Chapter 27: Reunited
DPOV
~2 days ago~
There were 4 graves. They spelt out T-C-L-K when you read out the stones that carved the first letter of their first name. T-Dog. Carol. Lori. Kat. We were surrounding their graves. All deciding now was a good time to reflect on what had previously happened. We had finished with everyone and it was now my turn to talk about Kat.
"Kat...she was...nice. She helped me when it came to looking for Sophia and...she never judged me. She was a nice, pretty, smart girl. I know that we'll all miss her," I said with a small nod to the Grimmes family and Kat's grave.
"Kat...was not only my sister but...she was someone I loved more than myself. She was always looking after me, always telling me I was doing something wrong or encouraging me to do what was right. She always had my back, no matter what was our current moods for each other. We would argue but...we always loved each other. She wasn't only my sister. She was my protector...and best friend. I'll miss you Kat," Carl spoke as a single tear escaped his eye.
"Kat...she was my first born. My daughter. Seeing her grow from...a child to a woman...so a hero. It makes me proud. I miss her with all my heart. Sometimes...I think about her. Remember her smile...her words...her laugh," Rick said with a sad chuckle. "They are the things that keep me going. As they remind me...of the good things that come of this world. Kat...will always be remembered," Rick finished. We all nod and bowed our heads silently. Reflecting on all we had lost and all we had gained.
When we all left to do our own things, I went out to look for some flowers. Placing a single Cherokee rose on Carol's grave. I then laid an iris, a hibiscus and a lilac on Kat's grave. Setting it lightly onto her grave and grazing my fingers along the K of stones.
Present day...DPOV
"Let me go! Let me go!" Kat was screaming. Her blue eyes were piercing. She hasn't changed. Except for look stronger and have shorter hair. She looks like her father...God. We thought she died. Her and Andrea. Yet...here they are. Kat was struggling against the men as they held her and Andrea back.
"You can't go," the man told the pair of them. I had stopped pacing and they finally let me go. The crowd were screaming for me to die. They want me dead. By my own brother's hand. Is he going to kill me? Kat would never kill Carl. She would prefer to die herself before ever causing Carl harm.
"Let me go. Philip!" Andrea was screaming to the Governor from what I gathered. He was making a speech while I was making my way towards this arena. I was terrified for what was to happen to me but was surprised to have the bag removed and faces be revealed to me. Kat. Merle. Andrea. They were all alive and in the same place.
"Stay out of this," the man growled to the pair as they struggled against the men's hold. Kat was tugging her hardest while Andrea paused and looked to the one eyed man pleadingly. I'm going to die...aren't I. By Merle. My brother.
"He's our friend!" Kat screamed angered as she looked to me worried. Her face was darker than before, tanned and her long curls were now shorter. Flying with every struggle and tug she pulled from the men that held her back. I could tell she was stronger than Andrea. That was for certain. Kat had built more muscle since I last saw her.
"It's not up to me anymore. The people have spoken," the Governor declared as he looked angrily towards Merle. Guess Merle really pissed in his cereal. Seems like the man wants to kill us both if he had the chance.
"What?" Andrea asked as she froze. Her eyes glued to the man while Kat struggled harder. Kicking and screaming for them to let her go. Her body flinging back as to get the off of her but the man behind her kept still.
"I asked you where your loyalties lie. You said here. Well, prove it. Prove it to us all. Brother against brother," the Governor said which made everyone cheer and agree to it. "Winner goes free. Fight to the death!" the Governor roared as Kat screamed out for me. For Merle too. Screaming to let go of her. To stop this madness.
"Philip, please. Don't do this," Andrea begged, taking a kinder approach compared to Kat's screams and shoves.
"Don't do this!" Kat screamed as I saw for a second tears building in her eyes, along with rage in her movements. Shoving, pulling and tugging her way out of the man's grip on her.
"Y'all know me. I'm gonna do whatever I got to do to prove..." Merle spoke as he walked around, speaking to the crowd and raising his arm up. Next thing I felt was his fist connecting to my stomach. Making me fall to the floor and wince in pain. Kat screamed and shoved harder than before. "That my loyalty is to this town!" Merle shouted as he kicked me hard, making me roll along the floor. With every kick he was giving me, I gathered the strength to raise my arm up and give him a punch to the jaw. "Ah!" Merle yelled when he walked back from the sudden strike.
I went to attack him, seeing walkers suddenly come towards us on hooks around their necks. Snapping and clawing for flesh, Merle dodged me and pinned me to the ground. "You really think this asshole's gonna let you go?" I asked him as I held him by the throat.
"Just follow my lead, little brother. We're getting out of this right now," Merle growled as he pulled us up to our feet, both of us back to back as we began to fight against the walkers as they began to close in on us.
"Get. The. Fuck. Off. Of. Me!" Kat growled as she struggled. This was when I saw her do something I thought only Rick would be able to do. She jumped off her feet, kicked her body back and head butted the guy holding her. Letting go of his hold on her. Running to a man who had her bow and arrows, she fought him for a few moments but this was when I had to push a walker away from me. Next thing I saw was an arrow go right through it's head. Kat.
"Philip no, stop this! Philip, stop this!" Andrea screamed as we fought off the walkers as best as we could. Kat then shot at a man that was holding a walker and ran to him to grab her knife and belt. It held a new machete and her pistol. Using the knife, before it could reach either me or Merle she drove it into the walker's skull.
