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The stars were beginning to fade, swallowed by the approaching gray of early morning. A mist hung low over The Right Arm's farmland, thick enough to silence the world in a hush.
Rick Grimes stood in the shadows of the old carpenter's shed, alone for now, arms crossed, gun holstered at his hip.
Inside that shed, Eli sat tied to a chair.
Still breathing.
Still smiling.
But not for much longer.
Earlier That Night – Secret Council
After the public forum ended and the fire pits burned low, Rick met privately with five men under cover of darkness. He chose each one for a reason.
Merle Dixon – for his ruthlessness.Daryl – for his loyalty.Guillermo – for his cold logic.Graves – the Homestead enforcer who had since proven her allegiance.Shane – because Rick wanted him to see it.And himself.
No council minutes.
No notes.
Just men standing in a circle beneath the mechanic shed's open roof, the door barred behind them.
Rick began simply: "I lied."
Shane smirked. "No surprise there."
Rick ignored it.
"I told the community Eli would be exiled," he continued. "He won't be."
Merle cracked his knuckles. "Well, damn. I was wondering when you'd get serious."
Daryl spoke next. "He poisoned kids. You let him walk, someone else tries it next."
Guillermo: "We keep the lie. Community holds on to hope. Meanwhile, we protect it from the truth."
Graves, quiet until now, added, "I knew Eli. Not well—but well enough to say this: He'd do it again."
Shane stared at Rick. "You're gonna kill him?"
Rick looked him dead in the eye.
"I already did."
The Carpenter Shed – Present
Rick entered the shed just as the others finished final prep. Eli had been gagged, not that he'd screamed. He'd laughed.
When Rick approached, Eli looked up and said through the gag, "I knew you were lying."
Rick didn't reply.
He nodded to the others.
They cleared out, all but Daryl, who stood watch at the door.
Rick drew his revolver.
One shot.
Eli slumped.
Just silence.
Rick holstered the weapon and walked out into the dark.
Sunrise – The Lie Holds
By dawn, Rick stood at the outer wall with Dale, watching the fog burn off.
Dale sipped coffee. "Funny thing," he said, "Eli's wagon's still here. I thought we were exiling him."
Rick stared out at the field. "He's gone."
Dale didn't ask further.
Greene Quarters – Maggie's POV
Maggie awoke before Beth, sitting near the window where the wind carried in the smell of wet soil and new air.
She'd heard the shot.
Faint, distant.
But clear.
She knew what it meant.
Later that morning, she passed Rick near the main thoroughfare. Their eyes met for just a second.
She didn't ask.
He didn't explain.
But something passed between them anyway.
An understanding.
Stable – Shane and Graves
Graves adjusted the feed trough while Shane leaned against a post, arms crossed.
"You alright with it?" Shane asked.
Graves didn't look up. "He earned it. I've seen what happens when you hesitate."
Shane chuckled. "That's the first thing you've said I agree with."
Graves replied, "Doesn't mean I slept easy."
"Doesn't mean you were supposed to," Shane muttered.
Council Room – Quiet Strategy
Rick stood at the map table, drawing a line to the west.
Morgan entered quietly.
"Water shipments are clean," Morgan reported. "No new illness. Sarah says she can start working on preventative plans in case this ever happens again."
Rick nodded. "Tell her to meet with Patricia and Hershel. They know old-school treatments. We combine that with ours."
Morgan stepped closer. "Eli?"
Rick didn't answer at first.
Then, "Dealt with."
Morgan didn't ask more.
He simply said, "Good."
At the garden plot, Carl helped Beth plant tomato sprouts. Both wore gloves too big for their hands.
"You really think your dad would lie to everyone?" Beth asked softly.
Carl pressed a seed into the soil. "If it protects people? Yeah."
Beth nodded, but didn't smile.
Merle and Daryl – Shed Cleanup
Back in the now-empty shed, Merle scrubbed dried blood off the floor.
"You think Rick's gettin' too soft?" Merle asked.
Daryl didn't look up. "No. He did what you would've done. What I would've done. Only quieter."
Merle chuckled. "Still wish I got to do it."
"You got your hands dirty plenty."
Merle grinned. "That's what makes it fun."
Later that evening, Maggie found Rick at the fence line near the cornfields.
"You did it, didn't you?" she asked.
Rick didn't turn. "What if I did?"
"I'd say it took guts."
Rick finally looked at her. "And what if it didn't?"
"Then I'd say it took something colder."
Rick said nothing.
She stepped beside him. "The world needs both."
And they stood there, side by side, watching the light fade.
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If you enjoy my work, consider supporting me on Ptreon for early access, exclusive chapters, and more:
15 Advanced Chapters on Patreon
patreon.com/Jayzero