A/N: So I've been on a long hiatus since life kinda came at me in full force. But I've been keeping up with TWD and still love the show. But the last episode really hurt to see so I had to write something about it and put my own spin on it. As always, Tara g!p but it's more implied, nothing graphic or anything. But there is violence and obviously some character deaths. :(
Daryl slowly made his way up the open valley, his mind unable to comprehend the horror that he was witnessing. He blinked a few times, hoping against all hope that this horrible image in front of him wasn't real. But he could hear Siddiq and Michonne's cries of anguish and realized that this was real life. Standing before him were the severed heads of people from his communities, cruelly placed on pikes like some kind of gruesome border fence.
The three victims that hit him the most. The three that he knew...he could barely walk as he tried to make himself face this nightmare. There stood the heads of Enid, Henry and Tara, placed roughly on the wooden pikes. The damn Whisperers had left them to turn, the heads barely making any noise. Daryl quickly ran to Carol, trying to shield her from seeing her son in a hellish state, but he was too late.
"No! Don't look, don't look! Look at me," Daryl held Carol as cries of anguish overtook her body.
Michonne and Siddiq were both in tears, not believing what was happening. Michonne couldn't understand, she had just talked to Tara a few hours ago at the fair. They had reconciled, their communities were going to grow under their leadership and flourish. She glanced over at Yumiko, who was on her knees, wiping away tears over their losses. She knew that Yumiko's group was new to Hilltop, but they had grown close to Tara, grateful for being accepted.
After a few minutes of mourning, Daryl knew he needed to get the others moving. It wasn't safe to be out in small numbers especially with Whisperers out. Reluctantly, he started to pull himself away from his fallen friends, vowing to get revenge for their deaths.
"We need to get out of here. We need to tell the others," Daryl tried to keep his composure as tears threatened to fall. "We can come back later and bury what we have left. Maybe the rest of their bodies are somewhere nearby."
Carol was gently guided away from the scene by the others. They quietly made their way back to the Kingdom, everyone lost in their own thoughts. The fair that was meant to be a happy time to bring the communities together would now be a place of mourning when the news broke. Daryl's thoughts were swirling all over the place, he knew he had to write a letter to Maggie to let her know what had happened. She still didn't know about Jesus's death at the hands of the Whisperers.
What Daryl didn't expect when he returned to the Kingdom was to see Maggie standing right there, waiting for everyone to return. Carol and Michonne couldn't contain their sadness as fresh tears broke free.
Maggie wasn't expecting the reaction from her former friends. She expected everyone to be standoffish with her, not cry when they saw her. "Hey guys...I just got back to Hilltop from Georgie's new community and Brooke told me about the fair. So where's Tara? I really need to talk to her."
Daryl swallowed dryly, the images from the valley coming back to him. "Tara's not here. We need to talk."
"Where is she then? Little Hershel was excited to see Jesus and Tara again. He hasn't seen them in a couple of months and he really misses them. And he just loves this fair by the way. I know we all have a lot to hash out but I need to see Tara first," Maggie glanced around, looking for Hilltop's leader.
Daryl felt like he was being punched in the gut. He was going to have to break the news to Maggie himself. He knew that Tara and Maggie had been close for many years and had been in a relationship at one point. Tara had helped raise Hershel and had been by Maggie's side throughout the years. He wasn't sure why Maggie had left Hilltop a couple of months ago but he knew that Tara had been hurt.
"Come on. We need to talk to you before we tell everyone else," Daryl motioned for Maggie to follow the small group to a secluded corner. She was going to argue but the look in Daryl's eyes told her that this was serious. She hadn't seen him in a few months, but the look on his face was broken and his usual stoic appearance was wavering.
Daryl knew he had to get the worst news out into the open. He sighed as the horrid task slumped his shoulders. "Tara's gone."
Maggie felt like the air had been knocked out of her. Her stomach began to turn and she could barely understand what was being said. No. It had to be a mistake. She had to have heard Daryl wrong, the tears building up in her green eyes as she struggled with her emotions.
"What?" Maggie could barely find her voice, the question hardly audible. She looked over at Carol and Michonne as they just sadly nodded. Fresh tears ran down Carol's face as she struggled to speak.
"The Whisperers. They killed Tara. Enid...they killed my...Henry...others," Carol choked out the last part, her tears making her hard to understand.
"They put their heads on pikes," Michonne added, wiping her eyes.
Maggie fell to her knees as the reality of the situation came crashing down upon her. The tears didn't stop as she thought about Tara, realizing that she would never see her goofy smile again or hear her laugh at her own jokes. She wondered if this had been her fault for leaving Hilltop to help Georgie form a new community. She thought back to the last time she had seen Tara, the broken look on her face as they had gone their separate ways both feeling like they had made the right decision, no matter how hard.
Daryl glanced at Siddiq who was still in shock from what he had witnessed. Alpha had spared the man to warn the communities to never cross into Whisperer territory. She showed her sadistic power in full force, taking out ten members from their community at once.
"What happened?" Daryl demanded as gently as he could.
Siddiq glanced up at him, his arms around his knees as he swayed back and forth from his spot on the ground. His eye was black and his nose was bleeding from the beating that the Whisperers had unleashed on him.
"I can't...it was horrible..." Siddiq struggled to contain his tears.
"Tell us. We need to tell everyone but you need to tell us how it all played out...details that we can't tell the others," Daryl's heart was heavy, wondering if he could handle the gruesome details.
"Please...I need to know what happened to Tara..." Maggie almost begged as she reached over to place a comforting hand on Siddiq's back. The tears had not relented as they continued to fall down her cheeks.
Just then King Ezekiel rushed up to the group with Lydia by his side. "Alpha was here and we can't find Henry! Or Enid! Or Tara! And some others! We thought maybe they went on a perimeter check but no one has heard from them in awhile."
He quickly took in everyone's emotional appearances and knew that the news wasn't good. The King glanced at Maggie who was sobbing on the ground. He had just seen her a few minutes earlier, laughing about something with little Hershel. Now she was a broken mess.
"Please Siddiq..." Maggie whispered as she clutched the heart locket on her necklace. Tara had given her the necklace after finding it on a supply run and she had worn it faithfully ever since.
Siddiq wiped the blood, sweat and tears from his face. He glanced at the small group surrounding him, all dealing with the heartbreaking loss. He slowly started to recount the heroic story of his friends' last moments alive.
A few hours earlier...
Siddiq smiled as Judith ran past him giving chase to one of Jerry's kids. Their laughter filled the fall air as much needed happiness surrounded him. He glanced over at Eugene and Rosita, giving them a small wave. They both smiled and returned the wave before going back to whatever task they had been busy with.
Siddiq began to walk around the fair, thinking about Rosita's unplanned pregnancy. He wasn't sure if he was ready to be a father but he knew he would be there for his child no matter what. He was so deep in his thoughts that he didn't notice a woman walking in pace with him. He was ripped out of his daydream when he felt a barrel of a gun on his back.
"Just keep walkin' and don't make a scene or I'll shoot everyone in our path," a woman roughly whispered to him. She pulled Siddiq close, making it look like they were close friends on a friendly stroll, the gun hidden from sight.
Heart racing, Siddiq followed his captor's instructions as she led him to the Kingdom's exit on the far side of town. He didn't dare make any kind of crazy moves as he was led through the exit and into the dense surrounding woods.
"You don't have to do this," Siddiq started to plea.
"Shut up or I'll put a bullet in your head. I'm out of patience after the others," the woman angrily snapped.
Others? Siddiq thought as he was led further into the woods, the trees becoming more dense with every step he took.
Up ahead were two walkers keeping watch over a secluded rundown barn. Siddiq instantly felt his heart drop when he realized that he was among Alpha and her Whisperers now. He knew that whatever this group had planned was not good and now he was apart of it.
"Alpha," one of the guards disguised as a walker addressed the woman that had a firm hold on Siddiq.
She roughly threw Siddiq to her men as she barked orders. "Tie this one up and put him with the others. When I get back, we will do what needs to be done."