"Nice one blue eyes," Merle commented as we all began to fight off as many walkers as we could. Kat using combat as she would scream questions at me about her family. Now is not the time Kat. We need to get out of this fucking mess before we can discuss how your family is! That's if we even live!
KPOV
Next thing I heard were gun shots and the sudden sizzle of a fog type bomb. Lights were being shot at and the Governor had pulled his gun out to fight off the potential threat. Dad? I feel him close. He's close. I know it.
"Come on, little brother! Blue eyes! Let's go!" Merle shouted to me as Daryl grabbed me by the arm and pulled me to follow him. Pulling me towards the fog. "Stay close!" Merle shouted as he was fighting off a walker.
"Daryl! Kat!" I could Hear Andrea call for me and Daryl. I didn't want to listen to her. I wanted to get back to my family. Back to Carl, mom and dad.
"Merle, Kat come on," Daryl told me as he pulled me to follow closely. Leading us deeper into the fog and towards the sound of gun fire. Daryl quickly took his bow off a man and lead us further into the fog.
"Go! Let's go," Merle ordered the pair of us as he followed closely behind me. Sandwhiched between the two Dixon brothers.
"Daryl! Where's my..." I was going to ask for my father, but that was when I froze. My heart stopping as I saw the man before me. He had grown longer hair, more of a beard and he looked tougher than I did. "Dad," I spoke dumbly as he too looked at me surprised. Both of us wearing the same expression.
"K-Kat?" Dad's voice trembled as he lowered his gun and slowly walked closer to me. His feet fumbling as much as his words were. "Is-is that really you?" he asked me as he got close enough to gently cup my face in his hands. "Am I dead?" he asked me a little worried as his voice shook. Possibly from tears.
"You're very much alive dad. As am I," I said with a smile as I sighed into his touch. My hands were on his waist and slowly they raised to cup his hands that held my face. This was when he pulled me to him in a hug and kissed every inch of my face, mumbling my name like some prayer.
"We don't have time for this!" Daryl growled to us as he pulled us away from each other and Dad took me firmly by the hand before leading me away from the fog and danger. His hand never letting me go as we both held guns awkwardly, one handed and rushed to get to safety.
RPOV
"Daryl! Where's my..." I heard an all too familiar voice call out to Daryl as they came closer towards us. Over the gunfire, the screams and the running footsteps, nothing mattered. My body froze over as I looked to the girl stood before me. "Dad," she spoke as she too froze when she saw me. Is this real?
"K-Kat?" my voice trembled as I lowered my gun and slowly walked closer to her. Her brown long curls were short, her blue eyes stunned to see me and her skin was darker. She was still beautiful but so much more...mature. "Is-is that really you?" I asked her as I got close enough to let my hands gently cup her face. "Am I dead?" I asked her as my voice and body shook. Tears forming in my eyes. Could this really be Kat? Alive and well?
"You're very much alive dad. As am I," she said with that smile I loved so much, shutting her eyes gently as she sighed to my touch. Her hands were on my waist and slowly they raised to cup my hands. My baby girl...she's alive. Pulling her to me in a hug, I kissed every inch of her beautiful face, mumbling her name over and over again as I felt my heart beat faster at the thought of having her back in my arms. Safe, with me.
"We don't have time for this!" Daryl growled to us as he pulled us away from each other. Taking her hand firmly in mine, I lead the way, away from the fog and danger. I was too afraid to let her go and lose her again forever. If this is true or false...I wouldn't care. I won't let her go ever again. Not for anything.
KPOV
"They're all at the arena. This way!" Merle said as he lead us to a spot where it would be easier for us to leave. To exit from this hell hole. Fuck. What will Andrea say when she finds out I fled? I don't give a fuck right now but...hopefully she'll understand.
"You're not going anywhere with us," dad growled as we rushed to get to safety. To get out of the stupid Woodbury that had nothing left for any of us.
"You really want to do this now? Come on, man," Merle growled as he began to bang on the gates. Trying to weaken a piece of the metal that protected the town. Letting go of Dad, he looked at me panicked but then raised his gun to watch out for any threats. Kicking down the metal, I worked with Merle to get us out of there.
"Dad, come on. We've got to go!" I shouted to him as they all nod and followed after us. Dad pushing me out first before he followed after me. Seeing Merle fighting off a walker without a weapon and clearly winning.
"A little help would be nice!" Merle growled which made me pull off my bow and and arrow from my quiver. Shooting a walker that was getting too close, I rushed to grab my arrow and slipped my knife out. Killing a walker that got too close to me with it before I backed up, bumping into my father gently. "We ain't got time for this!" Merle shouted as he rushed towards safety.
"Let's go!" Daryl shouted as he saw myself and my dad look to each other. Glad to be back together, at last. He gave me a nod and raised his gun as to indicate he had my back. Following after, I had my gun at the ready and reached towards the woods. All of us staying close as we stayed silent in trying to return to wherever my dad came from.
DPOV
Having Kat and Merle back was like a dream come true. Kat was close to tears as Rick was. Both of them glad to have finally found each other. Although we were all silent, we all wanted to know how each of us survived. Multiple questions running in our heads as we tried to stay focused in getting back to Glenn and the nameless woman.
KPOV
"Glenn!" Dad called out. The sun was already raising. We were getting close and from the distance I could see a figure sat down on the ground. A male figure. Is that...really Glenn?
"Rick. Rick. Rick. Oh my God...Kat?!" Glenn asked me stunned before we both pulled each other into a hug. Glenn had been such a good friend to me while we were first at camp. He was always so curious as to how I felt and if I was alright. He was good to me, just as he was good to my family in protecting them all this time.
