Chapter 82-The Day Before
Badger's P.O.V
Badger sat on a log in the woods staring at the people in front of him. "We should see something soon," Jesse says as he walks up to Badger and sits down beside him.
"We hope. We don't have a location. We just know they are up north," Badger growls. "So we might not be close to shit."
"Do you have a problem with me, Badger?" Jesse asks him, glaring at him.
"No, Jesse. Why would I have a problem with someone like you?" Badger asks him dryly.
"Someone like me?" Jesse asks.
"A coward, a spineless piece of shit. You're only leading this shit because Clinton and Paul are cowards and spineless bitches. The only reason they are alive is that they are inside Richmond. When Richmond falls, they'll die too, and Joan will live because she isn't a coward like Paul, Clinton, and you," Badger says.
"Fuck you, Badger. I am prepared to do what I need to so Richmond is safe. I've given up everything for Richmond. I never looked for my sister before of Richmond, so don't call me a coward. Do it again, and I'll cut your throat," Jesse says before he walks away.
Beth's P.O.V
Beth, Tara, and Arthur walked into Georgie's office and looked at Georgie sitting in her chair. She had a man standing behind her. That man was a little taller than Beth. He had brown hair and blue eyes and was around the same age as Tara. "I hope you slept well," Georgie says as they sit down. "This is Elijah. He is one of the generals in my army. This is Beth, Tara, and you know Arthur."
"So, did you guys talk about sending soldiers to Hilltop?" Beth asks.
"Yes, we have," Elijah says. "We can spare a hundred soldiers. I will lead them. We will be able to give you two trucks with weapons, ammo, food, and medicine."
"How soon can we leave?" Beth asks, already standing
"Everything is being prepared as we speak. We should be able to depart by noon, and we will get there quicker by car," Elijah says, holding a hand up to reassure her
"Thank you," Tara says.
"Of course, we are partners," Elijah says. He nods to Georgie before he leaves.
Georgie opens a drawer and pulls out a radio. She holds it out to Beth. "This radio comes to the one on the table over there. I ask that you update me on the situation as it progresses." Georgie says.
"We will." Beth says as she takes it with a smile. "We won't forget this, Georgie. We owe you."
"I imagine you will get the chance to make it up to me one day," Georgie says with a smile.
Daryl's P.O.V
Daryl stood on the balcony of Barrington house. He watched as everybody was moving cars around and setting up defenses. Eugene had taken a small group out with him to help him set out the bombs. He looks at John as he walks over to him and stands by him. "We got word from one of our scouts. They'll be here in a at the latest by tomorrow afternoon," John says.
"Hopefully, we can push them back enough so we can end this quickly." Daryl says.
"You ever think this fighting will stop?" John asks after a moment.
"I have to believe it will. We had three years of peace, and it was the best three years of my life. I need to have the hope that one day it will last. So my kids can have the life they deserve instead of being in the same cycle of violence we've been stuck in since all this shit started, what Carl believes in. I admit, when I first heard it it seemed stupid, but it is nice to think that I could die of natural causes with my wife and kids beside me."
"It isn't stupid." John says as he lays his hand on his shoulder. "You know Beth told me a story a few months ago. She told me about the night you two burned down that cabin in the woods," Daryl smiles as he remembers the memory. "She said you'd be the last man standing, and she's right. You're going to make it, Daryl. You're going to see your kids grow up, scare the shit out of the first guy who tries to do anything with Ofelia. We aren't going to lose to these guys or anybody else, we've earned this, and we're going to protect it."
Daryl nods as Shane walks in stopping for a moment, wondering if he interrupted something, then said. "We got a map of the bombs. Eugene should be back soon, and we can go over the plan."
They nod as they follow Shane out.
Alicia's P.O.V
Alicia walked up behind Maggie, who was standing by Noah's grave. "You know, you stand around graveyards a lot. I'm starting to think you like them."
Maggie looks at her and smiles. "Nobody bothers me. Or at least nobody did before I met you."
"Glad I make your life more interesting. Now come on." Alicia says as she walks away. "I have something for you."
Maggie looks at her, confused for a moment before she follows Alicia. She follows Alicia inside of Barrington house and into the room Daryl and Alicia were staying in. Alicia shuts the door and grabs a vest. "Is that a bulletproof vest?" Maggie asks her.
"Yeah, we've found them in the old Savior outposts and haven't had a good reason to use them yet. We've spread them out with people in the front line and tried to give one to Daryl as he will most likely be a target, but he wouldn't take one. But he did take some for Michonne, you, and me."
"Alicia-"
"I don't like it either, Maggie, but I understand why. We have kids, and they need us alive. This will help. Take it," Alicia ordered as she holds it out to Maggie, who grabs it.
"Now, they're calling a meeting to discuss the plan for when they show up." Maggie says as they leave.
Daryl's P.O.V
Everybody stood outside in the middle of Hilltop. Daryl, John, Shane, Maggie, Reilly, and Ezekiel stood in the middle of the group. "We expect Richmond to be here at some point in the next twenty-four hours, so everybody needs to be prepared at a moment's notice." Shane says.
"The bombs are set on the treeline. Some will be set off when they step onto them, and some Eugene will detonate when told to." John says.
"There will be three lines of defense. The first will be outside and try to hold them out while the second one flanks them from behind. The third will remain here in Hilltop and fight them from here," Ezekiel says.
