❪ 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗘𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛 ❫

𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝖾𝗅𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗇 ━━━━━━━━━━━━━
the interrogation. ╱ season three, episode seven.

TOBY WAS NEVER a fan of dark and dreary places, the coldness that wafted off of cement walls and ceilings made goosebumps trail up every inch of his body. Being locked in these places continuously left a pit forming in his stomach. He worried that seconds would pass and he would suddenly be left bleeding out on the hard cement floor, the last image being the darkness crowding the ceiling above him. And right now, that very fear was beginning to be visceral.

His heart had not stopped pounding in his chest since they had been locked away. While Thomas had been glued to Michonne's side since the lock clicked shut, they watched the older boy as he paced around the room. Visibly getting more and more anxious as time went on. They didn't want to say anything, thinking that it would be better for Toby to think through his actions before he acted upon them.

The voices just passed the cell door pounded in his ears. While they talked indistinctively just outside of Toby's reach and he couldn't understand what was being said, he felt like they were whispering right in his ear. He hated how much the cell block echoed, he felt like he could hear every noise made by anyone, no matter how far away they were. He could hear the scrape of someone's shoes as they shuffled in their spot, and he could hear the sniffling as someone was finishing up the teary session that was happening on the other side of the door. Toby didn't know what they should do. Right now, there seems like there is no out for them. All doors are locked, their supplies and weapons were taken, and he knew for a fact that Michonne would never leave without her sword. Just as he wouldn't leave without his bat in his grip. They were stuck.

Thinking of any escape route seems futile when he remembers the whole reason they're here. Sabrina. Her friends. All at the hands of the Governor, whose capable of crazy shit. No matter how much Toby's itching to leave these people, his mind always travels back to his sister. When he closes his eyes he sees her getting shoved into the back of a car with Merle aiming a gun right at her skull. Every time that image pops up in his brain he feels like crawling up into a ball on the floor. He's so scared that he won't be able to see her, to let her know that they're alive. He wants to be able for Thomas and himself to have a relationship with her again, he just wants her to be safe and away from the Governor's grasp. And he knows his only hope is the strangers in the other room.

He's sick of waiting for them to make their entrance. Every minute that passes, is a minute where the Governor or his goons can hurt Sabrina. And he's sick of waiting for these people. He could feel the hesitant glances from the two sitting down, but he only grunted in response and marched to the cell door locking them from going further into the cell block. Grasping onto the bars tightly, he sent a rough glare to the group of people standing there, talking in a hushed speech. But the voices immediately ceased when Toby's voice echoed throughout the cell block as clear anger powered through his words.

"Hey assholes, can you hurry this up? I got shit to do,"

The leader quickly swiveled around, his blue eyes flashing to his with an intimidating stare, but Toby didn't dare to waver, trying to act like he didn't have a wave of sudden nervousness pass through him. Before the leader could answer, another man passed him, crossbow aimed right at the boy. His thick deep south accent made Toby roll his eyes, "Best be polite to people who are gonna treat your friend,"

"Oh bite me redneck, you guys are fucking holding us,"

A feeling of satisfaction ran through Toby, as he saw the greasy man clench his jaw in anger. But before the man could send a snarky comment, the leader walked past him and toward the cell door. Toby was quick to take a step back, not enjoying the threatening look swirling in his eyes, "We're holding you and your people for a reason. Now, you could tell us what we need to know, and we'll help your friend. Or, we can just get the information out of you and leave your friend to bleed out,"

"Screw you man," Toby hissed, taking a few steps back as the group began to file into the cell block. This is what he wanted, but he suddenly felt cornered, feeling multiple people aim weapons at him.

"Your choice, kid." The leader shrugged, cocking his hip out as he rested his hand on the gun in his holster. "We're gonna get the information out of you no matter what,"

Toby visibly ground his teeth, defeat soaking in his skin. The boy didn't bother to speak, only stepping aside and sending the man a sarcastic smile as he waved his hand toward Michonne. The action was meant to let his asshole personality shine through to piss off the older man further.

The man's lips twitched in anger, but he only focused on the injured woman. "You mind telling me your names?"

"How exactly is that relevant?" Toby interrupted, crossing his arms as he furrowed his eyebrows.

"Keeping diverting the conversation kid, see what happens," The man threatened, sending a serious look towards Toby. The boy quickly understood how the man would stay true to his word. So the boy piped down with an angered sigh, finding a spot leaning against the lockers a few feet away from Michonne and Thomas. The man quickly moved his attention back on Michonne, "We can tend to that wound for you, give you guys a little food and water, and then send you all on your way. But first, you're gonna have to tell us how you found us, and why you were carrying formula."

