A/N: Just a reminder. This chapter is entirely from Carl's point of view. Enjoy! ^-^
The night is still young.
Outside the house, crickets chirp, and the wind gently rolls over the vacant streets of Alexandria. The sky itself is freckled with brightly-shining stars. I can see this all from the window I'm standing at. I haven't left this window since arriving back home. Somewhere out in this darkness, Tanner is alone and no doubt frightened. My stomach lurches at the thought, as if bruised on the inside by some unseen force. It had been chaos after Negan left the community. Dad, Daryl, and the others immediately had to restore the gates and clear out any invading walkers from the outside in order to re-secure the town. Afterwards, I, of course, demanded we go after Tanner, but, as usual, Dad implored me to be patient and wait for a plan. Even set Abraham and Rosita up at the gate to prevent me from leaving should I try to storm out anyways. Ever since then, I've been giving the others the cold shoulder. That is until now. A waning moon now hangs like a hunter's horn overhead. The house is empty, as Dad had left with the others to decide on the best course of action, and that left me alone to my own planning.
I wasn't wasting a second.
Enough time has already gone by.
I hastily tie the knots in my boot laces, ensuring the sturdy shoes are tightly bound to my feet, before turning my attention to my arsenal. My gun is loaded. I never leave the house unless it is. Additionally, I have Tanner's sword with me, which he dropped when we were disarmed earlier in the day by Negan's Saviors. I've only held Tanner's sword once and that was years ago, shortly after we first met. Nevertheless, I've seen him with it enough times to know how to wear it. Once my gun is safely strapped away in its holster on my leg, I nimbly work to get the strap of Tanner's sword around my thin frame, allowing it to hang from my back. I also take with me an extra clip of ammo just in case I run out for any reason. With my gear in place and nothing left to wait for, I slip out the open window I was previously staring out of, and into the brisk Virginian night.
Winter is indeed upon us.
Outside in the night air, the biting cold licks my face and penetrates even my winter clothing. I'm used to this, though. Years ago, after Hershel's farm was overrun by walkers, we had been forced to survive on the road all winter. Cold is just another thing I've come to get used to after the fall of civilization and so I push the uneasy feeling of it outside of my mind and focus on my goal. Tanner. Cold, hardened grass crunches beneath my boots as I cross the yard and eventually step down onto the solid concrete of the street. Getting passed Abraham and Rosita wasn't going to be easy, but they aren't going to stop me. My mind won't stop replying the moment that Tanner was taken. My heart is engulfed with hatred for myself that I let him go like that. Negan was looking for me. He was looking for my Dad's kid, and though he didn't seem to know about Judith, he did seem to know about me. Tanner had taken advantage of the fact that Negan didn't have a face to associate with any of Dad's children, however, and was taken in my place. My chest throbs painfully at the thought. He'd taken my place so that I could live.
If he dies, I'll never forgive myself.
"Going somewhere?"
The sudden voice stops me dead in my tracks.
I hadn't even made it passed the church yet. The searing heat of anger touches my cheeks, replacing the sting of the frigid air. Someone has come to stop me from rescuing Tanner. Someone is going to find out just how hard such a task is going to be. Spinning on my heel, I whirl around to catch a glimpse at the source of the offending voice. Who I see is not who I expected to see. In my single-mindedness, I hadn't noticed that the voice was feminine, and so seeing Tara Chambler standing in front of me surprises me to a degree.
"You can't stop me, Tara." I snap venomously, immediately go on the offense.
She folds her arms defiantly. Tara is one of Tanner's closest friends outside of myself and Michonne. The two bonded very closely after our near-death experience in Terminus years back and have been partners in crime ever since. I have to admit, I can see why Tanner gets along with her so well. Tara, though not a combat-oriented individual, is very headstrong and confident individual. Moreover, she is extraordinarily loyal to those close to her. Tanner seems to click nearly perfectly with anyone possessing those traits. That's why I can't understand why she's come all this way to stop me. It makes me furious. So furious, I can't even feel the cold on my skin any longer, due to the heat my skin is giving off. A heat that evaporates instantly when she clarifies her intentions;
"What makes you think I'm here to stop you?"