The walker clad men nodded at their orders, grabbing Siddiq and tying his hands behind his back, binding tightly. They roughly dragged him to the old rickety barn that had clearly seen better days. As he was thrown into the barn, Siddiq was shocked to see that there were others also tied up and gagged. He immediately recognized Tara, Enid and Henry. Sitting near the horse stalls were a couple of Hilltop teenagers and Tammy-Rose, an older gentle minded woman, also from Hilltop. Sitting next to them was Frankie, the feisty redhead from Alexandria and one of Negan's former wives.
Siddiq barely had time to take his surroundings in as he was thrown next to Tara. She glared at Alpha's men but she stayed calm, she didn't say anything as they turned away. Once the captors were gone, she immediately went back to trying to loosen her binds. She managed to loosen the gag in her mouth, spitting it out.
Calmly she whispered, a plan forming in her mind. "I'm almost free. Once I am, I'm gonna untie everyone. You guys get whatever weapons you can find. I don't know how many there are but we're gonna have to fight our way out. Alright?"
Everyone nodded as they tried to stay calm in the musty barn. Tara tried to soothe everyone's nerves as she worked relentlessly to free her hands. Siddiq took her lead and tried to fight against his binds. Just as Tara was able to free herself, there was a loud commotion outside.
Suddenly, a Whisperer was thrown into the barn and another was trying to fight back against an attacker. Tara looked over and saw Ozzy and one of his men, Alek, from the Highwaymen group, mercilessly hitting a Whisperer with an iron pipe. Also with them was DJ, a knife in his hand, stabbing a Whisperer in the chest. A few more Whisperers started to pour in from the back exit of the barn. Tara quickly pulled her hands free, grabbing a knife that one of the fallen enemies had dropped.
She wasted no time, cutting Siddiq and Enid free. A Whisperer ran to Addy, one of the Hilltop teens, knife in hand. Tara roughly pushed him down, stabbing him in the head repeatedly before he could hurt the teen. Enid quickly grabbed a knife on the ground as she ran to protect Tammy-Rose, who had a shovel in her hand, ready for advancing Whisperers.
Frankie was up, kicking a Whisperer in the stomach as Henry rose to his feet, trying to keep a tall walker clad man away from Rodney, his friend from Hilltop. Tara grabbed another wayward Whisperer, throwing him to the ground, stabbing him in the chest.
Tara kept fighting as more Whisperers ran into the barn. She thought maybe the small group had a chance as the enemy started to thin out. Suddenly, Ozzy, DJ, and Alek all fell to the floor as a few gunshots penetrated their chests. Standing at the doorway was Alpha, an unamused look on her face. Standing next to her were about fifteen Whisperers, blocking the way to freedom. By Alpha's side was Beta, her tall righthand man. On the other side, blocking the other exit was another group of Whisperers. There was no way out of this now, their fate was written on the wall.
"Drop your weapons," Alpha glared with hatred at Henry before glancing over at Tara. "I remember you from Hilltop when I went to get Lydia. Just to think, all of this could have been avoided if y'all had just left us and Lydia alone."
Tara didn't say anything as she dropped her knife, glaring at the depraved woman in front of her. Alpha's henchmen quickly made the remaining survivors drop to their knees.
"You can take me. Just let everyone else go," Tara tried to reason as Alpha just sarcastically laughed.
"I need all of you for the message that I'm about to send to your people. Y'all have no idea what you started. You have no idea how big my followin' is," Alpha growled as she took a step closer to her captives, a huge hunting knife in her hand. "Now, the only problem I have now is how merciful I feel like being."
Alpha grabbed Siddiq and separated him from the group. The cold look in her eyes was unnerving as she addressed the frightened man. "I'm going to let you live so you can tell your leaders what happened here tonight and tell them to stay out of my territory or the punishment will be triple what's about to happen."
Siddiq just closed his eyes. He didn't want to watch but his captors forced him to open his eyes as they roughly sliced the heads off of DJ, Ozzy and Alek's lifeless bodies. The heads slowly started to turn as little groans could be heard.
Tara stayed calm. She wasn't going to give in and show fear to Alpha, no matter what torture happened. One by one, the captives were brought before Alpha and forced to kneel down. Tara forced herself to watch as they were stabbed in the chest and then cruelly decapitated, some still alive. She tried to calm Addy with some soothing words as the young girl shook from perpetual fear.
Alpha just smirked as she unapologetically stabbed Addy deep in the chest, instantly killing the teenager. When Enid was brought up next, Tara struggled against her captors' hold, wanting desperately to save her friend. Enid just gave her a sad, desperate glance before Alpha began the assault, her short life over way too soon. Tara couldn't fight the few tears that fell down her face. Siddiq's shoulders shook from the loud sobs, wanting to look away but being forced to watch.
The distinct smell of blood filled the night air as Henry's lifeless body fell to the floor. Soon, only Tara and Siddiq were left, the bloodbath all over the barn floor, the lifeless bodies piled in the corner like trash. Tara stood her ground as Alpha turned her attention towards her.
"Looks like it's your turn now," Alpha sneered as her men forced Tara to her feet.
Without warning, Tara elbowed one of the men holding her, forcing him to drop his knife and fall to the ground. In a fast motion, Tara retrieved the weapon, stabbing the other Whisperer that had been restraining her. Not missing a beat, she made a deep slash on Alpha's arm, causing it to bleed. If she was going to die right now, she was going to go out fighting especially after the carnage she had witnessed.
Alpha growled as anger flashed in her eyes. She snapped her fingers, commanding her men to restrain their captive. Three men roughly grabbed Tara, forcing her to kneel in front of their leader.
"You just made things worse for yourself. I wanted to be merciful but you forced my hand," Alpha glared at Beta. "Force her all the way to the ground."
Siddiq's shoulders started to shake when he realized what they were going to do- they were going to decapitate her alive. Tara would not be given any mercy. She tried to fight back against her captors but it was useless, there were simply way too many. They held her against the floor as Alpha knelt down next to Tara, the hunting knife stained with blood in her hand.
"You better pray," Alpha sneered as she put the blade to Tara's throat.
Tara knew that this was it. She would never see her friends again. She would never be reunited with Maggie at Hilltop. Thoughts of Maggie filled her mind, a single tear escaping her eye at the thought of never seeing her beloved again.
Siddiq covered his eyes, he couldn't watch. He heard Tara's voice in the darkness. "Siddiq, it's gonna be alright. You'll get out of this. When you see Maggie again, tell her that I love her and I always will. And I want to be with her but I can't...but I'll always watch out for her and little Hershel. I'll always be there. I love her so much."
A loud sob escaped Siddiq as he shut his eyes, wanting the noise around him to be over. He heard Tara struggle against the blade as it ended her life. The horrible sound would forever play in his mind as he desperately tried to erase it from his memory. He could hear Tara's body struggle as Alpha took her time, making sure that maximum pain was suffered. Finally, there was silence.
Alpha kneeled down in front of him, blood all over her hands. She wiped some on his face...Tara's blood.
"And that's what happens when you mess with the Whisperers," Alpha said in a quiet voice.
The nightmare wasn't over as Siddiq was forced to watch as the heads of his friends were placed on pikes in an open valley. Finally, a couple of men punched him a few times before tying him to tree, leaving him to be found by Daryl.
Maggie felt her heart break into a thousand pieces when she realized that Tara's death had been brutal and merciless. She couldn't imagine what Tara had felt or what she had been thinking in those last moments. Had she been scared? How much pain had she endured?
She couldn't stop the sobs that broke out, her shoulders shaking from the intensity. Michonne sat down next to her, wrapping an arm around her. They had had their differences in the past but right now they needed each other. Right now, they were family again.
"I'm so sorry..." Michonne whispered softly as Maggie clung to her in desperate need of comfort.
Maggie wiped her tears but to no avail as new ones just appeared. She needed to know some things about what happened that night. She glanced over at Siddiq who was quiet.
"Siddiq...how...how long did Tara suffer?" Maggie finally choked out.
"You don't need to know-" Daryl started before Maggie stopped him.
"I need to know. Please tell me...please..." Maggie pleaded as she looked to Siddiq for answers.
