The Perfect Family

Again?

*Above is a woman who resembles Angie.

Negan was struggling to keep himself up as he held his unconscious sibling in his arms. The only way he knew she was alive was the steady rise and fall of her chest. He made sure to check every once in awhile.

A loud snap had come from the right of him and he halted. His heart rate quickened as he gently laid his sister down, prepared to fight off whatever was following them. A young woman stepped out behind a tree. Her dark brown eyes swirled with excitement as she looked from Negan to Tegan.

"I'm not going to hurt you," she said, cautiously. Negan didn't say a word. He didn't trust her. With Tegan down for the count everything was up to him.

"She bit?" The woman's soft voice spoke.

"No," Negan grunted out. His jaw clenched as the woman stepped closer to look around him.

"Whats wrong with her?" She asked, perking up a curious brow.

"She broke an ankle," Negan grinded out. He hated telling this woman that his sister had a weakness, but it wasn't like she was awake to fake that she was okay.

"Damn, maybe I can help," the woman said, staring down at Tegan. Negan took in the woman's appearance. She looked a little too clean to be a Whisperer, but not clean enough to have a place like theirs.

"We have a doctor. I just need to get her home, so if you'll excuse us," Negan said, taking a step back. Tegan stirred and her eyes started to flutter open. The pain consumed her thoughts as she let out a whimper, hurting her big brothers hurt.

"Negan," she whispered, looking at him then the woman. She tried to get to her feet, but could barely lift her head.

"Stay down, sis. Its alright," Negan tried to comfort her, not removing his gaze from the mystery woman.

"I'm afraid, I can't let you go," the woman sighed, looking at her feet. That's when more started coming out from behind the trees. All with the walker masks on. "Alpha would be disappointed in me if I tracked you this far then let you go." A sinister smile grew the small woman's face.

"Again?" Negan groaned seeing all the whisperers.

"Well done," Betas voice spoke over them. Negan slowly closed his eyes and let out a small groan before turning to face the man. Tegan had finally made it to her wobbling feet and grabbed hold of Negan to steady herself.

"Thank you," the woman bowed her head to her second in command.

"Alpha is going to happy with this," Beta chuckled, grabbing Negans arm and twisting it behind his back.

"Hey!" Tegan shouted, swinging her fist right into Betas face. Beta flinched as blood dripped slowly from his nose.

"Bitch," he growled at the already hurt woman. He swung back and Tegan fell to the ground. Unconscious once again.

"Tegan!" Negan shouted down at his unmoving sister. He tried to fight from the giant mans hands but he couldn't. He was too weak.

A man came around and started carrying Tegan the way Negan had been doing not all that long ago. Negan cursed himself for not being faster, for not being smarter. He should've done more.

They were brought not to far away from where they just were in the woods. Whisperers littered the woods, all different kinds of masks on. Alpha stood near a fire, looking down at it. The flames looked to be engulfing her and Negan wanted nothing more than to shove her into the burning pit and watch her melt.

"Stryker," Tegan mumbled, starting to wake up again. Her voice drew the attention of Alpha. Those sharp beady eyes stared at Tegan with distaste.

"Where are the others?" Alpha asked, turning to the woman from earlier.

"I am still searching," the woman said, bowing her head.

"Go," Alpha ordered. "In the mean time, tie him up. We'll let him starve to death to become one of the undead. She'll die before then. The fever alone may kill her." Negan glanced at his delirious sister whos face was beat red.

"Daryl," Tegan groaned through clenched teeth. She was now going through the state of delirium. Her body was fighting through the pain and it was losing. She was strong, but not strong enough.

"Tegan, Stryker needs you!" Negan shouted to his sister to try and put a little umph in her to wake up. Tegan mumbled incoherently, but soon was still again.

"Gag him," Alpha said with a nod towards Negan. He tried to shake his head to get the large hands away from his face to no avail. He grunted as the gross cloth was shoved in his mouth, threatening to go down his throat.

Daryl and the others were already almost back to Alexandria. Daryl had a sliver of hope that maybe Tegan beat them back there. She'd run up to him with open arms and kiss him with her warm, soft, plump lips. Stryker had similar thoughts. Her mother would be waiting at the gate. So excited to see her family shed start shedding some small tears before straightening herself up and placing Stryker on her hip to carry her home.

Unfortunately for the pair their hopes were crushed. Pulling open the gate was a crestfallen Eugene. (I can't remember all who went with them to the Kingdom so if he was supposed to be in there group right now, no he's not. Thanks.)

"Where's-" he started, but was cut off by Rick who gave him a stern look. Eugene hung his head and nodded.

"Tomorrow at first light if they aren't back by then I'm going out to look for them," Daryl stated. There was no room for argument in his tone. He was dead set on going and no one would stop him.

"Me too," Stryker small, but strong voice said. Angie and Daryl looked down at the girl in Daryls arms.

"No, you are staying with Aunt Angie and the twins. Your mother would kill me if I took you out with me again," Daryl said, lightly. The small child dropped her shoulders and looked at the buttons on her dads button up shirt.

"Daddy," Stryker whispered. The screeching of the gate against the ground almost completely drowning out her voice.

"What sweetie?" Daryl asked looking at the mini Tegan in his arms.

"Do you think mama is dead?" She asked, not able to bring her eyes to his. Daryls jaw clenched. His teeth grinded. Angie's eyes softened as the twins looked up at her. They may be home, but it felt empty without the other two.

"Your mother is the strongest woman I know. She will fight with everything she has to see you again," Daryl stated with conviction.

"Daryl!" Rick called to his right hand. Daryl nodded towards him, before placing Stryker next to Angie.

"Daddy will be right back darling," Daryl said, ruffling her hair. She giggled at her fathers touch.

"Is there anyway I can talk you into waiting?" Rick asked, eyes filled with worry.

"No chance," Daryl shook his head. His voice even gruffer than normal. Rick slowly nodded and glanced at Angie and the kids.

"Are you going by yourself?" He asked, turning his attention back to Daryl.

"Its easier that way," Daryl responded. Rick only nodded again.

"I wish you would wait. If the whisperers show up here we'll need you," Rick sighed, running his hand through his graying curls.

"I can't leave her out there. You know I can't," Daryl said, grinding his teeth. Ricks shoulders drooped.

"Alright. When are you leaving?" He asked his friend.

"First thing in the morning," Daryl said.

"Please be careful, brother," Rick said, placing a hand on Daryls shoulder. Daryl remained quieted, but nodded as he chewed on his bottom lip.

"Promise me, if anything happens you'll protect her," Daryl whispered to him. Rick glanced at the children again.

"I'll protect them all as if they were my own," Rick nodded. Daryl pulled Rick into a hug as a thank you.

Now to wait until for sunrise.