NATE
"NOOOO...."
I let off round after round at the walkers surrounding Maggie. The ladder fell from under her and she's desperately hanging onto the lookout platform by her fingertips.
Trying to claw her way upwards.
The air is full of dust and soot. It isn't slowing the walkers down any. They just keep sliding through the gap in the wall, tumbling over the debris like a never-ending tide.
When a hand touched my shoulder I spun around. Barely managing to stop my picket from entering Father Gabriel's ear.
Don't know if it's the result of his near-death at my hands or the walkers closing in on us? Putting a look of abject terror on his face.
"Nate, we must go now....please...."
I only started to move after seeing Maggie clamber onto the platform and collapse in exhaustion. She's safe....for now.
"Come on" I grabbed Gabriel's hand and hauled him along behind me, puncturing heads as we went.
My pistols are kaput, no time to reload. And my rifle is useless in such close quarters.
But he can use it?
Making sure the safety is on I thrust it into his hands, motioning for him to swing it like a golf club. We ploughed our way over the grass to the street. Just in time to see Morgan and Carol turn the corner, run away from us.
Jorge waved wildly to me from the porch of the Infirmary, where Leo and G are firing shots into the herd. But as I turned to sprint in his direction, the dead billowed out between us.
Spinning around again I heard a rattle. Caught a glimpse of Eugene's face, before Rosie and Tara tugged the garage roller door down. Crushing the head of a walker as it went.
Then I notice them.
Carl is running hell for leather with Rick and Mich, who have Deanna propped between them. Jessie is gesturing them into her house.
She has Juju in her arms....she has Juju.... 😮💨
Gabriel and I didn't even blink, just took off after them. Nearly got a broken nose when Rick almost slammed the door shut in my face.
"Deanna's injured...." He pushed me towards the stairs.
I slung her arm around my shoulders. Started dragging her upwards, gently as I can.
"Go up and protect the children, leave me here. That's an order, dear!"
Her grey and sweaty face flopped against my neck.
"Deanna? My Mum tried raising me to be polite and respectful. But as you're well aware she made a right old pig's ear of that, huh? So, please excuse me when I say to you...."
First landing now only eight more steps to go.
"....fuck that order crap Congresswoman Monroe. We all know I can barely listen to suggestions, let alone follow...."
I kicked open a door and lay her down gently on what must be Ron's bed.
Don't think it's loss of blood and light-headedness....making her eyes roll at me?
*
Less than a minute later I cinched a tourniquet on her thigh and it gradually stopped the flow. Only the bedspread seems to be bloodying even more under her ribs?
Gently lifting her shirt, I heard Mich's horrified gasp blow in from the doorway. When I bent over further to look, just as Deanna did? We both saw why.
"Well....shit! " She lay her head back on the pillows, pulling the material down to cover up the savage teeth marks once more.
"Language, young lady" I parroted Carol without even thinking and she barked out a laugh.
While Michonne took off to tell Rick, I fussed around and made Deanna as comfortable as possible. Trying desperately to dam the flood filling my eyes.
Didn't stop her from clutching my hand though, drawing me down until I knelt beside her.
"I think the thing....things I'll miss the most? Are what comes out of your mouth, Mrs Dixon. So, instead of an order how about you grant an old lady a dying wish?"
"Don't change. Please don't you ever change that or anything else, my dearest Nate."
"I'm pretty sure Daryl will tell you, Deanna. I'm already way beyond redemption for that" Leaning over, I kissed her hot forehead then a flushed cheek.
"You're going to be a damn fine leader one day, young lady. Because your ass is already awesome. Isn't that right, Michonne?" I shook my head with a little smile, stood up and left them to their farewells.
"Nate dear?"
"Regrette rien....la vie est trop courte. Vivre....rire....amour....regrette rien."
"Je vais, je promets" I whispered, blowing her a kiss.
Turned away quickly so she won't see me cry.
😢
*
"I know you've got your doubts, but this'll work....honestly. You just have to walk slowly, stumble rather and stay quiet."
Tried to keep my voice calm and steady. Except I'm still hitching out a silent sob every now and then.
Took a brief glance around at the appalled faces surrounding us. Poor Sammy, he looks almost paralysed with fear.
Rick, Carl, Mich and I delved our hands into the sliced-open abdomens of the walkers. Began smearing their innards over Jessie's sheets that'll cover our bodies.
We've got no choice now.
The whole ground floor of her house is overrun. The couch blocking the staircase will only hold out for another five minutes or so.
Two....as it turned out.
Juju stayed quiet when Carl tucked her under his stinking cape. In single file, we jostled our way through and made it to the porch. Stood for a moment to settle some nerves, while even more walkers streamed into the house.
Closing my eyes briefly, I remember laying in the field at the prison. Whispering to Daryl that I love him.
Did the same again. Only this time? I didn't faint.
Instead, I jumped at the sound of a gunshot. Deanna is gone....or so I thought.
There's a volley of shots now and I listen to her screams of rage. She's decided to go out fighting.
Doubt I'll ever be that brave....
DARYL
I dunno who was more dumbstruck?