The next figure that followed closely behind him made my eyes widen. There she was. Katana slung onto her back, her hair in that usual style and the same look in her eyes. "Michonne?!" I asked surpried before I threw myself at her in a hug. Her arms wrapping around me to hold me tightly to her. God I missed her.
"Kat. You're safe. How?..." Michonne asked me a little stunned as we pulled away from each other for a moment, our arms being held by each other as we were close enough to speak personally to each other. I could feel all sets of eyes watching us curiously, Michonne glancing behind me to watch the others looking towards us.
"My dad found me," I said as I moved a little to point to him. Dad's eyes were cold but they shone something hidden in them before he walked towards me and placed his hand on the small of my back. His lips pressing softly to my forehead. When he pulled away I saw a small look in his eyes that told me he missed me and that he didn't want to ever lose me again.
"I thought he was your dad," Michonne said with a small smirk before she looked between the pair of us. "Wait!" Michonne said as she looked behind us. Her eyes grew wide when she realized Merle had joined along with us. Her sword was suddenly out and raised to Merle.
"Woah. Now we got a problem here. I need you to back up," dad said as he raised his hands to calm Michonne and Glenn who both had weapons up. Glenn looked beaten up as hell. "Wait...you two know each other?" Dad asked me and Michonne which made me nod to him silently.
"Just like they both know blondie," Merle mumbled incoherantly. What a prick. Never thought I would think this but...he should really mind his own fucking business.
"What the hell is he doing here?" Glenn asked a little angered. Ready to shoot at Merle.
"Hey, hey, hey! Hey, put it down! Whoa, whoa, whoa! Put it down!" Dad growled to both Michonne, Maggie and Glenn.
"He tried to kill me!" Michonne claimed which made me look to Merle surprised of this new found information.
"Enough!" I shout as I got myself wedged between the middle. "Michonne! Maggie! Glenn! Put your weapons down now!" I ordered as I tried to calm down all the arguing that was going on between them all.
"Get that thing out of my face!" Daryl shouted at Glenn and he was the one I was closest to, as was for dad and Michonne.
"Man, look like you've gone native, brother," Merle said after a dry chuckle.
"No more than you hanging out with that psycho back there," Daryl growled at his brother, angered about they type of people Merle had got cozy to since his hand was cut off.
"Oh, yeah, man. He is a charmer, I got to tell you that. Been putting the wood to your girlfriend Andrea. Big time, baby," Merle taunted Michonne which made me want to hit him so hard. Shut the fuck up Merle.
"What?" Michonne asked him stunned. Dad looking to Merle a little surprised, as were all of us, except for myself.
"Andrea's in Woodbury?" Glenn asked a little surprised. Fuck. It's all coming out now.
"It's true. She's right next to the Governor," I answered them with a sad look. My eyes falling to the floor. I don't like leaving her alone. Not after all that has happened.
"I told you to drop that!" Dad growled at Michonne as she went to go kill Merle but was stopped by dad. Dad was looking angered by her constant attempts of trying to get close enough to Merle. Getting in their way, I held onto Michonne's sword. Placing it under my chin and looking into her eyes. She won't do it. I know she won't.
"You'll have to kill me first," I told her coldly. Her hold on the weapon was going to be lowered but I kept it to my neck. Dad pushed the sword out from under my neck.
"You are not dying. Not after I just got you back," dad growled at me firmly as he was angered that I would even put my life on the line like that. Michonne would never hurt me. We love each other too much to do that. She's like my sister.
"My Nubian queen here had two pet walkers. No arms, cut off the jaws, kept them in chains. Kind of ironic now that I think about it," Merle said which made them all look at her like she was crazy. My body tensed and I think Daryl could sense both mine and Michonne's sudden change in moods and state.
"Shut up, bro," Daryl growled at Merle. Turining his back on us as I saw Michonne's eyes fill with sadness. Those walkers meant something to her. Both me and Andrea knew it but never questioned her.
"Hey, man, we snagged them out of the woods. Andrea was close to dying," Merle informed us as the three of us knew it was true. Andrea was sick and we had no possible way to cure her. Not one that was effective enough to save her.
"Is that why she's with him?" Maggie asked him curious as to why Andrea would be so close to a man of such crazy ideas.
"Yeah. Snug as two little bugs. So what you gonna do now, Sheriff, huh? Surrounded by a bunch of liars, thugs, and cowards," Merle teased my dad, trying to make him crack.
"Shut up!" Dad growled for him, ordering him around like he was some sort of military man.
"Oh, man, look at this. Pathetic. All these guns and no bullets in them," Merle went to contine speaking, ignoring my dad completely. This was when I got close enough to him, Daryl following my idea.
"Merle, shut up!" me and Daryl said in unison as I pushed him. He is getting on my last nerve!
"Shut up yourself! Bunch of pussies you roll-" Merle growled as he pushed me away but didn't get very far as my dad had a firm hold on me. As to not stumble or fall back too far. He went to face Daryl angered as he spoke, Dad quickly as lightning raised the but of his gun and slammed it onto Merle's head. Knocking him flat on his face.
"Asshole," Dad mumbled before he looked to the rest of us. His eyes lingering on me as were Daryl's. Things have...really changed between us all. Haven't they?
CPOV
Hershel had been giving treatment to the survivors I had rescued. They seemed nice enough people, always asking questions and being honest with their words. When they saw Judith they were all stunned and shocked to see her. Even thought that Beth was the mother. When they tried to make a case, there was nothing we could do. Only lock them where they were and stayed silent. Telling them they would have to wait for our leader's return.
