In Another Lifetime (Chapter 14)
A/N: As always, thank you so very much for the love and support. Y'all are the best!
Previously: Rick gets help at the prison, Tyreese finds shelter, Noah and Zach travel back to Woodbury, and Michonne, Sasha, the boys, and the community hold off an attack from the Claimers.
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Tyreese's eyes pop open as a noise breaks his slumber. He curses inwardly, unbelieving that he actually dosed off. He straightens up immediately, rubbing the sleep from his eyes anxiously, wanting and needing to be as alert as possible. He looks over his shoulder, peeking through the clouded over windows, trying to detect any movement. There is minimal light outside so he determines the hour as early am.
"I'm telling you there's nothing here. We pass this place all the time so what's the difference now?" A male voice asks cautiously.
"That's just it. We pass it. We never look inside. Let's just verify what you've been saying all along," a different male voice answers in return.
Tyreese grabs his gun and ensures his knife is still sheathed at his side as he prepares to meet the strangers seemingly coming through the front entrance. He glances at the back door, the way he entered and knows he wouldn't get the trunk out of the way in time to make a hasty exit. His only advantage was to take the men by surprise. He lifts to a stand, sliding his back along the wall, staying out of sight and makes his way to the door as the knob is rattled.
One sound kick later has a tall, bulky gentleman walking into the small cabin throwing his arm across his mouth and nose, stifling a cough. A second man follows and Tyreese springs into action, grabbing the second and smaller man by the neck and putting his gun to his temple while kicking the door closed.
The second man yelps with the contact, spurring the first man to turn around holding up a knife.
"Hey….hey man we don't want any trouble. We thought this place was empty," the first man explains.
Tyreese tightens his hold on the second man. "Just drop that knife and put your hands up or your friend dies."
The gentleman complies immediately. "You don't have to do that. Let us go please."
"Let you go?" Tyreese asks. "For all I know you're the assholes who attacked us and tried to kill us."
"We haven't attacked anyone and we certainly didn't try to kill anybody," the second man says.
"Who are you then?" Tyreese demands.
"We're on a supply run for our group. We have a place not far from here. I'm Heath and he's Aaron," the first man answers. "This is our first day out in over a week so we couldn't have attacked you."
Tyreese looks them over and pauses only for a while before he releases Aaron. He remembers the guys attacking them looking grungy and unclean. These two looked too clean cut to be part of that riff raff. "There were….five of us. We got separated. One of us was…."
"Shot?" Heath supplies.
"How did you know that? Do you know where Rick is?"
"We don't know his name but a man who'd been shot showed up at our prison. We're going to find a couple of things that Herschel needs to finish patching him up," Heath explains.
"White man, dark hair. He…he was wearing a tan work shirt," Tyrese offers.
"I think that's your guy," Aaron says.
"Take me to him please. You see anyone else?" Tyreese wonders.
"Just him," Heath states. He looks to Aaron with caution.
"Look we'll take you to him but we need those supplies for Herschel first," Aaron states.
Tyrese nods. "I'll help you get whatever you need as long as you take me to him. We left some supplies on our trucks. We can check and see if we have what you need. That's if the men who attacked us didn't steal them."
"How far from here and why go back to the place you were attacked? What if those guys are still there?" Heath inquires.
"You're right. I'll just….follow your lead," Tyrese complies.
Aaron and Heath sweep the small abode before leading Tyrese away to complete their task. The three of them work together quietly, the first two unsure if they should trust the other and the other unsure if he should believe them. Of course the latter realizes he doesn't have much choice if he wants to find Rick. He thought about returning to Woodbury but knows he couldn't face Michonne, Andre, and Carl without him. He trudges on, helping Aaron and Heath find the supplies they need.
Several hours later, they are trekking back to the prison. Tyrese smiles inwardly as the towers come into view. They were telling the truth. He remembers seeing this place from a distance a while ago but figured it was overrun and uninhabitable. He wants to ask a million questions but right now he needs to concentrate on finding Rick and ensuring he's alive. Everything else could come later.
Aaron lets out a long high whistle and informs Tyreese to prepare himself for walkers. The latter follows their lead as the three of them start jogging towards the prison. The fences start to open slowly and they dispense of the few walkers blocking their way before rushing inside to safety. Tyreese watches as the gates close then takes in his surroundings. A second set of fences start to open and Heath gestures for Tyreese to follow them.
The gate opens and Tyreese connects with a pair of familiar eyes before he finds the nose of an automatic weapon in his face.
"Put your hands up you son of a bitch," Glenn Rhee orders.
Aaron and Heath are confused as they look from Glenn to Tyreese and back again.
"It's ok, Glenn. He's with us," Heath explains.
"Go to tower 2 and check the tree line for anything suspicious," Glenn orders. "This asshole is from Woodbury."
Heath gasps but takes off running towards tower 2 to carry out Glenn's orders.
"Take it easy. It's not how it used to be," Tyreese explains as he holds his hands up. "The Governor is dead Glenn. We have someone else in charge now."
"Is that supposed to matter to me after what he did….what you did to my family?" Glenn asks. "You sent us away to die."
