They all entered the room, looking around suspiciously. As they knew, trusting is good but not trusting is better. Gregory didn't immediately start talking about what his people needed as soon as everyone entered the room, but instead pointed out the decorations on the walls, especially a painting.
As he talked about his love for the painting, he watched Maggie's expression change and found that the other party was not interested in his words. Michonne on her side was observing the surroundings without looking at the talking old man.
Gregory looked at Glenn, this seemed like a very calm man but apparently he was not interested in anything but the safety of his people. Seeing all this, a hint of disappointment shone on his face, but he didn't make it obvious.
After offering everyone a seat, Gregory sat down on a couch but was still talking about trivial matters, showing no anxiety or concern about the transaction while Maggie and Michonne, off to the side, flashed a modest smile. Well, Michonne did not hide her expression as she judged this elderly Gregory.
Seeing the demeanor of the people in front of him, he felt a bit weary, knowing that it wouldn't be easy to read or get important information out of him about where they were coming from.
The two spokesmen simply chatted without saying important words, as if they had an unspoken understanding, and did not want to take the initiative to offer or ask.
Glenn didn't understand why this old man didn't ask for what he needed, evidently even he knows who is in need in this situation, so he didn't understand what Gregory was getting at.
At least Maggie knew that if he offered something he would have the upper hand in this negotiation, his purpose was to help people but it wasn't like they were eager to do so either, she knew Gregory was a narcissistic man and it was obvious he didn't care about those sick people.
"Looks like their situation wasn't as bad as your people had made it out to be...." Michonne laid her head on her fist.
At that moment, Jesus entered the room after lightly knocking on the door. He moved closer to Gregory and whispered a few words to his hatred, and the old man's face changed drastically.
....
In the open field of Hilltop, Airon walked slowly and his eyes watched this camp. He had been thinking what he would do with this place and now he had decided, he would definitely take this place under his command.
"It seems Gregory doesn't care much about the health of its inhabitants, I must assume what kind of leader they have in this place." With his hands behind his back, Airon walked around this wall of tall logs.
Jesus following close behind Airon couldn't tell much from Gregory's performance, but he still had to improve his community's reputation so he said, "He's doing his best to keep himself safe, I know he's scared but he also has pride and won't let his leadership be seen to be underestimated."
Airon paused, looked at Jesus and nodded with understanding. There were all kinds of people and among them all kinds of leaders, there were the fearful ones or those who thought everything would be fine with keeping order like Deanna did, and evidently there were also those like Gregory and the strongest ones like Rick.
"Where did you come from, why are you bothering to help us?"
Just as Airon was heading towards Meggie and the others who were right now negotiating with the ones these people wanted, Jesus stopped him with his question.
"I don't care about you guys especially, not yet..."
"Not yet? What do you mean?" Jesus chimed in and asked with confusion.
Seeing the confusion on Jesus' face, Airon shared with him what he was thinking, "I come all the way from Atlanta, my purpose is to gather people to rebuild a better future where medicine or food is not lacking for anyone."
"I am sure you are a survivor and you have seen the worst this world can offer, you have felt the despair and waiting for certain death that never caught up with you. I'm close to here, I have air and ground transportation facilities, and I want you to tell me what you think about me taking Hilltop under my protection."
Jesus looked at Airon and didn't know what to say, his words were shocking and his purpose very unreal today. But he didn't know why he felt the man in front of him was telling the truth, something that if true, would benefit everyone.
"We have given them medicine, food and weapons so they can defend themselves. There are many enemies and those weapons will not be the ones that will defend them, but if you think they need my help, I will send soldiers to protect this place and the ones in this place will be trained, of course they can think about it and give them an answer to the people I sent here."
Jesus uncovered his face and said, "That is too good to be true, I don't know if you dispose of such a large force and with such a noble purpose, but you should first ask the people about that idea."
Hearing these words, Airon nodded and said, "I met cannibals, a family in one room were butchered by them, every part of their body was sucked until only the white bones of their body were left clean."
