Hey all, this chapter was supposed to be up much earlier, but I've been so anxious about these California wildfires and the fact that my area is completely blanketed in smoke etc, that I've just not been in the mood to write. However, I did it and the new chapter is here, though it's more a fillery chapter necessary to get some information out there. I wrote it and posted it, so sorry if there's mistakes.

Thanks for all the follows and favourites and to Qewbix, FaithfulReader92, Guest, celia azul and Jemstone6259 for the reviews, I loved reading all of them!

Enjoy!

Chapter 32

For Carl, it felt like hours passed before they arrived at Hilltop, though he knew it had only been ten minutes at most. Now that there was no one blocking their way, it was ridiculously easy to reach the other community, which only made him resent Negan more. They could have already gotten Maggie and Anna help by now. Instead, an anxious Glenn was holding Maggie's hand and a still Anna lied next to him, every minute chipping away at her life. He kept his fingers pressed against her wrist, her sluggish heartbeat worrying, but also a comfort, a sign that she was still hanging on.

Hearing his father call out to them, he looked up, relief and hope filling him at the sight of Hilltop's gates and wooden walls. In contrast to the car ride there, everything seemed to speed up once they were inside the community. His father and Aaron carried Anna out on her stretcher, Glenn carrying Maggie as they rushed to the trailer where the infirmary was set up.

The doctor, whose name Carl didn't know, met them at the door and immediately showed them in. Michonne was talking to Jesus, her face serious, and soon Carl could see Sasha, Rosita and Eugene follow another Hilltop resident, taking the shovels handed to them and he knew they were going to go dig Abraham's grave. Turning away, his heart heavy, he made his way to the infirmary trailer, walking up the steps, but not entering. The inside was crowded, with the doctor shouting orders as he tried to attend to both Maggie and Anna. Glenn was busy lying Maggie down on a bed, Aaron wheeling a machine closer to her upon the direction of the doctor.

Anna was already lying on another bed, the doctor bent over her as he carefully cut a patch of her hair away with scissors. Blood matted clumps of hair fell to the floor and Carl felt bile push up in his throat. Of all the horrific things he's seen, the sight of Anna looking so vulnerable and lifeless was one of the worst. He was actually glad when his dad glanced up and, seeing him, stated that they need Rosita, as she's the only one who might be able to help Dr. Carson. Carl nodded his head, glad he at least knew the name of the doctor now and jumped down the trailer steps, running in the direction he saw Rosita leave in with Sasha and Eugene. He found them in an out of the way patch of dirt, digging silently, their faces grim.

"Rosita! My dad needs you!" She looked up, her face scowling and Carl knew she was in pain over losing Abraham, but as harsh as it might sound, she couldn't do anything for him right now. She could still do something for Anna and Maggie.

"Rosita, you're the only one who has a bit of medical knowledge. The doctor needs you, he can't help both Anna and Maggie at the same time." Rosita sighed, her hand clenching on the shovel, but finally nodded.

"Yes, alright." Nodding towards a silent Sasha and Eugene, she threw her shovel down and followed Carl back. This time, when she went into the infirmary, Carl didn't follow her, instead sitting down on a log near the trailer, his mind miles away as he hoped and prayed for Maggie and Anna to be alright. Glenn and Aaron soon joined him, having been kicked out of the trailer, with his dad going off to meet Jesus.

Carl knew it was dangerous for them to stay here long, as Negan and them didn't seem to be aware that they knew about Hilltop; or at least, they weren't entirely sure they had continued relations with the other community. His dad would want to leave soon, especially since Judith was back in Alexandria, but Carl at least wanted to make sure his family would be alright.

It was hours later when Dr. Carson finally came out, wiping his bloodied hands with a cloth. Carl spied Rosita still inside, gently wiping down Anna's face before the door closed behind the doctor. At the sight of the doctor, his entire family drew near, their expressions worried as they waited for him to speak. He met his dad's eyes, before turning back to the man before them.

"Well, for now, they're both stable, but I'll need to keep an eye on them. Maggie suffered from Abruptio Placentae, it's when the placenta separates from the uterus and is unusual this early in the pregnancy. Luckily, the separation was small, so the baby's heart rate is normal, meaning the baby is fine. I will need to keep her here, just in case something further happens."

"Why did this happen? Can we prevent it from worsening?" Glenn interrupted, his brow furrowed worriedly.

"Well, it can happen due to trauma and she did have some bruises on her abdomen, but if she takes it easy, it shouldn't become worse, for now, we have it under control, so I wouldn't worry too much. The other woman is a different story."

Carl's heart was in his throat and he swallowed, having to remind himself that Anna was still here, she was still fighting for her life, so he couldn't give up on her.

