Chapter 49: Promises
RPOV
~A day ago~
I had told Carl to go back inside, to help Kat with Judith and soon enough, as I stared at the words carved on the outside of the church walls. Kat came out, causing me to look at her and move away from the scratchings. "You know, you weren't wrong about those people back in Terminus," Kat said as she spotted the markings on the wall. Confused, my eyebrows furrowed and my eyes were glued to her face. "About killing them all, not letting any of them live," she spoke directly at me, agreeing with what I had said, making herself clear when she noticed my expression.
Surprised by her sudden change, I looked at her curiously and noticed how she was slowly adjusting to this world in a way I wasn't sure about. She was stronger, smarter and a fighter. Except, I saw she was becoming darker. "What makes you think that?" I asked her. "I mean, usually you want to preserve all life, even the bad ones," I reminded her of how she naturally was.
Kat shook her head, smiling at me and staring directly into my eyes. Blue colliding with blue. Hers bright while mine focused in on how angelic and innocent she looked. "I never said that," she disagreed. "Life is something to cherish, yes," she agreed with what I had noted about her. "But some people are too far gone, that...no matter how much faith someone has in them, they will never get better," she told me what she now believed.
"I don't want you to be like that," she went straight to where this was heading. "Don't let this world make you forget who you are, not all living people are bad," she assured me as she took my hands gently in hers. Her eyes staring into mine, a sad and small smile appeared on her face. Her ice blues gazing into me, into my soul and touching me in a way that made me realize. She was right.
Present day...RPOV
Tyreese had informed me that Bob, Sasha, Daryl, Carol and Kat weren't with us. Knowing that these people were our family, I needed to go with Tyreese and look for them. Finding Sasha, she had shot a walker down and smashed another's head with the butt of her gun. Shinning a light in every direction, Tyreese took hold of Sasha and muffled her scream with his hand. "It's me. It's me," he repeated to her quietly. Where is Kat, Daryl, Carol and Bob?
From surprise, Sasha had gasped and squealed quietly into his hand. Panting, from both the fight and fright, Sasha looked to have relaxed in her brothers hold. "Tyreese," she sighed out relieved. "He's getting away," she told us with a pant. Something in me was ready, for anything and instantly, I knew that there was something wrong.
My daughter was gone, along with others who we all cared for. Bob, Carol and Daryl. All people we loved and who I saw as family. "Who?" I questioned Sasha, wondering who she could have seen and where they could have gone.
"Somebody was watching us," Sasha informed us, making me instinctively raise my gun and aim in any direction that seemed suspicious. Something wasn't right. I wasn't sure what it could be, but I knew it involved someone. Who. I couldn't put my finger on it.
Tyreese looked around, moving to Sasha's side, I checked to see who could be watching us. Wondering if there was an angle where I could see the people who were spying on us, but I didn't find a trace of them. "If we go in there now, some of us aren't coming back," Tyreese spoke wisely, which reminded me of the time Daryl told us not to go into the woods in search for Sophia.
Focused on where any movement came from, I felt my heart thunder inside and I sensed something was coming. What it was, I could only guess was to be human. Walkers would jump out, never caring of where to hide and what to plan next. "Bob is out there somewhere," Sasha panted as Tyreese stayed silent beside her. "Scared, alone," she listed the possible emotions he could be facing.
Yet, something inside me knew that Kat was out there. Not only her, but there was also: Bob, Daryl and Carol. "Maybe not alone," I suggested quietly, feeling my heart race with worry for my daughter. "Kat, Daryl and Carol are missing, too," I revealed to them, knowing that Kat could handle anything, but I worried for her wellbeing and where she could be.
NPOV
Rushing back to the church, Rick, Sasha and Tyreese quietly opened the door. Silverware clattered as footsteps drew closer towards the rest, who were all sat calmly and minded their own business. "Stop," Sasha ordered as she came face to face with Father Gabriel. "What are you doing?" she asked the shocked and confused Priest. "What are you doing?" she repeated forcefull. "This is all connected," she pieced the wrong puzzle together. "You show up, we're being watched, and now four of us are gone," she stated the facts, except she believed it was all the Priest's doing.
Father Gabriel was just as confused as the others were. "I...I don't-I don't have anything to do with this," the Priest spoke honestly, yet Sasha didn't believe a word he said. Pulling out her knife, she went to threaten Gabriel, but he backed away and raised his hands in surrender. "Wait!" he tried to stop Sasha from causing him any harm. Rosita tried to stop Sasha, before she could do anything. Morally, Rosita still believed that the Priest was to be treated with respect, that without religion, there would be no salvation for the world she wanted back.
Tyreese was stunned by how quickly his sister had changed. From a calm and happy girl, cuddling Judith, to a woman ready to kill and find anyone to blame for Bob's disappearance. Abraham pulled Rosita away from the pair as quickly as he could. "Sasha, put it away," Tyreese pleaded of his younger sister.
Sasha wasn't going to stand for Gabriel's mumbling. "Who's out there?" she asked him threateningly. Gabriel kept mumbling that he didn't have anything to do with it, stuttering and shaking his head. Fear colored his eyes and instantly, everyone knew something wasn't right. "Where are our people?" she questioned. "Where are our people?!" Sasha screamed when she was tired of the Priest's repeating mutterings.
