Chapter 2: Welcome to the Madness

~Clary~

"And three… two… one," I say. I look up from my watch just as Dwight turns to go back inside the Sanctuary, turning a blind eye as the two lookouts on the roof drop dead. "Alright. It's go time."

I raise my arm, waving it in a circle before climbing back in the car. We move out, pulling our armored vehicles up in front of the Sanctuary's entrance. Quickly, we move into position, with Rick, Maggie, and I at the head of the group. Once we're all there, Maggie raises her hand in the air. Everyone raises their guns, aimed up at the windows.

Maggie brings her hand down.

At once, we all fire. A symphony of bullets breaks through the windows of the uppermost levels of the Sanctuary. Four shots each from everyone later, the Sanctuary falls silent, save for the growling of the walkers chained to the fences. We made our presence known, and now we wait. We get ready, guns on shoulders.

Moments later, the door opens; and he steps out.

Negan.

"Knock knock," I say, unable to help myself. "Sorry about the windows. Dreadful etiquette, I know."

"Well, shit," Negan drawls. "I'm sorry. I was in a meeting." I lean around the sheet of metal, waiting to see with Saviors file out after Negan. Dwight and Simon, of course, along with Eugene. There's a girl I don't recognize, but I know the other guy is Gavin—the one in charge of the tribute from the Kingdom. "I see you got your little mud flaps with you. So I'm not exactly feeling a reason for us to try throwing lead at each other. I care about my people. I don't want to just march them into the line of fire 'cause I want to play My Dick Is Bigger Than Yours. It is. We both know it. But I'm also comfortable enough to accept the fact if it wasn't. But I'm certainly not gonna let my people die over that shit. Like you're about to."

Aaron looks at Eric and I, and I glance at him, giving the smallest shake of my head. It won't be that easy.

"So Rick," Negan continues, "and my favorite spunky little badass, Clary, what the hell can I do for you two?"

"Dwight," I call. "I still got a duel to finish with you."

"Your name's Simon," Rick adds, pointing to Negan's second.

"You're Gavin," I say. "Your man killed my friend."

"And you—"

"Regina," the Savior supplies.

Eugene starts, "Rick, I'd feel remiss if—"

"No," Rick says. "We know who you are. Listen, you five, the Saviors inside, all of you have a chance to survive here. To survive this. Y'all can live if you surrender."

"We can't guarantee it any time but now," I tell them. "Right now."

Not a single one of them moves, and I lock eyes with Dwight. He knows that the one-time offer doesn't apply to him—he's helping us, so I'm giving him a free pass when it's over.

"So they surrender," Negan starts, "and you and your little piss patrol doesn't kill 'em. That sounds like a good deal! What about me, Rick?"

"I told you," Rick reminds him. "Twice. You know what's gonna happen."

"I do," Negan confirms. "I do know what's gonna happen. But you don't! You have no idea the shit that's about to go down. Let me ask you something, Rick. You think you have the numbers for this fight?"

"It's not about the numbers!" I exclaim. "It never has been! It's been about our spirit! Our will to fight! That's what's won in the past! That's how we'll win!"

"You think you can beat us, kid?" Negan questions.

"I know we can! And I know we will! We've got nothin' to lose, and you have everything!"

"Oh, I'm not so sure about that," Negan says. "Simon."

Simon disappears inside, emerging a second later with Gregory in tow. Maggie turns to look at Jesus with a look of annoyance, and I can't help but roll my eyes. "Of course that's where he went," Jesus sighs.

Negan brings Gregory to the railing beside him, questioning, "What do you have to say to Rick and the Piss Patrol, Gregory?"

"The Hilltop stands with Negan and the Saviors," he declares. "Any resident of the Hilltop who takes up arms or supports this ultimatum against the Sanctuary or any of the Saviors for that matter, they will no longer be welcomed in the colony."

Negan smiles before prompting, "And?"

"And their families will be thrown out, will be left to fend for themselves."

"And?"

"Go home now!" Gregory commands. "Or you won't have a home to go back to!"

No one moves for a moment, and I look to the leader of the Hilltop, questioning, "Mags?"