KPOV
"It won't work," dad told Daryl as we left Merle alone in the woods and Michonne by the car. I glanced around us and saw how we were all bickering over the Merle/Michonne and others situation. What the hell happened to all of us?
"It's gotta," Daryl growled, naturally defending his brother's rights to stay with us as any of us would for those we cared about.
"It'll stir things up," dad tried to inform him. Merle isn't exactly a man neither Michonne, Maggie or Glenn want. I doubt Merle would even want to be in the same room as my dad.
"Look, the Governor is probably on the way to where we live right now. Merle knows how he thinks and we could use the muscle," Daryl tried to inform us. Trying to make a case for his brother. I don't blame him. I would too if it was my brother.
"I'm not having him where we live," Maggie spoke firmly.
"Do you really want him sleeping in the same place as Carol or Beth?" Glenn asked Daryl a little angered and upset over something I couldn't quite tell.
"He ain't a rapist," Daryl defended his brother. Merle was many things but...I don't know if a rapist truly would be one. Maybe a sexual pig but...he wouldn't force himself on anyone. Well...he didn't force himself on me at least.
"Well, his buddy is," Glenn growled which made me look to him and Maggie. Please tell me the Governor didn't...
"They ain't buddies no more. Not after last night," Daryl defended Merle yet again. The Governor did want both Merle and Daryl dead for what happened at Woodbury but...there was something hidden in his eye. Something that told me there was something more to it.
"There's no way Merle's gonna live there without putting everyone at each other's throats," dad said as he looked to each of us, shaking his head at the thought of Merle spending his time with us. Merle definately is predictable enough. But...surely Daryl could handle him.
"So you're gonna cut Merle loose and bring the last samurai home with us?" Daryl asked us a little angered as he pointed to Michonne in the distance. How dare he make fun of Michonne like that!
"That 'Samurai' is my friend. She also saved my life more times than I can count. We owe it to her. I owe it to her," I growled at Daryl as I defended Michonne on her behalf. We didn't keep each other alive only to give up on each other. That isn't me. It won't ever be me.
"She's not coming back," Dad said as he completely ignored what I had just said. This made me look to him stunned. Did he just hear what I said?! Michonne. Saved. Me. Do I have to spell it out for them?!
"She's not in a state to be on her own dad!" I growled at him as I shoved him gently. This stunned him as he looked at me as though he wasn't expecting it. I don't care if we're meant to be happy to be back together again. I won't let Michonne leave me again. I won't let her be alone.
"She did bring you guys to us," Glenn defended for her as though they were all trying to see what to make of Michonne. No one knows Michonne like me and Andrea do. She's harmless and a friend. Someone you can always trust.
"And then ditched us," dad growled, stating what had happened. Dear god. Why am I dealing with this right now?! Can't we all just return to the prison and try to forget everything in order to work together?
"She saved me for christ's sake! If it weren't for her, I would be dead! So would Andrea!" I shout to them. Knowing full well that Michonne knew we were talking about her. They all looked to me and then to Michonne, before looking towards each other.
"At least let my dad stitch her up," Maggie suggested kindly.
"She's too unpredictable," dad defended his thoughts and completely ignored me. She isn't! Not if you know her like I do!
"That's right. We don't know who she is. But Merle, Merle's blood," Daryl said trying to make us chose Merle over Michonne. This is just stupid! Why the hell are we doing this?!
"No, Merle is your blood. My blood, my family is standing right here and waiting for us back at the prison," Glenn growled as he tried to make a point. Blood was nothing compared to a strong bond. Like myself with Andrea and Michonne.
"And you're part of that family," dad spoke directly to Daryl. Looking him directly in the eyes. "But he's not. He's not," dad said with a shake of his head.
"Man, y'all don't know. Fine. We'll fend for ourselves," Daryl said with a small shake of his head. Looking back at his brother and then towards us.
"That's not what I was saying," Glenn said to him as I felt my heart drop. Daryl's been so good to us all. To my family and yet...he wants to up and leave when I finally get back to them?
"No him, no me," Daryl growled, being stubborn and making a point. Him and Merle are a package deal.
"Daryl, you don't have to do that," Maggie pleaded to him.
"It was always Merle and I before this," Daryl told them with a small shake of his head. He doesn't want to leave us.
"Guys. Don't," I tell them all as I went to step forward.
"You serious? You're just gonna leave like that?" Glenn asked him a little incredulous as to what he was telling us.
"You'd do the same thing," Daryl answered him. We all would. I would never leave my family or friends alone. I bet Daryl is so torn right now.
"What do you want us to tell Carol?" Glenn asked him and this made my heart sink to my stomach. Were him and Carol now an item?
"She'll understand," Daryl spoke to Glenn. "Say good-bye to your pop for me," Daryl said to Maggie with a small nod of his head.
"Daryl, are you serious?" Glenn asked as Daryl walked away from us and towards the car, Merle and Michonne. The rest of us following after them.
"Daryl!" I called after him. Hoping my voice would make him turn around. The way it sounded sad and authoritive at the same time.
"Hey. Hey. There's got to be another way," Dad said as he catched up to Daryl and walked beside him quickly.
"Don't ask me to leave him. I already did that once," Daryl said as he stopped and looked to my dad. His eyes glanced to me, looking sad and lowered them just as quickly as our eyes connected.
