𝐍𝐄𝐅𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐎𝐔𝐒 | daryl dixon

- 𝟏𝟎𝟖

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     DARYL WAS forced to get rosaline away from carl at that point. she was only suffering watching him and it was making him feel horrible. her pain was only making him hurt inside too. he loved carl as much as anyone else did, he was like his nephew.

     the girl chose not to open her letter as carl instructed her to only open it when he's gone. her cries only settle down when the exhaustion set in, pushing her to sleep.

     rosaline awoke again there were several people shuffling beside her. daryl was holding judith up in his arms, shielding her. when she shot up, a hand held her down. rosita.

     "he's still there," she assured, passing her some water.

     nodding, the girl took a quick sip before giving her the bottle back. daryl had gone up to the surface for a moment to see if the saviors had let up with the explosions and went home.

     the young woman stood up and made her way over to michonne who was leaning over the small cot that carl was laying in. his hand reached out, grabbing hers. rhaegar had crawled his way to them, ears flat down on his back as he sensed everyone's mood.

     tears threatened to spill out her eyes again. carl opened his mouth, letting out a ragged breath, "rose. negan... he could listen to you. he saved you once, didn't... he?"

     michonne threw a look at her but she nodded. they had no idea about that, "he did."

     "make them stop fighting. please... it wasn't meant to be this way. you too, michonne." he pleaded weakly. this was his will. he just wanted all the fighting to stop. a war that had taken too many people already.

     rhaegar laid his head on carl's lap whining. the teenager let out a few chuckles which were interrupted by his coughing. even if he was dying, he was still laughing. in the background, rick and michonne were weighing out the option of transporting carl - he wasn't going to make it though.

     when daryl came back down, it was clear they could escape to the hilltop.

     rick was concerned about judith.

     "i'll take her. i'll get her there - keep her safe. rosaline too." the marksman insisted.

     rosaline looked to him, "i can stay."

     rick shook his head, "no, rose. you shouldn't see that. he is your brother, and he was ever since lori took you in. i can't let you see this. i want you to remember him happy, not dying here."

      she knew he was right. if rosaline was to stay and watch carl die, it would destroy her. solemnly, rosa dipped her head, rising to her feet with the help of daryl. rick gave her judith.

     "let me say goodbye." carl piped up from the ground. michonne propped him up whilst rosa came eye-to-eye with him, judith resting on her hip looking at him, "you be good, okay? for michonne, rosaline and for dad. you gotta honor him. listen when he tells you stuff. you don't have to always. sometimes, kids got to show their parents the way."