Maggie looks around the soldiers from the Hilltop, telling them, "You do what you need to do. We'll understand."

"All I have at the Hilltop is a bunch of books and an old lobster bib," Jesus says, causing Maggie to smile, then nods towards me. "I got you here."

I dip my head, nodding my thanks.

"You heard the man," Negan calls. "Go back to separating wheat and shit, or whatever the hell it is you people do."

"What they do," I shout, "is aid a revolution!"

"Doesn't look like anyone's going, does it?" Maggie calls.

Gregory repeats, "The Hilltop stands with—"

"The Hilltop stands with Maggie!" Jesus interrupts in a shout. "And she and the rest of us stand with Clary!"

Gregory turns to look at Negan, and Simon steps in, shoving him back a step. "I feel like I invested a lot in you," Simon growls, prodding his finger in Gregory's chest and forcing him to back up. "And I am very, very disappointed!"

Gregory has reached the stairs, grabbing for the railing as Simon is still in his face. He suddenly shoves the former leader of the Hilltop, Gregory letting out a shout as he falls down the stairs. There's an explosion in the distance, and that's when the reality of it all sets in. There is no going back. This madness is the only way forward.

"Sounds like shit is going down," Negan observes.

"You lieutenants," I shout. "You're gonna have to make up your minds."

"Maybe we could take a time out here?" Gavin suggests.

"No," Rick objects. "This has to happen now."

I add, "This is the only way."

"You're gonna make me count?" Rick calls after we get no reply, and I smirk as he throws Negan's words back at him. "Okay. Okay! I'm counting! Ten! Nine! Eight! Sev—"

I shout, "Fire!"

~Daryl~

"It sounds like it started," Carol says.

"It was always gonna be this way," I reply. "Clary was right. All out war was our only option." I glance down at the gun in my hands as I lean back against my motorcycle. "I just hope she makes it."

"Oh, come on!" Tara says. "Have you met her? All she does is kick ass! She'll be fine." She picks up her rifle as the walkers near. "Well, pleasure doing business with you."

"Beat 'em," Morgan adds, startin to follow Tara. "Oh! Daryl!" I turn to him at my name, and Morgan extends a note for me to take. "I think you should be the one to give that to Clary. It's from Benjamin."

I glance down at the letter, addressed to Clary. I don't tell him that with Carl and Clary back together and Benjamin dead, she wants to forget that little fling ever happened. Instead, I nod, putting the letter in my pocket. "Will do."

Morgan nods, then follows Tara into their car. Carol turns to me, wrapping me in a hug so tight I can't help but wonder if she thinks this is the last time we'll ever see each other. She rests her chin on my shoulder as I hug her back, careful of the assault rifle over her shoulder. Carol softly says, "Be careful."

"Shit, this is gonna be fun," I say as we break apart.

Carol glances back at the walkers before she argues, "No, it isn't."

"Yeah, but I get to blow shit up."

Carol chuckles, shaking her head. "All you Dixons are the same. 'Hey, let's blow shit up. Look! I have a rocket launcher! Oh, time to quote some '80s movie!'"

"Stop," I say. I glance down at the ground, the gravity of the situation suddenly weighing on me. "This is better than letting things be though." I look back up at Carol. "Right?"

"Yeah, it is." Carol starts to walk off, then pauses and glances back at me. "Be careful, pookie."

"Stop," I say with a chuckle, shaking my head at her. "Get out of here."

Carol disappears into the distance, and I climb on my motorcycle after checking my gun. Six bullets, six bombs. Gotta make every shot count. I climb on my motorcycle, letting the walkers get a little closer before taking off.

I lead them down the road, counting down my bullets and bombs as I travel closer to the Sanctuary. The bombs explode behind me as I shoot them, drawing as many walkers to the herd as possible, as well as getting the attention of any other walkers in the immediate vicinity.

The last bomb is ahead of me, and I fire. The sound gets the attention of the walkers, allowing me to slip away. I take one road, the other leading to the Sanctuary. The walkers continue on, draw by the gunfire. They're on their way. Just get out before they're there, I silently pray. Please, Clary. Please.