"Alpha dragged it out as long as she could..." Siddiq coughed as fresh tears started to fall. "It lasted so long...but she wanted...she wanted you to know that she loved you."
The traumatized man couldn't say anymore as he covered his face. King Ezekiel held Carol as he tried to comfort her over the loss of their son. Soon other fair goers noticed the group in the corner and knew that something was wrong.
"We need to tell everyone what happened. Everything else can wait," King Ezekiel said with a heavy heart as he gently guided Carol to the waiting crowd. Michonne helped Maggie to her feet, although her legs felt so weak.
Soon the sad news was spread throughout the fair, everyone shocked at the many losses that they now faced. Rosita made her way to Maggie who was sitting by herself on a bench, her eyes red from all the tears. She sat down next to Maggie, reaching over to grasp her hand. "I'm sorry about Tara."
Maggie didn't say anything. They both glanced over a few feet away where Judith was playing with toy cars with little Hershel. The young girl knew what was going on but she kept the five year old occupied so the adults could mourn. He kept asking for Tara but Judith was quick to change the subject.
A few minutes passed by before Rosita started to speak. "When Tara left Alexandria to go to Hilltop to be with you a few years ago, I really thought I wouldn't see her again. Then the Whisperers attacked Eugene and I while we were out in the woods. I woke up in the Hilltop infirmary and had to stay a few days but we didn't really talk much. I just thought I had more time to reconcile with her and now I'll never have the chance. I just needed some more time...we were strangers at the end."
Some more time passed before Maggie spoke, her voice soft and sad. "Tara always cared about you. Just know that."
Rosita nodded sadly as she softly squeezed her friend's hand, both needing some reassurance. Maggie's other hand reached for her locket, trying to find some strength. She felt a void in her heart as she realized that no matter how many times she looked around the Kingdom, Tara would not appear. Part of her expected Tara to walk into the courtyard, telling some ridiculous joke or chasing their son around in a game of tag. Fresh tears started to leave her eyes as the realization hit...Tara would not be around to see Hershel grow up.
After what had happened to Glenn, Tara had stepped up in a big way, helping Maggie during the pregnancy and the birth. Tara had been there through all the late nights and helped Maggie in anyway that she could. Little Hershel had become very attached to Tara, following her everywhere and wanting to do whatever she was doing. It was no question that Tara was his other parent. Tara never wanted to replace Glenn, but she had promised him that she would take care of his family and she kept that sacred promise.
Michonne made her way to where Maggie and Rosita were sitting. "Hey...the memorial service is about to start. Siddiq feels like he can say a few words now."
Maggie just nodded sadly as she glanced over to where the kids were playing. She had no idea how she was going to tell her son that the only other parent that he had ever known would not be around anymore. Michonne followed her gaze to where Judith and Hershel were playing with some building blocks now.
"Judith will keep him occupied while we go to this memorial," Michonne assured Maggie as she and Rosita helped her stand, her legs still feeling weak from all the emotions she was feeling at once.
Maggie let the women guide her to a stage where just hours before happy music had been playing. Now the mood was somber and heavy. She glanced up, the flags representing the Kingdom, Hilltop and Alexandria were flying half staff in honor of the victims. She still couldn't wrap her head around the fact that Tara was one of those victims. It all didn't seem real or make any sense.
Soon Siddiq was on the stage recounting what had happened that night in far less gory details. He gave a beautiful speech about how everyone in that barn had fought for each other, had given their lives for each other. How it didn't matter that some were strangers, they still fought like they were protecting family.
"What happened was evil. It was evil. And I think she let me live to tell you that story. To scare you and to drive us all apart again, but I want to tell you a different story. See before the end... Ozzy, Alek and DJ found us and they gave us an opening. And everyone fought back. They fought like hell. And what they did was more than brave 'cause they defended each other and they sacrificed for each other. And some of them... they didn't even know each other, but they sill fought like they did. Like they were family...til the very end," Siddiq wiped the tears from his eyes, determined to finish his story...his friends' story.
Holding back tears, he continued. "But in the end, their time was cut short but ours keeps going so we have to keep going...for them...for all of us. We need to honor them...we need to honor them and remember these friends...our family died as heroes."
Cries and sniffles could be heard in the crowd. Maggie felt her shoulders shake from a new onslaught of tears, taking some comfort from the feel of Rosita's arm wrapped around her. Siddiq then listed the names of all the victims and what community they had been from.
"Tara Chambler, fearless leader of Hilltop," he sighed sadly. There were shocked gasps from the crowd who hadn't known that the leader had been lost. Almost everyone in attendance knew Tara since she had a friendly persona and never met a stranger.
Maggie felt like a bullet had been ripped through her heart as Tara's name was called. The Hilltop had suffered the most fatalities in the massacre with five victims. Six, if Henry was included since he had been living there for the past few months to learn the blacksmithing trade from Earl. Also Hilltop was still reeling from the sudden loss of Jesus and now this.
The memorial was over as everyone heavy heartedly started to pack up the fair. No one felt like celebrating anymore and people visiting the Kingdom were eager to get back to their respective communities. King Ezekiel announced that everyone would have to stay the night since it was getting late and travel during the night wasn't safe with the Whisperers around.
Maggie didn't know what to do as she wandered around the Kingdom, feeling so lost and empty. Several people stopped to give her their condolences and to tell her how much Tara had meant to them. She didn't hear the words most of the time, her mind lost in the fog of her new reality. She aimlessly made her way to the Kingdom courthouse where hanging proudly on the wall was the Constitution that had been drawn up between all the communities. She felt sick to her stomach when she saw Tara's signature under the Hilltop space.
King Ezekiel stood beside Maggie, watching as she reached up to touch the document where Tara's name was. He placed a gentle hand on her back, understanding the pain she was going through. He had just lost Henry after all.
"Tara signed that document just hours ago. Just when all our communities were going to work together again this travesty happens. She had big plans for Hilltop," King Ezekiel sighed as Maggie stayed silent.
Just then Jerry stopped by, his usual playful self, sad and stoic. He turned to Maggie, sighing sadly. "Tara was good people. And I'm so sorry for your loss. She really was something else, we even had our own secret handshake."
"I remember," Maggie gave him a small smile. He hugged her and Ezekiel before making his way back to his wife and children.
The King and Maggie shared a few minutes of silence, each lost in their own thoughts. "I'm glad you're back Maggie. I just wish these were better circumstances. I'll have a room set up for you and your boy in my home. Tomorrow, Daryl and some others are going out to collect the remains and hopefully find the bodies. I'm sure you're eager to get back to Hilltop."
Maggie just nodded in response, walking away after glancing at Tara's signature one last time. After making sure that Hershel was being taken care of by Michonne and Judith, Maggie sat down in a secluded area, needing to get away from everyone. She didn't know how long she sat there but overhead the blue sky had turned to night as stars shined brightly.
She couldn't stop the tears as she thought about Tara. Maggie remembered how Tara had always been there for her, had always made the darkest days seem bearable with her humor. Who was she going to turn to now? Who would make this day alright again? Maggie realized now that she was alone.
Wiping her tears away, Maggie glanced up at the night sky, praying that wherever Tara was now, she was at peace and not in pain anymore.
"I hope you know that I always loved you. And I'm sorry I wasn't there..." Maggie whispered to the night sky. "We're gonna miss you so much..."
Daryl came up to her with a blue buttoned-up over-shirt in his hand, interrupting her solitude. "We found this outside the walls, Tara was wearin' it the last time we saw her. It doesn't look like she was wearin' it when...when it happened."
He handed the shirt to Maggie, watching as she held it close. After a few seconds, he just nodded and walked away, still trying to cope with the sudden loss. Maggie covered her face with the soft fabric, Tara's familiar scent provoked a new crying session as she held onto the shirt for dear life.
Leaning back against the building she was sitting against, Maggie tried to think about the happier times when her heart was still whole. She grasped the locket on her necklace as she thought about how good and loving Tara had always been to her. She closed her eyes, wishing herself to a dream world where the pain and emptiness she was experiencing didn't exist. She couldn't stop the memories from slipping into her mind.
