"I promise if we survive this I will tell you anything you want to know, so just bear with me while I quickly run through everything you need to know," Dwight said, speaking quickly. "Daryl, when I double crossed you several months ago - this plan was already in motion. The only reason Negan didn't kill me when I returned was because I convinced him that there was another group out there - your group, that he could ambush - take half your stuff, just like he did. But when I met you I knew, I knew your people were strong, brave - and I knew they would help."
"Wait, what do you mean?" Carol asked, already confused.
"Rick, Abraham, Tara, Heath, Aaron, Rosita, Glenn - plus several others - they're outside the gates, waiting for our signal," Dwight explained. "Those of us who are rebelling, we're all going to be wearing red," he said. Carol hadn't noticed until they said something that both men were wearing red tops. "Just to be safe you should too." Dwight handed them both red shirts and they quickly pulled them on over top their clothes. "When this thing goes down you shoot anyone not wearing red - men only. The women are all going to be inside and Sherry will keep them safe."
"How'd Rick find out?" Daryl asked.
Dwight chuckled. "When we came to take your stuff he was filled in. You didn't think he would let you go that easily without a plan did you?" Carol glanced at Daryl. "He told me you were his brother and if anything happened to you it was on me." Carol smiled, that sounded very much like Rick. Him and Daryl really did have a special relationship.
"What about Michonne? She's with that monster," Carol felt her skin prickle at the thought.
"He should be fast asleep by now," Dwight said. "As long as Michonne got him to drink the wine like we told her to." He looked at Carol. "We're going to take you to her now, but we're going to have to get through the guards first - which is going to start the show." Carol wasn't entirely sure why they were taking her to Michonne, but there were a lot of things happening at once and they were running out of time. And, she would be extremely happy to see Michonne and make sure she was okay. "Come on, we gotta go."
"One last question," Carol said, as they walked to the door. "Why? Why now?"
Dwight looked back at her with one hand on the door knob. "He took our women. He's killed Men, our friends, for no sane reason. He's twisted and evil. We want our freedom. And as for why now -" he glanced towards Daryl and then back to her. "I owe him at least this."
"20 seconds," the other man said as they stood at the door waiting, weapons drawn. "And 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - go." Dwight flung the door open just as several shots rang out and the main gates flew open.
"Come on, come on, Carol come with me, Daryl you can join them - " he nodded towards the gates where Rick was leading a group in, all wearing red shirts. Carol couldn't help but smile. It was so good to see them and knowing Rick was a part of the plan was very comforting. She wasn't positive Dwight could be trusted until that very moment and her comfort level was quickly compounded when he shot down a man in a black leather jacket.
Three men started running at them, shooting. Carol dove, taking a shot as she hit the ground. She nailed one of the men in the leg and he fell. Daryl capped the other two and Dwight finished off the man she dropped. "Please be careful, I can't lose you now," Daryl said, helping her to her feet.
"Ditto," she replied, flashing him a smile before they took off in opposite directions. There was a thrill to moments like this that she hated herself for enjoying. It wasn't the killing, she hated that. She did it because she had to and that was all the reason she needed. But the life and death situation - the danger, the adrenaline rush - it was pleasurable and she loathed feeling that way.
Dwight shoved her ahead and into Negan's house, then poked his head back out to take a couple more shots. Carol rolled her eyes and shot over him when he ducked, taking out the target. "Thanks," he said, looking impressed.
They stepped over two bodies in the foyer. Carol noticed one didn't have a head wound. They certainly didn't need to deal with walkers too. She pulled out her knife and finished him off, then followed Dwight up the stairs. Michonne was waiting alone and Carol immediately ran to hug her. "I'm okay, nothing happened," Michonne whispered. Relief filled her to the point her nose tingled with the threat of tears. "We're good, get back out there," Michonne said to Dwight.
He hesitated. "You'll make absolutely sure?"
"You have my word. No way in hell this bastard will live to see another day," Michonne assured him. Carol looked over at the large man slumped on the floor. He was tied at the ankles and handcuffed to the bed. Dwight nodded and took off. Carol could hear the gunfire continuing outside and silently prayed her family was safe.
"I wanted to do it, so badly," Michonne said when they were alone. "But he hurt you more than he hurt me - you deserve it."
Carol slowly walked over to Negan's body. She bent and heaved him over onto his back with a thud. Part of her wished he was awake so she could look into his eyes when she killed him, so she could see the realization cross his face when his brain made the connection that she was right - she was going to kill him. There was a nagging feeling inside her - this was too easy. In the movies something would happen to make it difficult. But this was real life and sometimes it was just this simple.
She had never wanted to kill anyone as much as she did this sadistic monster. Even the worst days she'd had with Ed didn't compare to what this madman had done. "Here, it's his," Michonne said, handing her a knife. Kill him with his own weapon, poetic justice of sorts. Carol reached out and took it, but caught Michonne's hand as well.
"Together," she said. Michonne understood and they positioned themselves on either side of him. They both wrapped their hands around the knife. "Ready, set - go." On go they both dropped to their knees, plunging the knife directly into his forehead. It went in with a sickening crack and took a lot of force to shove in deep. It wasn't like stabbing the mushy head of a walker or through the softer temple area.