"We started something last night. You realize that, huh?" dad asked him a little worried for all our safety. Knowing we would probably need all the help we could get against the Governor.
"I don't understand why we can't all go back together and discuss this further. Put all of this in the past and realize that this was all under the influence of the Governor. It wasn't Merle's choice. It was an order. A command. As for Michonne...I'll handle her. Daryl can handle Merle. It can all be fine," I tried to reason as Daryl started rummaging in a bag in the back of the car.
"No him, no me. That's all I can say. Take care of yourselves. Take care of lil ass-kicker. Carl. He's one tough kid," Daryl told me and dad with a small nod of his head. Ass kicker? What? Who the hell is he talking about? Why didn't he mention my mom? He shut the boot after he got what he needed.
"Daryl!" I called after him. Tears forming in my eyes as I bit them back. The air in my lungs escaping as I saw him turn his back to us and walk towards Merle. Merle was waiting patiently for Daryl as he opened his arms to Daryl. Offering him a hug.
"Oh...and Kat?" Daryl said as he stopped and looked to me. His grip on the crossbow tightening. "Don't disappear on your family again. They need you...more than you know," he told me which made me think hard about what he could have possibly meant. "Come on, bro," Daryl said as he turned around, hugged Merle and walked off with him. Their arms slung over each other's shoulders. Daryl gave us one last look, his eyes piercing into mine as I felt a shiver run down my spine. Sweat covered my body as I felt my heart sink at the thought of him leaving. I understand but...I wish he didn't have to leave us. Being such a good friend to all of us.
"We patch you up and then you are gone," dad growled at Michonne as we all got our weapons into the car. Maggie and Glenn climbed in and allowed for me to sit in the front with my dad. Waiting a moment, I watched as dad walked to the drivers seat and open the door.
"I'll do whatever I can to prevent that Michonne. I promise," I tell Michonne as I tried to make sure she was no longer worried over the matter. She deserves good people like my family. Like the group. She doesn't have to or need to be alone. I won't let her be alone. Michonne nods once before we all climbed into the car. Giving dad a small smile, he didn't give me anything in return. He was possibly upset about losing Daryl to Merle.
DPOV
It was hard to leave them all. I had to though. Merle was my brother. How would Rick of felt if he had to leave his daughter behind because she did something wrong to someone else? How would he respond? He would probably pack his things, Carl's and lil' asskickers and leave the group. I had to fend for me and my brother. Even if it meant I was leaving behind those that I loved. My family. Kat was beautiful, strong, smart and she would protect her family better than I ever could. Kat's voice, it made me tense and wish to not leave. Somehow just her presence made me not want to leave her. We had all changed so drastically but...when I looked into her eyes that last time. I felt something in me shrivel up. I needed strength. I needed strength from my brother's love.
KPOV
"Get the brakes," dad said as he looked to me. I was going to the door when Glenn stopped me.
"I got it," Glenn told me kindly and I simply nod. When Glenn opened the door, a walker jumped out at him and went to bite him. Quick as a flash, Glenn threw it to the floor and began to smash it's head in. Pulling out my gun, the rest of us did the same as we spectated Glenn smash it's head to a pulp. "You didn't kill him," Glenn stated, and this was when I knew that they had something planned that I didn't know.
"That's not why we went back," dad spoke to him which made Glenn look at him angered.
"No. That's right. You went back for Daryl. And now he's gone again and the Governor is still alive," Glenn complained. What the hell happened back at Woodbury? How did we all get so...fucked up?
"Daryl was the priority," dad spoke up, defending himself and his decisions.
"I should have been there with you," Glenn told him as they kept eye contact.
"You were in no condition," dad growled at him. Does the arguing ever stop? Seems to me all I hear these days are arguments between people I care about.
"But my girlfriend was?" Glenn spat as though this was a ridiculous idea.
"Glenn, this isn't about us," Maggie complained to him. Her voice shook slightly.
"I should have been there," Glenn said to dad, ignoring Maggie's complaint.
"Hey, hey, you didn't come back with us 'cause you could barely walk," dad defended his point as to why he wouldn't allow for Glenn to join them.
"What about her?" Glenn asked dad angered as he pointed to Maggie.
"What about me?" Maggie asked a little surpried and upset as to what Glenn was getting at.
"Do you know what he did to her?!" Glenn asked dad angered. His body shook at the thought that he was possibly about to reveal to us.
"Leave it alone!" Maggie shouted at Glenn.
"Do you know?" Glenn asked me and dad.
"Let's go," Maggie spoke to us as her hands touched the back of the truck.
"After all that effort, all the risk we took, Daryl just takes off with Merle?" Glenn asked dad, angered as to what happened to us all.
"Well, he had his reasons," I spoke up. I'm honestly getting sick and tired of all these arguments.
"Yeah, you keep telling yourselves that. Doesn't change the fact that we're up to our necks in shit," Glenn spat at me and dad. I don't know what I got to deserve this type of treatment from Glenn.
"You want me to turn the car around, beg him to come back? Throw down a welcome mat for Merle? This is the hand we've been dealt!" dad shouted to Glenn. Angered as to what had happened between us all aswell.
"Let's just get this out of here and get back. Get some rest. We can talk it out there," Maggie said trying to be reasonable.
"No, you guys do all the talking you want. I'm done," Glenn said as he left me, Maggie and dad to push the truck out of the way. Clearing out a path so we could get back to the prison.