Gabriel tried every plea, every word and yet, it all came out the same way. He didn't have anything to do with it. Pleading them to listen, that he wasn't responsible for the kidnapping of their people. Seeing Sasha's outburst, gently, Rick pushed Sasha into Tyreese's hold. "Why'd you bring us here?" Rick pushed the Priest for answers. "You working with someone?" Rick questioned, coming to a conclusion that Gabriel was working with someone, somehow.
Panicked, Gabriel looked shocked by this accusation. His eyes wide and sweat was forming all over his skin. Something in the way his wide eyes bulged and stared at Rick, showed everyone that it was something else he was hiding. "I'm alone," Gabriel assured them. "I'm alone," he repeated helplessly. "I was always alone," Gabriel spoke as he raised his hands up in surrender.
Rick didn't trust people since what happened at Terminus, he could hardly trust a priest that had ran when he noticed a woman in the food bank. "What about the woman in the food bank, Gabriel?" Rick reminded him. "What did you do to her?" Rick asked him. "'You'll burn for this.' That was for you," Rick was certain that it was directed at Gabriel and no one else. "Why?" he asked the priest calmly. "What are you gonna burn for, Gabriel?" Rick gave Gabriel a specific question. "What? What did you do?" Rick spoke repeatedly as he took hold of Gabriel's clothes, bunched them up and pushed him against the railing to the alter. "What did you do?!" Rick shouted through gritted teeth threateningly.
In that moment, Gabriel crumbled. Revealing the truth and what he had done. How he had become a Non-Christian in the matter of seconds. Simply because he had locked the doors at night and didn't give anyone mercy. Sanctuary. Instead, he locked the doors, heard the screaming and the cursing as the walkers devoured the people he once knew. Of people who had faith that he'd save them, keep them safe under the roof of a holy place. Except, he coward away and was now paying for his sins. Sobbing in his griefs, he drowned in tears and Rick was angered. He wanted his daughter back. He wanted their people back. Yet, he had no clue where they could be. Everyone listened, judging the priest and seeing how he was a coward. How he was weak and this was because of his own guilt.
RPOV
Hearing Gabriel's story, I had laid my hand to rest on my gun and noticed how he had shrank into what he was. A puddle of a coward and a sorrowful guilt. Whistling made us turn out heads, made everyone be on edge and I felt as though I knew who it was. Glenn glanced through the window quietly. "There's something-" he went to say as he took a longer look. "There's someone outside lying in the grass," he told us.
Instantly, Sasha ran towards the door. "Sasha," I called after her quietly, knowing that it could be a trap and she'd fall right into it. Trying to stop her, Sasha ran out the door and some of us followed after her. Myself being one of them. Walkers snarling as we ran towards the door and found the figure to be Bob, but minus a leg.
Maggie and Glenn began to fight off the walkers. Stabbing, hitting and crushing their skulls to a pulp. Glenn told them to get Bob inside, that they could handle the few walkers that were beginning to surround us. "Can you help me, please?" I saw Sasha ask Tara. "Help me. Help me," she pleaded as they tried to get Bob inside as quickly as possible.
Wandering to a walker, I raised my gun to slam the butt of my gun into it's head. Just as I was about to hit, gunshots rang in the distance and the walker in-front of me, fell. Someone was watching us. Sasha was right. "Get inside!" I ordered as I raised my gun and shot in the direction of the gunshots. "Go!" I screamed as I wandered, back facing where I was going, back into the church. Kat...where are you?
MPOV
Helping Bob back into the church, we laid him on the ground and gathered around him. "I was in the graveyard. Somebody knocked me out. I woke up outside this place. It looked like a school," he informed us of where he was. "It was that guy, Gareth. And five other ones," he spoke as he glanced between Rick and Glenn. "They were eating my leg right in front of me. Like it was nothing. All proud like they had it all figured out," he cried and panted, possibly from the pain.
Truthfully, I was worried where Kat, Daryl and Carol could be. I was also worried for Carl, seeing this couldn't have been easy, less so knowing that his sister was out there somewhere. "Did they have Kat, Daryl and Carol?" Rick asked imediately, wanting to know exactly where our people were and if they too were kidnapped.
In that moment, the door swung shut with a quiet slam. Turning our heads to the door, some were about to pull out their guns and weapons. But, the moment we all saw Carol stood there, sweat dripping down her face and her chest rising and falling quickly. We relaxed and stared at her. "No, Daryl and Kat drove off. Went looking for Beth," she answered Rick's question. "What are you guys talking about?" Carol asked curiously.
Smiling, I knew that wherever they were going, Kat would be safe with Daryl beside her. Athough possibly neither of them knew it, we could all see Daryl loved Kat. But Kat was clueless and falling for him quicker than she had hoped. "Gareth, he kidnapped Bob and was someone from Terminus," I informed her quickly. "There's a group with him," I told her everything she needed to know.
Groaning, Bob could hardly sit comfortably and it made me wonder how much pain he must have been in. Thankful that Kat was far away and not cut up like Bob could have been. "He's in pain," Sasha almost cried as she kept her hands on Bob. "Do we have anything?" she asked around, wondering if anyone had the supplies that could ease Bob's pain.