"I said you're no-..."
I'm so caught up in arguing with her, I nearly missed her question.
"You're not?" my voice betrays my surprise. "Then what are you doing out here following me?"
I study her, eyes narrowing sharply in the darkness as I do, waiting for her to explain herself further. In my haste to accuse her of hampering my attempts to save Tanner, I had missed one crucial detail. Tara was not as calm and collected as I initially believed her to be. My eyes adjusting to the darkness, and being aided by the light of the moon, allows me to clearly see the state of her distress. The pale skin around her eyes is swollen; the telltale sign that her eyes had recently been racked by tears. After seeing this, I feel my tense expression gradually soften. It looks as though I am not the only one worried for Tanner's safety.
"Why do you think?" she retorts, trying to sound tough. "You're not the only one worried sick, Carl."
The inflection in her voice stings slightly.
I glance down at my feet, slightly ashamed, "Sorry." I mutter.
"You know I can't let you go alone, right?" she suddenly speaks up.
My own head snaps up, fire returning to my cheeks.
"And why not?" I hiss.
Despite her obvious turmoil, Tara attempts to retain her defiance, folding her arms tightly against her chest to give the illusion of someone standing their ground.
"Because Tanner would kill me if he found out I let you go running around the walker-infested countryside alone at night to look for him, and stayed here where it was safe." she replies pointedly. "Besides, I learned the same stuff from Denise that Tanner did. You'll need a medic if he's hurt."
"What are you saying?" I inquire, eyes narrowing again.
This time Tara huffs exasperatedly, "Do I need to spell it out for you?" her voice is raised and almost annoyed. "If you're going outside the gates, you're taking me with you."
"But what about Dad?" I argue. "He'll be pissed at you for doing this."
Tara's defiance shatters, appearing quite visibly shocked by my declaration. For a moment, her eyes, both pools of luminescence reflecting the moon's eerie glow, search my own. She struggles with her expression for a moment before settling on a soft, yet firm, glare. Her arms, which had been tight against her chest, unfold and each of her hands finds a hip as she continues to look me over.
"Is that what you think?" she inquires after moments of silence. "Carl, your dad is concerned too. The only reason he kept you here is to keep you from losing your head and getting yourself killed. If you die, that won't help Tanner at all. Not in the slightest."
"She's right."
A new voice comes from out of nowhere, startling me enough to make me jump.
I spin around just in time to see Michonne emerging from across the street, having overheard our conversation, and approaching us. She's not alone either. With her are Glenn, Maggie, Daryl, Sasha, and, to my great surprise, Dad and Jesus. In all the confusion and emotion of the day, I had nearly forgotten that Jesus hadn't returned home to Hilltop after the attack, but had rather stayed to help out the community. Even so, seeing them causes the tension in my heart to continue its ascent. What are they here for? To tell me that its futile? That there is no hope? That they won't organize a search? None of these seem like rational things anyone in this group would actually say, but anxiety can convince you of some crazy thoughts. Especially when its anxiety about the person you love the most. Dad continues forward as the rest of the group stops behind him, laying a fatherly hand on my shoulder. Even though I'm nineteen years old, whenever Dad approaches me in this manner, puts his hand on my shoulder, and gives me this serious look, I suddenly feel twelve again.
"I'm sorry I made you wait." his voice is rough, deep, and yet strangely soothing. "Believe it or not, I know what its like to have a spouse missing and not know if they're alright or even alive."
Its true.
I sometimes forget that.
When this whole thing began, Dad didn't know if Mom and I had been killed, abducted, or turned into walkers. It took him days to find us outside of Atlanta. Only now do I understand what he felt like then.
"What's the plan?" Tara inquires of Dad from behind me.
"Jesus informed us that the Saviors have never given up where they're callin' home." my father replies. "Luckily for us, Daryl can track. With any luck, he can lead us right to their doorstep, and to Tanner."
I eye Jesus.
Up until now, I've been wary of trusting Jesus. He seems to be a decent person, but a lot of decent-seeming people have turned out to be murderous psychopaths since the world went to shit. I'm not taking any chances.
"You're coming too?" I ask him.