"Can I have...a few minutes alone with my daughter?" dad asked Maggie after we were finished. Mumbling a few 'yeah's and 'sure's before she left me and dad alone. I walked slowly towards him and looked to the floor shyly.
"You okay dad?" I asked him when I was close enough to him. My eyes glancing up to see his bright blues glancing down at me. The look in his eyes was caring. Loving. The look a father gave to a long lost daughter. To a daughter he adored. He still loves me...after all this time apart. Of him thinking me dead.
"I'm fine...what about you? What happened to you?" dad asked me as he went to reach for my face. Instead he slipped his fingers into my hair. "You cut your hair," he said with a small smirk. A curious look in his eyes as he stared at me.
"And you grew yours," I teased as I ran my fingers along his long hair. "Yeah. I had to," I told him when I realized he wouldn't answer me. "Dad...you've been avoiding my questions. How's Carl and mom?" I asked him and he sighed. His eyes lowering to look at the floor.
"You'll find out when we get back to the prison," he informed me which made me look at him a little stunned. Last time I had passed the prison, me, Michonne and Andrea saw it was overrun with walkers. Covering everything they touched. It was secure but risky to try and take over.
"The prison? Wasn't that overrun?" I asked him a little amused by this new found fact.
"Yeah...but we cleared it. Made it our home," dad told us which made me giggle. His hands held my face in his hands gently. God...I missed his touch. Missed his love. The love a father is something a daughter always treasures.
"I sure can't wait to see them again," I said with a smile. Dad's eyes gleamed as he smiled down at me. He pulled me to him. Cradling my head in his chest. Holding me close as I wrapped my arms around him, my hands gripping his back as I shut my eyes tightly.
"I thought I was never going to see you again," dad whispered as though he was scared to let me go. Worried that I might disappear like thin air. He really has missed me. Just like I missed him.
"I'm here now. I was always there with you guys. I never stopped searching. Somehow...I knew I would find you. Especially when I got to Woodbury," I spoke as I pulled away a little to look into his eyes. Knowing I sounded slightly cockey, I didn't care. I worked so hard to get back to them. Endured so much pain without them. I wouldn't leave them again.
"I love you baby girl," dad spoke clearly. All the love, pride and adoration laced his voice. His eyes shone in a way that told me he really meant it. That he missed me more than I could imagine. The love between us...never changed and never will. My dad is my hero. My protector.
"I love you too dad," I told him as he smiled and pressed a lingering kiss to my forehead. Sighing, I shut my eyes peaceful to finally have him in reach. To see his face. To have his lips on my skin. So comforting. To be with him once again. Now...all I needed was to get back to Carl and mom.
"Let's go home," dad encouraged as he took my hand in his and lead us to the car. With a small smile, I looked to him and we went to the car. Opening our doors, we climbed in and I could see Maggie and Glenn looked to us happily. Smiles on their faces. Knowing we were all happy and safe again. Despite that Daryl left us. Dad gained me from this sad moment.
CPOV
"It's so quiet," I spoke as I was waiting around by the gates with Carol, bored out of my mind and only hearing the sounds of some walkers growling.
"It's easy to forget how loud the world used to be. I used to complain about it all the time. Traffic, construction, car alarms, noise pollution. Oh. What I wouldn't give for the sweet sound of a jumbo jet," Carol mused in her memories.
"It'd be even sweeter if we were all on it," I said with a small smile and chuckle.
"Your mom was proud of you and Kat," Carol told me as she walked closer to me.
"I understand pride towards Kat but me...for what? Being mean to her?" I asked her a little bitterly. Venom towards myself as I spoke.
"No, you can't think about that," she pleaded, sounding sad and strict about what I could and couldn't think towards myself when it came to my relationship with my mom.
"It's all I think about. Please be them," I pleaded for it to be dad and the others. To know that they were safe and back to us.
"It's them. Hurry," Carol encouraged me as I opened up the gates and prepared myself for the arrival of dad and the others.
"Drive 'em up. I'll meet you there," dad spoke as he got out of the car. Maggie answered him with a small 'okay' before she took the wheel and drove the car off into the prison. "Thank God. Where's Hershel?" dad asked us as he hugged me and kissed my cheek.
"He's in the cell block," I answered him quickly as we pulled away.
"Where's Daryl?" Carol asked as she quickly checked the car before it drove off as quick as she could say 'go'.
"It's all right. He's alive. We ran into his brother. They went off," dad tried to explain to us. No...he was such a good friend. He was like a brother to me.
"He left? Daryl left? He's gone? Is he coming back?" Carol asked as he bottom lip trembled. Tears forming in her eyes. "Gone?" she asked dad as he went to comfort her. Pulling her into a hug as he didn't know what else to say to her.
"And Oscar?" I asked him as I noticed the big man who was nice was no longer in the car. At least...his figure from a glimpse wasn't obvious in the car.
"No," dad told me with a shake of his head. "Carl...I have a surprise for you...you won't believe it," dad said as he placed his hand on my shoulder. The car was slowing down. When it finally parked, I looked up at dad and was curious as to why he would be telling me this.
"What?" I asked him. Dad stayed silent and pointed to the distance with a gleam in his eye and smile on his face. That was when I saw her. When her foot stepped out the car...I knew it was her. Feeling my body freze for a second. It was as though everything paused around us. My heart swelled when I saw her familiar face. That was when I ran to her, my feet feeling light as I rushed to her. Kat's figure running to me as we would crash in the middle. She's alive!