Rosita had offered some medicine that she had with her in a first aid kit. Sasha agreed to it, hopeful that it would save Bob and the pain he must have been enduring. "Save 'em," Bob told us, but Sasha went to protest. "Really," Bob spoke firmly. Pulling away a piece of his shirt, he showed us a bite the walkers had made into his shoulder. Everyone stayed silent, depressed at the thought we'd have to say goodbye to another friend. "It happened at the food bank," he revealed when this bite had happened.
Silence fell on everyone. Swallowing the realization we'd have to say goodbye to another friend. I knew it was going to be difficult, seeing as we had all gone through enough to respect and love one another. Bob was a friend. Sasha's boyfriend and it was going to be devestating for her. "It's okay," Sasha cried, tears brimming around her eyes and making her gently guide Bob back onto his back. "Bob?" she asked him as he shut his eyes and fell onto his back.
Bob was panting, gritting his teeth and I could see the agony on his face. Reminding me of the time between Andrea, myself and Kat. Of when Andrea died. How we sat together. The three of us and supported her with her decision. "There's a sofa in my office," Gabriel offered. "I know it's not much, but..." he spoke but drifted at the end.
Sasha looked to Gabriel and offered a sniffled, sad smile. "Thank you," she whispered softly with tears in her eyes. Feeling her pain, I knew it was going to be difficult for all of us. But, it was going to be harder for her. Wondering if she'd turn out like Tyreese, I was worried for her health and if she'd come back from losing the man she loved.
Truthfully, I doubted anyone could get over losing the one they loved. But, I did. With thanks to Andrea, Kat, Carl, Rick, Daryl and many more that were in the room with me. "I got him," Tyreese offered as he took Bob into his arms and Gabriel led them towards the couch in his office. Poor Bob...
RPOV
While the others moved Bob somewhere safer, more comfortable, I wandered closer towards Gabriel and knew I needed to find out where Gareth and the others could be. "Do you know the place Bob was talking about?" I asked Gabriel, as he was from around here and knew the place well enough.
Gabriel looked around, his gaze distant and I instantly knew that he was nervous about all of this. As all of us were, but I needed to keep my head level if I wanted Judith and Carl to be safe. "It's an elementary school," Gabriel stated what it was. "It's close," he informed me of the short distance it supposedly was.
Not liking the way he spoke coldly, I knew that I needed to find out exactly where this place was and where they could come towards us. Either it be south, north, east or west. I needed to know. "How close?" I asked him calmly. "How close, Gabriel?" I questioned more forcefully, my eyes glued to him and staring him down.
Gabriel sighed and his lips parted to speak. Considering to tell me or not, I knew there was a conflict in his eyes and I wasn't sure if he'd save us, or throw us into the lion's den. "It's just a 10-minute walk through the woods from here, due south of the graveyard," he informed us, which made me nod and knew exactly at which angle they'd be coming towards us from. Judith then began crying, causing Carl to attempt to quiet her down. Kat would be proud of him.
Carl led Judith towards the safe room, where Father Gabriel could lock the door and hide those who needed protecting more than myself and some others. Those who were capable of keeping each other safe, while keeping themselves safe and could handle the heat we were about to face. "Does he have a fever?" I asked Maggie as I turned to look at her.
"He's just warm," she answered calmly, she had gone to check in on Bob and attempt to soothe him in any way possible.
Remembering how difficult when people got bit, I didn't like having to say goodbye to those I cared for. Yet, it was better than not saying goodbye at all. "Jim lasted almost two days before we left him," Glenn reminded me of Jim, who had been a good man from the few days I had actually known him. He was decent.
Abraham and the others began to pack their things and were ready to leave. "Time for a reality check," Abraham called out to all of us within the church. "We all need to leave for DC right now," he ordered as he glanced around at all of us.
Feeling my heart sink and a fire begin to warm up inside my body. I knew what he was implying. That we needed to leave and let Kat, my daughter and Daryl, my most trusted friend, to be alone. To possibly even die. I had lost Kat once. I wasn't planning on ever losing her again. "Daryl and Kat are gonna be back," I stated confidently. "We're not going anywhere without them," I snarled, surprised he'd offer us to get up and leave my daughter behind.
Eugene didn't look like he wanted to leave, but both Rosita and Abraham looked ready to go. "I respect and understand that, but there's a clear threat here to Eugene," Abraham spoke towards me. "I need to extract his ass before things get any uglier. So if y'all won't come, good luck to you. We'll go our separate ways," he went to turn away.
But, I had a question to ask him. One that needed to be answered, so that I knew where he was going to go with it and how he was planning to leave. The bus was fixed, but we would need it, seeing as there were more of us, compared to the three of them. "You leaving on foot?" I questioned him quickly.
Abraham turned to face me, but he wasn't happy with my questioning. "We fixed that damn bus ourselves," he snarled at me, to which I told him there were more of us. "You want to keep it that way?" he challenged me. "You should come," he suggested once more. I'm not going anywhere without my daughter and Daryl.
Carol was stood beside me, when I walked forward Carol followed closely and stayed beside me. Especially the moment she heard the idea that Abraham, Rosita and Eugene would take the bus, rather than leave it here for us. "I saved your life," Carol reminded them. "We saved your life," Carol spoke as she looked around the room, at all of us and then back to Abraham firmly.