There was a small pause as the two stared at each other. Toby tensed and straightened up, wondering if Michonne was going to answer his question. "The supplies were dropped by a young Asian guy and two pretty girls,"

"What happened?" The leader questioned, his tone gruff and intense.

The older man behind him hesitantly spoke, almost scared to ask his question, "Were they attacked?"

"They were taken." Michonne clipped, her attention and words directed at the old man.

The leader visibly perked up at the words, his frustration and worry beginning to bounce off of him, "Taken? By who?"

"By the same son of a bitch who shot me," Michonne hissed.

"Hey, these are our people," Rick began, his words spitting with anger as he gained Michonne's attention. He moved towards her so her eyes were solely on him, "You tell us what happened now!"

Within an instant, his hand had grabbed Michonne's injured thigh, pressing roughly on the wound. Toby didn't hesitate to jump into action once he heard the woman groan roughly from the pain. The boy rushed up to the scene, shoving the man back with a vigor that almost knocked the older man to his feet. All weapons were now pointed at him, but he couldn't care less. He was too focused on the glare that was sent to him by the leader. "Don't you ever think of touching her again asshole,"

"One of you better start talking," The redneck seethed, his crossbow aimed right at Toby's head. There was a panicked whimper that escaped Thomas watching his older brother be in that position, but Toby wouldn't back off, he couldn't, he was in too deep. "Or you're gonna have a much bigger problem than just her gunshot wound,"

"Try and see asshole, don't think that would go over well for you," Toby taunted, not daring to drop the intense gaze that was passing between him and the man with the crossbow.

"Hey, hey, put it down," The leader demanded at the redneck, ordering him to stop aiming his weapon at the teenage boy. As the man did what he was told, the leader gave him a warning with his stare. "You came here for a reason,"

Toby bit the inside of his mouth, feeling defeated as he sighed, knowing he was soon giving in to the man, "When they took your people, they took my sister,"

"Your sister?" There was a split second of confusion that washed over the man's face as he stared at Toby. "Who's your sister?"

"Sabrina is my sister," Toby replied hesitantly, his tone was clearly guarded, showing them that it was hard to give in.

"You're Toby, and you're Thomas?" The leader questioned as he pointed to both of them. Their names slipping out the man's mouth gave Toby a wave of uneasiness, knowing that the group knew who they were.

"Yeah?" Toby's words were stated in a question, as he sent a look to the group of strangers in the room. "You know who we are?"

"Sabrina's been trying to find you since the start,"

Toby let out a breath of shock, not being able to hold it in. He can't believe this whole time she's been looking for them since they've been doing the same. It only makes him want to go get her even more. "We know where they were taken,"

"Where?"

Toby sent the woman behind him a quick glance of permission to continue, with her curt nod, he snapped back to the leader's gaze, "There's a town. Woodbury. About seventy-five survivors. They had to be taken there,"

The man wavered as he took in the information, "A whole town?"

"It's run by this guy who calls himself the Governor. He's a pompous asshole who tries to be the all-American good guy type,"

"He got muscle?" The redneck man questioned, making Toby's gaze jump to him.

"Nothing but annoying paramilitary wannabes," Toby answered, crossing his arms in an attempt to look more intimidating.

Michonne was quick to jump in the conversation, soon making her way to stand next to Toby, hating that he was the one getting interrogated. "They have armed sentries on every wall,"

The leader turned his gaze to Michonne, the woman was holding a glare that was much similar to the boy next to her. It made the leader waver for a second, "You two know a way in?"

"The place is secure from walkers, but we could slip our way through."

There was a small pause that floated through the room as the group around them sent each other looks as they took in the influx of information. The leader was quick to glance back at them, "How'd you know how to get here?"

"They mentioned a prison, said which direction it was in, and said it was a straight shot." Michonne was the one to answer the question, as she lightly shrugged her shoulders.

"This is Hershel, the father of the other girl who was taken," The leader mentioned, pointing toward the older man who was missing his leg. "He'll take care of that,"

With those words, the leader sent the man with a crossbow a nod and he was quick to fall in line with his leader. Both passed the small trio, soon walking deeper into the cell block and swiftly locking it behind them, not bothering to look back at them. The action made Toby's lip twitch in aggravation, hating how demanding the leader was. If one thing was going to happen, Toby sure as hell wasn't going to take shit from him or his henchman. He would rather be six feet under than be told what to do by some asshole he doesn't know. That's for fucking sure.

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TOBY FELT IMMENSE relief as he strolled out of the cellblock with his bat gripped tightly in his hand and his gun tucked in the back of his jeans. The sun washed over his skin, and the warm air wrapped around him. Usually, he would be annoyed by the heat, but right now he welcomed it. There was something unsettling about the cellblock, he didn't like how dark and gloomy it was. It made the already very pressing fact that he was not welcomed there more alarming than it already was.

