before the end

𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘-Cherokee Rose

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 things were a lot better, Carl was gonna live, thanks to Shane getting back last night—sadly he didn't have Otis with him—Dean was helping some of the others gather rocks so they could have a little memorial service for Otis. The boy froze when he heard the sound of a motorcycle approaching. They all looked over to see the others pulling in the drive.

Dean smiled widely and ran over to Daryl as he was getting off his bike. Before Daryl could turn around Dean wrapped his arms around his waist.

Daryl scoffed turning slightly and placing his hand on Dean's back. "Ya act like it's been weeks since we saw eachother last." He muttered, not used to the affection.

Dean mumbled something into Daryl's shirt. Not that either of the two would admit it but they did miss each other a lot. Daryl wasn't so keen on spending the night away from Dean especially since they lost Merle.

Soon the others fill out of the house. "How is he?" Dale asked worriedly.

"He'll pull through, thanks to Hershel and his people." Lori happily said.

"And Shane." Rick added. "we'd have lost Carl if not for him."

Dale smiled and gave Rick a hug.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐏 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐒 stood in a semicircle and watched as Beth sat rock on top of the pile of rocks before walking back to stand by her boyfriend. "Blessed be god, father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Hershel said as Jimmy walked over to the wheelburrow and grabbed a rock. "Praise be to him for the gift of our brother Otis,  for his span of years, for his abundance of character; Otis who gave His life to save a child's, now more than ever, our most precious asset. We thank you, god, for the peace he enjoys in your embrace. He died as he lived, in grace."

Hershel turned his attention to Shane. "Shane, will you speak for Otis?"

"I'm not good at it. I'm sorry." Shane shook his head.

"You were the last one with him. You shared his final moments. Please. I need to hear. I need to know his death had meaning." Patricia cried.

"Okay." Shane sighed. "We were about done. Almost out of ammo. We were done to pistols by then. I was limping. It was bad. Ankle all swollen up. “We've got to save the boy.” See that's what he said. He gave me his backpack. He shoved me ahead. “Run,” he said. He said, “I'll take the rear. I'll cover you.” And when I looked back..." Shane paused and walked to the wheelbarrow. "If not for Otis, I'd never made it out alive. And that goes for Carl too. It was Otis. He saved us both. If any death ever had meaning, it was his." Shane finished and placed the rock on the pile.

Dean tilted his head. His whole life he grew up with liar's. His dad, Merle... He doesn't remember much about his mom but he knows she was a liar also. Over the years the boy's gotten good at telling the difference just by someone's body language and the tone of their voice. Shane couldn't keep contact with anyone and he paused way to long between each sentence almost like he had to think of a way to tell the story but make it seem like it was some bittersweet moment.