KPOV
Climbing out of the car, I didn't look to the others. All I could see was Carl and Carol who I had passed. Seeing dad point to me, Carl's expression was one of shock before he started running to me. Running after him, I felt my body shake and tremble as tears overtook me. Ones of happiness. My throat clenching at the sight of him.
His hair was longer, he had grown taller and older. He was no longer that little boy I was running around after in the farm. Both of us colliding as I picked him up in my arms and fell to my knees. His had falling as we both held each other tightly and cried. "Kat. Kat...is this really you?" Carl asked me as we both cried to each other. My hands holding him to me. One hand in his hair as I felt the length of it. His hat fallen to the floor from our embrace.
Dad had walked to us and was smiling happily to us before he wrapped his arms around the pair of us. "It's me Carl. It's really me. I'm so glad you're both safe," I tell them with relief as dad and Carl chuckled sadly. The three of us sobbing happily. Reunited at last. Pulling away, I wiped at his tears, dad kissing mine away as we all looked to each other. "Where's mom?" I asked them curiously.
This was when they were both silent. This made me panic. "Hey...you dropped this," I told Carl as I gave him his hat and placed it onto his head. He smiled up at me warmly. The thought of mom not around made me look everywhere around us for her. Finding no trace.
When I heard a baby's cry, I saw Beth holding a bundle of cloth in her arms. No...no. She's...she can't be. "Mom's...dead?" I asked them as they all stayed silent. Deciding to bite back my tears, I looked to Beth and then to the baby. Laughing softly and sadly as I point to my sibling. "Can I hold her?" I asked Beth. Earning a small 'of course' before handing me the small faced, hazel eyed baby. "What's her name?" I asked them.
"Judith," Carl answered which made me smile at him. Mumbling the baby's name, I knew it was for the teacher who saved me a few years back. One that we all respected and clearly meant a lot as it was a connection to me. They thought I was dead. I wish I could have been here to at least say goodbye to mom.
RPOV
"Go on," I spoke to Carl as he looked to his sisters happily. It was great to be back together. To know that Kat was alive. That we were all stronger now that we knew Kat was alive. Kat handed the baby back to Beth and looked between me, Hershel, Beth and Carl.
"You go ahead Carl. I'll be there in a minute. I promise," Kat spoke softly to her brother. Nudging his cheek with her thumb and forefinger, as though she was going to pinch it but didn't. Smiling I saw Carl look to her happily before heading into the prison.
"Glad to have you back Kathrine," Hershel told Kat with a small smile and nod of his head. Noting Kat's status as she lived and breathed before us. Being formal as to remember that she was once thought dead by all of us. A pleasent surprise to Hershel from the way he looked to her.
"It's good to be back Hershel. What happened to your leg?" Kat asked him as she smiled between the two of us. Kat clearly noticed that Hershel was on crutches and missing part of his leg.
"Got bit. Your father, your mom and Carol saved me. As did your brother," Hershel informed the pair of us which made me and Kat smile. Pride in those we had lost and how Carl was now matured.
"I'm glad you're still alive," Kat spoke politely.
"Same goes to you Kat," Hershel spoke equally as respectful to her. A mutual kindness to each other.
"You came through, like always. Sounds like we have a new problem on our hands," Hershel said as he shook my hand.
"Yeah," I nod to him as I didn't want to look at Kat. I don't even want to know how she feels about this whole ordeal.
"You get a good look at him?" Hershel asked but I shook my head. Kat did though. She knows how to describe him.
"He had Daryl and Merle pitted against each other. A crowd cheering for them to fight to the death. What kind of a sick mind does that?" I asked him. My stomach rolling and making flips at the thought of it all.
"The kind this world creates," Hershel spoke wisely to me and Kat.
"What's wrong? The baby?" I asked him, noting how he was so stiff and formal about things.
"No, the baby, she's healthy. Eats like a horse, sleeps like a rock," Hershel informed us which made me and Kat laugh softly.
"So what is it?" I asked him a little amused to be able to hear Kat's laugh again. I missed her so much. I feel like an idiot for ever doubting her. Walking in, Hershel had informed us about a group that entered through a broken down wall. A weak point. When we entered, Kat took Judith in her arms and gently rocked her. Cooing softly at the baby, making me smile at her.
"She kind of has Mom's eyes. Don't you think?" Kat asked me which made me remember the pain that ached in my soul at the mention of Kat's mother. Lori...you died thinking Kat was dead. How wrong were we all...
KPOV
The group were all around me. Even Glenn and Maggie. Michonne was in her cell, fast asleep and I was beside her for a point. Watching her sleep when I saw them all come after me. Beth, Maggie, Carol, Glenn, Carl, Hershel, a new guy called Axel and dad.
"So...you care to tell us what happened?" dad asked me interested to hear my story. I smiled to him with a little giggle as I watched him. Looking down at Michonne, I knew she would be able to tell the story better than I ever could. Walking to Carl I pulled him to my side and kissed the side of his head.
"Yeah..." I began, unsure of how to truly start it. "I was at the farm. Too many walkers were around. Got outnumbered. Fought as hard as I could. Shot down three walkers that were stacking above me. When they were dead, I shoved them off and ran after Andrea who disappeared into the woods alone. We came across Michonne when we were getting weak," I told them of what happened. My eyes glancing at the cell Michonne was asleep in.
"Saved our lives. Since then, we had been traveling, scavenging and searching for you guys. We searched everywhere for you guys. I left messages, went to places I would think you would try and look for me. Nothing. Until we saw Woodbury," I spoke as I remembered what happened there. All the arguments and speculations.
