Chapter 147-The Valley
Daryl's P.O.V
Daryl grabbed an A.R. out of the armory and loaded it as Alicia walked in, with worry and concern on her face "You're sure about this?"
"We need to know," Daryl tells her. "If you don't want me to go, I won't. I'll have Morgan go with them."
"It's okay; just be careful," Alicia assured, rubbing his arm.
"I'm always careful." Daryl says with a smirk.
"Sure, you are," Alicia chuckled, kissing her husband's cheek, as John walks in.
"Rick called a meeting." John says.
"Another one?" Alicia asks John, who nods. Alicia looks at Daryl, who shrugs his shoulders as he follows his wife out of the armory, heading into the big cabin.
"We gotta go soon. What is this about?" Negan asks Rick, eyebrows raised at the solemn and grim look Rick held.
Rick stared at all of them for a long moment, then sighed, rubbing his eyebrows...starting
"We don't know what is going to happen once we cross that border or during the coming war." Rick said with a grim look. "What I do know is that I don't want any of us walking with that herd."
"None of us want that, Rick." Daryl says, not sure what he was leading up to seeing the resolve on his face.
"I know, which is why we need to make sure it doesn't happen." Rick says. "If you or anybody else gets bit on the neck, shoulder, or stomach...one of the areas that can't be taken care of while they're out on runs or patrol, they need to end it as soon as they can. Even if they're are alone."
Needless to say, that caused a stir as many looked at each other, muttering with Ezekiel speaking up in disbelief.
"Richard, they should be able to say goodbye!"
"They should. But...right now, we can't risk it. They could turn trying to get back, or if someone they loved saw them walking with Alpha's herd, they might not be able to do what needs to be done. I know it's a lot to ask, but I won't have any of us walking with her. Period."
"He's right." Morgan says, causing Rosita to look at him. "I know better than most; I had a chance to kill my wife after she turned, Rick gave me that chance, and I couldn't do it; because of that, Daune died." Morgan says, his voice breaking as he says his son's name. Rick looks at Daryl, who stays silent for a moment before he nods.
"He's right. This is someone we all need to be prepared to do," Daryl tells the leaders, who nodded after a moment. "Spread the word when you get home."
"Thank you. Alright we leave in 10, get the last preparations done." Rick adjourned.
Carl's P.O.V
Carl walked up to Alicia as she was marking down where the traps were being put at. "My Dad talk with you?" Carl asks Alicia, who looks at him and nods.
"He did." Alicia says. "He already told you?"
"Yeah, I was the one who suggested that you take over for Daryl." Carl tells her.
"Why?" Alicia asks as she sets the pen down, looking at him in disbelief. "You had so many options, Ezekiel, Carol, Maggie, Beth, Morgan. Why did you pick me?"
"Two reasons." Carl held two fingers up with a wary smile. "The first one is because I know you can make the hard decisions, and the second, you don't fight for yourself, Alicia; you fight for the people you love, and sure, that is the same for everybody else, but you put your life on the line for people. Like...for example Negan, even after hearing all the stories, seeing what he did to Brandon, you didn't judge him for that. You gave him a chance, and these people need someone like you, someone that won't give up on them, that won't judge them because of their past."
He then paused and put a hand on her shoulder "You know what this world can do to you, how it can bring out the darkest parts of you like the Vultures did to you. I need someone who won't judge someone even when they are at their darkest. They'll try and help them instead of killing them. You'll let mercy prevail over your wraith."
Alicia chuckles. "I'm with you, Carl. Thanks for the vote of confidence."
Carl smiled back, and squeezed her shoulder, then saw the group heading to the gate and quickly headed over, seeing Arya run up as well
Rick's P.O.V
The 5 stood by the gate as they said goodbye to their loved ones, Rosita kissing Morgan, Negan giving a cooing Rose and Kate a hug... Rick hugged Carl and looks at Arya. "Okay. Remember what we talked about if worse comes to worse...if we don't come back in two days-"
"Burn the forest down." Arya cuts in with no hesitation.
