A vision materializes before my eyes.
Roused by the smell of barbecue cooking nearby, I open my eyes to a very confusing sight. This isn't the world I remember falling asleep to. Bright light is filtering through the nearby windows, causing me to squint to make out my surroundings. I sit up abruptly upon realizing I'm not in my room at home. This one is very different, completely alien. I've never seen this place before. At least, I don't think I have. Hoping to get clarity on where on Earth I could possibly be, I frantically search the room for clues. I need look no further than the nearby end table, where a collage of of picture frames is spread out. Glancing around the foreign room one last time, to make sure I'm not being watched, I cautiously, yet curiously, reach over and pick up the nearest photograph and bring it up to examine more closely. What I see in the picture completely blows my mind;
Its Carl and I.
But...
But it just can't be!
The photograph depicts Carl and I many years younger; I look at least fifteen, while Carl is at best thirteen years old. From the looks of it, the two of us are at some sort of amusement park, my arm snugly thrown around his shoulder, with both of us sporting massive grins. But that can't be possible... I met Carl when he was fifteen, myself seventeen, long after amusement parks stopped being a "amusing" place to visit and rather a gathering place for the dead. As if to make matters worse, I glance up from the photograph, casting my vision towards the variety of other pictures sitting on the end table. Several more images like these exist. One photo shows Carl and I lying on our backs, in what looks like this very bed, heads touching, making some sort of ridiculous funny faces. The hell is that about? Yet another shows us much older, I'm guessing our present age, in tuxedos at what I can only guess to be a wedding. And then it dawns on me that it is our wedding.
Only... we didn't have a wedding.
Just a small ceremony in Alexandria among friends.
...Right?
The last picture, however, catches my attention more fully. It clearly stands out from the others and is quite shocking to behold. Its a family picture. A Grimes family picture. Rick is there, wearing all the trappings of a sheriff's deputy, including the hat that usually adorns Carl's head. Unlike the Rick I've always known, he is clean shaven, and actually wearing a smile on his face. If I didn't know better, I'd say that this is Rick Grimes when he is actually happy. Center of the photo is Carl and I, sporting large smiles, arms wrapped around each other rather cozily. Again, we look to be our current ages, and quite content with life. But its not Rick, Carl, or I that really draws my attention. Its the figure standing directly next to Carl that holds my gaze. I've only seen Lori Grimes once in my entire life. A photograph Michonne helped Carl retrieve when he was younger and still living at the prison, survived the Governor's attack, mainly because Carl carried it in his pocket wherever he went. One night, while venting his frustrations to me, Carl showed me the picture, so I remember it vividly. With that in mind, I know without a doubt that the woman next to Carl in the picture is definitely Lori Grimes and in her arms is an infant Judith.
But...
...she is dead!
Or...
I'm snapped from my thoughts by the sound of the door opening behind me, causing me to jolt with surprise. A light chuckle calms me. I know that voice. I can recognize it anywhere.
"Sorry," the voice of Carl Grimes says. "Didn't mean to scare you."
I turn around slowly to see if it is really him.
After seeing all of this, anything is possible.
But it is indeed my love, Carl, dressed completely differently than I've ever seen him dress. For one, his hair is slightly curly, whereas I'm used to it being straight, and combed nicely. It almost seems to be glowing. Carl is wearing a button down blue and white plaid shirt, with what looks like some sort of black undershirt underneath it. I can only tell because he has the first couple of buttons undone, revealing the shirt underneath which does little to accent his prominent collarbones. The long sleeves of the plaid shirt are rolled back, revealing a rather nice-looking watch on his right wrist, and I see that he is wearing a rather nice pair of faded blue jeans, in addition to black socks. Its the look on his face, however, that is so captivating. Adoration is likely too mild a term to use to describe the look in his eyes. There's love there, definitely adoration, and is that longing I detect? Not that I haven't seen Carl give me a similar look before, but this time something seems... different.
Trying my best to hide my surprise and confusion, I put on a facade.
"Its alright." I mock chuckle.
This seems to widen his smile.
"Are you coming out?" he inquires, leaning in the doorway. "Dad's almost got lunch ready."
"Yeah..." I reply. "I suppose so."
As it turns out, I was going to anyways.