The thought of them leaving was an insult. As though they wanted us all to die. That for a small group like them, they could take the huge vehicle that was outside. "Well, I am trying to save yours," Abraham told Carol. "Save everyone's," Abraham spoke loudly as he glanced around the room.
Gritting my teeth, I was hating this conversation and I wanted it to end. I wanted my daughter here and Daryl alongside her. Yet, I had to stay here and wait for her return. "We're not going anywhere without our people," I snarled through my teeth.
"Your people took off!" Abraham argued.
Not caring for his screams and complaints, I wouldn't allow myself to leave my daughter simply because he told me to. I had made that mistake before and I wouldn't do it again. "They're coming back!" I shouted back.
Both myself and Abraham were getting angry, his duty was to Abraham, while mine was to my family. That included everyone around me. "To what, picked-over bones?!" he spat in my face. I went to force him to not take the bus, but he shouted at me and got out of my grip on him. "Do not lay hands!" he screamed into my face. Rosita then shouted Abraham's name and tried to pry us apart from one another.
Pushing Carol behind me, I didn't want her hurt in any of this and I knew I needed to try to get Abraham to not take the bus. The pair of us attempting to kill one another, yet neither of us touched one another. Glenn rushed towards us and pulled myself and Abraham apart. "Do you really think that you're gonna be any safer leaving right now in the middle of the night?" Glenn challenged Abraham, who was confident that it would be. "What about tomorrow?" he asked. "We need each other for this. We need each other to get to DC. We can get through all of it together," he tried to convince Abraham that this was the best choice.
Tara then stepped closer to me and gently brushed past me. Both myself and Abraham were staring each other down in a angry, adrenalin rush. I could feel my heart pumping, blood boiling and my skin was sweating. "I have an idea," Tara said. "If you stay just one more day and help, I'll go with you to DC no matter what. Okay?" she negotiated.
I wasn't going to stop the girl, it was her choice and she didn't matter that much to me. Not like Daryl and Kat did at this moment. Along with Glenn, Maggie, Carl, Michonne, Carol, Sasha, Tyreese and Bob. "Glenn and Maggie, too," Abraham negotiated further.
Feeling something in me errupt, the mention of those I cared about slipped from Abraham's lips and instinctively, I knew I needed to protect them. I was their leader and I was their friend. "No," I growled forcefully.
Shaking his head, Abraham wasn't pleased with my deicision for the others. Not allowing them a choice, I was calling the shots and I didn't want any of us separated ever again. "Good luck, then," he spoke in a sarcastic tone. "I'm not interested in breaking up what you have here. Rosita, grab your gear," he ordered. This was when the three from Abraham's group argued over leaving, yet they all complied and rose to their feet and went to leave.
Glaring at Abraham, I wasn't going to allow him to take the only transport we had that we knew worked. "You're not taking the bus," I threatened, knowing that I needed to do all I could to make sure that bus was ours. That Abraham wasn't going to be the one to take it, instead of us.
"Try to stop me," Abraham challenged, his back turned to me and his back muscles were tense.
Waiting for a few moments, I felt the rage bubble and reach breaking point. Walking towards him, I clenched my fist and went to hurt him. Abraham began turning, ready for whatever I was going to give him. Except, it suddenly stopped when Glenn got in the way and screamed at us to wait. Pushing us apart once more, I glared at Abraham and he simply stared at me. As though he was ready for anything I was going to give him. "You stay-you stay and help us, and we will go with you," Glenn told him.
Not liking how everyone was suddenly offering their services in getting Eugene to DC, to be with Abraham and leave the rest of us behind. It irritated me. Made me want to scream, shout and possibly even break something. "No," I spoke forcefully, not wanting Glenn to go or Maggie.
Glenn looked back at me, not liking my firmness and yet, I could see the respect he had for me. Respect that I had earned and he had the faith that I was only trying to protect him, show him that I cared for him and Maggie, more than I did about saving the world. "It's not your call," Glenn told me firmly. "You stay, help us," Glenn tried to convince Abraham to stay and help us, promising himself and Maggie to go with him.
Abraham thought long and hard of his options, reminding himself that he had to either go, or risk himself staying and putting Eugene in possible danger. "Half a day," Abraham finally agreed with a small nod of his head. "Come high noon, we're taillights. I'm not waiting for the other damn shoe to drop," he snarled in his soldier tone, giving orders and reasons as to why he wouldn't stick around.
There wasn't a moment of hesitation. "And we will leave with you," Maggie spoke up, making me look to Maggie and then to Glenn. Their expressions were serious and I wondered if they even cared about us anymore. Yet, something in Maggie's eyes proved she hated the thought of separating herself from us, but she may have also been heartbroken at the thought of leaving Beth behind, once Kat and Daryl would bring her back.
Abraham was nodding, thinking over the decision he had made and possibly considering the assistance in order to gain three more survivors in his quest. "12 hours," he informed them of how long we all had left together. "Then we go," he told all of us, but it was aimed towards Glenn, Tara and Maggie.
MPOV
We were all getting ready, fixing up ammo and placing the new rounds correctly. Carol was adding silencers, Tara was placing the bullets in the clips and Glenn placed the clips into the guns. I was sat, worried for what was to come and knew I needed to do what I had to, in order for all of us to survive. "They think they're in control," Rick began his speech. "We're in here and they could be anywhere. But we know exactly where they are," he spoke confidently.
