THE BUILDING WAS HUGE, yet magnificent. I ended up talking with Princess, who Eugene, Ezekiel and Yumiko met previously on their journey. She was sweet and very funny, anything she says can make you laugh. I also loved the crown she was wearing, which suited her very much.

I took a sip of the wine that Magna handed to us earlier, "Is it bad that I've never had wine before?"

"Holy crap, this is your first time?" Princess snickered, sipping hers and nudging me. 

I shrugged, "Sorta? I had a sip from a... friend's once at this place my first group went to for help. It was so gross at the time."

"Weak." Princess jokingly scoffed.

"I was eleven!" I laughed, placing my hand on my chest in honesty. "Besides, I'm a mother of one hyper ass kid. Ya' think I've had the time to try it again?" 

It earned a chuckle from Princess, who shrugged lightly, "If I had one then I'd name him Prince."

"Well ain't that surprisin'." I replied, putting the nearly empty glass back on the table we were standing next to, "Who'd you come with here anyway?" A grin appeared on Princess' face, she turned around slightly and discreetly nodded over to Mercer who was stuck talking to someone else. "No way-"

"Yes way."

"Holy crap-"

Princess sighed as if she had been holding it in, "I know right. I didn't even think I was gonna get in because of the stupid dress code."

"God, dress codes make me feel like I'm at school again." I rolled my eyes, "But you look amazin, how could they not let you in?"

"Oh shut up," Princess smiled, "you look great too! Where'd you get it?"

I looked down at my dress, feeling the sparkles shining in the light, "Leigh surprised me with it." I felt myself blushing at the thought. "It was so sweet, he-"

The feedback of the microphone cut me off. I looked over to the stage to see Hornsby standing there and waiting for everyone's attention. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention for a moment, please? It is my honor tonight to introduce someone who needs no introduction." He gestured to the side of him, "Our esteemed leader, the Governor of the Commonwealth, Ms. Pamela Milton!"

Princess and I clapped with everyone else as Pamela stood on the stage, wearing elegant clothing and a warm smile. "Thank you all for coming out this evening." She greeted and looked amongst the crowd, "Tonight, I have the great pleasure of giving you a sneak peek at something truly special."

Her assistant pulled down the red curtain to show a painting of a man, and everyone applauded again, "This is the work of the brilliant Alexa Park, who is here tonight. Don't be shy, Alexa." Pamela nodded at the woman who smiled shyly, "It took Ms. Park nine months to lovingly create this painting. Like many of our citizens, she sustained serious injuries out in the world before she found sanctuary at the Commonwealth. Thanks to my father's sacrifices, we are all here. Brick by brick and block by block, we're putting the world back together the way it was."

"Is this supposed to be a party, 'cause I'm bored as shit." I thought to myself, mentally rolling my eyes as I listened to her ramble.

"My father would be so proud to see what the Commonwealth is today. How much this place protects and cares for all its citizens." Pamela began, however a glass shattering from a nearby butler caught everyone off guard. 

"Bullshit! This is bullshit!" A man yelled, as he was dropping his plate, which made some glasses smash. 

"Sir, that's enough-" Pamela's assistant attempted, however she was also interupted.

"Does anyone here really believe the Commonwealth cares for all its citizens?" The man asked as he walked forward, making the crowd mutter in confusion.

"Bro, things just got interesting." Princess murmured.

"Forget everything I said before, I wanna stay now." I whispered back.

"Do you know who I am?" The man repeated. 

Pamela's assistant, Max, attempted to calm him again, "Sir, this isn't the time. Please, you need to stop-"

Suddenly, the man took a nearby knife from the table, putting it towards Max's next as he grabbed her, "Don't come any closer! Don't come any closer!" He warned, making everyone panic. I noticed Mercer get his gun, and my dad, Rosita and Leigh slowly walk towards each other. "I just want to talk. Will you please just talk to me?! I would've died for this place. What's my name?!"

Pamela tried to hide how frightened she was, "I don't know. But I'd like to." 

The man loudly continued, "Tyler Davis. I was a Trooper. I tried and I tried to reach you. One mistake and I lost everything." He explained, looking to the crowd before staring at Pamela again, "I came here to talk to you, to make you listen."