Rick stares at his granddaughter with wide eyes before he looks at Negan accusingly while Negan just smirked while looking at Rick out of the corner of his eyes. Rick looks back at Arya warily shaking his head. "Take Lydia and whoever you can and head to Hilltop with Aunt Tara and Aunt Beth. Lock it down and keep her out of sight."
"What? Oh come fucking on Grandpa-" Arya started to protest, clearly wanting to fight.
But she stopped, Rick just giving her a hard look causing her to look down "Fine."
"Good, I love you." Rick hugged her as she hugged back
"Love you, too."
"Well let's call that Plan B." Negan chimed, causing a few groans and glares.
"Please don't encourage her." Carl snorted.
Negan's P.O.V
Negan walked in the front with Rick as they walked through the woods, Daryl at the back, cautiously looking behind them while Alden and Rosita were at the sides, keep watch of the trees as they neared the border. "You okay?" Negan asks Rick, who looks at him.
"Worried." Rick says.
"Eh don't be. We'll beat this insane bitch."
"You sound very confident, even after what she did at the fair." Rick muttered, then stopped as Negan paused as well before shrugging.
"As long as you and Daryl are leading us, I have no worries," Negan says. "You've both been through some shit. You beat me. Beat my army. You're the one who says it's us against the dead. Alpha thinks the dead own the world, but she's wrong. We still own the world, Rick. I'm going to make sure that bitch or her fucking Mutt understands that before she dies."
Rick gave him a wary smirk "Mutt?"
"Yes. Mr Beta with Benefits, I call dibs on him!" Negan then raised a hand.
"Like Hell." Daryl grunted, over hearing that.
Rick shook his head as Rosita restrained a laugh, but all amusement stopped as they see the spikes and looks at the moon as it starts to rise.
They stared at it for a moment, then Alden said worriedly "still gives me the feeling we're being watched."
"OK come on, let's go." Rick slowly raised a foot and followed over.
Shane's P.O.V
Shane walked into the cabin as Eugene spoke with Maggie and Beth, the trio in deep discussion. "How many traps can you put at Hilltop?" Maggie asks him.
"A dozen, maybe two, but they won't be able to hold off the herd that Rick, Lydia, and Daryl talked about." Eugene scribbled "Ladies maybe I should talk to Rick and Daryl when they get back. The roads are clear, we should be maybe starting to leave."
Beth shook her head "No not yet. Not until we're sure Alpha hasn't set something up or even returned."
"She's right. You think you can they slow it down?" Maggie asks Eugene, who nods.
"Yes, but we need more bullets. I could use Earl's help. Someone with his skills could help me make the traps and bullets." Eugene tells them.
Beth chuckled "What would we do without you?" Causing Eugene to shyly blush.
"I can help." Shane says, making them look at him. "I know a little bit. When are you starting?"
"When they get back," Eugene answers. "There is a place where I made bullets for Negan a long time ago. I should still be able to do it there."
"I'll help if you need it," Shane tells Eugene, who nods as he looked back outside in worry.
Shane saw the look "Relax, they'll be back. You know their careful."
Eugene sighed, sitting on a table "I'm presently aware...but Alpha has proven a dangerous adversary."
Maggie looked at him firmly "Don't think what if's Eugene, everyone whose threatened us, they've lost, Alpha will too," Maggie tells Eugene who nods.
Rick's P.O.V
Shit, he knew it would have been too easy if they were brought back here, he thought as he crouched down, looking at the empty valley. It would have been a lovely scene if not for the eeriness he remembered months before. He closed his eyes, remembering the screams that sounded like hell itself, with its 'Alpha' lording over them all. Rick stared momentarily, taking a map out and crossing off the valley first.