A few years ago...
"Open the gate!" one of the Hilltop guards shouted to the men below when he spotted the familiar figure of Tara Chambler strolling up to the entrance.
"Sup' Gary?" Tara waved as the gates were opened.
"Nothin', quiet as usual," Gary replied as he went back to surveying the surrounding woods. Tara greeted all the Hilltop guards, giving each of them a fist bump.
After the fall of the Saviors and the imprisonment of Negan, travel was safe once again between the three main communities and Oceanside. No new enemies had popped up and only stray walkers roamed the roads. Tara spent most of her time at Hilltop but went back to Alexandria every couple of weeks to make sure that her friends were alright.
Tensions between the communities was building as Alexandria decided to stop trade with both Hilltop and the Kingdom. Michonne and Maggie hadn't spoken since the bridge explosion that had claimed Rick Grimes' life a few months ago. Any dreams that all four societies could survive together died that day with Rick. Maggie hadn't been to Alexandria in almost a year, feeling betrayed that Negan was still alive. After Rick's death, Michonne closed her community off from the world, not allowing any new people. She didn't believe that the communities could work together and that everyone should fend for themselves. Tara didn't agree with Michonne but knew that Alexandria's leader was just doing what she felt was right and to keep her people safe.
Tara made her way to the main house where Maggie lived and did most of her work. On the way, she waved, talked to people, and high fived a few kids as the community bustled all around her. Hilltop had flourished under Maggie's watch with lots of new buildings, growing crops, and multiplying livestock. With Eugene's help, Tara was able to oversee and help setup a few wind turbines which created electrical energy and some windmills which pumped fresh water into the faucets.
Finally, Tara made it to the main house after being stopped more times than she could count. To say that she was a popular figure in the community was putting it lightly since everyone knew her and had a high opinion about her after she helped fend off a Savior attack on Hilltop, saving many lives.
Tara smiled when she stepped into the office, catching sight of Maggie holding little one year old Hershel in one hand, while reading a book that Georgie had left in another. The books were pretty much a how-to manual on creating a new community and Maggie had used many of the ideas for Hilltop.
"Hey give me that little bugger," Tara grinned as the little boy held up his arms to her.
"Gladly," Maggie smiled as she handed Hershel over to Tara. The baby laughed with delight as Tara hugged him close.
Tara leaned down to kiss Maggie on the lips, happy to see her girlfriend after being gone for a few days. Maggie always worried when Tara traveled between the communities and seeing her safe put her at ease. She watched as Tara gently bounced her son around, thinking about the start of their beautiful relationship.
During the Savior war a couple of years ago when Hilltop had been hit with a surprise night attack from Negan, Tara had been there with Maggie. Chaos had erupted within the walls when it was soon realized that Negan and his men were using arrows tainted with walker blood. The few people that had been struck immediately fell ill with a high fever, dying soon after and turning into walkers. Negan had tried to use biological warfare against Hilltop but he underestimated how well protected the community would be. Many Saviors died that night while only a few Hilltop residents were lost.
Maggie thought her whole world was crashing down when Tara was brought into the infirmary with an arrow wound on her shoulder. Daryl had seen Dwight shoot Tara in the shoulder, causing her to fall to the ground. He stayed hidden as Dwight convinced a few other Saviors to leave the area. Daryl helped Tara up, pulling her into a run to the hospital area where Maggie was helping other residents as they started to suffer from high fevers and became delusional.
Her heart broke when Tara was placed on a bed, the arrow still embedded in her shoulder. Tara protested as the arrow was removed without any type of numbing cream. There was nothing that could be done but wait. Maggie sat on the bed beside Tara, the quick battle over when the Saviors ran off after causing their damage.
Maggie waited anxiously to see what would happen to Tara. The minutes and hours seemed to drag by as they waited for the symptoms to start. Finally, Daryl ran into the room, announcing that he had met up with Dwight since he was their spy inside the Sanctuary, working against Negan. Dwight's arrows were not contaminated with any walker blood so Tara would be alright, besides having a sore shoulder. The only reason Dwight shot at her was so that he wouldn't arouse suspicions among Negan's soldiers.
Maggie had never felt so relieved. After facing the threat of death, Tara took that moment to reveal her true feelings which Maggie happily reciprocated. Maggie had tried before to ignore her feelings since she was scared to get into another relationship after Glenn but with Tara, it just seemed right. Since that night, they had been together, raising a family and just trying to survive in the world. Maggie felt her thoughts interrupted when Jesus stepped into the room.
"Hey! I heard you were around," Jesus greeted Tara with a brotherly hug.
"Aaron wanted me to tell you that he'll meet you at the usual spot, same time, same place. Whatever you guys are up to," Tara teasingly winked at Jesus who just shook his head.
"I've told you...it's just fighting lessons. Nothing else goes down," Jesus couldn't help the blush that started to redden his checks.
"Except you, right? Sword fighting lessons? Weird foreplay where you guys beat each other up and then make up?" Tara teased some more.
"You're the worst, you know that? How do you put up with her?" Jesus asked Maggie who just giggled at the two friends.
"Some days, I don't even know," Maggie joked.
Jesus motioned for Tara to hand over the baby. "All this talk isn't for babies. Besides, it's time for Uncle Jesus and Hershel to go outside and play with the bunnies."
Jesus tickled the baby, both laughing as they left the room. After they were gone, Tara sat down on the small loveseat in the room, motioning for Maggie to join her. Closing the book, Maggie sat down on Tara's lap, happy to get a few minutes of alone time.
"So how long are you gonna be stayin' before you gotta go back to Alexandria?" Maggie asked, a little saddened by the idea. She often joked that Tara had another girlfriend in Alexandria and that's why she always went back and forth between the communities. She knew that Tara had a big heart and was only looking out for their friends, feeling obligated to help both societies with various projects.
"I'm not going back," Tara said with a tinge of sadness in her voice.
"What? Why?" Maggie was shocked because she knew how much Alexandria still meant to Tara.
"I had some words with Michonne," Tara began to explain how Michonne had told her that she was ending trade with both Kingdom and Hilltop, opting instead for each community to take care of its own people.
Tara tried to change Michonne's mind, explaining that everyone could help each other survive. That Rick's dream could still stay alive but Michonne wasn't going to relent. She finally gave Tara an ultimatum, pick either Alexandria or Hilltop. So with a heavy heart, Tara said goodbye to all her friends and left Alexandria's gates for one last time.
"I understand why she's doing all this. She's about to have Rick's baby and there was an incident a few weeks ago with a small group that showed up but I can't just turn my back on everyone. Plus, it was a no brainer on where I would pick. This place is home. You and our kid are my home," Tara finished explaining.
"Good becuase we need you to survive. And Jesus can't live without all your teasin'," Maggie smiled, leaning closer to Tara so that their lips were only a couple of inches apart.
Tara pulled Maggie closer, the first kisses short and sweet before the passion started to grow between the couple. Maggie moaned softly as she bit down on Tara's lower lip, tugging it gently. Tara ran her hands down Maggie's side, feeling every soft curve.
"We gotta stop before someone walks in here," Maggie panted as Tara groaned in frustration.
"Fine but we are definitely picking up where we left off later," Tara kissed Maggie one more time before letting her stand up.
"Of course. Now, Sam and Ross need your help repairin' the fence on the west side," Maggie grabbed her book, opening it to where she left off.
"Yes, ma'am," Tara smiled, stealing a quick kiss before she left the room.
Maggie couldn't help but smile. She felt bad that Tara had to leave Alexandria behind, but now they could really lead Hilltop together and raise their small family in relative peace.
"Hey...Maggie...are you okay? Well, that's a dumb question. Of course, you're not okay..." a soft voice gently filled Maggie's ears.
Maggie struggled to open her weary eyes that were still red from all the tears. She glanced up at Rosita, who was staring at her with a pained look on her face. The sudden realization that in this world, Tara wasn't around to comfort her almost caused more tears but she held them at bay.
"Want some company?" Rosita asked as Maggie just nodded.