"That wasn't my decision and you know it. Sasha and I searched for days. We tried to find you. I finally gave up coz I thought….I figured….."
"Yeah that we were dead. Well think again asshole," Glenn states.
"You gon shoot him or what?" Daryl asks.
Tyreese panics. "Wait! Just wait one minute. The guy you've got here. His name is Rick. He's the one who's leading Woodbury now. I swear to you the bad element is gone. Things are better now."
"That guy in there killed the Governor?" Glenn asks.
"Well…..actually his wife killed him but all that matters now is that he's dead. I didn't want to side with him Glenn but what choice did I have?" Tyreese inquires. "He would've sent me out there with you and you know it." He sighs. "Look. I was wrong. I realized that and I tried to make it right. These new people the Governor brought in….they didn't take his shit. His wife fought back and now they're running things. I'll understand if you can't forgive me but please….let me check in on him. I need to make sure he's ok. His wife and kids are probably worried sick. After that you can do whatever you see fit. Deal?"
"Tyreese?" Maggie Rhee joins them as she looks behind the big man, searching. "Is Sasha with you?"
Tyreese smiles with relief on seeing Maggie Rhee. "No. She's still at Woodbury. I'm glad y'all made it. She will be too."
"What are you doing here?" Maggie wants to know.
"Trying not to die and to check on Rick. He's the new leader of Woodbury. I told Aaron and Heath what happened and they think he's here."
Maggie steps to her husband's side and puts her hand on his gun to lower it. "Our fight was never with him, Glenn."
After Glenn verifies that Tyreese is alone, he and Maggie guide him inside to where Herschel is taking care of Rick. Aaron is there as well, having brought the needed supplies to the older man as soon as possible.
Tyreese can't explain the immense relief he feels at seeing Rick Grimes laid up on a sheeted table, his chest rising and falling steadily. He looks to Maggie, Glenn, Herschel, and Aaron. "Thank you. Thank you so much for taking him in."
Herschel only nods. "Never thought I'd see your face again. Not sure if that's good or bad right now."
Tyreese drops his head. "I know and I'm sorry for everything that happened. I made the mistake of putting survival before doing what's right but I know that's not how we have to live. I know that now."
"You want to tell us what happened to this man?" Herschel asks. "Is this more of the Governor's work?"
"The Governor's dead thanks to this man and his wife. Things are different in Woodbury now. We were on a supply run when these guys attacked us. We don't know who they were or where they came from. Rick was shot and we all lost track of each other when we ran off."
"His name's Rick? All we've gotten out of him is….Mi-Chonne or something or other," Herschel informs.
Tyreese smiles. "Michonne. She's his wife." He moves closer to get a better look at Rick and immediately notices his flushed features and sweat coated face and body. "Hey. Is he gonna be alright? Why's he sweating like that?"
"His body's fighting off any infection that could set up from this gunshot wound. I extracted the bullet but he has a bit of a fever. We'll get more fluids down him and I've got some fever reducers. He's gonna be fine."
Tyreese sighs audibly. "I hate to keep asking for your help but I really need to get back to his family to let them know he's ok. Do you have a vehicle I can borrow?"
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Patricia and Len were moved to the holding area and secured for later interrogation. No one agreed but Michonne had her reasons. Reasons she would share when the threat was finally handled. She, Jeannette and the boys make their way to the front of the community to detect just where their enemies are.
The walkers were coming so they'd either have to run or come out of hiding. They weren't shooting at them anymore. Seems they had to use their ammo to keep the dead at bay. Michonne smiles inwardly, thankful they were able to maintain the hold on their community.
Joe's frustration is evident as Chris races back to them to inform him that they can't get to the van because too many of the dead are near it. "Shit. That bitch is gonna let us in. It's the only way we'll survive this." He instructs them to hold their hands up and come out of hiding.
Sasha taps Michonne lightly with an elbow, indicating the people emerging from the trees.
They all hold their hands up as Joe yells, "Don't shoot! We just….we need shelter. These things are everywhere and it's not safe out here."
For a split second, Michonne considers allowing them to live but she knows they sent Len and Patricia to infiltrate and end them. There is no telling what might have happened if Andre and Carl hadn't disobeyed her.
"Toss your weapons aside….now," she orders.
"What? With these things out here? No way!" Joe answers.
"That's the only way those gates will open," she returns.
Sasha eyes her cautiously while Carl and Andre tug at her arms.
Michonne ignores them and waits patiently. "It's that or I suggest you start running."
Joe lets out an expletive but instructs his people to follow suit as he tosses his guns aside. "Alright! You got what you wanted. Now let us in."
"If they go for their guns, we'll take them out," Michonne states. A part of her wants to rethink her decision but she has to end this to ensure her people's safety.
"Hey. What are you doing in there? Let us in got damnit!" Joe yells as he can see a set of walkers ambling towards them.
She watches with a stoic expression as the first group of walkers reach them and the small group tries to fight. One of them breaks off and makes a lunge for the pile of guns only a step away but Sasha fires a shot preventing that move.