"Of course I will ask your people, they will be free and feel much safer, they will not be deprived of anything and the most talented will be evicted to Atlanta where we have shelters with thousands of people."
"But that is my intention..."
After saying that, Airon walked to where Gregory and his people were supposedly negotiating.
...
Maggie and the others finally stood up. He continued nodding politely and then said, "Mr. Gregory, it's almost dark and it's time for us to go back. We had a great conversation with you today, I hope you have a long life."
After she finished speaking, she walked straight out the door followed by Glenn and Michonne. Gregory behind her was very exhausted. He had tried to get information about the community they came from but to no avail. Although the other party is an uncertain woman, he hopes to get something even if it wasn't valuable.
If it wasn't for the fact that there was a group of patients at Hilltop waiting for medicine, he wouldn't have been so massive in this situation. He really didn't care about these sick people. If it wasn't for these damn people, he would have a thousand reasons to get through this turbulence without expending resources.
But the problem is, now that there is a chance to save them, if he doesn't take action right now, the prestige established at Hilltop earlier will be erased by his actions.
Thinking about this, Gregory felt ruthless in his heart: if he loses, they will all lose.
"Please wait a moment."
Maggie and her group stopped when they had reached the door, and looked at Gregory with a questioning expression.
"What's going on?"
"I'd like to talk about how to swap them. You know we have some sick people in very bad condition, but we just exchanged with other organizations and we don't have a lot of food available. You know there are a lot of bad people out there, we have to be careful..."
Of course Maggie understood what the old man meant, but she still pretended to be in the dark, looked at the old man with a puzzled expression and said, "I don't understand what you mean exactly."
Michonne aside said, "Be clear with your words."
Gregory cursed in his thoughts, the expression on his face became more pitiful and his tone became much lower and hoarse.
"Listen, the situation here is very bad. Let me apologize to you, my attitude was too arrogant and rude."
Maggie smiled slightly, shook her head to indicate that it was okay and then sat back down on the couch under Gregory's gesture.
The expression on Gregory's face, Hilltop's leader became increasingly helpless, and he continued after sighing.
"Hilltop is really in crisis. We don't have enough food. Winter has come and ammunition ran out a few days ago. Now we are short of food and medicine. Several people have gotten sick. I just couldn't say this directly, but I was just hoping to gain some leverage in this negotiation."
"You can see that your group is full of good people, if you definitely help us today in a month we will be infinitely grateful."
Gregory's words were very sincere and there was a sense of concern on his face. Maggie suddenly felt a little sad, could it be that this place is really hard to survive?
Just as she was about to ask, the door to the room suddenly opened, Gregory thought it was Jesus coming in again.
"Jesus, wait outside! Everything's all right... Huh?"
Gregory only finished speaking mid-sentence when he saw a man coming through the door. He hadn't seen him at the moment - he guessed this person must be one of the members of this group who were good at medicine!
He was about to greet politely, but he heard the other party say first, "Are you done talking? We need to get out of this place, it's getting dark!"
Gregory was a little confused, what, is it time to go? So what should I do without the meds?
"Wait, we're still talking business!"
Airon looked at the old man and said coldly, "I heard that everyone was going to starve to death, what can you negotiate with my people, are you looking for us to give them the medicine?"
Although he thought it in his heart, Gregory obviously couldn't admit it, he could only explain forcefully, "I think you misunderstood, what I mean is that after the medicine exchange, our food is not enough to eat for long enough for your recovery, we can still bring some food but it won't be much."
Michonne's eyes widened and she asked the old man angrily, "That's not what you said a moment ago!"
After hesitating and evading for a long time, the old man couldn't come up with an explanation, so he could only spread his hands and said honestly, "We have to survive, it's hard for our group to do so lately."
Michonne frowned as she looked at that narcissistic old man.
Airon wasn't angry, he just smiled at the other party, then turned and walked out of the room.
Gregory was a little terrified, if he couldn't get the medicine today, these sick people might die, so he quickly chased after them.
"Wait, we have food but not enough."