Carl was with Judith, keeping her calm and quiet. Most of us were planning on either being out there, waiting for the people from Terminus to enter the church. All whilst the others stayed locked in a room and hopefully, safe. "Plan's got stones, I'll give you that," Abraham commented.
Glenn stayed focused on his work, but the rest of us were quiet and focused on the posibilities of everything. "Make our move before they do," Glenn spoke, which made Carol look up and her bright, ice cold blue eyes were glued to the young man.
Truthfully, I loved everyone here and understood each person's story. I understood what they did and who they are, who they were. Accepted them and I knew Carol had gone through plenty in the short years that this world had been cruel to all of us. Yet, she stayed when Kat asked her to. "That's right," Carol agreed. "They're not counting on us thinking straight," she spoke up and looked back down at her work.
Carol had become colder, but it simply could have been because Rick had forced her to live alone. I didn't know why she had left, but something told me it had something to do with what happened at the prison. "Are we?" Rosita challenged. "I'm just making sure. It's a big play," she shrugged and spoke to us cautiously. Uncertain of what the outcome could be.
Rick didn't like being challenged, not on an issue like this and not with these people. Over the course of hell breaking loose and the world going to further shit, Rick had seen just as much as we all did. He had lost his wife, thought he lost his daughters and lost people we all cared about. We had faced people more evil than what the earth offered us as now, predators. "Remember what these people are capable of," Rick growled as he took a few steps and stared down at Rosita.
Tyreese was sat alone, quiet and deep in his thoughts. Possibly over Bob and the sad outcome of his sister's loving relationship with Bob. "Tyreese," Carol called as her eyes would dart from her work and to the man who companied her after the prison was destroyed. Something happened between the pair, that instantly I knew they had grown closer than we could have all imagined.
Pulling himself out of his thoughts, he looked to Carol and raised his eyebrows. "Yeah?" he asked her, realizing he had been called upon and stayed calm. Something behind his eyes showed me struggle, either it being internal or external, I knew something was wrong. But, I wouldn't question it, not in this time of his sister's need.
"You up for this?" Carol questioned calmly, her voice cool and eyes glued to the companion she had trusted. Rick's eyes darted between the pair and everyone else in the room followed each of those who spoke.
Stepping out from the shadows, Sasha wandered towards the room we were all in and leaned against the door frame. "I'm going with you," she spoke confidently, signing herself up and possibly stopping Tyreese from joining those of us that would go out there. There was something different about her. She had changed, in a way I could recall to have seen before and I worried for her.
Instantly, Tyreese saw it too. He noticed how his sister became colder, stronger and angered. It was as though she desired the taste of revenge, much like Tyreese did when we had gone to find medicine. "You should stay with Bob," Tyreese encouraged his sister to stay firmly, yet comfortingly.
Sasha's eyes flashed to her brother. Her breathing was quick and there was a type of stress, rage and destruction about her. "No, I want to be out there," she spoke as she glanced at her brother then towards the rest of us. "I want to be a part of this," she told them confidently, making her own decision that we all had to agree with.
NPOV
Leaving Sasha, Bob and Tyreese in the room, so they could discuss their own personal matters, the rest had continued to prepare for what was to come. Carol was always ready. Rick was determined to carry out his promise. Glenn was confident that what they were doing, had to be done. Maggie was numb, she didn't know what to do, but she trusted Rick knew what was right. Abraham was following orders, as was Rosita, but Rosita had caution. Michonne knew some things had to be done, in order to survive and this was one of those moments. Tara was confused in all the mess, but she followed orders as she was supposed to, so no one else had to die.
Carl was determined to protect Judith, no matter what else happened. Father Gabriel was afraid, like he always was. Sasha was angered, a range of emotions coursed through her body, but all she could see was red. Tyreese worried his sister would take the same road he had, where he had desired vengeance, but knew better once he realized it wouldn't bring Karen back. Eugene was scared of the possible outcomes. Rosita knew her orders, which were to protect Eugene and take him to DC if anything happened to Abraham. Judith was quiet, but she hadn't fallen asleep. Bob was in and out of consciousness, in pain and burning from the fever of the bite.
Marching their way out, Rick, Carol, Abraham, Glenn, Maggie, Michonne, Sasha and Tara had all focused on the task. To leave the church unattended until the others came closer. The moment that Gareth and the others would go in, the others would follow and corner them. Carl, Bob, Eugene, Gabriel, Rosita, Tyreese and Judith were left in the room. Carl held his gun at the door, Rosita kept her gun close and everyone kept as quiet as they could.
CPOV
The sound of the lock clicking told me that there were people entering, the door didn't shut, but footsteps creaked against the floor board. "Well, I guess you know we're here. And we know you're here. And we're armed. So there's really no point in hiding anymore," he told us all the facts.
Staying strong, I knew I needed to be the brother Judith needed, just like I always had Kat. A strong, smart and independent woman, who was always my protector and also my best friend. "We've been watching you. We know who's here. There's Bob, unless you've put him out of his misery already. And Eugene. Rosita. Martin's good friend Tyreese," he began listing all our names. "Carl," he said my name, making my heart pound harder and faster. "Judith..." he concluded the names, making my heart stop.