Carol stood feeling a bit shaky. It was done. He was gone and never coming back. Michonne reached for the knife. "Leave it," Carol said. It still felt too easy and the insane, irrational part of her worried there was still a chance - "I gotta," she said apologetically to Michonne before drawing her gun and adding a bullet to his brain. Even then she still felt unsettled. But it was always the same, things would build, climax and then it was over. Then for days - weeks sometimes, she would wonder if it was really over. Sometimes it just seemed too easy and other times it was a huge struggle filled with loss and pain.
Michonne touched her shoulder. "Let's go," she said gently. "I'm sure they could use a hand." The gunfire was already dying down and Carol felt confident their side was on top. Negan and his trusted men had been ambushed - they lost at their own game - how ironic?
The two women cautiously left the house, but once they were outside it was pretty clear the battle was over. People, all in red shirts, were wandering around taking care of bodies to ensure they wouldn't turn. Only a few hours before things had seemed hopeless and Carol wondered just how many of her nine lives she'd used up now.
She quickly scanned for Daryl and spotted him. Relief filled her instantly. He was bent over someone lying on the ground. Her heart sunk when she realized it was Rosita. Her and Michonne ran. "Oh thank God," she whispered when she realized Rosita was alive and awake. She was in pain,a lot of pain, from a gunshot wound to her leg.
Daryl was applying pressure. "We gotta get her to Denise," he said, sounding panicked.
"We have a doctor here, come on," a man said. Daryl scooped up Rosita as she cried out in pain. Michonne touched Carol's arm and nodded towards Rick and a few others. Carol understood and she patted Michonne's shoulder before taking off after Daryl and Rosita.
In a matter of minutes she was on a bed with the doctor and a nurse taking care of her. Carol and Daryl left to allow them to work after Rosita was put out. Outside Rick, Dwight and some others were crowded around talking. There was a round of reunions when they saw the two of them approaching. It was so good to see faces she wondered if she would ever see again.
"We truly can't thank you guys enough," Dwight said. "I'm sure you want to get home, but you are welcome to stay here until the morning. We need to make plans to return what was taken from you as well." It was clear that Dwight would be the new leader of this place and Carol was happy for him. He seemed to have the respect of his people and he deserved it after the intricate plan he'd put together.
"We should probably stay," Daryl spoke up. "Rosita's in surgery." Abraham looked shocked, amidst all the craziness he clearly didn't know. "Go," Daryl said to him, quickly giving him directions. "She's gonna be fine," he said to the others. The doctor just had to get the bullet out and stitch her up.
Rick agreed and Dwight led them to a house. "I'll have some food brought to you guys in the morning. Might be a little cramped, but there are 4 bedrooms and a couch." He looked apologetic.
"Daryl and I can take the room Michonne and I were held in," Carol spoke up. It would give the others a bit more space at least.
"Are you sure?" Dwight asked. "I didn't know if you'd be comfortable…"
Carol smiled. "As long as you promise not to lock us in."
"Deal," Dwight said with a laugh. "I'll let you get some rest," he said to the others. Carol and Daryl quickly said good night and followed him out.
"Hey, you better have that bike gassed up in the morning," Daryl called out as they parted ways with Dwight.
"Sure thing. But, I have a surprise for you… I'm gonna offer you a trade," he replied with a mischievous grin before heading off. Carol was smiling. Things really had turned out pretty damn good. But there was still a lot of damage to deal with. Negan was dead but the memories and humiliation of what he'd done to them was still right there.
The moment they were alone in the room she could feel it, not just within herself, but from him too. They'd already talked about it a bit, but it was still there. "When we get out of here, when we're back home - you and I - we're going to take some time for us. One night, one special night with no distractions - just us." She was speaking to Daryl's back, but he slowly turned as she continued to talk. "What he did to us was horrible and we're never going to forget it, but Daryl, promise me it's not gonna ruin us, please?" There was a sense of panic inside her that was far worse than the effects of Negan's game. Losing Daryl would be the worst thing that could happen. If they couldn't get over this she would lose him and Negan would win - even in death.
He moved closer to her. "One night. Just you and me. I want that," he said softly. Finally she could breathe again. "Sooner rather than later," he added. "Like tomorrow." Carol laughed. It felt so good to laugh she almost started crying. What a mess of emotions. Daryl opened his arms and she stepped into his embrace. It felt so comfortable, like they'd been doing it for years. "He ain't gonna ruin us, I promise." Carol leaned against his chest. It was late, actually it was early. The sun would be up soon and they had yet to make it to bed. Daryl backed away far enough to look at her. He had that shy look on his face and stammered a bit, "Uh, you know how they, uh, say about falling off a horse and getting right back on or whatever?" Carol nodded. "Okay then," he said, taking a deep breath.
She didn't understand where he was going at first, until he leaned in and kissed her. It felt so good she whimpered. It was real. They were alone. They were safe. And they were in love. When he finally pulled back Carol knew that's all that would happen right then and she was glad. There was a lot to look forward to.
Daryl yawned and she followed suit. Tired. So tired. She took his hand and led him to the bed she had been sleeping in the last several days. It was small, but they fit just fine curled up together. Carol was too tired to think anymore. Instead she melted into Daryl's warm embrace and fell asleep in seconds.