Chapter 20-Final Stretch

Nick's P.O.V

It was early morning as Nick walked inside the campgrounds. "What are you doing?" Cyndie asks as she walks up behind him.

"I'm looking for the best place to start a garden," Nick tells her.

"Are you the gardener?" Cyndie asks him.

"I was at the stadium," Nick says. "I figured I would keep doing it here. I liked it back in Texas,"

"You could ask Maggie for seeds. Hilltop would have a lot of that kind of stuff," Cyndie says.

Nick nods as he continues to walk around. "How much longer are you going to be here? Shouldn't you be returning to Oceanside soon?"

"I will be," Cyndie says. "I like not having to worry about being the leader of a community,"

"I think Daryl, Morgan, Maggie, Ezekiel, and Rick feel the same at some points. You are the leader because you are the best choice," Nick tells Cyndie, who nods.

"Nick," Morgan says as he walks up to them. Nick and Cyndie look at him. "We haven't had much time for training since we've gotten to Alexandria. We have some time now if you want,"

"Yeah, let me get my stick," Nick says. Morgan nods as Nick walks away.

"Meet me at the gate," Morgan says as Nick walks past him. Morgan nods to Cyndie before he walks away.

Carl's P.O.V

Carl layed in bed with Enid. He had his arms around his girlfriend's chest. Carl sat there for about ten minutes before he pulled himself off of Enid and put his shoes on. He grabs his hat and walks out of the trailer. It was still pretty early in the morning. "Little early for someone your age to be up," Earl says to Carl as he walks up to him.

"Yeah," Carl says. "I've been up a little bit,"

"Are you thinking about something?" Earl asks him.

"I want to stay in Hilltop. I want to be here with Enid. But I don't know how to tell my Dad that," Carl says to Earl.

"Your Dad is a fine man, son. Most kids your age would be in high school. You never got to experience that, and you had to grow up. You are more mature than some of the adults in these communities, and your Dad knows that. Talk to him. He'll understand," Earl says. Carl nods as Earl walks away. Carl stands up and goes back inside the trailer.

John's P.O.V

John puts his guns into their holsters and grabs his hat. He walks outside the cabin and walks towards the gate. "Where are you going?" Alicia asked from her cabin.

"I'm going to the lake. June knows where I will be if anybody needs me," John says.

"I'll come," Alicia says as she stands. "Nobody should be going anywhere alone,"

"Okay," John says as he continues walking. Alicia follows the ex-cop as he walks towards the gate. He pulls the gate open and lets Alicia out before he follows her. John shuts the gate and walks into the woods. John and Alicia walk in silence as they walk towards the lake. "Have you ever been fishing?"

"No," Alicia says to him. "I'm assuming you have,"

"That is what I mostly ate back at my cabin," John says. "It was easier than leaving and running into a herd or a group of unfavorable people. I taught June while she was there,"

"When was the last time you fished?" Alicia asks him.

"The cabin. After June left, I left to find here, and you know the rest," John says as they see a walker. Alicia pulls out her barrel and goes up to it. She hits the side of the head, sending it to the ground before she stabs it through the head. Alicia stands back up and continues to walk.

"We have grown our food and scavenged since it all started. Nick was our local farmer at the stadium," Alicia tells John. "I did a little of everything,"

"This is the first place I've been since the cabin that has had a place to fish. The mansion didn't, and we were preparing to leave during our time there. I'll be able to do it here,"

"Do you think Daryl's...mission is worth it?" Alicia asks him.

"Mission?" John asks.

"Yeah, he wants to start helping people out here. Bringing them here for a fresh start. I get why he's doing it, but it seems a little reckless,"

"It is," John says. "He will be going out there and helping strangers, and some are good, but there are also those ones that will use it against him and us. But he needs to do it, and he knows the dangers. He'll be okay," John says. Alicia nods as they continue to walk.

