him, sticking my hand out, "I reckon you're Jesus." I said before we shook hands. "You almost found me."

Jesus pulled away, smiling genuinely, "Paul Rovia. My friends used to call me Jesus." He added. "It's an honor to meet you."

Daryl let out a loud scoff, "Honor? For what? Meeting a kid?" He blurted out.

Jesus looked at him oddly, "A kid?" He questioned before chuckling. "She's been doing this for seventeen years."

Rick and Daryl looked at each other in shock before turning back to look at me waiting for me to confirm.

I nodded, "I was thirteen when the outbreak started. Add twenty years to that." I joked only making Jesus let out a light laugh.

Rick took a step towards us, "You're thirty three years old?" He asked, furrowing his eyebrows as if he hadn't heard me correctly.

A smirk appeared on my lips, "It's not polite to ask a woman her age." I pointed out.

"It's also not polite to shoot a woman but sometimes you gotta." Daryl threatened, his voice rough.

Jesus pushed me back slightly, making me look at him oddly since I just met the man. He put his hand in front of me in a protective manner which made me furrow my eyebrows because no one had done that for me since I left Dad and Tommy.

"This is not one of those times." The man spoke sternly, staring the two men down. "She's here to help us both. The least you can do is give her respect."

A small creak behind Rick and Daryl made all of us jump slightly only to see a woman with dreadlocks stepping towards us.

She stopped in her tracks, "I think he's right." She stated sternly.

The way this woman moved made me feel as though I should be afraid of her. There was something about the way her eyes glimmered when she spoke that made me wonder who she was before all of this. If I would've guessed I'd say a successful mother. Care was certainly in the way she looked at Rick and Daryl as soon as she walked in.

I nodded, "I think that'd be best for all of us." I shot mainly towards Daryl, making him roll his eyes.

The woman stepped forward swiftly, without a care in the world before putting her hand out in front of me.

I gladly took a hold of her hand as she a small smile plastered on her lips, "I'm Michonne. I'm glad we found you while you were still here." She said.

There was something about these people that made me automatically feel safe when I should have no reason to feel that way. These were strangers and I always had to keep my guard up no matter what. They could come at me at any moment and I'd have to defend myself but I couldn't help feeling a little less alone around them.

Michonne and I pulled away before I clapped my hands together letting out a small breath, "I want to know a little more about your community." I said, turning towards Jesus.

The man nodded, "Of course." He said, before looking at Rick. "I think you all deserve to know a little more."

Rick let out a sigh, resting his hands on his hips, "We'll talk more tomorrow morning. I think I speak for everyone when I say that it's been a long day." He said before he glanced over at Michonne.

Michonne nodded, before looking at Jesus, "I hope it's worth it." She commented before turning around and walking out the front door.

Yeah, I sure hoped so too.

Daryl pointed at me, "What're we going to do with the grown ass kid over here?" He remarked, making me slightly glare at the man.

"You know you can call me by my name instead of kid." I spat, starting to grow frustrated.

The man looked at me, "It's easier to remember, hitman." He shot back.

Rick rolled his eyes at the two of us, "I'm going to set her up in a room. She'll only be here for two to three days tops." He informed Daryl. "Jesus can stay in the infirmary again. He'll only be staying another night."

"I'll take him." Daryl volunteered before walking up to Jesus and roughly gripping his arm.

The man didn't say anything about how rudely Daryl treated him but instead simply turned to look at me and shot me a smile.

Rick sighed before looking at me, "Follow me." He ordered.

I did as I was told and followed him upstairs as I looked around the nice household he was staying in. As we passed a room that's when I heard it; a baby cooing.

Without thinking twice I stopped in my tracks, peering into the room that was open. There was a boy with long brown hair with a bandage around his head holding a blonde baby in his arms.

I took a step forward making the floorboards creak lightly causing the boy to turn around and look at me with wide eyes.

As the boy turned around I instantly realized that he was Rick's son and the baby must be his daughter. There was a resemblance to Rick in the boy's eyes that made me feel nostalgic in some odd way.

The boy glared at me with his one icy blue eye, "Who are you?" He hissed lowly.

You could tell this boy grew up in this world since he didn't look any older than fourteen. There was so much hatred in danger in his eye that it made me feel sorry for him.

Before I could answer Rick came behind me, gripping my arm and harshly pulling me away from the room.

"I told you to follow me." He snarled.

I shook my head, "I heard a baby- I just needed to see her." I said before looking up at him smiling lightly. "She's really beautiful."

Rick looked down at me, stopping in front of the door of a room, "Thanks." He said forcefully before opening the door and pushing me inside.

"There's a bathroom right through that door. Don't waste all the hot water and don't do anything stupid." He reminded roughly before shutting the door behind him.

I looked around the room realizing how nice it was compared to any place I've ever stayed in in the last twenty years. Everything was so clean and new it was almost unreal. If I could I'd stay here for a long time.

My feet soon led me towards the bathroom where I undressed and stepped into the shower. I let out a gasp as I turned on the water which came out cold for two seconds before turning hot.

A small chuckle escaped my lips as the water ran down my body making me feel lighter as every grime from the cities I've been in for the past week washed off me.

I pressed my face against the cool shower tiles as my eyes wandered to my missing fingers.

That's when I remembered what I was here for and what I needed to do.

Tomorrow we go to the community to find out what needs to be done and then we do it. There's nothing more to worry about after the deal is done. All the blood that will be shed is for a good reason.

It's always for a good reason.