Chapter 4-Finishing preparations

Deanna's P.O.V

Deanna looked at Rick as he walked up to her. "You did good today," Rick tells her.

"Thanks," Deanna says. "How long until we can do this?"

"Two, three days. I'll take everybody out for a test the day before," Rick tells her. "Deanna, make sure Alexandria is on high alert while we are gone. This could go wrong at any moment. We're all thinking it."

"Will it go wrong, Rick?" Deanna asks him. "I am putting the lives of our people in your hands, the safety of Alexandria and every person who lives here."

"The plan's solid, Deanna. We've dealt with plenty of herds, Deanna. I'm not worried about something with the herd. They move together as long as nothing happens to Daryl, Rosita, Abraham, and Sasha, then we should be able to manage that. I'm worried about people like Carter."

"He's a good man, Rick. When it comes down to it, he will do what is right to keep Alexandria safe," Deanna reassures him. "But if he does become a problem, send him back."

"You doing okay?" Rick asks her.

"I'm getting by," Deanna tells Rick, who nods. "I need you to tell me something and be honest."

"Okay," Rick says.

"Nickolas, did he actually die trying to save Aiden?" Deanna asks him. "I saw Tara and Maggie, and Glenn and Noah seemed like they were lying. I didn't ask then, but I want to know now."

"No, they got trapped in that door, and Noah made a choice when Nickloas almost got him and Glenn killed," Rick answers.

"Thank you for being honest," Deanna says to Rick before he walks away.

Daryl's P.O.V

Daryl sat on his porch that night, making arrows from his crossbow. "You have a house you could do that in," Rosita says as she walks past the house.

"Then I'd have to clean it up," Daryl says. "What are you doing out?"

"Abraham and Sasha are talking with Rick," Rosita tells him as she climbs the steps. "You worried?"

"No," Daryl says flatly. "We've survived worse shit than this. We made it out of Terminus. We can do this."

"This time, we won't have Carol to come save our asses," Rosita says as she leans against the wall.

"Then we better not make any mistakes, one mistake and we could die, and so could other people," Daryl says. "You know you don't gotta go with me. I can ride solo."

"I know you can, but if something goes wrong, you'll need someone to watch your back. I don't want to stay here while the rest of you are out there risking your lives," Rosita tells him.

Daryl nods as Abraham walks up to the house. "You guys done?" Rosita asks Abraham, who nods. "See you tomorrow," She says to Daryl as she goes down the stairs.

"Get some sleep, Dixon," Abraham says.

"I will. I'll have to get your ugly ass out of my head first," Daryl says with a small smirk. Abraham laughs as he walks away with Rosita.

Noah's P.O.V

Noah sat on the bench he had talked to Reg on before the run and looked at the journal Reg gave him before the run with Nickolas. It was still early in the morning, and most of Alexandria was waking up and getting ready to head back to build the walls. "I figured I might find you here," Deanna says as she walks up to him. "Maggie said you left."

"Yeah," Noah says as Deanna sits down.

"Rick told me the truth about what happened at that warehouse," Deanna says to Noah, who stays silent for a moment.

"Glenn's plan was going to work. He was too scared, and I knew Glenn wouldn't make the call, but I wasn't willing to let him die, let Maggie lose her husband because Nickolas couldn't keep it together. So I made a decision that I wish I didn't have to, but I don't regret it. If that makes me a bad person, so be it," Noah says firmly. "I would do it again in a heartbeat."

"Are the dead trapped in that warehouse?" Deanna asks.

"Yeah,"

"I understand why you did it, Noah. I am not here to give you a speech, call you a bad person, or kick you out. All I ask is that when this herd is gone. You take a group to clear that warehouse and retrieve the bodies," Deanna says softly.

"We can do that," Noah says. Deanna nods. She lays her hand on his shoulder before she walks away, leaving Noah by himself.

Negan's P.O.V

Negan walked up behind Ron Anderson as he glared at Carl, who was talking with Enid. "You know, if looks could kill, Carl would be lying on the ground," Negan says with a smirk. Ron glances at him.

"What do you need?" Ron asks him.

"Nothing," Negan says. "Just saw you standing here, and I was curious about what you were staring at."

"His father killed my Dad," Ron says.

"You're Dad killed Reg," Negan says. "Abused your Mom. Your Dad was a dick, kid."