The group starts to yell and scream to be allowed inside as the walkers surround them. They put up a good fight and one of them manages to break away and starts to run but Mr. Charles ends him quickly. The four that remain are quickly overrun and their screams soon die out as the walkers feast hungrily.
Michonne takes a deep breath and releases it. She was just about to speak when she sees a pair of headlights in the distance. Rick.
The boys notice the same thing and their faces light up with smiles.
"Dad's back," Carl announces.
"Alright!" Andre agrees.
"Mr. Charles can you check with Mannie and see if the group in back of us are taken care of?" Michonne asks.
"Sure thing." The older man moves off to handle his task as the others wait in anticipation of the vehicle's approach.
Sasha sighs, hoping her brother and Rick are ok. "We're gonna have to take those walkers out before opening the gate. They won't be able to get in otherwise."
"Let's do this," Michonne agrees as they all take aim and start eliminating the dead.
Several minutes later, they are opening the gates and simultaneously killing any lingering walkers as the vehicle moves inside.
Michonne, Sasha, and the boys' expressions of anticipating morph into disappointment as Noah and Zach step out of the truck alone.
"Where's Rick?" Michonne asks.
"Where's Tyreese?" Sasha follows.
Noah drops his eyes. "We….we don't know. We were attacked. Rick was shot and….."
"Shot?!" Carl and Andre exclaim.
"Yes but he….Tyreese told him to get out of there so he ran. We all did and I thought we'd find each other but….." Noah trails off.
"Noah and I stayed together and circled back to the trucks when we thought it was safe. We came back to get help so we could find them," Zach states.
"You can get me to the place where he was shot?" Michonne inquires.
Zach and Noah nod.
Michonne starts walking with a purpose towards the holding area. Sasha and the boys along with Noah and Zach follow her. She nods at the guard on duty before approaching Patricia and Len behind bars. The latter was still bleeding profusely which made her wonder where Denise was. She'd sent for her a while ago.
"Well your friends are all dead. I hope you're happy with that knowledge," she tells them.
The two prisoners remain silent as they process that information.
"You chose the wrong man and the wrong community to mess with."
"I'm content with the knowledge that Rick Grimes is dead just like my Travis. You'll never see the man you love again," Patricia sneers.
"What are you talking about? My dad's not dead," Carl states.
Andre steps forward. "That's right. Rick's not dead."
"I guess your momma hasn't told you. We shot your daddy. He's dead," Patricia repeats.
Andre lifts his gun. "If you killed my dad then I'm gonna kill you!"
"Andre no!" Michonne commands as she places a hand at his wrist. She realizes allowing the boys in here was a mistake. "Sasha can you handle this? I'll be back." She instructs Noah and Zach to see Denise and asks them to be at her apartment in an hour.
She needs to check on Mr. Charles and the others but she has to take care of her sons first. She leads them to their apartment, keeping quiet as Andre fires off question after question about Rick. Carl is unusually quiet so she looks on him with care and tells him everything will be ok.
He looks to her with tears brimming in his eyes. "Is he…..gone?"
"No. No baby he's not. I'd feel it. We'd all feel different if it was true. Zach and Noah said he ran off so he got away. We just have to find him," she assures.
"But they shot him. What if….he collapsed and walkers got to him or…."
"Rick is tough. Can't no walkers get him. Mom's right. We just have to find him," Andre says. The little one puts forth bravery despite his quivering body at the thought of Rick not being around.
"Zach and Noah can lead us to where they were ambushed and we'll find some clues….footprints or something to show us where he went," Michonne plans.
Carl nods. "Ok."
"Can we leave now?" Andre asks.
"Let's get everything handled here first and make sure everyone can take care of things while we're gone," Michonne suggests. "I want you two to get your backpacks ready. I'll be back in a few minutes. Alright?"
She races back to Sasha and the two of them handle ending Patricia and Len then make their way to the rear of the community.
"I thought you were keeping them alive for a reason," Sasha states.
"I was. They were going to take us to where Rick and Tyreese were. We have Noah and Zach for that now so they were of no use to us anymore," Michonne answers.
Sasha gives her a pensive look.
"What?" Michonne wonders.
"You've changed. Not long ago you weren't too keen on killing. Now…." Sasha trails off, leaving things unsaid but Michonne answers anyway.
"It was us or them and I'm gonna choose us every time." She goes on to inform her about the plans to search for Rick and Tyreese.
They reach Mannie and Mr. Charles and inquire about the bomb and the remaining members of that group. Mannie quickly informs them that he is not 100% sure that all of them are dead but if the bomb didn't end them, the gunfire and the walkers should have.
She informs them of her plans to leave, asking them if they can handle things in her absence.
"You don't worry about a thing. We got this handled. Go and get your husband back. He probably needs you," Mr. Charles advises.
They make their way to infirmary and find out why Denise has been detained. Taylor is having some issues with the pregnancy. Denise is sure it's false labor but she plans to monitor her patient closely. Michonne tells Zach to stay behind and take care of his family.
A little over one hour later, Michonne, Sasha, Carl, Andre, Noah, and Mannie are exiting Woodbury.