Beth's P.O.V

Beth was walking around Hilltop with Judith in her arms. She stops when she sees Glenn and Abraham's grave. Beth walks over to the grave and looks at them. "Gregory took Glenn's watch once," Enid says as she walks over to her.

"Gregory?" Beth asks.

"He was the old leader of Hilltop. They started following Maggie when they realized she was better. He keeps to himself now," Enid says as she pulls the watch out of her pocket. "Glenn took me back to Alexandria. It's because of him I'm here today,"

"Glenn saw the good in everybody," Beth says. "He saw it in you, and he knew you belonged with people," Enid nods as he looks at the grave. "How have you been settling in?"

"I'm thinking about going to some of the other communities over the next few days. I want to see them. I haven't been to Alexandria or Kingdom," Beth says.

"You'll get to go there," Enid says as she puts the watch away. "I'll see you later. I'm supposed to be helping Maggie," Beth nods as the teen walks away from her. Beth walks away from the grave and goes inside. She looks at Tara as she comes down the stairs.

"Hey," Tara says as she stops at the top of the steps. "We haven't been properly introduced. I'm Tara,"

"Beth," Beth says. "I remember you from the prison. You were with the Governor. Rick pointed you out,"

"I was trapped in that prison. Glenn was too. We got out together, and I helped him find Maggie," Tara says. "I was on the run that Noah died on. He was my friend,"

"What's Lilly doing?" Beth asks.

"She is helping Edwards in the infirmary," Tara says. "I am going to help Maggie and Enid," Beth nods as Tara walks past her outside. Beth walks upstairs with Judith.

Daryl's P.O.V

Daryl was sitting in the big cabin with a map on the table. He was marking the communities as well as the warehouse. "What are you doing?" Eugene asks him as he walks up.

"Marking the mark," Daryl says. He looks at Eugene. "Are you doing anything?" Eugene shakes his head. "Good," He pushes the map towards Eugene. "You are smarter than me. Mark places on the map you think would be good for supplies and roads that will be better for travel," Eugene nods as he sits down and starts to mark the map. Daryl stands up and grabs his crossbow. He walks outside and over to Shane, who is looking at one of the trucks with Tobias. "Is there a problem with the truck?"

"We're changing the oil," Shane tells him. "Madison is helping June finish up with the infirmary," Daryl nods as he looks at Tobias.

"How do you like it here?" Daryl asks him.

"It's better than being on the road," Tobias says. "I'm going to go help Alden, Dwight, and Rosita," Shane nods as Tobias walks away.

"You worried about these true saviors?" Shane asks him.

"I don't like how little we know about their numbers, firepower, and location," Daryl says. "We know nothing. Troy is trying to get something but. They are keeping him on a leash," Shane nods. "We'll win, though,"

"We will," Shane says. "I haven't seen John or Alicia,"

"June told me that John went to the lake. I'm assuming that Alicia went with him," Daryl tells Shane. "Where is the other truck?"

"Strand took it to Alexandria this morning. Said he forgot a few things," Shane says. Daryl nods as he walks away.

Strand's P.O.V

Strand sat on the hood of the truck in a field. He had a radio beside him as he heard another truck coming towards him. Strand gets off of the truck as the truck stops beside him. Jed opens the door to the truck and gets out, followed by two men and a woman. "Victor Strand," Jed says. "That's your name, right?"

"Yes," Strand says.

"You alone?" One of the men asks.

"Do you see anybody else?" Strand asks. The four saviors look at him. "Yes, I'm alone,"

"Good, I'm Jed. This is Felix, Cassidy, and Toby," Jed says.

"Where is Troy?" Strand asks.

"Not here," Jed says as he walks closer to Strand. "That's okay right?"

"Yeah," Strand says. "Does he know you are here?"

"I don't know. I don't really care," Jed says. "Troy isn't needed right now. You are. You live where Daryl is right now. We don't know where that is, and right now, we don't need to. But we do need something from you,"

"What is that?" Strand asks.