"Tyler. I want to listen. Let's talk, just the two of us-" 

"Don't lie! This is what you care about." Tyler yelled again, and the crowd murmured again to one another. "Fancy parties and paintings. Not people like me. We're nothing to you. Disposable!"

Pamela calmly shook her head, "You're wrong, Tyler. I see you. I see you're hurting and I want to fix that. But first, you have to promise not to hurt anyone else." Tyler seemed to have calmed down slightly, his hand shaking as he clutched the knife. "Please put down the knife and let my assistant go. Her name is Max."

Despite Max's situation, she attempted to whisper to him, however he pulled her back before pushing her on the floor. Whilst she was down he disappeared through the curtains, and so did my dad and Leigh as they went after him quickly.

After Mercer and Pamela went over to Max, Sebastian, Pamela's annoying son, stood up frantically. "Are you just gonna stand there?! Go after him!"

"Damn it, is the party over?" I muttered as Princess sighed, "Shit, Leigh and my dad went after him." I also added worriedly.

Princess put her hand on my arm reassuringly, "They'll be fine, the guy's outnumbered. Besides, I think I knew that guy." I widened my eyes and looked at her, "When we first came here they kept us in these train compartments. He was one of the guards near me."

"Wow, I guess he has a reason to be pissed."

•

LEIGH PERKINS' POV

Daryl and I ran to the backdoors, where we lost sight of Tyler. Daryl's walkie went off in the midst of our running, "South wing and roof, all clear. I need a status on Dixon and Perkins."

He was about the answer until I noticed a figure run into the maze nearby. My head shot to the side, "There." I nodded, and Daryl saw before he ran after him, with me not that far behind him.

The doors creaked as we went inside, the airy feeling made the situation more weird. In a way, I understood what he was trying to do, yet he did it in the wrong way. We followed the heavy breathing and flowing of the rags that hung down from the ceiling, until we came face to face with Tyler. He tried to run down a corridor, but it was a dead end.

"Got nowhere to go." Daryl stated, as we both saw Tyler standing there with his knife pointed to us.

"Come on, man. This can be quick and easy." I urged, but he didn't move. It was as if he was glued within fear of what could happen to him.

"You guys gonna take me in?" Tyler asked.

My dad just shrugged, "You gonna give us a choice?"

Tyler tried to pull a brave face, but he sniffed and his arm fell. "Shit, I didn't mean to...I just wanted to talk to her, to get her to understand. But that was never gonna happen." He inhaled sharply, lifting the knife up to his throat.

"No!" I shouted, stepping forward slightly and he hesitated, "Don't do it."

He shook his head, "I screwed up protocols with a prisoner. I got beat up. Lost my apartment, my spending card... I have no way to help my sister or kids."

Daryl perked up at the mention, "You got a sister. That means you got family. A lot of us don't get to have that anymore. Don't take that away from her. It's not fair."

My heart painfully panged, sighing quietly. Tyler held back his sobs as he lowered the knife. I held out my hand calmly, not making any sudden moves, and Tyler slowly placed the knife in my hand for me to put in my belt.

"Let's go." I nodded at him to turn around and he did without saying anything or fighting back. I took his arms and followed Daryl out of the maze, only to see Sebastian standing in the doorway with a weird smile at Daryl.

"You caught the bastard. Finally did something right." He looked at Daryl as he leaned against the wall.

I furrowed my brows, making me instantly get a hatred for this guy who I didn't even know. "Excuse you?"

He snapped his head at me, "Oh, I'm sorry, should I be more clear?" He straightened up and folded his arms. "I said, that your old man here finally did something that wasn't stupid."

I was about to scoff and reply, but Daryl quickly took Tyler by the arms and guided him to Sebastian, "You caught him." Sebastian looked surprised, "Go ahead. Take him to your mom." He didn't hesitate to take the offer, grabbing Tyler and walking away.

As soon as he was out of earshot I finally scoffed as we started walking, "Who the hell is that guy?"

"Pamela's son." Daryl simply replied.

"Seems like an asshole to you," I pointed out, "How come?"