Looking back up with a grim look...winter was now over, but there was still no sign of her or her band of monsters. Suddenly he heard a crunch of a leaf behind him and a voice, "Ric-"
Instantly, Rick drew his knife and turned...only to find himself holding it to the startled neck of Negan, who sputtered. "Goddamit, this is familiar, hey Rick!"
"Rick!" He saw Daryl coming up behind Negan, saying, "It's us, man!"
After a second, Rick sheathed it muttering, "Sorry...just memories."
Negan rubbed his neck, letting it go as he walked past Rick looking down below. "So...this is the valley the crazy bitch brought you two?"
Daryl nodded. "That's right; the horde was there. Rick, what the fuck are you doing out here alone?"
"I was hoping she would bring the horde back here. Was a faint hope, but thought we'd get lucky." Rick nodded and stood at the edge, Negan on his left and Daryl on his right.
"Rosita and Alden are keeping watch behind us; saw some movement and saw a walker, it wasn't a whisper though, came back, and Negan told me you went to the cliff and started following you." Daryl tells Rick, who nods.
"Good to know you care, Negan." Rick says with a smirk.
"Oh well, excuse the fuck out of me for worrying." Negan chuckled.
Daryl rolled his eyes, but Rick saw the edge of a smirk on his features, then asked, "Rick...you sure that new rule was a good idea? We get bit somewhere we can't heal; we kill ourselves?" Rick gave Daryl a steady look.
"I will not have any of us walk with that woman."
Negan grimaced "Well don't like the idea of dying alone, but better than being among the dead. Pity, there goes my plans."
"Plans?" Rick asked warily. Shrugging, the man picked up a rock, chucking it over
"Yeah, if I got bit, my plan was to come back, say some goodbyes...then ask either Hershel or You to shoot me."
"You wanted Me to shoot you?" Rick stated, eyebrows raised, as Negan looked over with a firm look.
"Remember the first thing you ever said to me?"
"...I remember." That was All Rick said, then looked over to the edge, remembering that he swore that he'd kill the man standing next to him.
Funny how life turned out, he warily thought as Negan broke the silence.
"Well now still no sign of her. Not sure if that's good or worrying."
"Lydia uneasy?" Daryl asked their former Nemesis.
"Yeah, she just...knows she's still alive. And...I think she's a bit conflicted still. Not exactly easy to tell a kid you're gonna kill the woman who gave you life."
"She has better people now." Rick assured.
"...Did my ears just deceive me? Did you just give me a compliment?"
"Don't make me push your ass off this cliff." Negan just laughed, the voice echoing throughout the cliff as Rick kneeled down, unrolling the map...saying as he did so, circling the valley on it.
"Okay...the valley is marked off, but the horde can't be easy to hide."
"We're going to track it?" Daryl stated, realizing what Rick was up to.
"That's right." Rick looked up, hand raised in assurance hearing the concern in his brother's tone. "Just on the edges after this... it's a horde of tens of thousands; there can't be too many places to hide it." Negan leaned over his shoulder, looking intently.
"Yeah, not like her ass is Houdini. And not even going into where Alpha's ass is holding up." He looked up and around, hearing nothing but the occasional bird. "Well, this place is a bust; come on."
He turned, starting to walk, with Daryl beginning to follow, heading to another location with Daryl saying. "He's right, let's go, Rick. Alden! Rosita! We're moving!"
Rick picked the map back up and started to stand, but he stopped as movement was seen over the other side of the valley. Pausing, wondering if it was a Walker...but then out of the tree line.
It was Her.
Alpha walked out as if stretching her eyes closed...then they opened and saw Rick standing at the edge of the border back at her. Rick's eyes filled with hardened fire, meeting her gaze.
Thanks for reading; the next chapter, the group returns to the campgrounds and gets ready for the attacks they know are coming as they start to split up to fight Alpha. It has been a couple of weeks. I've been in Ohio for my Dad's celebration of life, but I am back and hoping to get back to normal uploads. As always, suggestions, ideas, and feedback are welcomed. Until next time.