Jesus studies me for a moment, smiles softly, and then nods;
"Its my fault you guys are even in this mess to begin with." he explains. "If I'd been more careful about our two communities' deal, your friend Tyreese wouldn't be dead and your mate wouldn't be missing. I owe it to you to help you find him and find him alive."
That means something to me.
Its one thing to want to help the community. Its one thing to want to help our group. But to help me find Tanner? Help me find him alive? If Jesus really comes through on that, he will have for sure sealed my trust. And that isn't something I give out very lightly these days. A sudden, frigid gust of air sweeps across the streets and I instinctively look up towards the direction it came from. Dark clouds are approaching from the east, devouring the star-speckled sky like a ravenously hungry ghoul. A storm is moving in. Not a good thing, considering we're about to head out as a search-and-rescue team.
"We better get movin'." Daryl suggests, having noticed my line of sight. "Otherwise that storm'll cause some problems."
We all agree...
...and then we're off.
####
The woods always appear differently in the darkness of night.
Everything around me has an unfamiliar slant to it, almost as if the absence of the life-giving rays of the sun have turned the normally vibrant floral life around me into a more twisted and haunted version of itself. Ahead, Daryl, Dad, and Jesus lead our group along the edge of the woods, which happens to also touch the edge of the road. Dad had decided to keep us here, using the trees for cover in case any unwanted attention decided to roam the roads late at night; namely the Saviors themselves. Every now and then a wayward walker or two will stumble into our path, leaving Michonne or Glenn to quickly dispatch of it. I have scarcely taken my eyes off of Daryl. Of our group, he is the only one who can discern the path those bastards took Tanner in, and so I am very meticulously awaiting his signal that we are close.
Overhead, the stars formerly shinning in the heavens are now nearly non-existent. Clouds black as soot have completely taken their place and now wrestle with the moon for dominance over the sky itself. In the distance I can hear the faint rumble of thunder. It won't be long now and we'll have a full blown thunderstorm to worry about as well. Daryl continues to lead us in silence, the crunching of twigs and leaves underfoot being the only noteworthy noise for a good several hours. For once, I wish someone would speak. Only my thoughts can fill the void of silence between us at the moment, and my thoughts are none too kind.
It was the same way when mom died.
All I could ever do, back then, was torment myself on just how horrible of a son I'd been to her. Always running off, talking back to her, and even, at times, hating her for keeping me so close, when all she ever tried to do was keep me safe. I regret that. And now, with Tanner, its happening all over again. While I haven't been horrible to Tanner in the same way, I hate myself for letting him take my place. I tried to speak up, but was silenced by Negan. I should've tried again and again until Negan learned the truth, sparing Tanner's life. Now I don't know what's happened to him. He could be being tortured, he could be dead, or... something worse. I briefly recall the days spent in the church after Terminus. Even though it has been three years, I can still remember the dream I had after Tanner had been shot. Tanner turned into a walker, killing everyone else, eating them; me unable to put him down.
I shiver at the thought.
The thought that, this time, that could be a reality.
I glance in the direction of Michonne. So far, she hasn't said anything, nor expressed the type of emotion that Tara and I have. But I know its there. Michonne is good at hiding her feelings; at giving the facade of complete calm, even when she's anything but calm. The fact of the matter is that, during our time on the road, she and Tanner became almost like siblings. That makes me wonder what she's thinking. What she's feeling. My thoughts are suddenly disturbed, however, by a hand on my shoulder. I expect Tara, maybe Dad, but instead I'm surprised to see Maggie casting a concerned look at me.
"If its any consolation," she says to me softly. "I know what you're going through."
She does.
Of course she does.
Its easy to forget that she and Glenn were separated after the prison fell to the Governor. I didn't realize, back then, just how much anxiety the two of them must've gone through until they were reunited with one another. Even so, its not consolation. Nothing short of seeing Tanner alive and safe will heal the growing void in my chest.
"It isn't." I reply truthfully. "But thanks."
"You know he's going to be alright, don't you?" Maggie continues trying to cheer me up. "Tanner's tough."
