In Another Lifetime (Chapter 13)
A/N: Thanks so much for the awesome support.
Previously: Rick and Michonne decide to get married. Rick is shot while out on a run and discovers the prison. Joe and the Claimers arrive at Woodbury with Luther, Bob, and Patricia.
Michonne feels a pain in her chest hearing Luther's words but refuses to give in to anything close to despair. If he was gone, she'd know it. She would have felt it somehow. She can't even risk looking at Sasha or Mr. Charles so she focuses on the group in front of her. "So why are you here?"
"Well you see our new friends Bob and Patricia want their old home back. They said the only way that was gonna happen was if we got rid of Rick Grimes. Must be fate or something coz we caught the bastard on the road and took care of it. Now you just be all hospitable and everything and open the gates and we won't have no problem," Joe informs.
A couple of walkers amble towards them and two of Joe's men take them out easily and quietly.
"Your reign is over bitch. Y'all are getting payback for what you done to Travis," Patricia shouts.
Michonne shakes her head, wishing they'd killed them when they had the chance. "We are not negotiating."
"Oh this here ain't no negotiation. It's a takeover and it can be a peaceful one. Open the gates, you get to live, your people get to live. Don't open the gates and you and your people are gonna die starting with your pal Luther."
"Nobody else has to die Michonne. This is easy," Bob states.
"There's no way we're opening those gates," Sasha whispers.
"We can't assume those are all their numbers. What…." Michonne is interrupted by Joe.
"We ain't gonna stand out here and wait for more walkers to come. Open the damn gates woman!"
"No."
"Have it your way then." Joe lets out a long slow whistle and several pops are heard from the rear of the community.
Michonne, Sasha, Mr. Charles and the others drop to take cover as the former looks to the rear to decipher if anyone was hit. The distraction only gives their assailants out front enough time to hide and attack as well.
She takes a peek through the cracks in the wall and sees Luther lying lifeless on the ground, walkers in the distance on their way to feast. She lets out an expletive, frustrated that she couldn't save him nor retrieve his body.
"Sasha you and Charles go below. We're too easy of a target on this wall. I'll check the rear. Mannie gather every able body who can shoot and get to the armory. Grab Jeannette and tell her to help you. She knows where the markers are. Get everyone in place."
They all climb down off the platform and Charles and Sasha take a stance while the others move off to carry out their tasks. Michonne can't help thinking that Rick was right to prepare everyone for an attack. Maybe he had a feeling this wasn't over.
She orders those she encounters to get a weapon and take cover. She makes her way to the rear of the community to find one of her people on the ground dead. The other had made it off the platform and was firing from a hole in the wooden fence. She approaches him stealthily. "Can you see anything?"
"They're in those trees back there but I don't know how many and I think they're spaced out," the man informs her.
"I've got people at the armory loading up now. I'll get someone here to help you. Hold them off as long as you can." She hands him her revolver and races to the armory. She gives them instructions and watches as they race off to defend their home.
She rushes to their apartment, proud to find the boys obeying her and Rick's instructions if trouble like this found its way to Woodbury. The two of them were armed and standing in the living area to face anyone. They must have heard the shots.
"What's going on?" Carl asks anxiously.
"We're under attack. I want you and Andre to batten down in your room. Do not open this door for anyone but me or Sasha. That's it," she informs them sternly as she races to the bedroom she shares with Rick to retrieve a couple of weapons they had hidden there.
"But we can help Mommy. We can shoot. Sasha taught us," Andre explains.
"Baby I know but please don't argue right now. These are some very bad people and I need you two to keep each other safe no matter what. Ok?" She hugs and kisses them and ushers them to their room hurriedly. "I'll be back. I promise." She secures the door, takes a deep breath, and rushes out to rejoin the fight.
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"Damn. He's shot," Glenn Rhee says as he looks down at the man who collapsed inside their gates.
"We better get Daddy," his wife states before she races up the hill to disappear inside.
"He's shot and he still took down those walkers. Must be one tough son-of-a-bitch," Daryl Dixon answers.
"We gonna help him?" Theodore Douglas, better known as T-Dog, asks.
"You know Herschel's not gonna turn him away. Besides he's no threat to us in the condition he's in," Glenn returns.
"Don't look like he's been on the road or nothing. Maybe he's got a place around here somewhere," Daryl wonders.
"Yeah and what if his people come looking for him? What if the people who shot him come for him?" T-Dog responds.
The three of them take a cautionary look at the entrance to the prison but all they can detect are walkers.
"We'll just patch him up and send him on his way. That's the best we can do," Glenn responds, looking up to see Maggie and Herschel racing back to them.
The latter drops to one knee and checks over the wounded man quickly. "Bullet's still in. I need to get it out before it gets infected. Let's move him inside."
Glenn and T-Dog move to do Herschel's bidding but Daryl stops them.
"Hold on. Let's get this guy's weapons and shit just in case."