"Negan and I will be leading the first line. John and Dorie will be leading the second. Shane and Madison will be leading the third. If Hilltop is to fall, you fall back and get to Alexandria." Daryl says.
"If we can push them back and Hilltop is in no condition for another fight, we will move back to Alexandria anyway. We have moved half of the supplies there just in case we can't recover what is here at Hilltop," Maggie continued, crossing her arms. It was clear she didn't like Daryl being up front, but knew there was no arguing with him.
"I will lead a group if we do push them back and try to see where they go and then come back to bring another group so we can continue to push them back. We don't want everybody following them. We could hit our own people if we run around the woods shooting." Reilly says.
"Ok, that's all everyone. Get some rest. Long day tomorrow." Daryl says. Everybody nods as they start to split up.
Alicia walks up to Daryl. "You know I could help you on the front line."
"I know," Daryl says as he grabs her hand. "But I would feel better if you were fighting in here. Negan may be an asshole, but he knows how to fight. He's been on the front line before in fights."
Alicia nods in resignation then asked softly, kissing him once. "Don't die."
"I don't plan to."
Negan's P.O.V
Negan walked up to Carl. "So, what's your role in all this?" Negan asks.
"Jesus and I will be on the front line with you and Daryl, but you two have more experience leading fights." Carl answered, scanning the tree line.
"Good. Your tougher then all of us, hell your ass got shot in the head and it barely slowed you down." Negan said with a grin, coming up next to him.
Grunting, Carl just nodded.
After a moment...Negan soon stated. "I apologized to Maggie."
Carl blinked for a moment, not sure he heard right at first, looks at him. "How'd it go?" Carl asks.
"She didn't kill me." Negan answers wearily. "I am not expecting her to forgive me or us singing Kumbaya together, but it felt good to say it."
"Took you four and a half years." Carl says with a smirk.
"Well, she tried to kill me three years ago. And we've been keeping distance so give me a break, kid."
"Never, it is my job to give you shit."
"Some days, I wish your Dad killed me." Negan groaned, making Carl laugh.
"Thank you."
Carl's laugh stopped as he looked at Negan again "Uh for what?"
"For not letting my ass bleed out…I can never thank you enough for that...even when I didn't deserve it." Negan said quietly.
"...When I saw you, I...just felt it wasn't right. I know that it would cause problems...and I am sorry. I'm sorry for the headaches it caused my Dad, the pain it put Maggie through at first, how it caused Daryl to run at first...I'm sorry for those things." He then looked at Negan firmly "but I'm never apologizing for convincing my Dad to do it in the first place. I'm not going to apologize for doing the right thing."
Staring for a moment, Negan put a hand on his shoulder with a smirk "Oook at you all wise and grown up, your gonna be special kiddo."
Beth's P.O.V
Beth throws her bag in one of the trucks as Tara and a few men get the horses in a trailer to be taken back to Hilltop. She looks at Arthur, who is talking with a man with sign language. "You have quite the group." Elijah says as he walks up behind her, looking at Tara as well.
"Yeah, but I love them." Beth says. "I know I've said it already but thank you. You are helping me protect my family."
"I have a wife and two daughters. One is ten, and the other is only four months old," Elijah says as he leans against the truck. "I will do anything to protect them. I understand how important it is to protect your family."
Beth nods as Tara walks over. "We're ready to go?" Tara says.
"Then let's get on the road." Beth says. The two of them nod as they climb into a car and leave for Hilltop.
Daryl's P.O.V
Daryl and Alicia sat in the radio room. "You guys here?" Morgan asks.
"Yeah, we're here," Daryl says as he grabs the radio.
"Okay," Morgan says.
After a moment, they hear Merle's voice. "Hi."
"Hi, baby." Alicia cooed softly . "Your sister there?"
"I'm here, Mama." Ofelia says.
"You guys doing okay?" Daryl asks.
"Yeah, there are so many kids here, Daddy!" Merle says with excitement clear in his voice.
"That's good. Have you driven Uncle Rick crazy yet?" Daryl asks.
"No, he's been spending his time with Uncle Morgan. He's also trying to keep Arya busy." Ofelia says. Daryl smiles as they hear footsteps behind them, turning around and looking at Shane.
"Scouts just spotted them. They aren't far, Daryl. Fifteen minutes at most."
Daryl and Alicia nod as Shane leaves. "Okay, we gotta go. We'll talk to you guys soon. We love you guys so much."
"Love you too." They both say before Alicia turns the radio off. They walk out of the room and downstairs. Daryl grabs his crossbow and an Ar rifle, cocking it. He looks at Alicia.
"Stay alive," She says. Daryl nods as he kisses her.
"I love you."
"I love you," Alicia says before she kisses him again. Daryl pushes the door open and walks outside. He walks down the driveway and looks at Carl, Negan, Jesus, and Daniel as they stand by the gate waiting for him.
"You ready, boss?" Negan asks with a grin, always eager for a fight.
Daryl nods as the gate opens, and they walk outside. They walk in front of the group. Daryl stood in the front with Negan beside him. Daryl looks at Carl and nods. "You ready, kid?"
"Yeah." Carl nodded firmly
"These sons of bitches are about to make the worse mistakes of their lives." Negan says as they watch the woods.
Thanks for reading. The next chapter will be the fight at Hilltop. I have the plan somewhat planned out, but it could change as I write the chapter. It is going to be a fun one. As always, suggestions, ideas, and feedback are welcomed. Until next time.