The thought that they knew we were all in here, made me want to puke, but I knew that my sweating body and finger on the trigger wouldn't stop me from protecting my sister. "Rick and the rest walked out with a lot of your guns. Listen, we don't know where you all are, but this isn't a big place. So let's just stop this now before things get more painful than they need to be," Gareth spoke as I heard a faint rattling.
What they must have been doing, was attempting to open a door. "Look, you're behind one of these two doors and we have more than enough firepower to take down both. Can't imagine that's what you all want," Gareth spoke as he cocked the gun. "How about the priest? Father, you help us wrap this up, we'll let you walk away from this. Just open the door and you can go. You can take the baby with you. What do you say?" Gareth tried to convince Gabriel.
Having faith in Gabriel, I hoped he'd reject the offer internally and stay quiet. Dad would be here soon enough and this would all be over. What I hadn't expected, was Judith to start crying loudly. "I don't know. Maybe we'll keep the kid. I'm starting to like this girl," Gareth spoke in a sly, sickening voice as I tried to hush my sister and keep her quiet. Please dad...hurry up.
RPOV
Slowly walking up the steps, I found myself trying to be as quiet as possible. Finding my way through the steps, I heard the sounds of Judith crying, making my heart stop and pound harder, louder. "It's your last chance right now to tell us you're coming out," Gareth said. One of them asked if they were done. "We'll hit the hinges," Gareth told them with a sigh. Shooting silenced bullets into the back of the heads of those who had their guns pointed towards the door.
Their bodies fell quickly. With a loud thump. "Put your guns on the floor," I ordered, the blood on the walls splattered and the others turned to look at me. To look for us through the shadows, but I knew they couldn't see me in the darkness. Their eyes frantically looking through for us, but couldn't find me, only where the shots had come from.
Gareth looked scared, surprised by my strength compared to his weakness. His breath shook and I could see the worry in his eyes. "Rick, we'll fire right into that office. So you lower your gun-" he went to demand as he pointed to the door. Silencing him, I shot at his fingers and blasted them off.
Screaming, Gareth panted and fell to the floor. Clutching at his fingers, Gareth was weak and afraid. Nothing, compared to us and what we were all capable of. "Put your guns on the floor and kneel," I ordered again as I took a step closer and showed myself to the others.
The rest looked just as scared and worried as Gareth was. Chests rising and falling, the room so hot, I could feel the sweat that was building on everyone's skin. "Do what he says," Gareth ordered of his people. Everyone did as I said and it was everyone, except one. "Martin, there's no choice here," Gareth snarled at the only person who didn't want to listen to my orders.
He seemed arrogant. Stuck up and pathetic. His eyes glued to me, his mouth opening and closing lazily as he chewed gum. The boy wore a hood and kept his eyes glued to mine, not afraid and prepared to die for something stupid. "Yeah, there is," he spoke confidently. He's going to die, just like all of them will.
Abraham didn't like this boys attitude, as neither did I and went towards him. Abraham raised his gun, looked to the boy, Martin, and aimed the gun to his head. "Want to bet?" Abraham challenged. His tone was cold and forceful, as though proving that there was no chance he'd get out alive with that attitude.
Gareth was gasping, panting and clutching at his lost fingers. Signaling for Carol to move forward, she aimed at one woman and kept her eyes glued to the woman she was aiming at. Stepping closer, I watched as Gareth shuffled pathetically and Sasha followed closely. "No point in begging, right?" Gareth asked once we faced each other.
"No," I answered coldly.
My gun aimed at his head, as I watched him carefully and glared at him. The mode I was in, was survive and I had to be. For my kids and the people I considered all to be my family. "Still, you could have killed us when you came in," Gareth told me. "There had to be a reason for that," he chuckled awkwardly.
Listening to him, seeing how he'd shiver and cry about his fingers. He looked pathetic and weak. Something I never wanted to be and something I knew I never would be. With my children, I had all the strength I needed. "We didn't want to waste the bullets," I stated our reasons.
Gareth shook. Glancing up, I saw Sasha with her gun aimed, along with Abraham, Glenn, Michonne, Carol, Tara and Maggie. "We used to help people. We saved people. Things changed. They came in and-" Gareth spoke but then groaned from pain. "After that...I know that you've been out there, but I can see it. You don't know what it is to be hungry," he snarled, as though I needed to know the full extent of being hungry enough, all to eat human flesh. "You don't have to do this. We can walk away. And we will never cross paths again. I promise you," he begged and pleaded.
Thinking over my choices, I would of considered letting them go and holding them to their promises. Yet, I knew they'd be back and I knew they'd hurt us. Something else I knew, was that there were many of us who died and we didn't need anyone else dying. "But you'll cross someone's path," I stated. "You'd do this to anyone, right?" I questioned him, but Gareth didn't answer. "Besides, I already made you a promise," I snarled.
I went to shoot him, but I remembered the promise I gave him. That I'd use the machete on him and that was what I would do. For people like him, they didn't deserve to continue living in this world. Killing people because they were hungry? They were no better than the walkers that roamed the earth. "No!" he screamed as I pulled out my machete and sliced him in the neck.
