» Time Is Dancing « | » Carl Grimes «

» THE LOST AND THE PLUNDERERS «

Revenge Is A Dish Best Served To The Dogs

I didn't get very far behind the wheel as I noticed distant headlights blocking my way. I wasn't sure if it was Saviors or not, but I couldn't take the chance. My only choice was to go on foot from now on.

I was also starting to regret my spontaneous decision to go to Hilltop, seeing as I didn't pack any food or water for the journey. All I had was my sword, my knife and the empty gun that rattled against my holster every time I took a step.

The only thing that kept me going was the urgency behind my mission. What if I didn't make it in time and the Saviors had already wiped out the entire colony? Each time that thought passed through my brain, my footfalls quickened in pace.

It was an easy trek through the woods, my sword swishing in front of me as I cut down vines and branches in my path. The early morning sun was shining between the leaves like a sprinkling of glitter, the golden hue washing my face with a comfortable light. I must've been walking all night.

The familiar wooden pillars of the Hilltop walls sprang into view, standing tall and undefeated. I took a deep, relieving breath as I ran towards the gates, watching them swing open the moment I approached. Maybe Kal was starting to recognise me.

It was extremely early and a lot of residents were still sleeping but I knew I could rely on Maggie to be one of the few up and about. The first thing I did was collapse into her arms, my legs becoming weak after the exhausting journey. I was so damn tired, not to mention dehydrated and starving.

I kneeled on the ground, catching my breath as Maggie handed me a water bottle with a concerned expression.

"Belle, what are you doing here?" She was glad to see me but she sensed I wasn't here under good circumstances.

I gulped down the water, wiping a hand over my damp lips as I met her eyes. "Alexandria's gone. The Saviors are out." I gasped, blinking harshly to wake myself up.

"I know." Her tone had a hint of regret, her lips tugging into a frown as she sat beside me in the dirt. "We ran into them last night."

Her words were sad and I didn't want to press the subject, instead swapping the atmosphere for something lighter. "Carl's probably on his way right now with the others. Once they're here, we can make a plan. We can end this."

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"Henry?" My eyebrows furrowed in surprise when I noticed the boy sitting in the grass, armour plates strapped to his chest and the wooden staff resting beside him. The last time we met was at the Kingdom during his training lesson.

He didn't say anything as I lowered myself to the ground next to him, the grass tickling my ankles as I crossed my legs. His eyes were firmly set on the Savior prisoners, who had now been confined to a makeshift jail, barbed wire stretched over thick, sturdy poles. It would do for now.

"What's up with you?" I nudged him with my elbow, worried by his silence. He only narrowed his eyes, his fingers curling around the staff.

"One of those Saviors killed my brother." He muttered sourly, his lips barely moving. My eyes stung but I blinked it away, my lips forming a sorrowful expression.

'Ben is dead?'

Maybe that's why I didn't see him in the crowd of Kingdomers during the battle. Maybe that's what encouraged Ezekiel to fight with us.

I bit my lip hard, trying to suppress the grief. I barely knew him, but somehow I was still feeling this loss. Through our infrequent conversations, it felt like we could've been close. He was one of the few people I didn't hesitate to introduce myself to.

I shook the thoughts away, turning to Henry instead. "I'm sorry about your brother." I offered quietly, shuffling closer to his side. I could almost feel the heat radiating off him, like anger was running through his veins in the place of blood.

I glanced up at the prisoners, seeing the familiar blonde haired man and a few others. "You wanna kill them?" I wondered, my voice low.

"Yes." The blunt tone he gave me caused a sigh to escape my lips, my eyes filling with a genuine fear for him. He was just a kid, I didn't want him to turn into something horrible.

"It's a good thing that you wanna fight for your brother, it is. But killing them would be for revenge, and that's not good." I started, my teeth grazing my bottom lip. "Saviors killed my brother, too. And I get how you feel. I wanted them all dead, I wanted to kill them myself and I wanted to watch it happen."

He finally moved, his head turning slightly to face me. I placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, trying to will as much comfort as I could into the small gesture. "Killing the Saviors, it's not something you should want to do. You should do it to protect what you have left, right? To keep the rest of your family safe?"

His expression remained mostly blank but I could see a small gleam in his eyes. I just hoped he would think about it for a while and realise I was right.

I pat his shoulder quickly, getting to my feet and wandering over to the jail. I squinted through the sea of people, spotting a familiar face with dried blood coating his forehead.

Gregory sat against a wooden beam, his hand wiping at his head furiously. A small patch of purple and blue blossomed across his jaw from when I hit him, the area standing out painfully. I held back a snicker, finally feeling like he was getting what he deserved.

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Honestly I'm really excited to start season 9