"Leverage," Jed says. "They have something we want. We know we can't kill them. You do this for us, Victor. You're one of us,"

"What do you want me to do?" Strand asks him.

"Bring us, Rick Grimes," Jed says. "Alive, at that point, they will have to choose. Rick or Negan. You have three days. Tell us where you are going, and we'll make sure it looks like you weren't a part of it. Tell anybody about this. Well, I guess your friend Cole could be in danger," Jed says. "Have fun, Victor. You know how to contact us," Jed walks back to the truck with the other three saviors and leaves the field. Strand stands there for a moment before he goes back to the truck.

Carl's P.O.V

Carl walked towards Rick's car as he got out with Michonne. "Hey, Dad," Carl says.

"Hey, let me get Judith, and we can go home," Rick says.

"Can we talk first?" Carl asks his Dad, who nods as he follows Carl away from Michonne. Carl sits on the steps to the trailer, and Rick sits down beside him.

"Everything okay, Carl?" Rick asks him.

"I want to stay at Hilltop," Carl says. "I don't know how long, but I want to stay,"

"Okay," Rick says. "I knew you wouldn't stay in Alexandria forever. I didn't think it would be this soon, though," Rick looks around Hilltop. "You picked a good place, Carl," Carl nods as they see Michonne come out with Judith. Rick and Carl stand up and walk over to her.

"Are we ready to go?" Michonne asks.

"Carl's staying here," Rick says. Michonne nods. Carl kisses Judith's head.

"Take care of Michonne and Dad," Carl says before he hugs Michonne and Rick. "Check in on Siddiq for me,"

"We will," Rick says. Carl nods as they get back into their car and leave. Carl looks at Earl, who smiles at him and motions him over. Carl walks over to Earl.

"You want something to do?" Earl asks Carl, who nods. "You can help me. I am making an arm for Lilly,"

"Are you offering to teach me how to be a blacksmith?" Carl asks him.

"Do you want to learn?" Earl asks Carl, who nods. "Then yes I am," Earl says. "Grab an apron," Carl nods as he grabs an apron and goes back over to Earl.

Troy's P.O.V

Troy sat in his room after dinner reading a book, when he heard a knock. "Come in," Troy says. The door opens, and Jed walks in, followed by Felix, Cassidy, and Toby. "Hey guys," Troy says as he stands up. He walks over to them. Toby shuts the door as Jed walks up to Troy.

"We talked to Strand today," Jed says.

"Why didn't I know?" Troy asks. Jed lays his hand on Troy's shoulder.

"We didn't need you," Jed says. Jed punches Troy in the stomach and then grips his shirt and throws him to the ground. "Beat him," Toby, Cassidy, and Felix start to punch and hit Troy. After about a minute, Jed waves them off. "Next time you decide to lie to us. Remember, we have eyes all around here. Take him," Toby and Felix grab Troy and drag him out of the room.

Jed's P.O.V

A few hours later

Jed sat in front of Troy as he slowly woke up. "Welcome back, buddy," Jed says.

"Where are we?" Troy asks.

"This is home of the true saviors. It's an old outpost. One from before most of these idiots. Negan knows where it is. Simon showed me once," Jed says.

"So you're the leader?" Troy asks.

"I am," Jed says.

"They find you, and they'll save me," Troy says.

"Yeah, maybe. But if they try anything after they find out you are gone. I'll slit your throat if they hurt any of the saviors at the Sanctuary. I'll slit your throat. They try anything. I'll slit your throat. We are coming into the final days of this, my friend. Let's see how many people have to die," Jed says before he stands up and leaves the cell. He shuts the door and walks away, leaving Troy in darkness.

Thanks for reading. Strand has been given his mission. Troy is now caught and locked up, and Carl is at Hilltop. This chapter barely had Daryl and didn't have Maggie at all. As I said, these chapters will focus more on other chapters and will still have them too. We are getting closer and closer to the final chapter with the true saviors. As always, suggestions, ideas, and feedback are welcomed. Until next time.