Chapter 5: Submission
Even if Caesar was telling the truth, Glenn should have shown no reaction at all if he wanted to avoid revealing information.
Now even Jimmy could tell that Glenn's companions were really at the quarry.
Glenn noticed how the others were looking at him and immediately realized he'd done something stupid.
Feeling deeply regretful, he struggled to explain something, but his mouth was still taped shut. He couldn't speak.
Looking at Glenn like this, Caesar found it amusing and finally peeled off the tape.
"My companions really aren't at the quarry. We've never even been to the quarry. You have to believe me."
The more he spoke, the redder Glenn's face became. This was like protesting too much—the more he explained, the worse it looked.
Gradually Glenn stopped talking.
Caesar raised his eyebrows and began speaking. "Does your camp have a county sheriff named Shane, and a mother and son—Lori and Carl?"
Rick, who'd been in standby mode, instantly perked up. His eyes brightened as he looked at Glenn.
He grabbed Glenn suddenly and shook him. "You've seen my wife and kid? They're at the quarry?"
Rick's face wore a smile, but his eyes filled with tears, like someone at the end of their rope finally finding hope.
He shouted hoarsely, "Tell me!"
Glenn swallowed and nodded.
"Thank God! Lori, Carl, I finally found you!"
Rick wept with joy, dropping to his knees, crying and laughing at once.
Watching this emotionally charged stranger, Rip could empathize. When they'd first arrived in Atlanta, they'd gone to find the residences of Rip's girlfriend and Jimmy's grandfather.
Rip's girlfriend's place had no one in it and no bloodstains. Instead, she'd left a note saying she was going to find Jimmy's grandfather.
Jimmy's grandfather's house was in complete disarray, like thieves had ransacked it.
Fortunately, there were no bloodstains or signs of violence.
Caesar patted Rip's shoulder consolingly. "Your Beth isn't some fragile woman. She once smashed a burly man's skull with an ashtray."
"Hahaha." Rip immediately laughed. Seeing Beth's fearless attitude back then had really impressed him.
"She's always been like that."
Caesar turned to look at Jimmy, who seemed somewhat dejected. He reached out and rubbed the young man's neck.
"Don't worry. Your grandfather should be with Beth. They'll be fine! We'll definitely find them."
"Thank you, boss." Jimmy nodded firmly.
Rick's crying subsided. He reached out to untie Glenn's ropes.
But he was pushed away and rolled on the ground. He looked at Jimmy in confusion.
Jimmy said righteously, "He's my prisoner now. I have to watch him."
Rick understood Jimmy was just following orders. He looked up at Caesar.
Caesar waved his hand. "Rick, we just met not long ago. I can't trust you yet. So let's maintain a bit of control."
Caesar spoke very reasonably. Though he understood Rick and the others' character, Rip and the others needed time to get to know them.
When you're in a weak position, you accept it. Rick could only nod.
"Glenn, can you tell us where your companions are now?"
Caesar asked with a smile.
Glenn was stunned. "The quarry."
"No, no, no. I mean the companions who came out with you. You couldn't have come out alone to search for camp supplies, right?"
Caesar understood what Glenn was thinking. Nothing more than hoping to use Caesar's power to escape here while using them to draw away some walkers.
That way, the exit would be opened, and the companions in the department store would realize they should leave.
"Let's go. Stop dawdling. Lead the way!"
Glenn had no choice but to nod, his eyes constantly fixed on the walkie-talkie on Jimmy's body.
That had been searched from him.
After untying Glenn's ropes, Jimmy pulled out a handgun and aimed it at Glenn, the cold barrel pressing against him.
Rick couldn't bear it and opened his mouth but didn't speak.
The group traveled light, following behind Glenn, moving between buildings.
After traveling for over ten minutes, Glenn stopped.
Caesar looked up. This was at the back door of the department store with an alley.
The alley entrance was blocked by a large truck. He could vaguely see walkers on the street beyond the truck. There weren't many—clearly the recent commotion had drawn quite a few away.
Glenn looked at the three or four walkers in the alley and stepped back two paces. "Give me the walkie-talkie. I'll contact my companions to come get us."
Jimmy looked at Caesar. Caesar walked past calmly. "Watch the delivery boy."
Caesar pulled a small hatchet from his waist and strode forward.
The few walkers quickly had their aggro pulled, attacking with hoarse sounds. The walkers' mobility wasn't weak—they could even jog slowly.
Caesar dodged left one step, twisted his waist and swung. The sharp axe smashed into the walker's face, splitting through from the back of its skull.
He moved forward smoothly and kicked straight. Another walker crashed to the ground.
The axe chopped down. The advancing walker's head split open like a watermelon. He stomped hard on the fallen walker.
In smooth flowing movements, he eliminated several walkers.
Glenn watched dumbfounded. Those skills!
Jimmy pushed Glenn. "Let's go! Stop dawdling!"
Glenn stepped over the several walkers, his feet inevitably getting stained with bits of flesh. A chill ran through him.
Caesar was first to reach the back door and gestured for Glenn to come forward and knock.
Glenn took a deep breath and raised his hand to knock lightly.
The iron door's sound was dull and solid. He knocked many times with no response.
Glenn spoke up. "It's me, Glenn."
Finally there was an answer—a young female voice.
"Glenn? Why aren't you on the wal—mmph!"
Before she finished speaking, the woman's mouth was covered. The people inside obviously realized something was wrong.
Caesar raised an eyebrow. Looks like they'd been discovered.
He immediately stopped hiding and spoke up. "Hello, we're survivors from another camp. We came to Atlanta looking for supplies."
"We rescued someone—a county sheriff from King County. He has a colleague named Shane."
"Then? We ran into this delivery guy. After he learned about this, he very kindly brought us over."
Hearing this, Glenn immediately wanted to refute, but the gun at his waist nudged him. He swallowed his breath sullenly.
Caesar asked with a smile, "By the way, delivery guy, what's your name?"
"Glenn. Just call me Glenn." Glenn grabbed his backpack straps and replied.
"OK, Glenn invited us over."
After speaking, there was still no movement from inside the iron door. Rip glanced at Caesar, indicating whether they should force the door open.
Caesar raised his hand to stop him and said quietly, "Calm down. They're not bad people."
Glenn nervously rubbed his hands. He prayed his companions would hurry and open the door. He didn't want his companions to lose their lives because he'd brought these people.