NPOV
Abraham then began hitting one of the males with the butt of his gun, repeatedly as the blood began to cover his face and chest. Carol began to do the same, blood splattering of the woman she had been bashing the brains out of. Rick was slicing up Gareth as though he was to be placed atop of a grill and turned Gareth into mush. Sasha had taken Martin and pierced her knife into his chest repeatedly, killing him and letting her anger out violently.
Michonne, Glenn, Tara and Maggie stayed frozen. Watching as those around then began to get butchered and diced into nothing. Simply brains, flesh, blood and guts. The rest stayed inside, some covered their ears, some listened and most kept the noise out of their ears by ignoring the screams. When it was over, everyone had their own emotions. Either it be fear, sadness, a calming sensation, safety, shock or anger, they felt something. "It could have been us," Rick reminded them as he stepped away from Gareth's corpse.
Michonne had found her sword tucked inside a bag one of the people from Terminus had with them. Silently, the floor boards creaked as Father Gabriel stepped closer to the door. It was already opened, as Tyreese saw his sister kill out of rage and was shocked to witness it all. "Yeah," Sasha spoke numbly.
Gabriel was stunned to find the massacre had happened within his holy walls. Except, everyone in the room knew there was nothing holy about this world anymore. Not since people they loved died, either after the world went to shit, before or during. "This is the Lord's house," Gabriel spoke to everyone, surprised that death was within the walls that said murder was a sin.
Since Hershel's passing, Maggie didn't know if she believed in the church or God anymore. Not since her father's death and the realization that the walkers outside, weren't people and were in fact dead. "No," Maggie disagreed coldly. "It's just four walls and a roof," she spoke numbly, correcting what the church now was. It was shelter and a simple structure. It no longer held any meaning or holy symbolism.
RPOV
We then took a break, to catch our breath and remember who we were. Cleaning out the bodies, we then decided we needed to rest and take shifts to keep an eye out for more or walkers. When morning came, we helped the others pack their things and it was time for us to say goodbye to Bob. "You'll always be with us. Part of us," Maggie said as she held onto Bob's hand and smiled down at him.
We had all said our goodbyes, all of us except for myself. I wasn't sure if he wanted me to say goodbye, as I didn't know him as well as the others did. I met him, liked him and respected his wisdom. But, I didn't know the guy, yet I still cared. "Rick," I heard him call as we all began to leave. "No, don't," Bob went to protest when I went to let Judith go with Carl. "Let her stay. I trust her," he teased with a smile, making me feel a small lump in my throat.
Staying strong, I nod and looked towards Judith, Carl, Sasha and then to Bob. Sniffing, Sasha looked to Bob with a small, smile and wandered towards me. "I'm right outside," she assured him that she was close and left the door. Touching her arm gently, I knew it wasn't easy for her. She loved him and losing the ones you love, is always a difficult time.
Sasha then closed the door behind her and left me and Bob alone. Looking down at Bob, I held Judith close and knew I would always treasure her. Treasure her, Kat and Carl. They were my reason to keep fighting, to keep them safe and to keep doing what I had to. "I just want to say thank you," Bob told me.
He was getting weaker, sick and frail. His skin covered in sweat and eyes drooping. His chest would rise and fall, but his breathing was ragged. "For what?" I asked him, rubbing Judith's back and staring down at a man I hardly knew, but respected and cared enough to consider him a member of our family.
Bob looked tired, but I knew it was only the bite kicking in harder than before. "Before the prison, I didn't know if there were any good people left. I didn't know if anybody was left," he began his speech. "You took me in. 'Cause you took people in. It was you, man," he commented on me, making me seem positive and like a good person. Truthfully, I wasn't sure if I was a good person anymore. "What I said yesterday, I ain't revising it. Even in light of current events. Nightmares end," he repeated his belief. "They shouldn't end who you are," he told me, reminding me of what Kat had told me. "And that is just this dead man's opinion," Bob ended with a small chuckle.
Staying calm, I knew Bob spoke wise words and words I had mostly already heard. Either from him, or in a version from those around me in the past. Such as Kat, Hershel and Dale. The wisest people I knew. "I'll take it," I smiled after I thought it through and understood what it truly meant. This world was harsh, cruel and it was survival of the fittest. Yet, good people kept going and we needed to adapt to certain situations, but we never needed to change who we were. We needed to stay true. Like Hershel, like Kat, like Dale and everyone else that surrounded us. People like Bob.
Bob chuckled and placed his hand over Judith's leg, smiling at her and me. He seemed at peace. Like he was ready to go. Something in me had a deep respect for Bob, something I never believed to have felt for someone in a short amount of time. "Just look at her and tell me the world isn't gonna change," he spoke tiredly, which made me glance at Judith and take Bob's hand in mine. We'll miss you Bob.
MPOV
Having said our goodbyes to Bob, we allowed Bob and Sasha to have their time alone and in peace. Helping Abraham, Tara, Eugene, Rosita, Glenn and Maggie into the bus, I felt something inside me that was sad. We were saying goodbye to people we cared about, either to death or to choices. "This is our route to DC. We'll stick to it as long as we're able. If not, well, you got our destination," Abraham spoke as he handed a map to Rick. "Once Eugene gets to the big brains left up there, things are gonna bounce back. This group should be there for it. You should be there for it," he told us confidently.
