A Cheat's Survival Journal

We made our way to the hilltop and during the drive to the Hilltop, I asked Jesus to not say anything about our community nor that I'm the leader. He obviously asked why and I was honest, telling him that I wanted to see his leader's attitude towards other people. While on our way to the Hilltop, we saved the Hilltop's doctors and a few other people who I cared not to remember; obviously informing them of the plan.

I forgot to mention, Glenn joined Maggie and I; she is a pregnant woman after all. It's nice that he's a caring husband who'll stick by her side whenever he can. I'm not jealous.

We were currently inside the building which was previously a museum, now it's the residence for a couple residents and the leader, Gregory. Jesus was telling us a bit about the community and how it came to be until Gregory walked out from his office and greeted us, "Hello, I'm Gregory, the leader of this place. I see that you're three new faces. What brings you here to the Hilltop?" I glanced at Maggie and we made eye contact, she understood that I want her to take lead. Maggie said politely, "We're from Alexandria, a community just like this. We're here wanting to establish a diplomatic relationship along with trade. Would you perh-" Gregory cut her off and said, "Ah. Could you three perhaps wash up? It's hard to keep this place clean."

I was a bit annoyed and intervened, "Gregory, we won't be doing that. It would be a waste of time and I'm sure Alexandria's residents wash more than anyone here in the hilltop. You are trying to get information from Jesus to gain leverage, nice try but it seems like your move has failed." Gregory looked at me for a moment and asked, "What's your status in Alexandria?" I smiled and said simply, "I'm the bodyguard of Maggie, our Council Member who handles diplomatic relationsh.i.p.s." He scoffed and said towards Maggie, "You need your bodyguard assistance to help you with politics? If that is the case, I don't think Alexandria has anything to offer." Maggie decided to play aggressive and said with a condescending smile, "I believe that isn't true, if anything your community has nothing to offer. You don't have guns or ammunition, you don't have enough electricity to even support over 200 people, and you don't have many talents to make us interested." Maggie then looked towards me and asked, "Did you get a feel of his character?" I smiled and looked towards Gregory and formally introduced myself, "I am Jin, the leader of Alexandria. Today, I'll be taking over of this community since I see that you are rash and narrow-minded."

Jesus shouted at me, saying, "What do you mean that you're taking over the Hilltop?! This wasn't suppose to happen!" I sighed and pulled my pistol out, shooting Gregory in the head before turning to the shocked Jesus; telling him the harsh reality, "I don't have time to work with someone who's too short-sighted. I'm sure he would sell this place to keep himself alive while under the protection of The Saviors. Now, Jesus, you will be leading this place. Don't say that you aren't fit, because you are. I'll be bringing resources and a few instructors to get this place on track, along with 15 trained soldiers to defend this place against The Savior's." Jesus gripped his hands into fist and said in a calm tone, "Why did you have to kill him? We could of sent him away from the Hilltop." I looked towards Maggie along with Glenn and motioned for them to go rein in the residents in since I'm sure they heard a gunshot.

"He would of died out there or he would of simply informed The Saviors of the Hilltop being taken over from outsiders. The ones who will pay the price won't be my people, it will be your people who will pay the price. Jesus, are you ready to form an alliance where we will be one step towards restoring civilization?" Jesus was silent for a moment and gave me his answer, "I'll do it depending on your answer to my question; why do you do the things that you do?" I looked outside the window where Glenn and Maggie were taming the residents of this place, the residents were inwardly happy but nervous which quickly changed after Maggie said a few sentences. "I do this for my family, I also do this so I can bring an end to this virus," I gave my answer to Jesus and he nodded before leaving to join Maggie; claiming leadership and announcing the alliance with Alexandria.

I smiled but it quickly vanished after lifting my sleeve, looking at my forearm I mumbled to myself, "My survival journal isn't going to be filled with flowers and sunshine but dust, eh? I might have to force a war, I don't have much .... to .... anymore."