"I was there on the road when Tyreese was killed." I reply cryptically. Out of the corner of my eyes, I see Sasha tense up, but I pay her no heed. "I couldn't watch it. Tanner shielded me, but because he did that, he saw everything. Yeah, I know he's tough."
"Then-"
"But I also saw the aftermath." I cut her off to continue. "I saw what was left of him when Negan was finished." Now I turn to look her full in the eyes. "So, no, I don't know if he's going to be alright or not."
That silences her.
Maggie means well, but I think she can still recall what the Governor did to her father. I certainly can. My mind will never be able to erase the images of the innocent, wise old farmer, Hershel, kneeling before his executioner as the one-eyed Governor decapitates him with Michonne's own sword. She knows just how unpredictable and dangerous people like him can be, even to people like Hershel, who are unbelievably strong in their own rights. Daryl ends our conversation by whistling. We break formation and huddle up beside where he is kneeling.
"What is it?" I vocalize, concern again touching my voice.
"They turned here." the redneck indicates to a heavily wooded side road just off of the main roadway. A pair of tire tread marks are clearly burned into the road, indicating the turn Daryl speaks of.
"Keep your guards up." Dad cautions. "We'll follow the road like we've been - from just inside the trees. Keep your eyes peeled at all times. We don't know what we'll find in there."
I nod.
Everyone else does the same.
And we advance.
####
Thunder cracks the air as though the very heavens are splitting apart.
We've made progress. The terrain has very quickly become more jagged and sloped as we make our way through the trees alongside the side road. Weather conditions are only worsening by the minute. A tremendous wind gusts in from behind us, scattering the dead leaves at our feet even as those still attached to their branches are violently torn away. We've picked up our pace to accommodate for this. It won't be too much longer now. Only moments ago, we saw what looked like an old building rising up through some of the gaps in the treeline. After only a few more moments of walking among the trees, Daryl comes to an abrupt halt, throwing up his hand to signal for us to do the same. Now on high alert, I intentionally grip the handle of my gun; ready to draw and fire at a moment's notice. The redneck cautions us forward several feet to the edge of the woods. As if on cue, the ever-defiant moon shatters the stormy clouds above and casts its ghostly luminescence upon the earth in front of us.
Then I see it.
...Rather, I hear it.
In the obstructed moonlight, the hundreds of lurching forms appear as merely a tremendous mass of darkness. A single shadow with the most twisted of origins. It is the sound they give off, though, that confirms to me what I'm seeing. Walkers. Literally hundreds of them. My first instinct is to draw my gun and start shooting. That's been our usual response to the sight of a herd. Dad, however, is quick to strike out with his hand, blocking me from reaching my gun in its holster. I glance up to shoot him an inquisitive look, but am distracted by his and Daryl's completely lack of urgency. Upon second inspection, the walkers don't seem to be advancing on our position. Rather, and quite horrifically, they are being held in one place. Just beyond them is the shadowy outline of a chain-length fence. Behind even that is the rising form of a seemingly-abandoned factory.
"My God..." Jesus breathes silently. "They're using the walkers as a defense!"
"Is..." I mutter, equally as surprised. "Is that where they've taken Tanner?"
Daryl regards me, facial expression obscured by the darkness, as the clouds once more overtake the moon's light. He then motions towards the left of where we'd been looking, so I adjust my vision to the indicated location. My fears are confirmed, as I catch sight of the vehicles we'd seen outside of Alexandria parked behind the chain-link fence. This is it. Negan's home. The Savior's base. It is a fitting and horrific site for the murderous gang. My thoughts immediately dart for Tanner. Tough though he may be, he must've been terrified upon seeing this place. If he's alive, I can imagine the inside is only that much more horrific. Just the thought of Tanner scared for his life, possibly dead, brings the all-too-familiar heat of anger back to the surface of my cheeks. I swear on my life that each and everyone of them will pay for every single finger they've laid on Tanner. I will see to that personally.
"How do we even get in there?" Glenn voices. "Its too dangerous at night."
"Night is our only option." Michonne quickly points out. "We lose the element of surprise otherwise."
"She's right." Dad chimes in. "We just need to find a way passed these walkers. They have a way in, after all, we just need to find it."