"How is Anna? We thought she was dead, she was hit on the head quite hard." Aaron spoke up, his hands twisting together as he waited for an answer. Dr. Carson sighed, rubbing his brow and Carl could see the exhaustion in every line of his body and suddenly felt grateful for the hours of work the man just did to save his precious people.

"Anna suffered from more than just head trauma. I asked Rosita what happened, as any detail, no matter how small, could mean the difference between life and death. Anna was already suffering from a mild infection of her neck wound and was running a slight fever. Luckily, the infection was in the early stages, meaning with some antibiotics and a sterile environment, she should make a full recovery. However, the blunt force trauma to her skull complicates matters. From what Rosita told me, Anna should be dead, but as you know, she survived the hit. When I examined the point of impact, I saw some scrape marks, as if something was dragged along her skull.

"According to Rosita, Negan was interrupted by Abraham attacking him when he hit her correct? Now, we can't know for sure, but I'm hypothesizing that he managed to jerk Negan away just as the bat made contact with Anna's skull, meaning that he lost some momentum and it ended up being a hard glancing blow rather than a fully connecting blow. Add to that, Anna would have already been weak from the infection, probably dizzy or shaky, so she wouldn't have resisted at all. In this case, it would have helped her, as she would have went along with the momentum of the blow, further minimizing the damage, instead of trying to push back against it."

Carl was silent, his mind working over what the doctor said. He thought back to the moment Abraham had tackled Negan and examined the memory, his brow scrunching in thought. Now that he thought of it, he remember the bat making contact with Anna's head, but not for long before it had been knocked out of Negan's hands.

"But… The savior that checked her said she was dead, that she couldn't feel a pulse?" Aaron seemed like the official spokesperson of the group, as everyone was quiet, preferring to listen to what the doctor had to say. The man shrugged, before replying.

"She might have lied, or she could just have missed her pulse. Anna's heartbeat was very slow when she was brought in, so I wouldn't be surprised if someone missed it in a highly stressful situation. Could also be that she just didn't know how to check her pulse properly. Honestly, there's many reasons, but it doesn't really matter. The only thing that does is that Negan now thinks that Anna's dead, which can only aid her recovery, as long as she isn't discovered. The problem with that is that I can't say for sure how long her recovery is going to be."

The man sighed, his eyes sad and his tone heavy and Carl knew he wasn't going to like what he had to say next.

"Without the equipment to do a CT scan or an MRI and with Anna fading in and out of consciousness, it's difficult to figure out the extent of her injury. Her pupils are dilated, her neck stiff, she vomited, indicating nausea and she's breathing irregularly, which might be symptoms of cerebral edema, meaning swelling of the brain. However, the fact that she did regain consciousness briefly a few times is a good sign. Without the proper equipment, I am limited in what I can do for her, as I can worsen the situation if I give her the wrong medication or just even the wrong dose.

"Add to it that my specialty isn't the brain, I am limited to oxygen therapy with a respirator, to make sure her blood gets enough oxygen and regular IV fluids to help her recover. I might try lowering her body temperature as well, as it can help reduce brain swelling, but using hypothermia is a treatment has it's own difficulties, so I'll have to monitor her closely. Honestly, the most we can do is wait and hope for the best. If she regains consciousness, I can hopefully do a neurological exam and maybe get a better idea of how bad the damage is, but the next 48 hours is critical."

Carl clenched his fists, feeling helpless and angry about the situation Anna was in. The worst is that he knew they wouldn't be able to stay here, as they had to get back to Alexandria, not to mention start scavenging for Negan and so wouldn't be able to keep an eye on Anna themselves. His dad's eyes were closed as he pinched the bridge of his nose, his eyelids red and his hair sticking to his skin. He sighed, before lowering his hand.

"Alright, thank you doctor. We need to get back to Alexandria, but if there's is anything you need, let us know. Anna and Maggie are family and we appreciate you helping them."

"Of course, you can trust me to do my best to keep them in the best health possible."

As if that was a hidden signal, his dad nodded and walked away, Michonne and the rest following him. As the doctor went back into the trailer, Glenn on his heels, Rosita came out, making her way over to the RV as they prepared to leave. Carl wished he could stay, but knew he would only place them in more danger and besides, he missed Judith. It was decided that Sasha and Glenn would stay behind and though Carl was upset at his family being split further, he understood their reasons for staying.

Throwing one last look at the trailer Anna was in, fighting for her life, he squared his shoulders and climbed into the RV.

This would not be how it will end.

He was sure of it.

WD

Rick walked out of the trailer, Dr. Carson's words ringing in his ears as he made his way towards where Michonne was talking to Jesus. Glancing back, he could see Carl waiting next to the infirmary, Glenn and Aaron joining him as they waited for any word on the two women inside. His jaw clenched and his eyes burned as he thought about two of his family members on death's door, another one taken prisoner and another one brutally murdered.