"What do you know about my Dad?" Ron asks.

"Only what I have been told. He abused your Mom, lost to Rick, killed Reg, and Rick killed him. Deanna didn't want him buried here. Can't say I blame her," Negan says.

"He was a doctor. He saved lives," Ron growls.

"And he took the life of an innocent man who also saved lives. Look, kid, I don't give a fuck about your revenge plot. If you wanna try something against Carl or Rick, be my guest. You'll only be a problem when they kill you, and I have to bury you, or maybe we'll stick you in a dirt pile by your Dad, kid," Negan says calmly.

"Why do you think they'd kill me?"

"Because they've killed people, they were on the road, you've been tucked up in here since the start. You probably haven't even killed ten walkers. Like I said, if you wanna be dumb, go for it," Negan says. "Gotta go. Someone's gotta build that wall," Negan says before he walks away.

Tara's P.O.V

Tara walked over to Paula as she put more wood in a truck. The two of them had volunteered to go to the construction site early and get more metal and wood for the wall. "I'm surprised you and your friends didn't leave," Tara says as she sets a piece of metal in the truck.

"Why would we leave?" Paula asks her.

"Why wouldn't you? The night you get here, Rick killed Pete, and the next day, you find out that a herd is close to breaking out of their hole in the ground and making their way to Alexandria, where we live," Tara says.

"Most people would leave. The place doesn't seem safe, but it is, and as long as this works, it will remain safe. The place we were at before, it was safe. We could survive there, but the people were assholes, and the place looked like shit. Alexandria has good people and reminds you of the old world. It makes me hopeful that one day we can have a piece of the old world back. The others would agree," Paula tells her. "You want us to leave?"

"No, we can get every man and woman we can get," Tara tells her. "I'm glad you stayed. Maybe we can get through this without anybody dying," Paula nods as they go to grab more metal and wood.

Ezekiel's P.O.V

Ezekiel stood looking at Jerry's grave. "He didn't have to die," Richard says from behind him. "We should have never taken their deal."

"What would you have done then, Richard?" Ezekiel growls.

"We should have fought. We know the Hilltop is just like us, and there are probably others. Maybe you were right when you took Negan's deal. We couldn't beat the saviors by ourselves or even with the Hilltop, but now Negan's dead, and I guarantee a lot of the people who followed him fought back against Simon and were also killed as well. We should take the chance and fight back. Avenge Jerry and save more people from his fate and the fate of the Kingdom," Richard answers.

"I will not lead more of my people to the slaughter. If this is what we must do to ensure that nobody else ends up like Jerry, so be it," Ezekiel says. "Now leave me," Richard doesn't say anything as he turns around and walks away. "I'm am sorry I could not save you, my dear friend. I will save others from your fate, that I swear."

Simon's P.O.V

Simon sat on Negan's couch, drinking a bottle of his whiskey with a grin on his face. He looks at the door as it opens, and Arat walks in.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself," Arat says as she stares at the man.

"Why shouldn't I be enjoying myself. Negan's gone, I'm in charge, and the leaders of Hilltop and the Kingdom have bowed to me and are too scared to fight. We won, Arat," Simon says with a grin.

"Negan could still be out there alive," Arat says.

"Yes, he could be, but he was injured, and they don't have a lot of supplies. We're sending men out every day to find them. It is only a matter of time before D.J, Paula, Gavin, Laura, Alden, and Negan join the rest of the dead on the fence and help protect the Sanctuary," Simon says with a grin. "So don't worry, Arat. Grab a glass, let loose."

Arat sighs but grabs a glass.

Dwight's P.O.V

Dwight shut the door to Sherry's room and looked at Sherry and Tina. "Why are we here, D?" Sherry asks her.

"I think we made a mistake," Dwight says. "Betraying Negan."

"We didn't," Tina says firmly.

"Simon threatened the two of you yesterday. Negan may have been an asshole, but at least he never touched one of you. I don't know if I can say the same about Simon. He's unstable," Dwight tells them.

"What do you purpose we do then?" Sherry asks.

"We leave, go as far away from here as possible, and never look back."

Thanks for reading. Next chapter, we will get to the herd and maybe the wolves I don't know yet. The whole first half of this season is going to some what follow the show, but I will be changing a lot of the dialogue. As always, suggestions, ideas, and feedback are welcomed. Until next time.