"Good looking out man," T-Dog replies as Daryl relieves an unconscious Rick of his gun and knife.
"You think he's gonna live?" Maggie asks.
Herschel sighs. "We'll soon see."
XXXXXXXXXX
Tyreese is trying his best to figure out which direction Rick could've traveled. He is thinking he couldn't have gone far being wounded the way he was but then he scoffs and remembers who he's talking about. He could be back at Woodbury for all I know.
He came to the clearing where the walkers were feasting but couldn't determine if Rick stayed hidden in the woods or if he crossed over to the other side. He decided to stay hidden and just now runs upon an abandoned shack. He prayed that he would at least locate Noah and Zach but it's like everyone just disappeared into thin air. Now the sun is dropping and he doesn't want to be out in the elements at night with limited supplies and ammo so he checks out the shack. He glances through the windows first and determines that it is devoid of humans or walkers.
Surprisingly the door was barred by something but he uses enough force to get it open, cringing at the creaking sound his entrance evokes. He covers his mouth and stifles a cough due to the mustiness of the place. He closes the door and looks down to see that it was a chest blocking the entrance. He is thankful the place isn't big so nothing and no one should be hiding anywhere. He makes a thorough check all the same and breathes a small sigh of relief, knowing he'd have a place for the night.
Meanwhile, Noah and Zach make their way back to the abandoned vehicles, checking the area to ensure their assailants were no longer around. They work together to take the undamaged tires off one truck and put them on the other, moving the meager amount of leftover supplies as well before preparing to travel.
"What about Rick and Tyreese and Luther? We just can't leave like this," Noah says anxiously.
Zach starts the truck and puts it in drive. "The best thing we can do for them is to go home and get some help. We'll keep an eye out on the way but we need to get back."
Noah wants to argue but realizes he and Zach aren't as experienced as Rick and Tyreese. They'd get to Woodbury and come back out at first light to search for them.
XXXXXXXXXX
Michonne soon realizes that all they are doing is wasting ammo as they hold off their assailants. Two of her people are dead but she has no proof of any casualties on the other side. Darkness has fallen, making it even easier for them to hide within the trees at the rear as well as in the front of the community. The only thing she can depend on now is the walkers who are surely being attracted by the gunfire. Maybe the walkers could flush them out or even take them out.
The successive pops echoing through the air cease on one side and then the other. The quietness grows eerie as Michonne keeps a vigil with three others at the rear. Sasha and Charles had help up front and there were people in place on either side in the middle of the community. Surely they would be able to see if any of them made a move.
"Maybe we need to pop on the lights so we can see them better," one of the women, Sharon, suggests.
"They'll be able to see us better too," Michonne returns.
"The flood lights might blind them," Sharon counters.
Mannie fishes in his pocket and retrieves a grenade. "I just grabbed it while I was in the armory. This would get them out of those trees and possibly into our line of fire."
Michonne hesitates for only a moment before answering. "It might but we're already attracting walkers. Won't that just attract more?"
"Walkers don't shoot back. We can handle that when the time comes," Mannie states.
Something extremely close to pride fills Michonne's heart as she considers these people who chose to follow Rick. A lot of them just sat back and did nothing under the Governor's leadership. With Rick, they're stepping up and fighting back.
"We may need more than one," she answers. "I'll be right back."
The Claimers keep watch from the cover of the trees, dispensing any walkers that stumble upon them and trying to figure out a way inside those walls. They can't communicate with the others without one of them exiting the protection and safety of the woods.
Joe grabs Bob by the neck. "I guess you forgot to tell us they were armed to the teeth." He checks their surroundings yet again. "You said this place would fall without Rick Grimes."
"It should have. I thought his wife would lose her mind knowing he's dead. She's just crazy plain and simple," Bob answers.
"There was a place in the back that Travis told me about right behind the armory. It's a weak spot. The Governor wanted it that way so we could grab the guns and escape quickly," Patricia informs. "It might still be there. If someone could get in and get one of those machine guns….well you could take 'em all out with no problems."
Joe scratches his head, thinking. "You know where this place is right honey?"
"Well not exactly but I could find it if I needed to," Patricia assures.
"You need to," Joe states.
Patricia gasps. "You can't put me in the line of fire. I'm no soldier."
"It's time to earn your keep from somewhere other than on your back," Joe responds. "Just don't get killed while you're at it."
"And just what do you suppose I do once I'm inside? I don't know nothing about guns and ammo," she returns haughtily.
"Len….you're gonna have to go with her," Joe instructs.
"Me?" The tall lanky man exclaims.
"Keep it down. You know what's lurking out here and yeah you," Joe answers. "Didn't you serve in the military or some shit? You're probably the best at handling whatever gun she's talking about."
"I got my gun training at home. I didn't even stay 6 months in the service," Len explains.
Joe sighs in frustration. "Well they taught you something so get your ass in there and get this done. Mow them motherfuckers down. Get the bitch first. You take her out and maybe the others will stand down."