My body moves completely absent of my will. And not one of those "act on instinct" type of situations, either. No. My body moves and I can't seem to make it stop. I follow Carl out of the door and into a house, though I can't recall having ever been in this house. My body must have, though, because it knows all the turns to take to bring me to a sliding glass door leading to a small, fenced backyard, where everything only gets more confusing. There is a small picnic table assembled at the center of the yard, where Judith Grimes is siting in what looks to be a high chair, and is absently playing with her food. Nearby, the smell I'd picked up on earlier grows stronger, and I see the source to be a grill, where Rick is preparing lunch, just like Carl said he was. Once again I am shocked as behind me, a feminine voice draws my attention, and none other than Lori Grimes is stepping down out of the house.
"Hey, Tanner!" she greets me casually, despite the fact that I've never met this woman in my life. "You're up!"
"Yup," I chuckle, scratching the back of my head. Only I didn't will myself to say or do that. My body is completely out of control now. "Carl woke me up."
"I didn't want you to miss out." Carl's voice comes from beside me, and my head swivels around towards him just in time for him to plant a rather loving kiss on my cheek.
"Ewwwww!" Judith protests from her highchair.
When did she learn to say that?
I can't lie, though. It is rather humorous. Carl retorts by sticking his tongue out at her playfully. Its nice to see this side of him. Carl seems happy. Genuinely happy. As if he hasn't suffered all the losses he has... as if none of it even happened. This only deepens my confusion. What is going on here? I don't remember any of this. This house, this yard, Lori. None of it! Were the last five years of hell just a dream that seemed that long? But if that is the case, why can't I remember any of this scenery?
"Cut it out you two!" Lori barks at her children. "Judith, be nice to your brothers. Carl, don't tease your sister."
"Mom, I'm nineteen." Carl groans. "You don't have to discipline me like a child."
"I don't care if you're thirty, you're still my child." Lori retorts. "Now knock it off."
Carl huffs and marches over to where I'm standing, suddenly forgetting his frustration in order to give me a tremendously confused look.
"You okay, Tanner?" he asks me. "You've been quiet."
Once again, my body acts independently of my mind and I'm not able to get the words out that I need to.
"Yeah, I'm fine, Carl." I reply, giving him a reassuring smirk. "Still waking up I guess, that's all."
He nods just in time for Rick to bark out from his spot:
"Lunch is ready!"
This scene just keeps getting odder. We're eating together. As a family. The Grimes and myself. Its so bizarre that I'm actually uncomfortable. This isn't right. Its too normal. Too much like the old world. This can't...
A sudden gust of icy air gusts through the backyard and the sky, formerly crystal clear, turns black as night. In mere moments, midday goes to midnight, and the air just keeps getting colder. Returning my gaze to the yard around me, I suddenly jolt backwards upon realize the scene has changed again. I'm still in the yard, only this yard is overgrown with weeds; the house nearby is literally rotting, with boards hanging down and windows smashed. Adding on to the sheer creepiness of the scene unfolding before me, I suddenly realize that I'm alone in the yard. Rick, Carl, Lori, and Judith, who once surrounded me, have completely vanished without a trace, leaving me even more confused and slightly panicked. Is it a bad thing that I'm more concerned about Carl immediately? Of course, I love Rick and Judith too, but Carl has and always will be my main priority. And I can't see him anywhere.
The sudden crunch of leaves behind me catches my attention.
My senses are still sharp as a whip and I turn just in time to see the walker lumbering out of the nearby bushes. Decayed flesh hangs ghoulishly from its bones, and body fluids ooze out from its open sores. I knew something wasn't right. I must've been dreaming all along. There is no way I just dreamed up the walkers and the end of the world. That just doesn't happen. Reaching for one of the nearby steak knifes, I run forward, smashing the blade down into the dead thing's skull. A splatter of blood splashes across my face and the undead cadaver drops dead at my feet. Problem solved. Or so I think. Bending down to get a closer look at my kill, I'm horrified at what I see.
Tara Chambler.
Or the thing that was once Tara.
Horrified, I scurry backwards, accidentally tripping over my own feet and landing flat on my ass. Now grunts and groans are coming from all around me. Everywhere I look, walkers are emerging. From the bushes, from the breaking down house, from the very earth itself. I see Rick turned into one of those things, then Judith, and then Lori. They collectively hiss hungrily and begin their slow gait towards me, their unwilling source of sustenance. I begin to pick myself up again to fight back, and that's when I see him. Stepping down out of the house, now adorning the sheriff's hat in his father's place, Carl Grimes limps down the patio and into the yard. My resolve instantly collapses upon seeing him turned, his pale flesh sagging with rot. My grip becomes so weak that the knife I was using to protect myself clatters uselessly out of my hand and onto the ground below. If that wasn't enough to completely break me, the Carl thing opens its mouth, and actually begins to speak;
"Tanner..."