He just shrugged, "Don't worry 'bout it. Just find Lia and get outta here."

I felt like Daryl was distant around me at times. When I told Lilia about it she just told me that he sometimes does that around new people...but it's been a while, shouldn't we be okay? 

Once we got in the building again, Daryl and I followed Sebastian with Tyler. Pamela thanked her son for bringing Tyler to her and then told her other troopers to take him away. Afterwards, Mercer continued to order his troopers to question others if they knew anything about Tyler, but told me and a few others to be dismissed.

I quickly went to find Lilia, who was with Connie and a few others. I put my arm on her shoulder, and she looked up at me, glad that I was fine. "Ready to get outta here?"

"Hell yeah, this wasn't exactly what I envisioned for a Commonwealth Party." She replied, her head resting on my shoulder for a second before looking at Connie and Kelly, "I'll see you guys soon." Lilia signed to them, before we left. "What's gonna happen with Tyler? Princess told me she recognised him as a trooper when she first came here with the others."

"I'm not sure, but I hope he'll be alright." I shook my head, squeezing her arm as we walked outside. I lifted my head and noticed Carol and Hornsby talking with each other, attempting to be discreet. "They know each other?" I quipped, strolling past them and towards where we lived.

Lilia tilted her head, as if she was plotting something. "I'll ask her tomorrow."

"Ask her what...?"

She lifted her gaze up to me, with a hidden grin, "What makes you think I'm gonna tell you that, Mr. Perkins?"

"I know that look of yours, Lilia."

"What look?" 

"The 'I'm going to be very nosey' look." I told her and she snickered, "I stand correct." I continued, as we finally reached home, opening the door.

"I am not nosey I'm just curious-" She began, turning around, but I cut her off by kissing her softly. When I pulled back, she hid a smile, "Hate it when you do that."

I gave an innocent shrug, messing with her zipper on her back, "Don't know what you mean."

"Leigh Perkins, you know exactly what I mean." She chuckled.

•

Since I didn't get a chance to see Leigh in the morning - as he was at work - I decided to go pay Carol a visit. It was true that I'm the typical 'nosey' person, but who can help it? After seeing her with Hornsby - most likely plotting - I wanted to know what she was up to...but also be part of it. Luckily, with my annoying skills, I convinced her to let me come on one of the trips she was going to go on with Hornsby to a local town outside the Commonwealth walls, thank god.

Sometimes it scares me when Carol does her 'sweet act'. I usually think back to when our group first went to Alexandria and all she did was bake cookies, but with a sweet smile on her face, until the Wolves people showed up. Weird times.

I was sat behind Carol in the wagon, whilst Hornsby directed the horses. She was the first to speak up and break the awkward silence. "How often do you take trips like this?"

"Not as often as I'd like." Hornsby told us, keeping his eyes on the road for now. I didn't understand the point of the wagon, considering there were troopers surrounding us to make sure we were 'protected' - as if I couldn't protect myself. "This probably sounds crazy, but I feel like I'm better out here than I am in the city."

"It doesn't sound crazy at all. A lot of my people feel that way, too." Carol admitted, and I agreed in a way - I know my dad definitely would. 

"You still see this as your people and my people." He pointed out, now looking at Carol after briefly looking at me. "I want you both to see how this place works, because I want you to be a part of it." He looked at me again, "You too if you want."

I tilted my head, "I'm listenin'."

He continued, "I've done fairly well, all things considered, but let's just say I didn't start out on the top."  

"Is that where you are now?" Carol questioned, but he chuckled, "Hardly. Governor Milton runs the city. But I know how it runs."

"'Cause you started out at the bottom." I finished, nodding my head and leaning back on the wood behind me.

Hornsby hummed, "I proved myself to the Milton family a long time ago. If you're in with the right people, Carol, Lilia, the sky's the limit." He spoke, his gaze locked onto the road in front. "And one of the things you learn as you're climbing your way up is that there are two types of people in any organization. On the one hand, you've got the mercenaries. They're in it for the money and whatever psychological itch their position allows them to scratch. And on the other, you have the patriots, the true believers, the ones who want to do good. And whether they are or not might be up to debate, but in their hearts, they're there because they believe in the organization."