Rosita sat down on the ground next to her distraught friend. She reached over to hold Maggie's hand. After a few moments of comfortable silence, Rosita cleared her throat.
"I'm pregnant," Rosita announced as Maggie couldn't help but smile.
"Congratulations," Maggie leaned over, giving the shorter girl a hug.
"Thank you. Siddiq is the father..." Rosita didn't know what to say since Siddiq had survived the Whisperer onslaught and Tara hadn't.
"Siddiq will be a good dad..." Maggie sniffled as she thought about how good Tara had been with Hershel and how she had truly loved him as her own.
"I'm still sorry..." Rosita couldn't say anymore, choking back some sobs. The night was quiet as both women held each other and cried over Tara.
Once they calmed down, Rosita glanced over at Maggie. "So why did you come back so soon? From what we heard, you were going to be gone for a few months, maybe even a year...that's what Jesus told Aaron at least. But you were only gone a couple of months. Did you hear about the Whisperers?"
"No, I didn't even know the Whisperers existed until Daryl told me about them," Maggie said.
"So why?" Rosita questioned, genuinely curious. "We were all kinda confused that you left and Tara stayed behind cuz we knew how much y'all loved each other."
Maggie felt like her heart had been stabbed with Rosita's words. If she could go back in time, she would have never left Hilltop...maybe the outcome would have been different. But she couldn't keep wishing about what could have been when the reality was far different.
"I came back because a few days ago I found out that I'm pregnant and of course it's Tara's. And I was gonna tell her but now I can't," Maggie revealed, trying to push away the sad thoughts of Tara never knowing about their child.
"I'm sorry..." Rosita didn't know what else to say.
"Not as sorry as I am," Maggie took a deep breath, her stomach starting to feel queasy as she remembered. "The last time I saw Tara, we were arguing because I wanted to help Georgie. And I said something that still haunts me."
"What did you say?" Rosita questioned. Maggie wrapped her arms around her cold body, remembering the last time she had seen Tara alive...
A couple of months ago...
Tara sat down on the couch, watching five year old Hershel as he colored in some picture that Jesus had drawn for him earlier that day. She felt a little uneasy as she glanced out the window, the Hilltop entrance in view. The twins from Georgie's community, Midge and Hilda, had shown up with a letter and were now talking to Maggie about something.
She wasn't exactly sure how she felt about the whole Georgie situation. No one really knew much about the mysterious leader of the Commonwealth. Maggie had written letters to Georgie back and forth over the past four years, detailing how Hilltop was thriving. Tara didn't interfere much since many of the ideas in the books that Georgie left had been put to good use.
One time, when Midge and Hilda had stopped by, Tara had tried to talk to them but they only gave one word answers and made it very apparent that they weren't interested in getting to know any of the other Hilltop residents. Tara tried to give them both a fist bump but they just glared at her so she quickly got the hint.
"Hey, Maggie sent me by to watch Hershel for a little bit because she needs to talk to you. It's important," Enid announced as she entered the common room.
"Yeah, no problem," Tara felt her heart sink a little, wondering what Maggie needed to talk about.
Enid kneeled down next to Hershel. "Hey little guy, your parents need to do some work so why don't we go see what Alden is up to? Maybe he'll play catch with you."
The little boy jumped up excitedly. Before he ran out of the room, Hershel gave Tara a huge hug and a fist bump. "I love you!"
"I love you too buddy," Tara watched amused as Enid ran to catch up with the rambunctious boy.
Just then Maggie strolled into the room with a letter in her hand. She sat down next to Tara with an unreadable expression on her face.
"We need to talk," Maggie simply said.
"So I've heard," Tara wasn't sure what to expect but she had a feeling it wouldn't be good.
Maggie handed Tara the letter she was holding. "Georgie is creating a new community and she wants my help with gettin' everything started. She doesn't say where but that it's a couple of days travel by horse."
"And?" Tara wasn't too thrilled about the idea.
"And? Tara this could be a good thing. We could secure some new allies for Hilltop. God knows the whole thing with Alexandria will never work. And even the Kingdom isn't reliable anymore. Oceanside is a bust. We need to venture out and find new people. We need to create new communities," Maggie tried to get Tara to understand what her thought process was.
Tara just shook her head. "I just can't leave Hilltop. What if something happens while we're gone?"
"What could happen? The Saviors have been gone for years. Negan is locked up. There hasn't been any kind of threat from anyone and everything has peaceful for awhile."
"You don't know that there isn't any danger out there. Hell, our old group didn't even know about the Saviors until we met Jesus and found Hilltop. And look how all that turned out."
"If there was any new group, they would have shown themselves by now. It's been years since anyone has threatened Hilltop," Maggie tried to argue her point without losing her temper.
"You don't know that Maggie. For all we know, some crazy psycho leader is planning to chop everyone's head off. If something happened, we wouldn't get back in time. I can't just leave Hilltop unprotected."
Maggie stayed silent for a few seconds. "Don't you ever wonder what else could be out there? That there could be more than just the four communities. That the world could have some semblance of what it used to be?"
"I just can't leave," Tara said in a firm voice. "And if you know what's best, you wouldn't even entertain the thought of leaving. Besides, I don't even know anything about Georgie or her people. Her Wonder Twins out there look at me like I'm the enemy."
"She could really help us," Maggie tried to keep her voice calm.
Tara stood up, pacing around the room. "You would really risk the safety of our son out there? Just to try to create a new community that may or not may succeed."
"I'm doing this for Hershel. There has to be more than just this in his future. We could be a society again, not just one or two communities here and there. Besides, aren't you always all about helpin' people? Didn't you have a fight with Michonne about that? How can you be a hypocrite now?"
"I meant helping our friends. Or people who happen to come along the way. Not just go out and venture into the unknown and hope for the best. Plus, I don't trust this Georgie, she never wants to meet me," Tara tried to defend her reasons without begging Maggie not to even think about leaving.
"It would only be a few months. Just to get things up and runnin'. We could have a new community to trade with," Maggie knew this was a losing battle but she still tried.
"A lot can happen in a few months," Tara said dryly as she returned to her seat on the couch.
The couple sat in distant silence for a couple of minutes, the only sound was the ticking of the clock on the fire mantel.
"If I want to go help Georgie then I have to leave with Midge and Hilda at dawn tomorrow," Maggie tried to keep her voice steady.
Tara angrily stood up. "What?! So not only do you spring all this on me but you don't even give me time to think about it."
"I'm sorry...I just...I don't know," Maggie didn't know what to say to make the situation better.
"Are you not happy here? Am I not making you happy anymore?" Tara asked in a broken voice, turning away so she could keep her composure.
"Tara, don't. It's nothin' like that. You make me happy and you're amazin' with Hershel but I need more than just Hilltop. I need to know that there's more out there. I need this," Maggie could feel a tear run down her cheek.
"So you're going?" Tara glared at her.
"And you're stayin'," Maggie softly said.
"So this is it?" Tara could feel her heart break but she kept the distress hidden.
"Well, you don't wanna go with me...maybe...maybe we can try again when I get back. But I need to do this...I'm so sorry," Maggie didn't hold back the tears that started to quietly run down her face.
Tara couldn't believe what was happening as anger quickly replaced all the other emotions that she was feeling. She stomped over to her now ex-girlfriend. "I can't believe you Maggie. I can't believe you would leave everything we worked so hard to build. Now you're gonna take our son away from me so you can chase some pipe dream that might not even exist."
Maggie wiped her tears away. She quickly stood up, getting in Tara's face, her voice full of hostility. "Yes, I'm takin' my son with me to show him that there's more to this world than just here."
She quickly regretted her words when she saw a slew of emotions flash through Tara's dark brown eyes. First was anger, sadness and then finally defeat.
Tara didn't know how to respond to what Maggie had said, the words cutting her like a knife. "Wow Maggie, after all I've done for Hershel. I've been there since he was born...you...I can't believe you."
Maggie didn't say anything, watching sadly as Tara's shoulders slumped.
"Alright..." Tara sighed as she turned away and left the room. Maggie heard heavy footsteps in the hall and the front door slam.