Stop...
"Tanner...?"
Just end it already!
How could I be such a fool? I can never have a life like this. A life of normalcy with Carl and his family. A life of no worries, especially where it pertains to the death of our loved ones.
"Tanner!"
And, at last, the world is bright again...
####
I awaken rather violently from my dreams.
My heart is racing, my face and body feel as though they are the heat of the sun, and to top it all off, I'm drenched in sweat. It takes a moment for my senses to adjust and that's when I notice the soft feeling of another's skin against my cheek. Glancing around, I realize that I am laying on Carl's bare chest, blankets pulled up over us, which is only worsening my body temperature issue. I turn my attention upward, where Carl is very worriedly staring down at me. All at once, it dawns on me that Carl was the voice I heard calling out to me in my dream. It was all just a dream! Just to validate this, I swiftly sit up and look around. Sure enough, I'm back in the familiar setting of our bedroom in Alexandria. Carl continues to watch me, slowly sitting up himself and wiping his eyes free of sleep.
"Are you alright?" he then asks me, concern touching his voice.
I couldn't be better.
How strange is that?
I have a dream, at least for the most part, of a normal life and I'm actually more comfortable here in this hell of a reality. Of course, the ending of that dream hadn't exactly helped things. Even so, seeing Carl sitting in our bed, looking exactly as I remember him, and gazing at me with that sleepy confused look of his roots me deeply back into reality and strikes my heart with an intense sensation of love. The Carl in my dream had been happy, he had his family, he had me, and was vastly different than my Carl because of it. My Carl. The dream Carl had everything I wished I could give, rather give back, to the Carl sitting next to me now, and yet, I realize, that regardless of this, Carl - the one sharing a bed with me this instant - is the one I fell in love with. All his pains, his problems, his imperfections, and insecurities. As much as I want to make Carl happy and to shield him from the pain that he keeps buried inside, I'd never trade him for anything or anyone, not even another version of himself.
With that thought in mind, I lean over, wrapping my arms around his neck while leaning my forehead against his own.
Carl blinks, clearly confused by my sudden change in demeanor.
"I'm fine." I grumble sleepily, closing the last few inches of distance between us to press my lips to his.
I accidentally shift too much of my weight into Carl, pushing him back into the sheets, where I have more control. I let instinct do the thinking for me, as I swing my leg over him so that I'm virtually straddling him. From there, I simply press back in, kissing him with renewed vigor. Carl's confusion soon gives way and before I know it, he has both of his bare arms wrapped around my neck and is kissing me back almost as vigorously as I am kissing him. For many moments, we engage in this kissing fest, the sweat from my body steadily dripping down onto Carl's own exposed torso. Somewhere in this tangled mess of limbs, sweat, and love, my hands find their way to Carl's wrists, which I instinctively pull up and pin above his head. I shouldn't have done that. I have a habit of intending things to go a certain way and then taking them too far. Kissing Carl is usually one of those things. I always intend for it to be short and sweet, a mere loving gesture, and then one of us does something to turn the other on, and this happens. In this case, its Carl who is suddenly galvanized. I don't know what it is, but, over the years, Carl has developed a kink with having his wrists pinned to the bed. I wouldn't say he's into any of that bondage crap - God knows I'm not - but something about having his wrists pinned above his head really strikes Carl as a massive turn on and, as a result, he is now grinding his lower body up into mine.
Unfortunately for him, however, whatever would've become of our unintentional foreplay is brought to an abrupt halt by a knock on our bedroom door.
"You two up?" the ever calm voice of Michonne comes from behind the wooden barrier.
"Yeah!" I call back.
Hilariously, I don't move from my position, keeping Carl pinned down beneath me with the most exasperated expression on his face. I wish I had a camera so I could show him just how sexually frustrated he looks right now. Its absolutely adorable from my point of view.
"Hurry up and get ready." Michonne replies. "Rick wants to leave for Ezekiel soon."
That's right.
Today's the day.
We're all going with Jesus to meet this Ezekiel person he keeps talking about. With any luck, this newcomer will be able to help us ward off Negan and his monsters once and for all.
"We'll be out soon." I reply, and with that, she's gone.
