» Time Is Dancing « | » Carl Grimes «

» MORNING STAR PT.2 «

Love Is A Battlefield

"We can put the archers in the back here, then hide more up on the wall." I dragged a finger across the blueprint of Hilltop, glancing up to check Yumiko's expression. She seemed to be deep in thought, her head nodding subtly as she considered the plan. "With the fence holding the horde back, we can take 'em out close range."

There was sudden frown on her face, one filled with deep concern. "It sounds too easy. They must have some kind of play that we don't know about." She shook her head, her fingers running through her hair in a swift motion.

"We planned for that, right? Retreat back into the walls and let the catapults take out the rest. It's a lot of damage but it's better than the alternative." I sighed, scrunching up the paper and shoving it into the nearest drawer.

Yumiko turned to face me, her eyes wide with apprehension. "Which is?" She pushed, her voice full of worry.

My mouth hung open in hesitation, my fingers lacing together with discomfort. "The horde gets in and we all die." I smiled, but the gesture was filled with awkwardness and fear.

"Great!" Yumiko replied sarcastically as she filed more arrows into her quiver. I watched as she twanged the bow string, testing the strength before tucking it under her shoulder. "You ever used one?"

I raised my eyebrows in question before realising she was talking about her bow. "Uh, yeah, a couple times. They're good for hunting, but I prefer my sword." I answered, ducking my head under the strap and tightening it across my chest. I wasn't sure there would ever be another weapon out there I could become so used to. By this point, my blade felt like an extension of myself, almost a personality trait I adopted for this world. I only learned how to use a bow for emergencies, figuring the time would come sooner or later.

"Mom!" A wave of confusion passed through me at the sound of Heather's voice, her gentle footfalls coming closer until she finally rounded the corner.

She looked up at me with sad eyes, her hand slipping into my own for comfort. "What-" I started, but the tug on my hand interrupted me as she dragged me outside.

Children and parents jumped out of the wagon, many of them sharing the same expression of horror as they retreated towards the house.

"She blocked all the roads." Daryl explained when he saw me, a small, worried group gathering as he addressed them. "Means they're closing in on us."

Kelly stepped forward, her eyebrows drawn with fear. "But we can't stay here. You all said we can't stay here." She reminded us, turning to the group.

"We-we can call Alexandria, right?" Luke suggested desperately, his arms waving to emphasise his point.

"They won't get here on time." I shook my head in defeat, but the determination kept my voice steady. "It's up to us to defend this place, to protect our people. Come on, we got the catapults, we got a damn army. There's no way we can lose this because we don't have a choice."

I couldn't let this community go, so much of my life happened here. My daughter was born here, my family were buried here, I led this place, for God's sake.

"Alpha is coming with the horde so we gotta do everything we can to protect it." I hoped my words were encouraging for them, because it was certainly encouraging me. This was a fight I had been waiting for for a long time, and now it was right on our doorstep. "The Whisperers ain't got a clue what's coming for them."

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I could feel the buzz of anticipation in the chilled air as we finally prepared for the coming battle. It was all around me- in the steel of the hand forged weapons, in the focused stares of the people around me, in the swaying trees casting shadows from the moonlight. Everyone was ready, myself included.