~Gabriel~

With Clary's order, all hell breaks loose.

The lieutenants duck back inside, but the gunfire has cut Negan off from the door. In his rush to find cover, I see him jump down the other set of stairs, but we continue on with the plan, firing at the windows. "Now!" Maggie shouts.

Some of our people continue to provide cover, while the rest climb in their cars. They lay on the horns, drawing the attention of nearby walkers, as if they weren't already being drawn by the gunfire. Rick chases after Negan, staying covered and firing at him. Aaron and Eric take off for their car, Clary across the courtyard, chasing after Negan with Rick. "Clary!" Aaron shouts.

"We gotta go!" Andy from the Hilltop tells them as he runs for his car. "Get out of here!"

"Just go!" I tell them. "I'll get Clary! You two get out!"

"Get her out!" Eric barks, climbing in the car with Aaron. They take off, following everyone else that's leaving. I climb in the RV, laden with explosives. I start it up, pressing on the gas pedal to get it rolling. I put it in neutral, letting it continue to roll.

I jump out the back window, taking cover behind one car. Rick and Clary duck behind another, bullets ricocheting off the metal. I look over to Rick, nodding. We all cover our heads as he presses the button, detonating the bomb inside the RV.

It explodes, momentarily engulfing the courtyard in a ball of fire. When the fire dissipates, only the metal covering the front of the RV like an iron mask is left of the vehicle, burnt walker bodies and collapsed fences lining the courtyard.

Rick still continues firing, and I see Negan struggling to get to his feet, his bat still in hand. He limps forward, taking cover behind the RV's metal skeleton. Rick fires, trying to get a lucky shot through the hull. He wastes bullets, the scarce resource ricocheting off of the metal.

"Rick!" I shout, trying desperately to get his attention. "Rick! Rick! Rick, he's not going anywhere! We have to leave now!" I reach forward, resting my hand on his shoulder to get his attention. Rick simply shoves me off. "Hey! It's about you. It's not about you."

Rick nods, and he drags Clary with him as they take off for his truck, Rick only pausing to take a picture of the burning courtyard. They take off, and I climb in my car as the herd of walkers approach.

"Hey!" I hear a voice shouting. "Wait! Hey, hey, hey! No, wait!"

"Shit," I curse, recognizing Gregory across the courtyard. I can't just leave him to die. I glance over my shoulder at the walkers, then check to make sure I still have bullets. I get out, firing up at the Sanctuary as I make my way towards Gregory. We duck down behind rubble together, and I tell him, "I can take you out of here. We just have to wait for our moment."

Gregory nods. "Thank you, Father."

"Thank God," I tell him.

"Sure, whatever." Bullets hit the rubble above us. "I did what they said, I talked! Why are they firing at me?!"

They fire at my car, and Gregory looks at it before back at me. I tell him, "Wait." He scrambles to his feet anyway, running for the car. "Hey! Hey! Wait! Wait!"

Every time I try to get up, the Saviors force me back down. Gregory gets in my car, starting it up and driving off, leaving me behind at the Sanctuary.

Well, I guess I should've seen that coming.

~Daryl~

I'm the first person at the rendezvous point. It worries me, but the cars start rolling in over the next few minutes as we regroup. I nod to Maggie as she and Enid climb out of their car, and high five a surprisingly enthusiastic Jesus as he passes me. Then, the car I've been waiting for pulls in.

I get to my feet as Aaron parks his car, and I make my way towards them as he and Eric climb out. I freeze in a moment of sheer panic when I realize that Clary isn't with them. No, no, no! Where is she?! I take another look at Aaron and Eric, taking the fact that they're not crying or covered in blood as a good sign; there's a chance that she's still alive.

"Aaron! Eric!" I say, running to join them.

"Daryl," Eric says. "How'd things go at your end?"

"Fine, but I don't care about that," I say. "Where the hell is my sister?"

Aaron says, "I don't know. We got separated. She was with Rick, and I know that when it comes to his relationship with Clary, he doesn't count for much half the time, but she'll be okay. It's Clary we're talking about."