With that out of the way, I can now focus on my lover, who is still trapped beneath me and very frustrated. As much as I want to entertain his sudden lust, I know we can't. We both have to get showers and go meet Rick. Rick Grimes, much like his son, now that I think about it, is anything but patient. If I decided to go through with entertaining Carl's desires, we'd definitely get caught, and that would not be a good addition to any day, especially with what has been happening lately. Still, that doesn't mean I can't milk this situation while I have an opportunity. Turning back to Carl, I notice that his pupils have completely dilated by this point, and his breathing has picked up. Its such a shame I have to turn him down. Almost as a gesture of apology, and with his arms still pinned above is head, I lean down and gently kiss his lips, then his cheek.
"Sorry Carl," I offer him a half smile, as I rise back up. "We'd better get a shower."
The look on Carl's face is nothing short of hysterical.
"You..." he stutters, almost unable to contain his own frustration. "You tease!"
"Come on," I shrug him off, swinging my legs over the side of the bed, all the while pulling him into a sitting position. "You know how your dad gets when we make him wait."
Carl grumbles angrily and then follows me off of the bed. Maybe showering with him will ease his frustrations a bit, so long as it doesn't get out of hand. Snatching his hand, I practically drag him towards the door, slamming it behind us, and immediately bolt for the shower. Something tells me today is going to be an eventful day...
####
The afternoon sun is a welcome sight after the dreary winter storm which had swallowed up the last two days.
Because of the warmth it brings, we are able to travel relatively comfortably with the windows rolled down. The group venturing out to meet Ezekiel consists of myself and Carl, of course, in addition to Rick, Jesus, Glenn, Sasha, Michonne, and Daryl. We're all a tad apprehensive about leaving Alexandria, especially with the threat of another Savior attack so high, but necessity demands this meeting with the mysterious man named Ezekiel. Other than what Jesus has told us about him, which is very little, we know virtually nothing about this man who may become our ally. I can only hope his bedside manner is better than Negan's. I'd hate to have to worry about another madman. Despite the rather amusing beginning to the morning, my mind has sunk back down into the shadows. My mind continues to replay the moment from my dream where I see Tara as a walker. Secretly, I'm glad she can never become one of those things. That may be the one comfort that I've taken in this incident. The blow to her head insured she can rest in peace at the very least. Carl, who tried his best to pretend to remain irritated after his earlier let down, has noticed my demeanor shift back to the way it was, and has adapted accordingly.
"You ever going to tell me what you saw?" he speaks up suddenly.
I have to remind myself that he did technically ask me what was wrong this morning before I so rudely distracted him with other things.
"It was just a dream." I try to brush it off. "Nothing to worry about."
I genuinely try not to bother Carl with my own internal issues. In my mind, he has plenty to worry about outside of me, so I do my best to make his life as stress free as I possibly can. Carl, being the caring lover that he is, though, is not about to let me get away with dodging him so blatantly. He never has, so I don't know why I thought it would work this time.
"Tanner," he says sternly, casting a concerned yet serious glare at me. "You've completely changed from earlier, so I know its still bothering you. What happened?"
Guess there's no escaping it.
"I saw your mom."
The mention of Lori Grimes always causes Carl to physically tense up, a reflex developed by the sheer pain the loss of his mother has inflicted upon him. He rarely enjoys talking about his mother, but if he wants to know what my dream was about, he'll have to endure it for a moment.
"We were at some house. I've never seen it before. Can't be your old house because I have no idea what it looked like." I explain. "She was having some sort of barbecue. Your dad, you, Judith and I were there. It was like we had a normal life. Like none of this had happened and I was just waking up from some horrible nightmare. Then... they were all walkers. I was able to kill one and... that one turned out to be Tara."
For a moment, Carl is completely silent, processing my explanation. His hands are tightly balled into fists, resting in his lap; his eyes clamped shut, almost as though he was experiencing a sharp pain. He eventually relaxes, releasing the tension in his shoulders and hands. Finally, he regards me with a much softer expression than he'd given me earlier. The hand nearest me comes off of his lap, slides across the seat and gently takes my own hand. He then proceeds to give me a small, yet comforting squeeze; one I eagerly return. Though he doesn't say anything, I can tell he understands. Carl has had more nightmares than I can count about his mother, Dale, Shane, Hershel; any of the many friends he's lost along the way. If anyone can understand me, its him, and that alone is comforting. In front of us, the other members of our group, completely oblivious to our conversation, are carrying on their own discussion pertaining to our destination.