He knew he should be angry and he was, but he wasn't filled with that vengeful hatred that he had felt several times before. Instead, he just felt cold and terrified, the feeling of his axe in his hand and Carl's soft arm beneath his other hand still fresh in his mind. Of the knowledge that if he didn't cut off his own son's arm, he would cause the death of his entire family, including his son. The terror he had felt in that moment was indescribable and still coursed through his body even now. Fine tremors wracked his frame and he had to clench his hands into fists to stop their shaking.

"Rick." He looked up at Michonne's voice, her eyes searching but he felt too drained to try and reassure her, too tired and frightened to be the strong leader and lover she needed.

"Jesus, Dr. Carson is saying that Maggie and Anna will need to stay here if they manage to pull through the next few hours. He's working on them now, but even if they turn out to be fine, which is a slim chance, he'll need to keep an eye on them after."

"Of course Rick. I'm sorry this happened to you and my condolences about Abraham. I should be able to convince Gregory to keep Maggie here, but Anna…"

Rick looked up sharply, his body heavy but tensing at the hesitance in Jesus's tone, "What about Anna?"

Jesus's eyes flicked away, before he turned back to Rick, squaring his shoulders.

"Look, Anna is dangerous. I don't know how well you guys know her or how long you've known her, but she's lethal and I'm not sure if we can trust her. I can't keep someone inside my community if I can't trust them or know they're a good person."

"She's family, I trust her and she is a good person. Why do you think she's dangerous, you don't even know her, she would've mentioned knowing you when you guys first met," Rick paused, his eyes narrowing at Jesus's uncomfortable expression, "What aren't you telling me Jesus?"

"Ok Rick, I want to trust you, but I've seen… I've seen her kill. She's lethal, brutal and merciless. I can't let someone like that into my community."

Rick swallowed, "When did you see her kill?"

"Some months ago. I was out scavenging and it started to become late. Instead of trying to get back to Hilltop before dark, I holed up in this town…"

Jesus shifted from foot to foot, his gaze serious as he glanced between Rick and Michonne, inhaling deeply before exhaling harshly.

"It started with the sound of explosions. When I went to check it out, to see if anyone needed help or something, I saw this building catch fire. At first, I didn't think much of it, figuring it was a regular survivor in a sticky situation and needing help, but then...Look Rick, I arrived near the end of it all, but what I did see was her mowing down people left and right. I saw her kill five people and loot the building before she disappeared. When I went back the next day and looked through the ruins of the burnt out building… Rick, there was around twenty people inside there and not one of them died of the fire from what I could see. Some were burnt beyond recognition, but some had bullet holes riddled in them or were even in pieces."

Rick swallowed, his brow furrowed. That sounded like the attack on the savior outpost Anna described on the way here, where she apparently killed all the saviors and burned down the building. He said as much to Jesus, whose eyes widened, before his face became pensive.

"That...actually makes sense. I remember thinking how odd it was that she was so focused on one guy, who ended up getting away in the end. That had to be Negan, I've never seen him before, just always his saviors." Michonne's eyes were also wide, as she had not heard any of this before, but she seemed to put it aside for the moment and focused on what it meant for Anna.

"So can Anna stay? I'm sure Negan must have done something to her for her to attack his outpost, she's a good person." The katana-wielding woman said, her voice low and Rick nodded, turning to Jesus. The man sighed, rubbing his brow before looking back up.

"Ok yeah, I'll talk to Gregory. It's not going to be easy, he doesn't like it when things aren't in his control, but I'll figure it out."

Rick reached out and clapped a hand on Jesus' shoulder, a small weight lifted from his shoulders. However, every hour they waited for news on Maggie and Anna and then the news they actually got, brought that weight right back. Rick felt tied down, felt as if chains attached to manacles was dragging behind him and he could feel all the eyes glued to him.

He had to be the strong one, the one to make the decisions and protect his family.

Problem was, he wasn't sure if he could anymore.

WD

It was dark and cold.

Not just the cell he was thrown in, but in his mind as well. His eyes were unfocused and his breathing shallow, goosebumps traveling along his bare skin, but he didn't care. Images played out behind his eyes, but even those were faded, the color and warmth being leached out of his memories, the sound muted. It felt like all the life was being drained out of his memories and from his body in turn. He didn't feel his body shivering, he was hardly aware of the music blasting out side his small cell and he barely tasted the dog food sandwich Dwight handed him. Even the anger he felt at the sight of Dwight in his vest was more an echo than a current emotion.

After all, what did any of this matter when she was dead?