"And it's Negan," I return. "It's the Saviors. And all those walkers? The ones that I brought..."

I can do nothing but pace in worry for the next five minutes. I'm the first one to hear the approaching car, my head snapping up the second I do. The car has barely stopped before I'm running to meet my sister as she climbs out of the passenger seat. I wrap her in a hug as soon as I reach her, murmuring, "Oh, my god. You're here." I pull back, taking her face in my hands and brushing my thumb over her cheek. "You're here. You made it. You're alive."

"You okay?" Clary questions. "Daryl?"

"Yeah, yeah," I say, nodding. "Oh, my god, I didn't think you made it."

"Daryl, do you think I'd let her die?" Rick questions. "C'mon, she's family."

Aaron doesn't trust Rick when it comes to Clary, due to what all Rick's put her through. Hell, I can't blame him, given their history. And despite everything, Clary's loyalty to Rick never wavers. Then, I realize that despite Rick putting Clary in danger on multiple occasions, he was still there for her today. I give Rick's shoulder a squeeze as he walks by, telling him, "Thank you."

He nods, and I turn back to Clary as she stands on her tiptoes to kiss my cheek. "Love you, kemosabe," she whispers.

"Love you more," I return, kissing her forehead.

"Not possible," Clary argues, and I ruffle her hair as she steps away to reunite with Aaron and Eric, flipping me off for messing with her hair. Aaron hugs her first, telling her, "Never stay at a battle that long again. You scared us."

"Dad, it was five minutes," Clary points out.

"A lot can happen in five minutes. You know that better than most."

"I know," Clary says, pulling away from Aaron to turn her attention to Eric. He wraps his arms around her, holding her close as she rests her forehead against his chest. Eric questions, "You okay, sweetheart?"

"For now," she replies. "But until Negan's dead, no, I'm not."

"Wait for it," Eric murmurs, pressing his lips to her temple. He kisses the scar she received from the bullet that she took for them. "You're the one that'll take the shot. Make it count."

~Clary~

"Clary?" Daryl questions. "Can I talk to you?"

I don't want to let Eric go. Honestly, when he hugs me, I never want to let go. Eric gives the best hugs, holding you close and tight. His chest pressed against mine, always going under for the hugs so he gets the final say when it comes to letting go. He doesn't let go until he thinks you're ready.

"Clary?" Daryl repeats. "Hey, can we talk?"

I nod, stepping away from Eric. Daryl takes my arm, pulling me aside and to the edge of the woods so our conversation is private. "I have something for you," he tells me, looking in his pocket. He pulls out a folded paper. "It's from the Kingdom."

I take the paper, looking up at my brother. "How did you get this? You left the Kingdom before I came."

"Morgan," Daryl tells me. "He had it. He thought I should be the one to give them to you."

I open the letter, but not before reading the outside: To Clary Dixon, if I die.

Benjamin knew this was coming.

Clary,

I don't know how to begin. There's so much I want to tell you, enough to fill an entire book. And yet, I somehow have no idea what to say.

If you're wondering when I found time to write this, it's when you came to the Kingdom on your own, looking for Carol. I just watched you leave without looking back. You didn't say goodbye to anyone, not even me.

I'm writing this because I'm getting ready to go on a drop, but I get the feeling that it won't be like the others. Something feels different. I don't know what it is. Maybe this time, I'm realizing that I have more than just my little brother to come back to, even if you left the Kingdom. Something's going to happen today. I don't know what, but I want to be prepared either way.

I think I liked you from the moment Morgan told me about you, before I even met you. And then I did, and you were more incredible than Morgan could've ever made you out to be. You're a hero, Cheyenne Dixon. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, and don't you dare think otherwise. You're the most amazing, beautiful, clever, and gallant person I've ever met. I could go on, probably list the ABCs of words I'd use to describe you. I think you'll save us all. You'll be the hero, the leader of the revolution. You'll be the one to kill Negan.