That night Tara didn't come home and no one knew where she was. Soon most of Hilltop knew that Maggie was going to be leaving for a few months.
Hershel was fussy since he was used to a bedtime story from Tara but Maggie was finally able to get him to go to sleep. She wondered if she was making a mistake, but she couldn't change her mind now.
Dawn came quickly as Midge and Hilda busied themselves getting the wagon and horses ready for the long travel. Maggie said her goodbyes to Enid, Alden and Jesus, hugging each one tight, promising to be back in a few months.
Suddenly Hershel spotted Tara walking up to the wagon. He quickly ran to her, wrapping his arms around her legs and holding her tight.
"Hey buddy, you're gonna take of your mom for me right?" Tara knelt down, holding her hand out for a fist bump. She wasn't sure if the boy understood that he wouldn't be seeing her for awhile.
"Aren't you going with us?" Hershel hugged Tara tight.
Tara shook her head. "Nah, buddy. This is gonna be like a vacation for you and mommy. When you get back in a few months, I promise we'll have a lot of fun."
The reality hit Hershel as some tears started to fall down his face. "But I'm gonna miss you."
"I'm gonna miss you too," Tara held the little boy tight until Maggie motioned that it was time to go.
Tara reluctantly let go of her son, her heart breaking at the thought of not seeing him for a few months. She stood up, glancing over at Maggie who was only a few inches away from her.
"Be safe. I hope you find what you're looking for," Tara quickly walked away, knowing that if she didn't then she would drop to her knees and beg Maggie to stay and that just wasn't an option.
Maggie couldn't say anything since the tears were now falling fast down her face. She quickly hopped into the wagon, her head down so no one could see how broken she really was. Hilda motioned for the horses to start moving as Hilltop's gates opened.
Against her better judgement, Maggie glanced behind to see Tara at the gate watching sadly as they left.
"Just a few months..." Maggie whispered to herself.
"That's how we left things between us. We didn't even say goodbye. We just went our separate ways, thinkin' we had all the time in the world." Maggie's voice choked up as she remembered how sad Tara had been at that gate. "And last thing she heard me say was that Hershel was my son and not hers."
"Hey, you can't beat yourself up. Everyone says something they regret in an argument all the time. Plus, I know Tara didn't take it to heart. She knew," Rosita pulled Maggie into a comforting hug.
"I guess..." Maggie trailed off. They sat next to each other before deciding that it was getting late and that they both needed some sleep. Rosita gave Maggie a hug before setting off to find Gabriel.
Maggie hurriedly made her way to the Kingdom's main house where King Ezekiel had set up a guest room for her and Hershel. She was dreading the task of telling him that Tara would never be coming home again. Over the last couple of years, her and Tara had made sure that the boy knew about his father, Glenn. So little Hershel understood the concept of death and knew that it could happen. But the loss of his father hadn't phased Hershel much since he never met Glenn or even knew what he looked liked.
She knew that losing Tara was going to effect her son so much. While they were away, Hershel had asked about Tara everyday, running to the gate every time it opened, just in case she was on the other side. The pained look on his face when he realized that she wasn't there was heartbreaking to Maggie but she pushed her feelings aside since she had a job to do.
On Maggie's way to the house, she was stopped by two young women. One had light brown wavy hair while the other had long, straight dark hair and an archery bow by her side. They both glanced at Maggie with sympathy in thier eyes.
"You're Maggie right?" the woman with dark hair asked with a distinct British accent.
"Yes," Maggie answered.
The brunette held her hand out to Maggie. "I'm Yumiko and this is Magna. I'm...we're both really sorry about Tara."
Maggie just nodded, not sure what to say. Yumiko gently placed her hand on Maggie's arm, giving it a gentle squeeze. She was glad that Maggie had not been around to witness the severed heads on the pikes. It was an image that would fuel her nightmares for months.
"Tara took us in when no one else would. She made sure we had what we needed but more than that, she was our friend. She was a great leader, firm but fair and she always talked about you and your son. We only knew her for a short time but it felt like she had been our friend forever," Yumiko recounted the short time she had known Tara.
"We are loyal to Hilltop and to you. We will get these Whisperers for what they did. They will pay for what they did to Tara," Magna roughly added. If she had her way, she would have been out there looking for Alpha right at that moment.
"Thank you..." Maggie gave them both a small smile.
"And I thought you would want this," Yumiko handed Maggie a Polaroid photo.
Maggie gasped in shock when she saw that it was a picture of Tara. In the photo, Tara was wearing the blue buttoned up shirt that Maggie now had. On her head was a black backwards baseball cap and she had a big goofy smile on her face while throwing up a peace sign. Maggie's finger lightly touched the photo as she tried to swallow back the tears.
"It was taken a few hours before we realized that she was missing," Magna said, crossing her arms, trying to keep all the emotion out of her voice.
"Thank you both," Maggie whispered softly. Yumiko gave her a small hug before they went about their way.
Maggie glanced at the picture before heading into the main house with the grim task of crushing her son's entire world. Jerry's wife told Maggie which room was hers and also let her know that Michonne was with Hershel. Maggie quickly made her way up the stairs, taking a deep breath before opening the door.
Her heart broke at the scene in front of her. Hershel was in Michonne's lap as she softly rocked the boy back and forth, whispering comforting words in his ear. Hershel was going in and out of sleep but his eyes were puffy from crying. In his grasp was a teddy bear that Tara had given him when he was about three.
"I'm sorry but I had to tell him about Jesus and Enid because he ran all over the fair looking for them. He was also looking for Tara...but I couldn't tell him," Michonne bit her lip, trying to keep her voice steady. The image of the pikes in the valley was still fresh in her mind.
"At least I don't have to tell him about all that. I'm already dreading tellin' him about Tara," Maggie sighed as she sat down on the bed next to Michonne. There was a couple minutes of silence, the only sound was Hershel's light breathing.
"I'm sorry about everything before...when we grew apart. We will get Alpha for this. I promise you that. There will be no mercy for her," Michonne reached over and grabbed Maggie's hand.
"I know..." Maggie wiped her tears away.
After a few minutes of comforting one another, Michonne gently laid the little boy on the bed. Hershel immediately opened his dark eyes when he realized that his mom was now in the room with him. Michonne patted Maggie's shoulder gently a few times before leaving the room, closing the door behind her.
"Mommy...Uncle Jesus and Aunt Enid aren't coming home..." Hershel could barely choke out their names before breaking down in a sob.
Maggie tried to keep her composure but it was a losing battle. "I know baby. They are in heaven now."
Hershel threw his arms around Maggie, seeking comfort that only a mother could provide. She didn't hold back as she rocked him back and forth, both crying for their lost family members. She remembered how Jesus and Enid had been a big part of Hershel's life, taking care of him or teaching him how to read and write.
After a few minutes, Hershel's tears started to die down when he realized that the one person he wanted to see was still not around.
"Mommy...where's my Poppy?" Hershel asked in a sad voice. Maggie felt her heart break at the mention of the boy's nickname for Tara. For some reason, when he was about one, Hershel had started referring to Tara by the nickname and it just stuck. She knew this was the moment where she had to tell him that the one person that he adored the most would not be coming home either.
She took a deep breath, steadying herself, her eyes watering "Sweetie, the bad people who hurt Uncle Jesus and Aunt Enid, they also hurt your Poppy. And I'm so sorry baby, but she's in heaven now too. I'm so so sorry..."
Hershel had a shocked look on his face as his little five year old mind processed the news. He knew what his mother meant and he didn't want to believe it. Last time he had seen his Poppy, she had promised that they would have a lot of fun. There was no way that she could be gone now. It couldn't be true.
"Mommy...no...Poppy's somewhere outside...we just gotta find her...like hide and seek..." Hershel struggled to express all the emotions that he was experiencing. Glancing up at his mother's face, he knew that she was telling him the truth.
The little boy threw himself roughly into his mother's arms again, sobbing so hard, Maggie thought he was going to throw up. Over and over again, he called for Tara, his tears causing a huge wet spot on Maggie's shirt.