Carl was stood with Judith in his arms and something told me that things would get better. They needed to. Not only for us and the world, but for those like Carl and Judith. Too young to remember the world as how it used to be. "They will be," Maggie assured Abraham with a nod of her head.
Knowing that life needed to change, I looked to Abraham, Rosita and Eugene. That now, with Tara, Glenn and Maggie, they could make it. We could make it. Abraham had said it. We were survivors. "Yeah, we will," I agreed with what Maggie and Abraham had said.
Rick stepped to look back at us. His back was to us, but when we spoke, he chose to look at us and smile. "We will," he agreed along with us. Nodding and with a smile on his face. His eyes glanced at Glenn, Maggie, Tara and myself. There was a type of pride in his eyes as he spoke.
"Let's go," Abraham ordered after a moment where he smiled, kept nodding and looked to Rick proudly. Giving the instructions, he jumped onto the bus and the rest soon followed.
RPOV
Watching them leave, something in me wanted to try to convince them to stay. But, I knew that they wouldn't wait for Kat, Daryl and Beth to show up. Not matter how much Maggie and Glenn may have wanted to. It was a deal they had made. Reading the note Abraham had left on the map, it read: Sorry, I was an asshole, come to Washington. The new world's gonna need Rick Grimes. The sound of a shovel striking dirt made me look towards the sound. Tyreese was burrying the bodies we had last night, piled up and left to turn into nothing. Picking up a shovel, I began to strike the dirt with him. "I never asked how it was for you getting to Terminus," I began.
Hinting that I wanted to talk to him about what happened, I knew that there was a story to everyone. Possibly from the fact he may of found out about Carol, or the fact that he may of had to do things to stay alive, I wasn't sure what it was. "It killed me," Tyreese told me as he stopped, panting and eyes glued to me.
Getting back to work, I knew there were multiple reasons why he may of felt he had died. Either from finding out Carol had killed Karen, or the fact that he may of taken some other survivors who may of had to been killed because they were bitten. I wasn't certain. But I knew one thing. "No, it didn't," I corrected him. He still breathed, his heart still worked and he lived. He was alive. Not dead.
MPOV
Sat outside, I was to keep watch and felt something strange within me. Either from the shock of earlier, or from the fact I felt strange having my sword once more. Something didn't feel right. The sound of the door opening made me stop staring at my sword. "I can't sleep," Gabriel said once he settled on the step beside me. "And now, sitting in there...quiet. It isn't just what happened last night. Saying what happened before...out loud...I see it all again. I hear them," he told me of his struggles.
The internal and mental struggle was something we had all eventually faced. In different ways, we could all overcome it and I knew that Gabriel could survive it. All he needed was time and people to keep him going. Like Kat, Daryl, Carl, Rick and all the others had done for me. "Yeah. That won't stop," I informed him. "But it won't be all the time," I assured him. The sounds of rustling made me get to my feet.
Gabriel quickly went inside and shut the door behind him. Keeping my sword at the ready, I stalked my way further towards some bushes and heard twigs snap. Closer and closer it got. I knew it was someone, who, I wasn't sure. But, the way it drew closer, made me wonder if it was alive or dead. Seeing Daryl come out from the shadows, I was relieved and had to smile. Noticing he was alone, he was sweaty and he looked disappointed. Realizing what it could be, it made me wonder where Kat and Beth were. "Daryl, where's Kat and Beth?" I asked him.
My eyebrows furrowed and eyes glued to him. He didn't say anything to me. He couldn't even look at me. Instantly, I knew he was ashamed because of something and what it was, I was uncertain. "Come on out," Daryl ordered into the shadows and who appeared in front of me, was someone I hadn't expected. Oh my God...
Hope you liked this chapter. Won't like, I cried when I was writing Bob's final goodbye to Rick. Also, I didn't truthfully like the latest episode. Rick and Jessie? I don't exactly see it. Sorry. I could see Rick and Michonne, but not Rick and Jessie. Anyway, no. Glenn isn't dead. There is a lot of proof that says so, but yes...I had a breakdown in thinking he died. I hope everything goes the way I hope, so I can write the seasons and chapters the way I invision them. Anyway, I hope you liked this chapter and please...may I have 5 reviews?
Questions:
1) Who do you prefer? Rick and Jessie? Or Rick and Michonne?
2) How do you imagine Kat to die?
3) Do you think Carl and Kat are ever going to clash, to a point where they break?
4) What would you do if I killed Judith?
5) What do you think of the new layout? Do you prefer the old or new layout? (the picture that used to be a random girl, which is now Rick, Carl/Judith, Kat and Daryl)
Replies to last reviews:
sweetkitty: I'm glad you are enjoying this story! Truthfully, neither can I.
Caity6991: You...silly! Thank you dear. I couldn't be as incredible as you say I am, without everyone who supports me and this story. 1) I hope he doesn't die either dear. I have too many plans that need to be fullfilled. 2) I'm still trying to decide, but I think it may change to Kat and Daryl's actors there. So, we'll see! 3) She may...have to wait and see! 4) I see where you're coming from. I hope you'll be pleased with my choices. Love to you too! xxx
galwidanatitud: I hope you liked my touch with adding Carol to this half of the story. She's going to be a lot more...supportive of Rick and his choices. You'll see!
Until the next chapter,
Much love!
HeroJustInTime90 xxx
