AN: so the beginning of this chapter shows what happened to The lieutenant's group. I kept it short, but wanted to leave an open plot point should I decide to write a sequel:) Just a reminder some things are based off the comics, but I've never read them. let me know what you think :)

I do not own or Profit from The Walking Dead in any form.

Chapter 22

The elephant hath joints but none for courtesy; his legs are legs for necessity but not for flexure ~ Shakespeare

3 days ago...Alexandria

"Sweet Merciful Fuck!" The Lieutenant was slack jawed as he and he and his men walked around the ruins of the once thriving Alexandria.

Alexandria, like The Hilltop had once been a thriving housing development , but contained more middle class homes the surrounding streets being walled and blocked off. They had a larger population than The Hilltop close to three hundred people. But no longer.

Bodies littered the streets. Walkers stumbled around aimlessly. The burned out ruins of the houses no longer smoldered.

Miller looked close to hyperventilating as he said "All these people, the kids, do you think they're all?..." He couldn't finish.

"Yeah I think so" The lieutenant replied grimly.

"What the fuck happened? They look like they were attacked. Some of these people were shot" Wong asked more to himself as they made there way to outdoor meeting area, and that's when they saw Alexander the leader of Alexandria. His head bashed in.

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1 day ago

"Jesus Christ, this is the week from hell that just won't end" the lieutenant said grumpily "how big a herd?" He asked Reynolds who had been scouting ahead.

"At least a couple thousand head" Reynolds replied

" A couple thousand?..." Gallant whispered

"Yeah at least...there's no way around, were cut off from the house," Reynolds said sadly

"But we can't just leave them!" Miller exclaimed.

"We ain't, but by the time we find a way across it will be too late. They'll get out kid...don't worry, we'll catch up to them"

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Present Time

"I hope The Lieutenant's group gets back soon" Beth said from her spot on the Porch with Carol as they awaited the returned of Daryl and the run group.

" Don't worry, I'm sure Miller's fine" Carol lightly teased

"What? ...oh no, it's not like that. There's a little spark there but, I can't even think like that right now. I haven't had time to breath, let alone ...daddy...Zach" Beth's quiet voice broke.

"I'm sorry sweetie, I didn't mean to make light of your grief" Carol replied

Beth smiled squeezing Carol's hand "You didn't...I don't know if Zach was "the one" but he was sweet and it would have been nice to find out, and Daddy well I don't think I can talk about that yet" Beth said laying her head on Carol's shoulder.

Just then they spotted the truck returning from the run speeding into the yard. Carol's stomach dropped this couldn't be good. Rick ran up to them as Glenn ran down to those on watch.

"Carol there 's a herd headed this way, thousands of them, we almost didn't 'to make it back. We got ten minutes max to get out of here before it hits" Rick barked, Beth ran into the house to get a sleeping Judith."We gotta go people come on!" He continued as everyone started piling in their assigned vehicles.

Carol stood frozen staring down the dirt road. Please Daryl come back... Running through her mind, but the only response was his voice echoing in her head...I couldn't make it without you...

"Rick,... Rick..RICK!" Carol raised her voice to get his attention "Daryl's not back yet" she said.

Rick stared at her unblinking his chest heaving for several long seconds " He ain't?" She shook her head no.

Rick took a step back as though he'd been struck, then seemingly composed himself "He's seen the maps, he'll make it...if we stay it's suicide and we'll never get ahead of the herd." He sounded unsure, but turned to get in the vehicles.

"Then you all should go, before it's too late. I'm going after him. We will catch up." She said.

They all turned to stare at her, Rick spoke up "Carol you can't, you'll be cut off for possibly weeks before the herd moves on. What if you don't find him, you'll be alone..he wouldn't want that"

Carol smiled softly "of everyone here he's the most likely to outlive us all, but he won't make it on his own...no one can. He would do it for anyone of us. Hell Rick if you didn't have the kids to worry about you know you'd do it for him. I'll find him...No one's gonna hold me back from running into the woods this time Rick"

Rick looked at her red eyed and nodding then embraced her fiercely

" take the truck down the dirt road, Daryl said he thought it lead somewhere,... You guys better make it...stay safe" he said with a teary grin.

She nodded wiping her eyes running to their truck, turning suddenly she called out "When you get to The Hilltop for God Sakes be careful... I may not be able to save your asses this time!"

AN: I know this is a little short, but I wanted to Cut this chapter off there. Let me know what you think please:)