"Mommy...she's outside...we gotta find her...she's not in heaven. She can't leave us," Hershel's sobs grew louder as Maggie tried her best to comfort him, soothing him gently.
Finally, Hershel's sobs started to die down into sniffles as he held onto Maggie tight, the teddy bear still in grasp.
"I miss Poppy...I want her..." Hershel cried as the sobs started all over again.
"I know baby. I miss her too," Maggie uselessly wiped her tears away as they continued to fall down her cheeks. She found comfort in holding Hershel close.
Maggie remembered the hurtful last words she had ever said to Tara. I'm takin' my son...
She had said that out of spite and anger but she couldn't have been more wrong especially in this moment. Hershel was just as much Tara's son as he was hers. She hoped that Tara had known that before the end. Hershel had loved her so much.
Maggie glanced down when she realized that the sobs had quieted down. Hershel had fallen asleep, still clutching his teddy bear for dear life. She gently laid him down on the bed, careful not to wake him up. She grabbed Tara's shirt and covered his small body with it, watching as he burrowed his little face in the fabric.
She leaned against the headboard, glancing at the picture that Yumiko had given her. In the picture, Tara was smiling but Maggie could tell that the smile didn't quite reach her eyes. She wondered if the Whisperers had been behind Tara's troubled eyes or if she had still been hurt from Maggie leaving.
"I'm so sorry Tara. I thought we had more time..." Maggie whispered to the quiet room.
Maggie tried to think about all the happy times they had shared together, trying to push away the gruesome details of Tara's death out of her mind. She looked down at Hershel who was fast asleep, mumbling every once in a while in his deep sleep.
Hershel had been the light of Tara's life. Maggie knew that she would have done anything for that boy and parenthood had fit Tara so well. Most residents at Hilltop knew if Tara was around then Hershel wasn't too far behind.
Maggie closed her tired eyes, trying to remember all the happier times...
About two years ago...
Tara stood in the hallway with her son excitedly ready to run away once she started the countdown. They were in the middle of an intense game of hide-and-seek and Hershel was starting to show his competitive streak, ready to win the game.
"Alright, Hershey," Tara used his cute nickname. "Get ready cuz I'm about to start counting!"
"Yes!" Hershel jumped up and down excitedly.
Tara covered her eyes in an exaggerated manner. "Ten...nine...eight..."
She listened as small footsteps ran into the office area. "Three...two...one! Ready or not! Here I come!"
Tara walked slowly to the office area. She could hear little quiet giggles as she spotted Hershel behind the desk. She still went around the room, looking in the closet and behind the potted plant.
"Hmm...where's Hershey? Is he back here?" Tara looked behind the sofa, finding it empty. "Nope! He's not there. Wherever could he be?"
Hershel's laughs grew louder as he tried to keep quiet, slapping his hand over his mouth. Tara made an exaggerated show of looking behind a bookcase and another chair. Just then Maggie walked into the office causing Hershel to be extra quiet and hide further behind the desk.
"What in the world are you doin'? And where's Hershel? It's time for him to get some writin' lessons from Enid," Maggie asked when she walked in to find Tara on the floor looking under the couch.
"Ummm...I have no idea where Hershel is," Tara said loudly as Maggie glared at her confused.
"Are you sick? You're acting weird. And what do you mean you don't know where our child is?! He's supposed to be with you!" Maggie crossed her arms as Tara just sheepishly shrugged.
"I have no idea where the kiddo is," Tara smiled as she caught sight of Hershel trying to be quiet so his mother wouldn't see him.
"Oh my god! Tara Chambler! You're supposed to be watchin' him!" Maggie smacked Tara's arm lightly.
Tara put her finger up to her lips, signaling for Maggie to be quiet before pointing to the area behind the desk. When Maggie turned around, she could see the top of Hershel's head as he tried to hide.
She watched as Tara slowly made her way to the desk, crouching down before she reached out to grab Hershel and tickle him relentlessly.
"Oh! I found Hershel! Now he's gonna get attacked by the tickle monster!" Tara laughed as the little boy giggled with delight. Maggie couldn't help but smile at the two loves of her life, playfully tackling one another on the floor. After a couple of minutes, Tara picked up Hershel, placing him on her shoulders.
"Mommy! Poppy found me!" Hershel said with delight as Tara walked out of the office with Maggie behind her.
"She really did, huh?" Maggie reached up as Hershel held his hand out to her for a fist bump. She swore this child acted more and more like Tara everyday.
"Next stop, writing lessons with Aunt Enid!" Tara announced as she carried Hershel down the stairs.
The movement on the bed next to Maggie woke her up from the good dream she had been experiencing. For a split second, the world was alright as she woke up from her sleep. For a split second, she was able to forget that Tara was gone. Until the sleep wore off and the crashing realization came back to her.
She glanced over to see what had woken her up. Hershel was snuggled up next to her, Tara's shirt wrapped tightly around him. Her poor baby was crying and sniffling softy in his sleep. Maggie placed her hand on his back, trying to comfort him. She wished she could take away all the pain and hurt that he was feeling. Just then there was a soft knock on the door.
"Come in," Maggie whispered as the door opened to reveal Carol.
"I just wanted to check in on you and make sure that everything is ok," Carol's eyes were red from all the tears that had been shed for all her lost friends and her son, Henry.
"Oh Carol, I'm so sorry about poor Henry," Maggie felt her eyes water again.
Carol sat down on the end of bed, making sure not to wake Hershel. "We'll be ok...we all will. We've been through so much and somehow we keep going on."
"I know..." Maggie sighed sadly.
"How did little Hershel take the news?" Carol asked, reaching out to stroke the sleeping boy's back. She noticed that he was wrapped in the buttoned up shirt Tara had last been seen in.
"Not good. I don't know what I'm gonna do. Tara was so important to him," Maggie closed her eyes as a few stray tears slid down her cheeks.
Carol stroked the younger woman's arm. "Tara will live on through him. You will make sure that he always knows how much she loved him. You will make sure that he knows that she died a hero and that she was one of the founding members of our new society. That is what you'll do. Her legacy will live on through him."
Maggie nodded sadly. Hershel sighed in his sleep as he burrowed himself closer to his mother. Carol realized that before that fateful day she hadn't seen the boy since a few months after his birth. Usually when Hilltop had business with the Kingdom, Tara and Jesus had shown up at their gates.
"Hershel after your father, huh? He was a really good man. Last name Greene?" Carol asked.
Maggie shook her head. "His full name is Hershel Rhee Chambler."
Carol nodded in understanding, a small smile on her face. "Earlier today, after we got back and Siddiq told us what happened, I was sitting on a bench with Ezekiel. I was crying and trying to handle everything. Little Hershel came over to give me a big hug and a fist bump."
Maggie smiled as she glanced at the boy next to her. That definitely sounded like her son, who quickly picked up Tara's signature move at a young age.
"He told me a joke. I don't even remember it but it was funny. And then he gave me and Ezekiel another fist bump. I can clearly tell who is he going to be taking after," Carol warmly smiled at Maggie.
They were silent for a few seconds as Maggie placed a hand on her stomach. So far she had been able to avoid thinking about the fact that she was carrying Tara's baby.
"I'm pregnant. That's why I came back so soon. I was goin' to tell Tara," Maggie softly announced.
Carol was quiet for a minute. "You know that we are all here for you."
"I know..." Maggie gulped the tears that threatened to escape. Carol stayed with Maggie for a few more minutes before leaving and closing the door softly.
Maggie rested her head on the pillow, glancing up at the ceiling above her. She rested her hand on her stomach, wondering how Tara would have reacted to the happy news. She was pretty sure that Tara would have been ecstatic at the thought of growing their family. She had always been so amazing with Hershel after all.
She closed her eyes, letting herself get lost in a perfect dreamworld of happy memories..
About two years ago...
Tara wiped the sweat off her forehead as she hammered a nail into the new barn that she was helping a few others build. Hilltop had experienced a rise in baby goats and cows so new shelter was needed to keep the animals safe.