"We can start firing the guns to distract them. Give Patricia and Len a chance to run," Chris suggests.
Just as Joe was about to agree and give instructions, a huge BOOM is heard. The group jumps and looks toward the community to see smoke, debris, and sparks flying into the night's sky.
"What the fuck….." Joe starts. He shakes his head. "They had to be aiming for our guys in the back. Damn I hope they made it out. We gotta move…..now." He starts firing his gun, the others following his lead as Len and Patricia race off as fast as they can.
Meanwhile, Carl and Andre are in their bedroom having a disagreement after getting over the initial shock of hearing that incredible boom.
"We should go and help mommy. It's what daddy….I mean Rick….it's what Rick would want us to do," Andre demands.
Carl sighs, wondering how it seems that Andre has grown up so fast. "She told us to stay here. She's gonna be mad if we don't."
"And Rick would be mad if we don't do anything," Andre counters.
"No he won't. He wants us to obey and that means obeying mo…Michonne."
"But what if something happens and we weren't there to help? We know how to use these guns so let's do it," Andre states. "You heard that noise. It was a bomb or something. What if people are hurt? What if the bad people are getting inside?"
Carl closes his eyes, warring with himself to do what he wants but wanting to obey Michonne as well. "Alright. If we do this, you've got to stay by my side. We do this together."
"Together," Andre agrees.
The two check their weapons and grab more ammo from their parents' bedroom before quietly making their way out of the apartment.
Len and Patricia rush to one side of the community undetected. They look towards the woods, knowing what could be hiding and making its way towards them so they work fast. Patricia wants to scream because it's so dark and she can barely make anything out. Her relief is palpable when flood lights at the rear of the community pop on and give enough illumination for her to find her way to the spot Travis told her about.
Both groups are still firing their guns so she and Len slip inside, putting the plank back in place and remaining immobile to canvas the area. Two loud clicks determine that they've been discovered.
"Put your hands up and turn around," a small voice orders.
Len and Patricia turn to face their assailants and nearly laugh when they see the two small people emerge from the side of a building, brandishing guns. The latter recognizes them immediately and second guesses the harm these kids could inflict. She knows who their parents are.
"Now just hold on there little fellas. I used to live here remember? I just want to come home. That's all. These people are helping me. Bob too." She sighs. "But…but your mama don't want us here and we're just trying to convince her that we just want to be safe."
"You're shooting at us," Andre states.
"Shhh….." Carl warns.
"Only coz y'all started shooting at us first," Patricia answers. "Ain't that right Len?"
The tall man nods, attempting to drop his hands but Carl indicates that he should keep them up.
"Can you just talk to your mama for us? We won't be no trouble. I promise," Patricia begs hollowly.
Carl knows not to trust her. They were behind these buildings hiding just like he and Andre were. That means they didn't want anybody to see what they were doing just like he and his brother didn't want anybody to see them. "You're gonna get down on your knees and get tied up. We'll get our mom and let her handle this." He grabs a roll of duct tape from his back pocket and tosses it at her feet. "Tie him up first."
"The hell with this," Len growls as he steps forward.
BANG! Andre shoots him in the knee, sending the man to the ground screaming. "Don't make me shoot you too!" He yells at Patricia. "Just do what my brother says."
Patricia drops to her knees shakily and grabs Len's hands despite the man's groans and pleas of pain. She secures his hands behind his back and starts to wrap the tape around his wrists. "Shit."
Once she is done, Carl orders her to turn around. She tries to reason with him but he lifts his gun. "I don't want to shoot you but I will. Turn around."
She finally does as she is told and everything fades to black as the youngster connects the butt of his gun with the back of her head. She falls to the ground and Carl quickly grabs the duct tape to tie her up.
Len stupidly kicks out toward him and Andre puts a bullet in his boot sending the man into another frenzy of screams.
"Why'd you do that?" Carl demands. "You could've shot me."
"I got this and I wasn't gonna hit you," Andre answers.
Carl shakes his head and continues his task, wondering when his little brother became a better shot than him. Before he could finish tying her up, Michonne and Jeanette materialize from in between two buildings on their front side. The two women immediately lower the weapons they were brandishing, relieved to see that the boys seemed to have the situation under control.
"What's going on? I'm not even going to ask what you two are doing out here after I told you to stay inside," Michonne states.
"Mommy they were trying to sneak in and we caught them," Andre explains.
"Well I guess it's a good thing you didn't listen to me," she returns, shaking her head. She moves toward the groaning intruder and quickly grabs the duct tape to cover his mouth.
Jeannette steps forward and scoffs as she looks down on Patricia. "I say we put a bullet in her right now." She lifts her gun but Michonne stops her.
"We might be able to use them. Get some men to help move them. We need to end this….now."
A/N: I promise the next chapter is not far behind this one. I'm starting on it right now.