"One that's probably heavily guarded." Sasha argues.
"No. I don't think so." I'm surprised Daryl has joined in on this. He rarely gets involved in the group's disagreements. "They've put this much effort into guardin' the place with walkers. Ain't no way they're worried about guardin' the entrance with people."
"Even if that's true," Glenn continues. "Searching for an entrance is dangerous enough. We'll get bit or raise the alert before we even find it."
A heavy silence falls on us.
The disagreement has brought an impasse and even Dad seems unwilling to assert himself. Well, if he won't, I will.
"I'm going to find it." I declare boldly.
"Carl..." Maggie speaks up, her voice firm but concerned.
"No!" I snap, trying to keep my voice low at the same time. "If it were Glenn, you'd do the same. I came here to save Tanner. If he's alive, he's in there. I have to try. No matter what."
"If he's going in, I am too." Tara supports me. I knew I could count on her to have my back when it comes to Tanner's well-being. "I came with you, Glenn, when Maggie was missing and you didn't know if she was dead or alive. I'll do the same here."
"I am too."
Michonne's voice startles all of us.
Michonne, ever the rational one in our group, usually sides with whatever solution gets the best possible result with the least danger. But this time, the danger level far exceeds the chances at a solution. That's why her volunteering to join Tara and I surprises even me, though not for long. Like I mentioned earlier, I can see underneath her facade of collected calmness. Her worry for Tanner has exceeded that which she can take, and so she's taking matters into her own hands. With Michonne on board, the others are almost instantly swayed, even if begrudgingly so. So, with that, its settled. We're going in. All that is needed now is a plan to do so.
A twig snaps behind me, sending all the hairs along the back of my neck on high alert.
"And just what might we be doin'?" an alien voice inquires from the same direction.
My group is a blur of action.
Michonne's sword comes out of her scabbard as everyone else brings their guns to bear against the unknown individual. Upon getting my first glimpse of him, I recognize him immediately. Glenn's reaction says he does too. The man is thin, wearing a charcoal-colored biker jacket, a pair of torn jeans, and has a distinctive facial trait; half of his face has been horribly burned, leaving very distinctive scaring in its place. This man is a member of the Saviors, having been on the road the night Tyreese was murdered.
"Who the hell are you?" Dad snarls, steadily pointing his Colt Python directly for the man's head.
In an act of brave defiance, the man completely ignores Dad and rather turns his attention to me.
"You..." he breathes, almost awed. "So, you came after all."
My eyes narrow.
What is he going on about?
Sure, he recognizes me, but what does he mean by 'you came after all'? Does he know me?
"You talk to me!" Dad demands of the Savior. "Leave him out of this."
"Oh, but I think he's rather important, wouldn't ya say, Rick?" the Savior replies defiantly. Its no surprise he recognizes Dad. Not after Negan's stunt earlier. But his interest in me piques my curiosity. "After all, that's your son, isn't it?"
Now, I can be shocked.
How could he possibly know that? Tanner had posed as Dad's son when he was taken. Did Negan know it was a lie all along? Or did they torture that bit of information from Tanner? My teeth grit angrily at the thought of that particular possibility. Dad's defensive irritation turns into full blown rage upon hearing that the Savior knows who I am, gesturing his gun towards the scared man in an even more suggestive manner.
"Oh yeah," the man grins slightly. "I know all about your switcheroo." he eyes me again. "Your friend is quite fond of you. All he seems to think about is gettin' out to be with you again."
My heart lurches.
Tanner is alive after all! But the more heartbreaking news is that he's trying to get out... for me. That's one thing about Tanner that both irritates me to no end and, yet, at times, completely takes my breath away. He seems completely incapable of acting in his own self-interest. Everything he's done over the past three years, since the two of us met, has been for my sake. When I first realized this, after we'd begun living in Alexandria, I'd implored him to start being more concerned for himself, as I worried he'd be unable to function if something happened to me. Now I realize that Tanner had never given up pursuing my best interests. Taking my place with Negan and then attempting to find a way to escape are only the latest examples of his self-sacrifice for my sake. Now, its my chance to get even. Now its my chance to do something for him. New found confidence broiling within me, I step out from the group, in front of even Dad, raising my weapon until it is mere centimeters from the man's forehead. To his credit, the Savior doesn't blink or flinch once.
