» Time Is Dancing « | » Carl Grimes «

» MERCY PT.2 «

The Storm Inside Me

"We shoot out the windows, and then the RV drives right through the gate. With the walkers surrounding them, they'll be trapped." Maggie and Jesus discussed the plan in the back of the car and I couldn't help eavesdropping, my gaze flitting to the mirror with curiosity.

"Eyes on the road." Enid raised her eyebrows as she scolded me, jerking her head towards the windshield. She knew she was a better driver than me and she liked to make that very clear with every opportunity she could get.

"I've never been to the Sanctuary before." I mumbled thoughtfully. I wondered briefly if that's why Daryl didn't want to come today. Perhaps he had too many bad memories of this place.

I grimaced with disgust when the collection of vehicles pulled up outside, taking in the dull gray walls reaching up into the sky. It wasn't as nice as the Hilltop or Alexandria, or even the Kingdom. I couldn't imagine living here.

I attempted a strategic park by the chain link fence, causing the metal shield to scrape against it and sparks to fly in every direction. I apologetically glanced at Enid before hopping out, gun in hand.

I peered through the hole in the steel sheet, seeing the courtyard empty of people. It wouldn't be that way for long. My heart jumped when a sudden hand was placed on my shoulder, settling once again when I realised it was only Rick. He gave me a reassuring nod as I stood by Maggie, returning the gesture with a small smirk. This was it.

There was a series of prepared clicks as the whole group raised their guns in the air, fingers itching around triggers as we waited for the signal.

Maggie brought her arm down in a quick sweep and I let three bullets fly in sync with the multitude of others, shots echoing in the silence. There was no way they could ignore that.

I held my breath as my feet shuffled, waiting for the inevitable creak of the door and the boastful, bellowing voice of-

"Well, shit." My teeth dug into the side of my cheek when Negan announced his presence, squinting through the crack in the shield. I recognised Simon behind him, followed by Dwight and a woman I hadn't seen before. She looked dangerous, with her sharp eyes and down turned lips, hands resting casually in her pockets. She looked like she belonged here.

An unfamiliar man stepped through the door and my breath caught in my throat at the next figure. I had to hold back my frustration when Eugene Porter nervously stood in line, his hands tangled in front of him in a fidgety stance.

"Rick, what the hell can I do for you?" Negan grinned maliciously, his infamous bat swinging in his fist.

Rick kept his expression focused as he started pointing through the shields. "Dwight. Your name's Simon. You're Gavin. And you..." He pointed at the woman.

"Regina." I scoffed at her introduction. Her name was somehow fitting.

Eugene stuttered. "Rick, I'd feel remiss if-"

"No." Rick cut him off forcefully. "I know who you are...Listen, you five, the Saviors inside, all of you have a chance to survive here. To survive this. You all can live, if you surrender. Can't guarantee it any time but now."

Part of me didn't want them to surrender. These people were evil, they were the worst kinds of villains you could come across in this world. So why did they get to live?

Why would we give them a chance when they didn't give Denise a chance, or Olivia or Abraham? How could I let them live after what they did to Glenn?

"So, they surrender and you and your little piss patrol doesn't kill them. That sounds like a good deal!" Negan mocked. He leaned against the yellow bar, meeting Rick's eyes directly. "What about me, Rick?"

"I told you. Twice."

I'm gonna kill you. Not today, not tomorrow...but I'm gonna kill you.

"Let me ask you something, Rick - Do you think you have the numbers for this fight?" Negan taunted. His eyes glanced backwards when Simon reached inside the door, his hand grabbing someone by the arm and dragging them out.

I bit my tongue as hard as possible when Gregory looked up at our army, my blood boiling from somewhere deep.

"The Hilltop stands with Negan and the Saviors." Gregory announced, his hands resting on his hips with a strange authority. An authority he no longer had.

Maggie and Jesus shared a determined look, one that said they would not stand down. It spread like a wave through the residents of Hilltop, each of their expressions matching the brave one set by Maggie.

"Doesn't look like anyone's going, does it?" Maggie called back triumphantly, a proud smile on her face that I couldn't help but mimic. She had done it. This was all because of her.

Gregory hesitantly replied. "The Hilltop stands with-"

"The Hilltop stands with Maggie!" Jesus interrupted him, a surge of energy rushing through me as I tightened my grip on my gun.

My skin was prickling with nerves and excitement, but mostly nerves. My knees rattled slightly where I stood, my weight shifting between each foot with impatience. It was like I could sense the battle waiting to happen.

"You're gonna make me count?" Rick asked Negan with raised eyebrows. He breathed out a chuckle as he readied his weapon. "Okay, I'm counting."

"Ten!"

Enid caught my attention, a subtle nod of reassurance coming for her direction.

"Nine!"

I bit my lip as my finger brushed the trigger, my eyes peering down the barrel.

"Eight!"

I brought the weapon up to my face, both hands holding it steady as I found my target.

"Seven!"

Rick never got to six as he let his bullets fire, everyone else following suit. Negan and the Saviors ran through the door for cover as glass rained down on them, the windows above smashing with a hundred tiny holes.

The noise was deafening but comforting at the same time. This was the sound of the plan actually working.

"Now!" Maggie yelled and I jumped into the drivers seat, twisting the key urgently as my hand pressed down on the horn. I didn't let it go until Maggie got in, Enid and Jesus following quickly.

"Go, go, go!" Jesus shouted and I stepped a foot down on the gas, the car jerking forward as it took off home. I could see the first walkers trickling into the Sanctuary, alerted by all the noise. Soon enough, it would be surrounded completely.

I let out a whoop of excitement as we fled, the tense atmosphere dissipating as soon as we were gone.

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"Did you know Gregory left?" I wondered as I leaned against the desk, my question directed at Jesus. He slumped into a chair as his hand ran over his face.

"I should've guessed that's where he went." He replied, his eyebrows drawn with stress.

I let out a frustrated sigh, my arms folding over my chest. Maggie sat at the desk, her hands clamped together as she thought deeply, distanced from the conversation.

"I swear to god. If he comes back here, if I see him again, I'm gonna-" I groaned, her attention flicking to me. Gregory was one of those people I couldn't contain my aggravation around. Even the mention of his name made my eyes roll. We were done giving him chance after chance. "I'll kill him."

Maggie frowned as she stood up. "You don't need to. We have the Hilltop on our side now, he's got no power here."

"Your side." Jesus corrected, making me nod in agreement.

"They're following you Maggie. This is your place now." I confirmed, a sense of pride welling inside. Everything she did here was for Glenn, to make his memory an honourable one. I knew it because that's why I did it, too.

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Currently writing episode 8 :')