Clary, I know you're doubting whether or not you'll make it out of this war alive. I'm wondering whether or not I will, too. But I will fight, and I'll fight with everything I have, because I have something to come home to. I have Henry, and now I have you, too. When you fight so you have something to come home to, I want to be that something.

We're both probably thinking the same thing. "We just met, why are we moving this fast?" I know I'm thinking it. I'm sorry if it's freaking you out. It scares me, too. But in the short time that I've known you, I've fallen head over heels for you. It feels right. At least, I think it does.

I don't know if I'll die today, tomorrow, in a week, a month, or a year. I don't know when my final day will be. I don't know if I'll get a chance to tell you how I feel. I want to tell you, and I might get a chance to if I live through this war. But in case it ends for me today or sometime soon, I want you to know. So I suppose if it's my last chance to say it, Clary Dixon, I love you.

I love you, Princess.

-Sir Bitchamin

I refold the letter, putting it in my pocket. When I get back to Alexandria, I'll put it with the other one. The one that I wrote in case I died going after Negan. And then, maybe I'll burn 'em both.

I look up when I realize Daryl's looking at me. "What?" I question.

"Nothing," he says with a small shake of his head. "It's just… I don't know, I thought you'd be more upset."

"It doesn't matter," I say. "All that shit's gotta go on the back burner. I got bigger problems than… than a dead friend that loved me. I mean, I'll avenge him, sure, but—what? What's that look for?"

Daryl pauses for a moment, the gears turning in his brain. "Morgan seems to think you really cared about him."

"I'm a liar, Daryl. A liar that teaches, a liar that knows how to play people. That night we spent at the Kingdom, I saw that Ezekiel listened to Benjamin. I figured if I could get Benjamin on my side, I'd have Ezekiel. I didn't care what I had to do, and I saw the way that he was looking at me. I did what needed to be done. Nothing more."

"Then why did you go to him when you went back to the Kingdom?"

"I thought it was my last night on earth," I answer. "I wanted to enjoy it, if you know what I mean. Turns out, it was his. Look, Darry, I don't… not care. He was a sweet guy, but I didn't feel anything with him. He was nothing but a pawn that I played their game with." I gesture towards everyone clad in an orange armband. "I gambled on him, and it worked. Not in the way that I wanted it to or planned, but shit happens."

"Shit happens," Daryl echoes, nodding. "So… would now be a bad time to tell you that I already knew—"

"That Carl and I are back together?" I finish. "I figured you knew before this morning. Hell, most of Alexandria had probably figured it out."

"I'm just glad you and Carl have it figured out," Daryl tells me. For a split second, his eyes drift away from me, before a tiny smile appears on his lips and his eyes dart back to me. "That you two got a second chance. You know—" Daryl suddenly grins. "Dammit!"

"Daryl? Wha—" I squeak in surprise as I feel arms around me, lifting me up; but I don't fight back when I realize who it is by the beard tickling my neck. "Paul!"

"You're back!" he exclaims, putting me down as I turn to face him. "We were all worried!" He squeezes my hand, bowing his head to look down at me. "I was worried, but—"

"But I'm here," I assure him, cutting him off.

"Everything's going right," Jesus says with a grin. "It's working, Clary."

"Hold on," I say, scanning the crowd but not finding the face I'm looking for. "Not everything. Where's Gabriel?"

~Gabriel~

Walkers flood the Sanctuary's courtyard, moving towards the door. The Saviors from within the Sanctuary have stopped firing, and I scramble to my feet. I run for the doors leading to the Sanctuary first, just trying to get away from the dead. They're all locked, dead hands nearly grabbing me as I dart between them.

I spot a trailer, the windows boarded up. I run for it, relieved to find that the door of my last hope is unlocked. I quickly duck inside, slamming the door shut against the walkers behind me.

I pant, staring out the cracks between the boards at the hundreds upon hundreds of walkers in the Sanctuary. A voice from within the trailer says, "I hope you got your shittin' pants on."

"What?" I question, turning towards the corner where Negan's voice came from.

"Your shittin' pants," he repeats, stepping out of the shadows. "I hope you're wearin' 'em right now, 'cause you are about to shit your pants."

Oh, shit.