"Tell me more about this Ezekiel guy." Rick is saying.
"I suppose it can't hurt to tell you now." Jesus replies, keeping his eyes focused on the road ahead. "Like you and I, he is seen as the leader of his community; a place called The Kingdom."
"The Kingdom?" Daryl chimes in, sounding both unamused and slightly wary. "Let me guess... guy fancies himself as some sorta King?"
"You're not too far off." Jesus replies. "His people know him as a king of sorts. He never protested."
"A guy who fancies himself a king?" Rick repeats Daryl's sentiments. "And you trust him?"
"I do." Jesus replies without hesitation. "He's not like the Governor you keep mentioning. He genuinely tries to do good by his people and prefers to stay out of conflicts. It took me forever to convince him to form a trade agreement with the Hilltop. That was before Negan and his Saviors reared their heads and started causing problems. Nowadays, Ezekiel and the Kingdom keep entirely to themselves."
"What makes you think he'll change his mind now?" Glenn asks.
"Like I said, Ezekiel is a good man. What's more, he hates Negan. But, as I just mentioned, he hates conflict almost equally. So long as Negan didn't bother him or his people, he resolved to remain out of the conflict. Recent events may change his mind." Jesus explains. "Negan has never attacked a community like he attacked yours yesterday. He's also never threatened to hold someone's child hostage like he did to Rick's and, had Tanner not intervened, would have gone through with. Tanner's kidnapping may even further his sympathy for our plight."
"How so?" I finally decide to get in on this little pow-wow.
"I wondered when you'd chime in." Jesus grins at me through the rear-view mirror. "You are a first-hand survivor of Negan's brutality. If anyone can sway Ezekiel, it'll be you with your testimony. Can I count on you for that?"
Is there really any question?
I despise Negan more than any human being I've ever encountered. Threatening Carl is always a good way to get on my bad side, harm Carl and you're on a fast track to seeing the monster dwelling deep within me, but Negan is responsible for the murder of two of our own. What's more, it was Negan's thugs who put the gun in my hand which took Tara's life. For me, that is the ultimate transgression, and one that only his death can fully repay.
"Yeah," I reply darkly. "Count me in."
Carl gives my hand a supportive squeeze and I manage to give him a soft smile in reply.
"Good man." Jesus replies with an affirmative nod of his own.
####
In three years of living in the direct vicinity of the fallen United States capital, I've never been this deep into the wreckage. Our community had placed restrictions on traveling into the heart of the city, thinking that it would surely be overrun with walkers and herds. As it turns out, Washington D.C. is entirely desolate. Littered with trash, leaves, overgrown lawns, and abandoned vehicles, the city is but a shell of its former glory. It is here, not far from the National Mall, that we finally disembark our vehicle at Jesus's own suggestion. According to him, to go on foot would help avoid any unnecessary assumptions of danger by Ezekiel's people. We continue, then, on foot through the decaying city streets. The capital looks nothing like I remember it looking during a trip I had taken here with my family ages ago. Each footstep we take echoes through the once hallowed halls of the buildings that once housed all levels of the United States government. I half expect Ezekiel's community to be housed in the abandoned Capitol Building. That would make the most sense, to me at least.
I am wrong, though.
The location of the Kingdom is actually quite unexpected.
After what seems like forever, we arrive on the outskirts of an old school building. This location clearly stands out from the rest. For one, there are large sheets of sheet metal placed together to form a makeshift wall around the place. The wall is much smaller than the one in Alexandria or Hilltop, but it is still large enough to keep out walkers and any other unwanted creatures. Behind the walls, apparently to reinforce them against any threats, are an array of school buses that are actually backed into the walls themselves. I can't help but admiring the handiwork that went into constructing this. Its unorthodox, but it gets the job done, which is the point of it all. Above all of this are the rusting letters of the school's former name, emblazoned just above the entrance, which is beyond the gates; Eastern High School.
Our group, myself included, suddenly comes to a grinding halt when movement and noise to the side of us catches our attention. From out of two large sheet metal gates, a pair of mounted horses emerge, both of their riders wielding rifles. My first instinct, burned into me from five years of the undead apocalypse, is to reach for my own weapon. It is a reaction shared by the others in my group, the sole exception being Jesus, who quickly raises his hand and motions for us to relax.