"During those months out there in the evil world, we got so close and when we were in Woodbury...we fell apart," I tell them as I sighed at the memory. "Where's Shane? Jimmy? Patricia? T-Dog?" I asked as I looked around and noted all the people who were with us back at the farm.
"I killed Shane. Jimmy, Patricia and T-Dog were taken down by walkers. Your mom died during childbirth..." dad told me which made me look to him saddened. "We went looking for you but assumed you were dead. We did mostly the same thing as you did. Scavenge, kept fighting and doing all we could to survive," dad told me what happened to them.
"We missed you Kat. So much," Carl spoke up softly. His eyes looking directly up. Those bright blues. The blues I would dream about. The blues that gave me strength. I won't ever leave him again.
"Believe me baby brother...I missed you all too. I never lost faith in getting back to you," I informed them as I kissed his cheek. Dad's hand gently rubbed up and down my back. Comforting me.
"I better check on Michonne," Hershel said as he broke the silence. "She's out like a light. Must be days since she slept," Hershel informed us all as he walked out of the cell after inspecting her. "You look pretty shot yourself," he said to my dad. He must of had a tough time since losing mom...
"How long before she can travel?" dad asked a little stubbornly. This made my internal cartoon self puff in slight teen annoyance.
"Have to keep an eye on her. Pretty sure she has a concussion. Couple of days if she's up," Hershel informed us of her condition further.
"Whenever Tomas went off, Oscar always stood up for me, you know? He was my friend," a man called Axel informed us. I hadn't met Oscar or this 'Tomas' persona.
"He went out fighting," dad said to him with a small clap to his back. Trying to comfort Axel.
"So what now? You think the Governor will retaliate?" Beth asked as she walked over to us. Taking Judith from her, I felt that it was meant to be me to hold her. Not Beth. Something told me that I didn't want Judith too far from my reach. So young...so small...so innocent. It should be me who is more of the mother figure to her.
"Yes," I answered. Knowing full well what the Governor was like.
"Let him try," Glenn spoke up.
"Sounds like he's got a whole town. We're outnumbered and outgunned," Carol said feeling slightly defenceless.
"We could use some reinforcements..." Hershel said slightly suggestively. Reminding us all of the group that were trapped in the cafeteria.
RPOV
"How'd you get in?" I asked, getting to the point and uninterested in who they were.
"Fire damage to the administrative part of the prison. Wall's down. That side's completely overrun with walkers," a man who claimed his name was Tyreese spoke up to me. Taking the role of the leader for his group.
"How'd you get this far?" I asked him. Taking charge of the questions as the leader I was.
"We didn't. We lost our friend Donna," Tyreese informed me sadly.
"They were lost in the gyms," Carl spoke up which made me look at him stunned. Did he save these people?
"You brought them here?" I asked Carl stunned.
"He had no choice," Kat spoke up for her brother. Sensing that it was probably dangerous for Carl to do something like that.
"I'm sorry about your friend," I spoke kindly to them. Showing sincerity. "We know what that's like," I said softly.
"Hershel said you could use some extra hands. We're no stranger to hard work. We'll go out and get our own food, stay out of your hair. You got a problem with another group, we'll help with that, too. Anything to contribute," Tyreese said as though he had all the answers.
"No," I said bluntly after a few minutes deliberation.
"Please. It's like '10 Little Indians' out there. It's just us now," Tyreese said trying to defend for his group.
"No," I said again more sternly. More stubbornly.
"Let's talk about this," Hershel pleaded to me.
"We can't just keep-...we've been through this. With Tomas, Andrew. Look what happened," I said afraid of the possibilites.
"Axel and Oscar weren't like them," Hershel defended, proving a point to me.
"And where's Oscar now? I can't be responsible," I said afraid of what could happen.
"You turn us out, you are responsible," Tyreese said, proving a point no matter my decision.
"Rick. You've done so much for us. I appreciate that. We all do. We owe you our lives. We've done everything you asked without question. And I'm telling you, you're wrong on this. You've got to start giving people a chance," Hershel pleaded to me.
"Yeah," I spoke with a nod but this was when I saw a familiar figure above us. Staring down at me in a white dress. "No, no. No, no, no, no. No. No, no, no, no, no. Why are you here? What do you want from me?" I growled and pleaded. What is Lori doing here?
"Dad?" Kat asked me a little confused and worried for me.
"Why are you-...no! I can't help you. Get out!" I screamed to Lori as she tilted her head at me.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Tyreese said a little surprised by my outburst.
"Get-...get out!" I screamed again, my body shook from held in sobs.
"Hey, come on. Whoa, it's all good," Tyreese said as he raised his hand in surrender.
"What are you doing?" I screamed up at her. Demanding answers.
"Hey, easy, Rick. There's no need to-" Glenn said as he went to touch me.
"You don't belong here! Get out! Please!" I screamed up at her. I didn't want her there. Didn't need her here. She's dead. Leave me be!
"Relax, brother. Relax," Glenn tried to soothe me.
"Get out! Get out!" I screamed again.
"We'll leave. We're going. Okay? Ain't nobody got to get shot here. We're going," Tyreese said as they slowly gathered their things and backed away.
"What are you doing here?!" I screamed again. Feeling my body tremble from fear and uncertainty.
"Okay, we're going," Tyreese said as he was slowly retreating.
"Just go! Go! Go!" I screamed up at the floating figure.
"Come on, come on," Glenn spoke as he ushered the group out safely. What have I done? What is wrong with me?...
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