Abraham narrowed his eyes at me. "Are you sure?" he asked, his voice low and full of suspicion.
I didn't hesitate. "I'm very sure," I replied firmly.
Daryl crossed his arms, silent. Merle just started grinning. Michonne said nothing, but her expression showed she believed me. Glenn kept his gaze fixed on Eugene, tension still high. They didn't know the full story like I did—but they trusted me.
Eugene looked shaken, disbelief written all over his face.
"I… I never thought anyone would expose it," he stammered. "I thought I could keep it going. I didn't mean to hurt anyone, I swear—"
"You lied to all of us," Rosita snapped, eyes flaring with betrayal.
Tara looked away, biting her lip, while Bob just stood frozen, shaking his head.Even Lily pulled Meghan closer, as if she didn't recognize the man beside them anymore.
Then it happened.
Abraham clenched his jaw, nostrils flaring—and without warning, slugged Eugene straight in the face.
"You son of a bitch!" he growled.
Eugene hit the ground hard with a groan.
Abraham wasn't done.
He grabbed Eugene by the collar and slammed his fist into his face again—and again—rage and betrayal pouring out with each blow.
"You made me believe!""You made all of us believe in something that wasn't real!"
I stepped forward fast. "Stop!"
He didn't.
"You cost people their lives!"
"I shouted louder, grabbing his arm. "That's enough! You'll kill him!"
Finally, his fists stopped mid-swing. He froze, panting hard, fury still in his eyes—but restraint finally taking hold. Slowly, he backed off.
Rosita rushed to Eugene, kneeling beside him.
"Jesus, Eugene…" she muttered, brushing the blood from his busted lip.
Eugene groaned, pushing himself up slowly, one eye swelling shut, blood trickling down his nose. He didn't fight back. He didn't argue.
He knew he deserved it.
Bob looked between them all, disbelief painted on his face. "He… he lied to all of us?"
Tara crossed her arms tightly. "What the hell do we even do now?"
I glanced around at them all—hurt, angry, betrayed—but still standing.
The air was heavy after everything that had happened—but the moment called for something new.
I looked at the group—still shaken, still processing."Why don't you come with us?" I said calmly."We have a base. A real one. We're heading back there now."
Tara blinked, surprised."Can we?" she asked hesitantly.
I nodded without pause."Yeah. Let's go. But…" I glanced at the darkening sky."…it's getting late. We'll have to make camp for the night."
No one argued.
We pulled the vehicles to the side of the road and used them to form a makeshift barricade around a small clearing.Daryl and Merle checked the perimeter while Michonne stayed alert.Glenn, always resourceful, popped the hood of their busted truck. I watched him work—fast, focused.
"Learned a few tricks from Jim and Dale," he said with a grin as the engine roared to life again.
That made me smile.
A small but meaningful win.
I stood near the fire we built in the center, looking around.Rosita sat with her arms wrapped around her knees, Tara and Lily talked quietly with Bob, and Meghan had finally fallen asleep in her mother's lap.Eugene sat by himself, head low.
I looked at Abraham, who had calmed down but still looked distant.He'd been lied to—but he was still standing. Still strong.And now—he was with us.
"You're a hell of a fighter," I told him."And I'm glad you're coming."
He didn't say anything at first—just gave me a small nod.That was enough.
As the fire crackled, I addressed the group.
"Back at our camp, we have over 200 people. It's safe. Organized. We built it from the ground up."
That got their attention. Eyes widened."200?" Bob asked, shocked.
"Yeah," I nodded. "And that's not all. The reason we're out here is because we've made contact—formed an alliance—with other communities. We're not alone anymore."
That sentence made the entire group go still.
Even Eugene, beaten and bruised, perked up.
"Other communities?" he asked, voice cracking through the silence. "As in… multiple independent settlements operating in coordination?"
"Exactly," I said. "Alexandria. Hilltop. The Kingdom. And us. We're building something bigger. Stronger. For when bigger threats come."
Rosita leaned in, brows furrowed."There are more people out there?"
"More than you think," I replied. "And they're ready to fight if they have to."
Tara looked around, then back at me."Then maybe… maybe it's not just about surviving anymore."
I nodded slowly. "It's about living. And protecting what we've got."
The fire crackled softly in the center of our makeshift camp, casting flickering shadows on the worn faces gathered around. The tension had eased a bit, but uncertainty still lingered.
I stood up slowly, brushing dirt from my jeans, and looked around at everyone—Abraham, Rosita, Eugene, Tara, Bob, Lily, and the others.
"Now then," I said, voice steady but firm."If we're going to move forward together, it's only right we know who we're riding with."
Everyone looked up.
"I'm Rick Grimes," I began, meeting each of their eyes."Leader of the Right Arm. One of the founding communities working to bring some damn order back to this world."
There was a pause.
Rosita narrowed her eyes slightly, still guarded.Tara leaned forward with interest.Eugene, of course, seemed to be processing every word for tactical and intellectual merit.
"We started small," I continued."But we built. Brick by brick. Wall by wall. The Right Arm wasn't just made to survive—it was made to stand. For something real. For people who still believe in protecting others. Fighting for more than just scraps."
Daryl stepped up beside me and gave them a simple nod."Daryl Dixon," he said, tone rough but honest."Been with Rick a long time. I fight for people who fight for each other."
Michonne followed. She stood tall, calm."Michonne. I protect those I care about. That's why I'm here."
Glenn added next, smiling faintly."Name's Glenn. Used to run supply runs in Atlanta. Now I help build something bigger."
Merle, arms crossed and smirking, said,"Merle Dixon. I don't do speeches. I shoot. And I ain't loyal to many—but I ride with Rick."
They each gave short but impactful intros.
Then I looked back at the group we'd just picked up."Now it's your turn.""We know your names… but we need to know what you stand for now."
There was a beat of silence—then Abraham stood.
"Abraham Ford," he said, voice still gravelly but calmer than before."Used to be a soldier. Then I became a man on a mission. That mission's dead—but I still believe in protecting good people. I can fight. You need someone like me? I'm in."
Rosita added next, arms folded."Rosita Espinosa. I've seen the worst of people and the best. I'll decide who you are… but if you're building something better, I want in."
Eugene, still nursing his bruised face, cleared his throat and muttered,"Dr. Eugene Porter. I… may have lied, but I can still contribute. Mechanical engineering. Radio systems. Logistics. I want to make this right."
Tara, stepping forward, said with a shrug,"Tara Chambler. Family means everything to me. If yours fights for each other… that's the kind of family I want."
Bob, soft-spoken but sincere, added,"Bob Stookey. I've lost people. Made mistakes. I just want to help where I can."
Lily, clutching her daughter's hand, said quietly,"Lily. This is Meghan. We just want a safe place. If you're offering that… I'm with you."
A moment of quiet followed. The wind rustled through the trees.
I nodded slowly.
As the introductions wrapped up and the fire crackled gently between us, everyone slowly settled back down.
But inside?
I was grinning.
I kept my expression calm on the outside, nodding along like any good leader would—but in my mind?
Wahaha… I just secured Eugene Porter.The bullet maker himself.
He might be a coward. He might be full of shit sometimes. But his brain?That's gold.
If we get him into a proper workshop with the right tools and supplies, he could produce ammunition—real ammo, not just what we salvage off the dead. That alone could change everything.
Weapons are power. But bullets?Bullets are currency in the apocalypse.
And now, he's with us.
I didn't say a word—just sipped some water and stared into the fire, the flames dancing like they already knew what was coming.