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AFTER JESUS' HECTIC INTRODUCTION, everyone settled at the dining room table for a discussion. Murphy decided that the man seemed kind and genuine enough. Nothing about his behavior made her think otherwise. She had a gun set on the table before her, but she was certain she wouldn't need it. Even if it did end up being necessary, she would never pull the trigger. Daryl paced back and forth across the room, and Murphy sent him numerous looks to calm him from her seat. His blue eyes flicked over her. This new arrival meant a lot, and everyone knew it. Jesus had a community, and that could either mean something good... or something very, very bad.
"So, how'd you get out?" Rick asked. One arm was propped on the table before him, the other slung on the back of his chair. His figure radiated confidence.
Jesus looked around the room, his hands folded politely, "One guard can't cover two exists or third floor windows. Knots untie and locks get picked."
Murphy crossed her arms and leaned back in her seat. She saw the looks Carl gave Rick and Michonne across the table, and smiled.
"I checked out your arsenal. I haven't seen anything like that in a long time. You're well-equipped, but your provisions are low. Very low for the amount of people you have. 54?" Jesus continued. Murphy furrowed her brows- how did he find out so much about Alexandria in so little time?
"More than that," Maggie replied, her voice strong. Murphy was proud of the leader she'd become.
Jesus smiled and lowered his head, "Well, I appreciate the cookie. My compliments to the chef."
"Yeah, she ain't here," Daryl responded, shortly.
Murphy pressed her lips together and waited until his gaze locked with hers. She sent him a slight nod and a caring look. Daryl shifted in his spot, but calmed. Carol had been keeping to herself these past few weeks, and Murphy and Daryl had grown increasingly worried about her. She drifted. The two barely saw her. Isolation was seldom the right way to cope.
Jesus sighed, "Look, we got off to a bad start. But we're on the same side- the living side. You and Rick had every reason to leave me out there, but you didn't. I'm from a place that's a lot like this one. Part of my job is searching out other settlements to trade with. I took your truck because my community needs things, and both of you looked like trouble. I was wrong. You're good people. And this is a good place. I think our communities may be in a position to help each other."
"Do you have food?" Glenn spoke up.
Jesus nodded, "We've started to raise livestock. We scavenge, we grow. Everything from tomatoes to sorghum."
"Tell us why we should believe you," Rick insisted, gesturing with his hand to assist his cold gaze.
"I'll show you. If we take a car, I can take you back home in a day, and you can all see for yourselves who we are and what we have to offer."