Sasha and Abraham? When they looked out the window of the building they're holed up in. Seein my ugly mug behind the wheel of a fuel truck.
Or me. When Abraham stepped out the door wearing....a dress uniform?
Yep....definitely me....
Found the truck hidden in some undergrowth near where them bastards stole my bike. Must've been the one they used to get the blaze going. Was a wonder it didn't go up as well.
Keys were in the usual spot, tucked underneath the sun visor. And she started first go. Took it slow as I dared, heading back towards the little town where we got separated.
But now I'm here, I can't help but get impatient.
"Move yer ass, pretty boy-Blue" I growled at Abraham as he stashed a couple of large cases around the rear of the tanker.
I gave them a shove and thumbed at him to climb aboard. Sasha's already sitting in the middle of the bench seat in the truck cab.
"You might want to take it easy with those, pal. Considering what's in them....and where they're currently residing?"
To make his point, he knocked on the tank.
"Just get yer fancy-pants ass in there will yer....ain't a fuckin invitation!"
Home is still an hour away and we've already been gone for nearly thirty-five more. If whatever went down back in Alexandria is done and everyone's safe? Nate will be going out of her mind with worry by now.
I know I already am. Have been since the moment that rig fell off the cliff, back at the quarry.
*
All is quiet and I'm working hard to concentrate on the road ahead. Am used to having a clearer range of vision on my bike.
Plus my eyes keep tryin to shut themselves in exhaustion.
Sasha pulled out a warm can of soda from her satchel and popped it. Was just passin it back to her when she nudged me.
"Daryl!"
"Yeah....I see em."
"What in the holy shit?" Abraham whipped his eyes back to the road.
Parked in the middle of the asphalt are bikes, some real nice sets of wheels. On them are dudes who look anything but nice.
They also look like they've just been sittin here waiting for us. I stopped about ten yards away and the air brakes hissed.
"Why don't you come on out? Join us in the road" The guy front and centre beckoned to us.
As if he's having a picnic and we're his invited guests.
Except his next words put paid to that. Basically told us he's gonna scrag our asses if we don't comply.
"Now, step two....hand over your weapons."
Had myself another glance around, They're already heavy on the armoury.
"Why should we?" I growled back.
"Well....they're not yours. Your weapons, the truck, the fuel...." Little shit thinks he's a comedian, kept goin on and on and on.
"None of these things are yours anymore."
"Whose are they?" Sasha sneered back at him.
"Your property belongs to Negan. Now if you can get your hands on a fuel tanker? Then you're the kind of people our person wants to know."
If looks could kill? That little shit would be a walker by now. Especially when he gave me a shmaltzy "Thank you" after taking my gun. Soon we were all disarmed.
"Who are you?"
"You have questions" He answered Sasha.
"But we'll be the ones asking them, and you'll be answering. We'll also be following you home....take a look at where you all hang your hats."
"First thing though....your shit. There's more. There's always more...."
*
This big, solid concrete wall of a fucker shoved me around the back of the tanker. With orders to start searching. He thought his size is enough to intimidate me, going by the way he kept the auto loose in his hands.
'Dumb prick'....or so I thought. Once we reached the back of the truck and he gave me another hard push.
That's when I whipped the hunting knife out, from where I'd tucked it in the waistband of my jeans. I spun around and plunged it into his throat, plantin a hand over his mouth to quieten the gurgles.
In return, he shoved his knife into my back.
Ok....didn't see that one comin....
Choked down my hiss of pain as it went in an inch or so. Struck a rib before his hand dropped and so did the rest of him. Kept hold and lowered him down soundlessly.
Stood there for a little, getting my breathing back under control. Can hear em out front....with Sasha giving some lip.
That's when I saw them big cases Abraham had stashed away. I opened one of them quietly.
BOOYAH!
My eyes nearly bugged out of my head. Recognised them instantly.
Then I gave silent thanks to Nate. Who taught me how to load up the one she brought to the prison with her....from Atlanta.
Tucked it into my shoulder and crept back around the side of the truck.
"I'm not gonna kill you" The little thug said as if everything is a big joke.
He has both pistols pointed directly at Sash and Blue.
"Wait....wait....you know what? Yes I am."
Nah! Don't fuckin think so.
The recoil nearly landed me on my ass. Shook my head like Wyle E. Coyote as the explosion thumped its way through my body.
"Hot damn....that was fun " I whispered.
Squinting down at the smoking RPG in my hands before stumbling around to the front of the truck.
Bits of bike and bodies rained down around me as Sasha and Abraham staggered to their feet. The blast had almost knocked em clean outta their boots.
"Son of a bitch was tougher than he looked."
"Did he cut you?" Sasha pressed some cloth on my back to stem the bleeding.
"A little. What a bunch of assholes" I grunted out.
"Let's get you fixed up at home."
"Yes Ma'am!"
Dictionary
Regrette rien (French) - Regret nothing
La vie est trop courte (French) - Life is too short
Vivre, rire, amour (French) - Live, laugh, love
Je vais, je promets (French) - I will, I promise