"Where is he?" I demand.
"Don't worry, sheriff." the Savior cackles. "He's alive and well."
Wrong answer.
Without a second thought, I reach up and pull back the hammer of my weapon, loading at bullet into the chamber.
"Not what I asked you." I hiss.
This only seems to further amuse the man.
"You two really are a perfect match." he muses. "I can't tell if he rubbed off on you or vice versa, but... he had the same defiance."
"He asked you a question!" Michonne snaps, eyes wide with rage.
"Where do you think he is?" the Savior folds his arms. "Right there, in the building behind you."
The man indicates to the side of the building, where a large glass window is barely visible. That must be where they're holding him. Now, I shove the barrel of my gun into the man's scarred flesh, intending to let him know just how serious I am about this entire matter.
"Take me to him." I order him.
"No can do, buddy." the man replies. "The boss will fuckin' kill me if I do."
"And what do you think I'm gonna do to you if you don't?"
That seems to genuinely startle him.
"You drive a hard bargain, kid." the man huffs, irritated. "Look, I can't take you in there. Unfortunately, threatenin' to kill me won't change my mind. The most I can do is tell you where to find him."
I study him closely.
For a Savior, this man is surprisingly witty and intelligent. He also seems to genuinely want to tell me where Tanner is. I hadn't expected that. I had expected an attempted capture or maybe him to start shooting at us. The fact that he is not is both unsettling and curious at the same time. So much so, that I decide to confront him on that matter.
"Why would you do that?"
The Savior's aloof behavior suddenly drops, becoming immensely serious in mere seconds, as if the question has struck his final nerve.
"Let's just say," the man begins. "You not the only ones who want to fuck Negan over."
A/N: Carl and the crew have arrived at the Savior's headquarters, only to be met by Dwight, whom we met last chapter. But what does his cryptic final statement mean? And why does he seem to be going out of his way to speak to Negan's enemies? Only the next chapter will tell! The tenth chapter will see shit hit the fan like you've never seen before! I promise it'll be one that will have you reeling by the end of it! That said, like this chapter, the next one will be entirely in Carl's point of view. I hope this chapter was interesting and enjoyable! 'Twas an enjoyable chapter to right! That is for certain! Stay tuned for more exciting scenes! ^-^ Also, side note, but also TWD related: Congratulations to Melissa McBride (Carol) and Chandler Riggs (Carl) for winning their Saturn Awards! Both are extremely talented and deserved their awards very much. Also, this is rather late, as it is now the 28th where I'm at, but a Happy 15th Birthday to Chandler Riggs! An extraordinary actor, that one. I hope his special day was a good one and I look forward to seeing what talents he brings into the highly anticipated 5th season of The Walking Dead. It was also Alanna Materson's (Tara Chambler) birthday the same day, so Happy Birthday to her as well!
Now that that's out of the way, on to the reviews!
I am who I am 987: He is quite determined! That's one trait I really enjoy about Tanner. Huge sweetheart, he is. Which can be a curse in this walker-infested world, but he doesn't seem to mind it! :) Thank you for your comments and review!
Guest: THANK YOU! I was waiting for someone to chime in and tell me how I was doin' with ol' Negan. Makes me feel good I can give him some justice in his portrayal. Though the Governor is my favorite TWD villain, Negan is nearly equal with him, just because the guy is such a massive dick. Much more of him to come! ^-^
Also, shout out to Kayden Pause, who continues to support the story, offer me advice, and give me his honest opinions of the story whenever he can. It is much appreciated! That said, thank you all for your continued support, comments, reviews, and readership! It means a lot to me that you all enjoy these stories so much! Remember to leave your thoughts on this chapter! Don't be shy! I promise I don't bite! Lol xD
Slight side note, if you try to PM me and I don't respond immediately, its because I've been having some issues with the PM system lately. Probably connected to my crappy internet, but I'm working on a fix and will reply to you when I have.
Until the next one, folks.
Later!