"Hey Chambler! I'll get these boards in the back if you finish the ones on the side," Alden shouted to be heard over the sound of hammers.
"Sounds good," Tara agreed. She grabbed another board, glancing over a few feet away where little three year old Hershel was playing with some building blocks. She watched him with a protective eye as she finished up her work for the day.
As she was finishing up, Hershel stumbled up to her. He had a strange look on his face as he wrapped his arms around her long legs.
"Poppy...I don't feel good..." Hershel coughed as Tara knelt down beside him. She was a little panicky since usually Maggie dealt with their son when he was sick. Most of the time, Maggie was the one that he ran to when he wasn't feeling good. So she felt a little out of her element.
"Alright Hershey, what's wrong? Tummy hurt?" Tara asked as she felt his forehead. She was alarmed at how warm his skin was to the touch.
"A little. My head hurts," Hershel had a queasy look on his face and Tara decided that she needed Maggie's help. She glanced around, looking for her girlfriend. Tara finally spotted Maggie in the garden, planting some kind of vegetable.
"No worries, shortstop. We're gonna get you to Mommy and she'll know exactly what to do," Tara picked up Hershel, holding him close as he rested his head on her shoulder.
Tara quickly made her way to where Maggie was, announcing on the way: "Ok people! Outta my way! Sick child here and a clueless parent who needs Mom's help!"
The Hilltop residents gave her amused looks as they moved and dodged out of her way. Most were used to Tara's playful antics by now.
"Babe! Hershel is really burning up. I think he might be sick," Tara motioned for Maggie to feel the boy's forehead. She was in a little panic but she felt proud that Hershel had ran to her first instead of Maggie in his time of need.
"It's alright, Tara. He probably just has a little fever. We'll go take his temperature and I'm sure Enid will have some medicine that he can take," Maggie motioned for Tara to hand him over.
"Yeah but what if he has the flu or something? He might get really sick-" Tara was cut off by the sound of the unwell boy, upchucking all over her.
Maggie couldn't help but laugh at the surprised look on Tara's face as Hershel threw up all over her back. Tara's body tensed as Hershel let out another fresh wave of vomit all over her. She just closed her eyes and let it happen. It wasn't poor Hershel's fault anyway.
"Oh god! Does it ever end?!" Tara groaned as the boy heaved again. Maggie clapped her hand over her mouth, trying not to let the laughter escape.
Just then Jesus walked by, witnessing Tara's humiliating moment. He couldn't help but let out a hearty laugh at his friend's predicament. "So it's finally happened! Welcome to the 'getting thrown up on by the kiddo' club."
"Not sure I want to be a member," Tara lamented as Hershel finished coughing up.
Finally, the little boy was done as Tara gently handed him over to Maggie, making sure not to get any vomit on his clothes.
Hershel glanced at Tara, realizing the mess he had made. His eyes started to tear up. "I'm so sorry, Poppy. I didn't mean to get you all dirty."
"Oh hey buddy! Don't you worry about it. I've always dreamed of getting barfed on. Reminds me of all those crazy college parties I used to go to," Tara glanced over at Maggie who was not amused, "but those are stories for when you're older, much older."
"So I'm not in trouble?" Hershel asked in a quiet voice.
"Nope. 10/10 would do it all over again, buddy," Tara raised a fist bump in his direction which he happily returned.
Maggie began to walk away, soothing Hershel in her arms. "Come on, let's see what medicine Aunt Enid can give you."
Once they were out of sight, Tara quickly took off her plaid shirt, revealing the black shirt she was wearing underneath as Jesus just cracked up laughing.
"Jerk," Tara muttered. She flipped Jesus off as she quickly walked to the house to get into a much needed shower.
A couple of days later, Tara ended up getting sick with the same stomach bug that Hershel had. So Maggie took good care of her and put up with all the complaining and whining.
The sound of a knock on the door woke Maggie up from her restless sleep. She turned over to find Hershel still sound asleep next to her. She slowly got out of bed, careful not to disturb the sleeping boy. She glanced at the window and could see some sunlight shining behind the curtains.
She opened the door to find Daryl standing in the hall. He had a tired look on his face and she guessed that he had stayed up all night.
"We...we found the bodies, but we're not sure..." Daryl trailed off unsure of what to say.
"Not sure? What do you mean?" Maggie demanded.
"Ummm...some were eaten by walkers so we're not entirely sure who is who. Alpha just left them out there like trash," Daryl said with disdain in his voice.
Maggie took a deep breath as she tried to steady herself. Daryl could see the mixture of emotions on her face.
"Daryl, I need you to take me there," Maggie had to see this pike border for herself. She needed to understand what Tara had died for.
"Alright, get someone to watch the boy and we'll head out," Daryl agreed even though he particularly didn't want to go back to Alpha's border.
About an hour later, Daryl led Maggie through the dense woods to the where the border was located. Nothing was said between them as they kept a sharp eye out for any walkers, real or fake. He could still hear Alpha's grim voice as she warned him about trespassing into her land.
Finally after a long walk, they approached the clearing, the first hill hiding the pikes. Maggie could feel her heart beat faster as Daryl led her closer to the border. The beauty and serenity of nature covered the fact that this area was the scene of brutal crime orchestrated by a ruthless dictator.
Maggie let out a small gasp when she saw the ten pikes standing almost evenly apart in a straight line. The heads had been removed by now but the empty pikes still gave the valley an ominous chill. Daryl reluctantly pointed at the one that had been Tara's. Maggie dropped to her knees, trying to hold onto her sanity as she imagined what Tara's last seconds of life had been like.
She glanced up and saw that there was still dried up blood that had run down the pole. She tried to understand how depraved Alpha was to do something like this, but she couldn't fathom that monster's way of thinking.
"We're gonna get Alpha. She ain't gonna get away this," Daryl promised as he glanced at the gray clouds on the horizon. Just then a few snowflakes started to fall from the sky, signaling that winter was coming.
"I want to get her now. She can't go on livin' another day after this," Maggie said with deep hatred in her voice as she stood up.
"We'll get her, Maggie but it might take some time. She has an army of walkers, some real, some dressed up. She has thousands. She'll get what's comin' to her but we gotta be strategic," Daryl wanted nothing more than to kill Alpha but he knew realistically that they were in a losing battle.
"That's not good enough. We need to get her. What happened to that whole 'if you attack one community, you attack us all'? That's what was written in that document Tara signed. Well they attacked us and we need to make them pay," Maggie angrily wiped away the tears that refused to stop falling.
"It ain't that easy-" Daryl started.
"Don't you dare tell me what ain't easy, Daryl Dixon! After what happened to Glenn and then Rick just lets Negan sit in a prison cell? I deserved that justice but he and Michonne denied it from me and I hated them both for so long. But I was able to be happy again with Tara and then this Alpha just rips her away from me and Hershel? You need to promise me that we'll make this right. That we'll get Alpha...I can't let her get away with what she did to Tara. I just can't," Maggie felt weakness in her legs as she knelt down again, tears streaming down her face. The sobs wouldn't stop as her shoulders shook. The only disturbance in the valley was the anguish sound of Maggie's heart wrenching cries.
Daryl placed a hand on her shoulder. "I promise. We'll get Alpha. Just trust me, we'll get her. She ain't gettin' out of this alive."
Maggie wiped away the last of her tears before standing up. That was when she noticed something on the ground a few feet away from the pikes. She could hardly believe that there laying discarded in the grass was the shell bracelet that Tara had been given during her Oceanside travels.
She traced her fingers over the shells on the bracelet before sticking it in her pocket. She would give the jewelry to Hershel so he could have something to remember Tara by. The gentle, cold wind blew through her hair as she glanced at the pike one last time, silently promising Tara that they would never forget her.
Maggie took a deep breath as she stood, looking over the vast horizon. She had a look of pure determination on her face. It was time to get Alpha and her Whisperers.
So that's what I have so far. I'm thinking that this could be a 3-4 chapter story. I'll try to keep working on it but these next few months are gonna be super busy for me. I'll keep writing though. Anyways, thanks for reading and have a great day. The title of this story was inspired by the song Souvenir by boygenius.