I chuckled under my breath, "Hm, I've met mercenaries. They're assholes."

Hornsby hid a smirk, "Let's hope you're on the better side then."

"Is that why I'm here?" Carol interrupted, looking at the man. "You want to make a true believer out of me?"

"I read your file. You're here because you're smart. I think you'll be able to help me deal with this asshоlе." He replied, and then gazed at me, "I remember seeing yours once too. You're strong for sure, and I know you won't let this asshole get away easily." He looked away with an unreadable grin on his face. "What you both get out of it is up to you."

I don't know what this guy's game was, but it was a weird one.

 Once we got to the other group, I got off the wagon after Carol and admired the place. It was a small group in the middle of the woods, around a fishing pond. There were plenty of people doing their job, either sorting of the fish, crops or even frying food on a barbecue in the distance.

"What are we. Drug dealers or smugglers?" Carol bluntly asked Hornsby as I stood next to her.

"We're smugglers. But it's not what you think." He answered and shook his head, "This place is not exactly a part of the Commonwealth, but they need us, and we need them. We use the poppies to make opium for the hospital. Things will start looking pretty bleak there if we run out. I make sure that doesn't happen. But, sometimes, that means dealing with guys like Moto-"

A man with a beard and stupid hat walked over to us loudly, "I told you what was gonna happen." He appeared frustrated, but Hornsby was surprisingly calm. "And I asked you to manage it." Hornsby simply replied.

I assumed this guy was Moto as he kept talking, "I talked him into processing this last batch. Best I could do. I told you they're gonna hold the harvest hostage. They want a raise. They swear they'll let it rot without one." 

"Well," Hornsby sighed, "let's see what we can do." Then Moto walked off in a huff.

"You ain't a smuggler if you can't get your shit together." I shrugged, ignoring the look Carol secretly gave me. Hornsby smirked once again, looking at Moto walk off and then back at us. "Then let's get it together."

He nodded us over to follow him and we did, where we were led to a fishing lake. Carol and I stood back a bit as we watched Hornsby and Moto make painful small talk, about fishing. The talk about the missing batches was slow, but I didn't pay much attention. I didn't exactly like Moto that much, assuming that there was something else going on - I didn't believe his story that much.

"What are you deep thought about?" Carol's voice made me jump. I turned my head to look at her, glancing back at Moto's weird smile and then back at her, "His story is a piece of shit. I mean...have you seen the people around here? They look at him like he's a monster."

Carol sighed as she listened, briefly looking behind her and furrowing her brows. I followed her gaze and noticed two women near our horses, avoiding Moto's gaze. She covered her hands, which were covered in bandages. Carol gave me a look, which I caught onto, before she began to walk over to one of the women. I stayed at the lake, where I continued to listen to Moto's voice drag on.

•

I later went back over to our wagon when Hornsby said we were going to leave soon, noticing Carol. I went over to her, "What did she tell you?"

"That was one of the lieutenants." Carol replied, looking behind me to see Hornsby, "Seems like Moto is a prick." I heard footsteps behind me, realising it was Hornsby, who had his jacket draped over his shoulder. "What do you guys think?"

"He's an asshole." I bluntly stated, glaring at the man in the distance. Carol didn't bother to nudge me, knowing it was true. "He's robbing them. I talked to one of the lieutenants. He's pocketing the money that you give them for raises and beating that to keep quiet about it. He went too far the other night, and that's why they're on strike."

Hornsby's eyes showed that he was annoyed, but he still kept his calm persona. "They'll get their money back and the raise I promised them."

I folded my arms in the first response, "What are you gonna do about Moto? You can't let him keep doin' this." Hornsby understood, watching Moto as he wiped his hands. "I'm not gonna go fishing with him anymore, that's for sure." He stated and walked over to two troopers, muttering something. The two troopers nodded and marched over to Moto, grabbing his arms and taking him away.

"What the hell!?" Moto yelled, trying to break free, but he couldn't. He glared at Hornsby, "Hornsby! You mother-pussbucket!"

At least one asshole was taken away, right?