War on the Body [1]

[27] The dethronment

"Look alive, we got walkers surrounding us! Take them down with no guns, if too many get on your front, move back. If you are blocked from the back, think smarter" Paige said as she showed her small group how to take down a small horde, they were currently on top of a building with her alone on the ground. As she was surrounded by five walkers on her left, right and front sides. She held her knife out, taking the closest one out, before moving to the next, at that time the remaining three pushed in blocking her. She took her knife and killed the one in front before she used it's body as a shield, killing the next two almost effortlessly. Her group now looked up to her, Heath wasn't bothered by his dethroning as he believed Paige was smarter and more equipped to lead the small group of runners.

Paige walked away from the walkers, taking in her surroundings to ensure she hadn't attracted more with her yelling. The others had came down from the building as quietly as they could, soon gathering around the woman.

"That was awesome, also kind of terrifying" Annie said

"Trust me, it's still scary for me. I just try to not think about it, you will all be able to do this soon. As long as you believe you can and try not to freeze, then it becomes scary for all of us"

Scott had nodded, leading the group back to the car. Paige in her usual seat behind Annie and Heath next to her.

"Where to now?" Paige asked, not sure where they were planning on going

"We got what we came for, now we go home. We are going to take a different route, try to see what we can find" Scott said

Paige nodded her head, more than ready to see Alexandria again.

As Paige was off with her small group of runners, Alexandria had opened it's gates to more survivors. A redneck, a sheriff, a katana wielding woman and a small child, among those.

Deanna had allowed them to call Alexandria their home. Wanting to build their community even more, which all started by bringing more people in. Aaron and Eric had returned home, Eric injured and wanting nothing more than their roommate to be home so she could help him. But they had settled for Pete, the town's doctor. Aaron had invited Daryl to join the couple for dinner, not thinking about the pair of pink sandals that would raise questions. When Daryl sat at the table and messily slurped his spaghetti down and chugged his wine, Aaron and Eric attempted to make small talk with him. He had grunted or uttered few words in response, before he decided to ask his own question.

"I saw pink shoes over there, who's are they?"

Eric smiled at the thought of the dark haired girl, who had managed to crawl into both of their hearts.

Aaron answered the rugged man, " Our roommates, she isn't her right now but she should return in a week or so"

Daryl nodded his head and finished his dinner, not knowing that the girl they had just spoke of was the one he would never admit he loved. The whole group had tried to refrain from talk of the brilliant young woman. Only knowing it would cause pain in those closest to her. He tried to forget the woman, knowing it was very unlikely he would ever see her again, but he couldn't no matter how hard he tried.

The group new to Alexandria struggled to adjust to their new life, some thinking of the horrors of Terminus, others thinking of their lost, and some wanting to believe this was real. They had grown so close over the past month of being without a home, that they hadn't dared to even separate for the night. The large group had made beds upon the floor, cuddling near their loved ones in hope of the tiniest bit of comfort. They found it even if it was just for one night, and everything had been almost perfect until Rick had exploded. Pete had fallen victim to Rick's cruel temper, leaving him with cuts and bruises littered across his face and finally a gun pointed at his head. Michonne had knocked Rick out, not wanting him to ruin the chance of happiness for his children and group. They had become a family, they had lost family and gained a few more members.

Deanna was appalled by Rick's behavior and the rest of the town was scared. She had made a decision to gather the whole town for a meeting, to decide if Rick should stay or leave. The meeting was held at dark, many arguing in defense of the man and others opposed to him. Pete, not wanting to hear the good of the man that had caught the eye of his wife and kicked his ass, stormed into the meeting in blinding rage. Everyone had become scared of the unhinged man with a sword, except for Deanna's husband, Reg. He had attempted to calm the man and in return had become one with the pavement, his blood painting the streets a dark crimson red.

Deanna saddened and angry by the act, had ordered Rick to kill Pete. Shocking everyone but mainly, the three people that stood behind him. Daryl, Aaron and newcomer Morgan, not able to comprehend the actions of Rick stood frozen at the site.

"Rick?" Morgan spoke, the man who had saved Rick's life in the beginning of the end had not believed he was the same man from before. But Daryl, who had endured the same terrors as the man wasn't nearly as shocked. Aaron, who had known Pete for a long time had not been able to look away from the man who had slain him.

Ron, the boy who had fallen in love with the beautiful doctor, too old for him had felt pain. He was furious with Rick and ultimately Rick's son, Carl. He had rushed home with his mother, silent tears falling from his eyes.

Sam, the young boy who had just watched his father kill a man and be killed himself had let out audible sobs. Jessie hugged her children to her side, not sure where she stood on the whole situation. Just knowing her sons were in pain was enough for her to release tears.

The group had taken their licks, as Merle would say. Noah, a young boy they had rescued from Grady Memorial had died after the group had accepted him as their own and cared for him. Glenn had watched the young boy die, unable to save him. Tara, had gotten injured and was currently placed in a coma. Pete being their only hope until the young doctor, they didn't know was Paige, returned from her run. Not waking until after the dreadful events that occurred that night at the meeting.

As the tragic events in Alexandria occurred, Paige and her group were starting their journey back to the very same town.