The whole time he was there, surrounded by not only strangers with weapons aimed at him but also surrounded by cold and somber cement walls. He itched to leave, just to escape from these very uneasy strangers, but the remembrance of his sister made him stay put.

There was a daunting energy that wafted through the people around him, knowing that in less than ten minutes some of them were getting piled into a car to go off and get Sabrina and the others back. He was fearful about how it was going to work out, he was worried about coming back alive. He needed to come back for his brother, he couldn't leave him behind with these people. Toby wished he could bring his brother with him, but he knew it was far too dangerous for him, he was safer here and was completely out of the line of fire.

Michonne had been very stand-offish since she had been patched up, there was something she was hiding from him and he hated it. The group around him hiding something that makes sense. But not Michonne, they were always honest with each other. Toby could feel that she was gonna do something while they were there and that scared him. One wrong move and Rick would put them down, and Toby could feel the severity of that threat. He knew Rick wasn't lying and Toby didn't want to do anything to fuck that up.

People began packing the car, with guns and supplies they needed for this mission. Toby wavered in the back, not knowing what he was meant to do at this moment. He didn't want to step out of place, worried that if he did anything it would upset the group around him. So he just leaned against the back of the metal bleachers that rested in the courtyard and observed the people interacting with each other.

"Toby,"

The boy in question straightened up and met the gaze of his younger brother. He sent the boy a comforting smile, along with a squeeze on his shoulder. "What's up, kid?"

"You're really going?"

Toby could hear the fear in his voice, it sent strikes of pain into his heart, knowing that his brother was scared for him. The boy quickly bent down to his brother's height, he could feel a few looming eyes on the back of his head but he didn't bother finding the source of the gazes. "I have to Tommy, you know that,"

"Why can't Michonne just go? She knows how to deal with this stuff, you don't," Thomas pleaded, his voice letting desperation bleed through. "You can't leave me here by myself, I don't know these people,"

"Tommy, I need to do this. I need to make sure Sabrina is alright," Toby started, moving both his hands to Thomas' shoulders to make sure his focus is solely on him. "And I know you'll be fine, Hershel seems really nice and so does the blonde girl. And I know you'll become fast friends with everyone here. Plus, there is a kid your age, so maybe talk to him. I know he's Rick's son, but he can't be that bad,"

Thomas sent him a look like he didn't believe a single thing Toby was saying. Hell, Toby didn't believe a single thing he was saying. All of his words were said for Thomas' sake, but the younger boy seemed like he was looking right through his words. "He look like he'd shoot me if I even waved at him,"

Toby fought a smile hearing the deadpanned tone that escaped Thomas' lips, the older boy just rolled his eyes and gave him a comforting smile. "You can do this, a lot of times we have to do some things we don't like, that's just how life is. I believe in you, okay?"

Thomas sighed to himself, eyes never leaving his brother as he thought to himself, the emotions swirling in his eyes Toby could decipher and it made him worry. But there was an instant relief when Thomas spoke up. "Fine, just please come back safe with Michonne and Sabrina,"

Toby couldn't help but pull him into a tight hug, finding himself needing the comfort of his little brother. Thomas didn't hesitate to hug him back and the quick acceptance relieved Toby. "I promise, with Michonne at the helm, I'm sure we'll get in and out without any trouble,"

Thomas broke the hug and gave his older brother a small smile, "Okay,"

"Alright kid, I'll see you soon," Toby grunted as he straightened himself from his bent position. Thomas was quick to nod and both subconsciously bumped the side of their fists together and snapped their fingers instantly after. The handshake that they've consistently had since before the world ended. When they would be separating the two would always do their handshake as a goodbye. It meant a lot to them, even if they never spoke about it.

Thomas was about to open his mouth to say something but Rick's demanding voice shatter the opportunity. "Alright everybody, let's head out,"

Toby sighed to himself, attempting to mentally prepare himself for the mission at hand. Excitement and anticipation bubbled in his stomach knowing that in less than a few hours he would be seeing his sister again for the first time in a year and a half. He didn't know how things were gonna play out, but he was damn sure that he was gonna get her out alive. And if people got in the way of that, he would take them out. Plain and simple. That's just how it was going to be.

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✿❣︎ 𝘼𝙐𝙏𝙃𝙊𝙍'𝙎 𝙉𝙊𝙏𝙀  ❣︎✿

we back we back!!

it's a little short in my opinion,
but it's all a warmup for the next chapter

not really any of danny and toby
interactions, sorry. It's purely because
Toby's too into what's happening right
now instead of meeting the group.
But once this is over he'll bond with the group.

Toby's first real reactions with the group
are with Rick and daryl. But that's just
leading up to Toby's relationship with
not only rick but with daryl as well.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter!!!!