Although what Derek said was something he had only thought to himself, his expression didn't reveal anything. Still, his attention shifted from the few people in the distance to Shane, who had moved closer.
"He went to help with the walkers. Let's not talk about that right now — we have to get you out of this situation first!"
"Kill walkers?"
Before, she definitely would have caused a scene, but this time Lori remained silent. Jason didn't think much of it, but Shane was acting very differently from the man he used to know.
Ever since giving birth to Judith, Lori's temper had grown increasingly irritable, and she often had intense emotional outbursts. But because of her husband, who worked tirelessly to keep everyone safe, no one at the base openly blamed her. Still, after returning from her rest at the central base where she had temporarily stepped down from leadership, it was clear that few people could tolerate her anymore.
She shouldn't have been here this time either. Lori was the main reason they had fallen into the hands of this group of cannibals. If it hadn't been for Jason and his people, they all would probably be dead. And now, once again, Lori was in trouble—making everything far more complicated.
To be honest, Lori was a huge problem that neither Jason nor anyone else should be responsible for, because she simply shouldn't be here. Thinking that, Shane gave one last attempt to help his friend's wife.
"How are you?"
Lori didn't answer. She only shook her head slowly, lowering her gaze, lost in confusion about what she was truly suffering from.
Jason's cold eyes silently observed the people in front of him. He imagined many things, realizing this must be the influence of the original story—the reason this group had crossed paths with Terminus. In short, Lori was the group's biggest potential problem, and sooner or later, she would do something even more foolish.
And as if Jason had predicted it, Lori quietly called out to Derek behind her.
"You'd better let me go before you get yourself killed. Do you really think it's that easy to offend this group?"
Hearing that, Derek tilted his head slightly and said, "I don't think you understand your situation. As long as I have you as a hostage, they can't touch us."
"You brainless idiot! Even if I'm a hostage who might mean something to certain people, in that man's eyes, I'm just another person!"
Hearing this, Derek hesitated for a moment and lifted his head to glance at Jason. He didn't know whether she was referring to the long-haired man with the grim expression or the bald one standing beside him.
After thinking for a bit, he asked Lori, "What do you mean?"
"As you probably know, the man named Rick Grimes is my husband. He's the leader of a large shelter—but the man holding the gun in front of us is the leader who stands even above my husband. Everyone calls him Jason."
"And what the hell is that supposed to mean?"
Lori raised her head slightly and looked at Jason. A subtle glimmer appeared in her eyes.
"He's a ruthless and very vengeful man. As you can see around you, he didn't leave anyone alive. I even heard he went all the way to Texas and wiped out multiple shelters just to kill one of his men's murderers. Hundreds, maybe even thousands, died."
"What do you think he'll order if you dare hurt me?"
"He'll kill us?"
"I think that should be the least of your worries. Jason is a cold man—he'll definitely torture you before killing you, just as he's done to many others."
"He's an excellent leader, even toward those who shouldn't mean much to him. If you propose an exchange, I'm sure he'll accept it. That would guarantee your safety completely."
"You think I'm an idiot? Why would he agree to be a hostage in your place?"
"You don't know him. Jason is a good man who deeply cares about his people's safety. Many times, he'd rather take risks himself than let others do it. That's why I'm sure he'll accept."
Derek's expression shifted slightly.
"Wouldn't it be a big problem for your group if we decided to kill him instead? Lady, you're one vicious bitch—but I like what you're saying. Maybe that's our only way out."
"Stop wasting time—what's happening?" Shane called out from afar.
"Of course I'll let her go," Derek replied, "but I need to know you're really going to let us leave. What'll happen to my group if you're lying? You'll have to give me a real reason to believe you…"
Derek looked at Shane and smiled faintly.
Lori, trembling, said, "I'm infected…"
"What?"
"I said I got bitten by a damn walker!"
"Where?"
"My left shoulder."
When Derek heard this, he signaled his companions to cover the front and quickly checked the woman's left shoulder. Sure enough, they all saw a few bite marks—the skin was already badly infected.
But their small actions made Shane uneasy, and he shouted quickly, "Don't do anything stupid in front of us! We need to see that Lori's safety is guaranteed at all times!"
Within just ten seconds, the two men standing near Lori stepped back.
"Excuse me, I need to say a few words."
Derek took a few steps forward, looked at the group, and said, "Due to an incredible turn of events, I need to speak with the leader of your group."
"There's no need to look for anyone—I'm the leader of everyone here."
When Derek heard Jason's voice, he was convinced the woman had told the truth. Thinking carefully about everything that had happened, it wasn't hard to guess that Lori was trying to use this whole situation to buy herself some extra time.
This incident hadn't harmed him yet, but even if he did leave, judging by how this group had wiped out Terminus, they probably wouldn't let him go anyway—just as the woman had said.
Derek finally whispered into Lori's ear, "Listen, if what you said is a lie, I'll tell that man Jason that you suggested trading him as a hostage. I'm sure his people—and your husband—won't like that."
"Don't worry. Everything I said is true."
...
"Mr. Jason, we basically agree to your terms," Derek said aloud, "but considering how large your group is, we need an insurance policy. Otherwise, we'll definitely die if you don't keep your word."
As Derek spoke, the five of them stood facing Jason, unaware that behind them, a few dark figures were moving slowly closer through the shadows.
Withdrawing his gaze silently, Jason feigned curiosity. "So, what kind of insurance do you need?"
"We need a vehicle."
"No problem—you'll have your vehicle."
"I need five guns and some ammunition."
"I'm sorry, but for my people's safety, I can only give you a few melee weapons—they'll be enough to deal with walkers—and some food."
After thinking for a moment, Derek seemed to be weighing the pros and cons.
In truth, he was just preparing to make his real demand.
Soon, he raised his head again and revealed his true intent.
"I also need another hostage—for a while."
"Oh?"
Things clearly weren't that simple. Jason immediately asked cautiously, "Why switch hostages? Didn't we agree you'd release that woman?"
Derek put on a helpless expression, then smiled. "Don't worry, we'll let her go once we've gotten a safe distance away. But it's still dark out—it's dangerous. We can't just send a woman out there alone with no survival skills, right?"
"Of course. How about this—I'll be the hostage. You let her go."
"What!"
Even Lori's eyes widened in shock. She felt completely confused. Jason was a smart man—had he noticed something?
Just as everyone was still processing what he'd said, Jason handed his weapon to Shane, whispered a few words into the microphone of his earpiece, placed the radio on the ground, and slowly walked toward Derek.
Derek looked a little puzzled but still said, "Colson, keep an eye on him."
He chose the strongest of the five men to watch Jason. In his mind, Colson—standing 1.9 meters tall—could easily handle someone like him.
Seeing Jason obediently turn his back, Derek shoved Lori forward.
Lori, now out of danger, didn't show any relief. Instead, she looked at Aifon with a face full of apology, and Aifon only smiled softly in reassurance.
A mix of emotions overwhelmed Lori—guilt, regret, conflict, and sorrow. Tears welled up in her eyes. She quickly covered her face and ran toward the crowd.
Shane immediately caught her in his arms to calm her down. Seeing how emotionally unstable she was, he thought she was just scared, so he held her while glaring toward Derek.
Half an hour later, Derek and the others sat in a pickup truck, just as they'd demanded. The walkers that had been drawn to the flames outside the wall were swiftly cleared out by a large number of group members.
The truck drove away from Terminus and vanished into the darkness of the night.
But there was something only a few people realized—Jason wasn't the one in danger with that group.
It was that group who was in danger, for being with Jason.