» Time Is Dancing « | » Carl Grimes «

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Tears Like The River, Rushing And Overwhelming

"You don't have to come with me." Maggie told me as she swung a leg over her horse, dropping to the ground. "I won't be long."

I shrugged as we walked through the gate, a tight smile on my lips. "You do what you need to do, and I'll do what I need to do."

And with that we went our separate ways, Maggie heading in the direction of the cells and me in the direction of the graveyard. My heartbeat sped up at the thought of the brittle wooden cross in the ground, the organised pebbles in the blades of grass.

"Bee!" I almost started crying right then and there at the childish voice that called for me, pure joy spreading through my veins. I turned to see Judith on the steps of her house, her arms stretched as if to ask for a hug. I wasted no time in giving it to her, lifting her up so she could embrace my shoulders. Her legs wrapped around my waist as she settled on my hip, her face buried in my hair.

"Oh, I missed you so much." I mumbled, dropping her back to her feet. She looked so grown up, at least more than she was the last time I saw her. I hadn't been counting the months but it was a while ago. Her tiny hand found mine as she pulled me the way I was going, taking me to the destination I was dreading. She seemed to know the way.

The white stones looked clean, polished, in perfect order as I kneeled next to them. Grass had grown over the earth but I could still see the outline of the grave that held him.

Judith fumbled for the hat on my head, fingers clenching around the fabric. "It was his. He gave it to me so I could give it to Heather." I told her. It was far too big for her yet, and I hated the idea of it sitting in a drawer collecting dust.

Judith smiled at the mention of my daughter, small mumbles escaping her lips. My teary eyes crinkled as I grinned, but there was an air of sorrow around us. "I'll bring her here when she's a bit more grown up, like you. You're gonna love her, I know it. And we can sit here, just the four of us." My voice was quiet, tinged with guilt. Maybe I was a bad mother for never letting her come to Alexandria, not even to visit her family. This was meant to be her home, after all.

I wiped my tears at the footsteps behind me, turning to see a sympathetic Maggie and Michonne. The crowbar appeared unused, clean of blood, and I knew she made the right decision. I was proud of her.

"Michonne, something's up at the camp." It was Scott, his eyes concerned and a walkie clenched in his hand.

I shook off the emotional atmosphere as we raced to the horses, hopping onto my saddle and taking off down the road.

"Here!" Michonne yelled in a panic, stopping her horse and getting to her feet. We slowed next to the already present collection of animals, seemingly here for the same reason. I sliced my way through the thick leaves, pushing them aside as we joined another group. Daryl led them with his crossbow, his eyes set in pure determination as we came across a slight clearing.

The sight alone made my lips tremble, Rick Grimes standing on the bridge with a red patch of blood soaking his shirt. It was a wonder he was still walking with an injury of that size. A herd of walkers stumbled over the wooden boards, feet catching but still moving towards the man.

"What is he doing?" Maggie asked, her voice raised in fear. We were too far away to get to him.

The herd was on its way to Hilltop, Rick knew that. But his plan to bring down the bridge wasn't working as well as he hoped as the dead bodies continued forward.

"We turn them around, fight them back." I followed Maggie in a daze, my feet taking me without my permission. My arms felt heavy as I raised my sword, running through the bushes. They whipped my cheeks and legs but I ignored it, the light stinging too far away for me to notice.

It was like my body already knew what was going to happen, the shock and loss setting in even before the bridge exploded in a mess of fire and scorched wood. But it didn't make it any easier as Michonne leaned against Maggie, seeking support for her overwhelming sobs.

It was there again. The feeling of loneliness and pain, digging into my heart and spreading through my veins. It made my legs weak, the feeling of grass brushing my knees as I fell bringing me back.

My face was hot, tears mingling with the blood of a hundred tiny cuts. Hotter than the fire engulfing the bridge, hotter than the blood that pumped from my heart at a hundred miles a minute.

My fingers shakily reached up, gripping the hat on my head with a weak force as I lowered it to my gaze. They skimmed the area where there used to be a badge, a Sheriff's badge, golden and shiny. I could almost see it glinting in the sun. But it was gone, just like Rick Grimes himself.

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RIP Rick (but not really, you know what's up.)

I JUST MISS HIM SO MUCH

Good news though, the story really picks up from here imo

Q:Who's going to watch TWD movies when they come out?
A: Of course I am. I've accepted that they probably won't be as good as the show, and I don't mind that. I just want to be able to say I finished the full story (which is why I read the comics and watched FTWD and TWD: World Beyond. I'll also be watching any other spin offs and playing the game because it's a world that I love and I don't want it to be over)