"Everything will be fine." he assures us. "No one is allowed to enter to see Ezekiel without an escort. That's how they do things around here."
"What's your business here?" one of the horsemen demands.
"Marcus, its me." Jesus steps forward. "We're here to see Ezekiel."
"Jesus?" the one called Marcus says, suddenly lightening up. "Been awhile since you've been to these parts."
"Yeah, well we've been having problems." Jesus replies gravely. "These good people and I need to have an audience with Ezekiel. Its rather urgent."
"Is this about Negan?" Marcus presses on, seemingly ignoring Jesus's continued pleas.
"It is." Jesus replies truthfully. That's one thing that I can definitely give Jesus. He never hides his true intentions, no matter the eventual ramifications. I can see why he got his nickname. Its certainly not just because of his appearance.
The man named Marcus seems highly conflicted about this. Jesus wasn't kidding when he said these people had no love for Negan. The resentment is clear on Marcus's face. Even so, the man is bound by duty, and as Jesus has also mentioned, these people want no part in whatever fighting is brought on by Negan and his Saviors.
"You know how he feels about this, Jesus." the man replies gravely.
"I do." Jesus responds. "But things have changed. Ezekiel needs to know what's going on, and this young man is going to be the one to do it."
I shouldn't be surprised that Jesus puts the spotlight on me.
Now all eyes are on me and there is nothing comforting about that. More conflict mars Marcus's face. The conflict in his resolve tells me that Jesus was right all along. The fresh perspective brought on by my group may be enough to bring these people out against Negan. The hatred they feel for him is already present, though I hadn't yet learned the reasons behind it, all they need now is the proper motivation. If I can provide that for them - a focus for their resentment - and the result is Negan disappearing from our lives, allowing us to once more live in peace, then I am willing to speak to this Ezekiel. Now more than I ever was. Suddenly, the man named Marcus raises his head and looks me directly in the eyes.
"Is that true, son?" he asks me.
"It is." I reply with confidence. "Now, let me speak to your 'king'."
A/N: And so, here we are! The Kingdom. One of my favorite locations in The Walking Dead. I say that because I have been to Washington D.C. (its a very interesting city. Go if you ever get the chance) and have seen the school it was based on. Pretty neat city all around. As promised, I am continuing to focus on Tanner's character development. The upcoming meeting with Ezekiel will be a pretty important moment in that regard! All in all, I hope this was a good chapter for you all. Lots of character interaction, which is always nice to see from time to time. The next chapter, I promise, will be highly interesting in terms of the plot and such. Please review, follow, and favorite! I really have enjoyed reading all of you guy's comments, theories, and opinions! I'm glad so many of you really enjoy this :) Makes writing it that much more rewarding.
Now onto the reviews:
vmbaby: I WISH he was in the TV series. And not just because I'm bias and he's my character, or anything, but because Carl could at the very least, use a good male friend that's his age. Don't get me wrong though, his friendship with Michonne is pretty awesome. Were I in his shoes, I'd be teaming up with her too. She's just an awesome individual in general. I'm glad you like Tanner so much though! :) As an author, and one who put a lot of work into creating him, building him up, and developing him in the story, it is very rewarding to hear that others wish he were part of the actual series. I hope he continues to impress and please you! Thank you for your review!
lexie-king: Douchebag maybe an undestatement xD Don't worry if you haven't read the comics! I use the comics as very loose inspiration. The setting and many of the new characters come from the comics, but the events of this story doesn't line up with the comics very often. I have my own direction for the characters and this story, so you'll find that things turn out very differently in my story than they would there. As for Negan's fate, I won't spoil you on anything, but I will say that the ending of this story will be very interesting :D That's still a ways off, though, so I hope you continue to enjoy! Thanks so much for your review!
IamwhoIam987: Thank you, thank you, and thank you! I do my utmost best to make sure you guys are entertained and fully engaged in the story I'm trying to tell, so I'm glad you're enjoying it so much! Thanks for the review! :D
tentails: That is an entirely plausible way for it to happen! I won't spoil though! I must say that I love it when readers come up with their own theories and speculations about what is coming up. I'm glad you're so engaged in the story! Like I was telling lexie earlier, the ending of this story (and how Negan is dealt with) will be interesting. I can promise you that! You'll have to stay tuned to see how it all unfolds though ;) Thanks for your theory and your review! It is much appreciated!
Thank you guys so much! Good hearing from each and every one of you!
See you guys with the next chapter!
Later!