He didn't know how many days passed, yet he didn't care, not even when Dwight threw filthy overalls at him and took him to the doctor and outside, jabbering away like a good minion. It felt like the world had stopped and that was right, why would his world go on spinning when she was so brutally yanked out of it? Even when a different savior brought him his food and he realised the door was left open, that he could actually open it and look out into the hallway, maybe even escape, he didn't care. His body had no energy and instead he sank down against the wall, next to the open door, his head leaned back as he gazed unseeingly at the wall. That was how Negan found him, sitting silently next to an open cell door. He ignored the whistling, smirking man and his minions who gathered outside his cell door, not even twitching when the man started to chuckle.

"Well gents, would you look at that. It seems Daryl here decided to be a good dog." Daryl glanced up briefly, but looked away again, not interested in the games Negan wanted to play. The man crouched down beside him, staring at him for a moment.

"Why didn't you try to escape huh? The door was open." Daryl stayed quiet, glaring at Negan, but not reacting further.

"Did you start to like it here?" Daryl couldn't help the scoff that slipped past his lips, and Negan seemed to grin wider at that.

"No? Then why? Oh wait, you seemed mighty concerned about Miss A back there. You two were…?" Daryl's glare intensified, but it didn't seem to bother the man next to him, in fact, it just seemed to amuse him.

"Wow. I can see that, power couple of the apocalypse. Or it was before I, you know, bashed her brains in."

It wasn't a conscious decision, it was an instinctual reaction. One moment he was sitting on the floor, not caring about anything, the next moment he had dived at Negan, his hands around the man's neck as he squeezed, pure rage flowing through his veins. It wasn't more than a few seconds before he was pulled off by the saviors who had accompanied Negan, but he fought like an animal, grunted curses spewing from his lips as he struggled against them. His head snapped up as that bloody bat was shoved under his nose, before it pressed against his cheek.

"Oh ho ho, someone's a bit sensitive! But I understand, Miss A was an amazing woman, but also an incredibly irritating pain in my ass!" Daryl snarled at Negan's heated words, but the man calmed down quickly, that smirk sliding back on his face like oil on water.

"But what does it matter now. You're not going to be a pain in my ass right? No, things will be better for you. You see, this was a test, and one you passed with flying colors. See that guy? Who are you?"

"Negan." Daryl watched as Negan pointed to several men, asking the same question and receiving the same answer every time.

"Who are you?"

"Negan."

"See," Negan stated, bringing his smiling face closer to Daryl's," I am everywhere. And things can get so much cooler for you. Now, Dwight gave you some options and it is time to decide. One, you end up on the spike and work for me as a dead man. Two, you get out of your cell, you work for points, but you're going to wish you were dead. Or three, you work for me, you get yourself a brand new pair of shoes and you live like a king! Choice seems pretty obvious and I think you know it, seeing as you stayed in your cell like a good dog."

Daryl didn't respond, just glared at Negan through his hair, his jaw clenched. Negan brought his face close, and Daryl refused to break his gaze.

"Get him up." Daryl was hauled to his feet and he shrugged the men off, observing Negan as Negan observed him in turn.

"Screw it." Negan hefted the bat up, swinging it at Daryl's face and for a moment, a brief second, Daryl felt relief.

He would be joining Anamika.

Then Negan stopped the bat an inch from his face, seemingly impressed with how Daryl didn't flinch and Daryl felt guilt. He didn't deserve the peace of death when he hasn't even avenged Denise, Abraham and Anna's death. Not while this monster still walked.

"Wow. You don't scare easy. I love that. But Lucille, kinda pisses her off, she finds it disrespectful. Lucky for you, she's not feeling too thirsty today. But I am. So, I'm gonna go… get me a drink." The man chuckled, swinging Lucille over his shoulder as he walked out of the cell.

"Since you did so well in my little test, I'm gonna have my boys go easy on you. One time deal only, as I expect an answer next time." Negan whistled as he walked away, but Daryl wasn't listening to the man, more focused on fending off the blows that the saviors rained down on him. As hit after hit landed, his apathy returned and Daryl found himself not caring about the bruised flesh, his mind drifting away as he curled his body up.

After all, what did anything matter when she was not here.

WD

"Faster. You need to be faster if you want to succeed."

"-miserable maggots, all of you! Get your asses up, go go go!"

"Faster you worm! You need to be faster, stronger, more efficient than any-"

"Congratulations Sergeant, you-"

"You've been chosen to participate in a Special Ops exp-"

"-a standard operation, all you need to do i-"

"-f course, with full benefits and bonus-"

"Just close your eyes. It'll be done soon…"

Anamika gasped and her eyes flew open.

WD

Here you guys go, this chapter was necessary to explain some things, so hope it answered some questions. I don't want to drag out Anna's unconsciousness, so yeah, she's awake, though she still has to recover. Let me know what you guys thought!