Dead Man Walking

lxxiv

 "In regards to our makeshift levee upstream, given the current rate of spring runoff, I'd put its expiration date at another six to nine days," Eugene explained to the brothers as they walked through the campsite, "After that, it's slam, ban, sayonara cofferdam."

"How fast can we have those supports ready?" Rick wonders.

"Well, ditto on the six to nine, but if we boost our juice and shed the lead, I think we can beat it."

"Good. I'll talk to the foreman, make sure we do," Rick replies.

"Scouts got back," Rosita says as she joins them, "Horatio's gonna pass us by, but it'll be close."

"We got a head count?" Hunter asks her.

"100 and change. What, you think we should push the blasting?" Rosita asked Hunter specifically. But Hunter looked to his brother for an answer. She was trying to get him back into leading. He loved it, he was just scared.

"Nah. If we wait, we'll wind up drawing that other herd," Rick answers.

"Margaret."

Rick nods, "Right. And that one's five times as big. We got the sirens in place?"

"Hell, yeah."

"Then we blow the rockslide. If the herd comes, we'll redirect."

"Alright, I'll let 'em know," Hunter patted his brother on the shoulder before following Rosita, "I didn't know you were going to be here."

"Michonne wanted me to come help with the bridge, I'm not really doing anything back in Alexandria anyways, thought I'd help out."

Rosita smiles, "I'm sure Judith is missing her tea party date."

"She asked I delivered," Hunter shrugs with a smile, "I'll give that little girl whatever she wants."

"I know. You gotta go help with that bridge, go do your job."

Hunter caught her hand before she could walk away, "You should come back to Alexandria. It's a bit lonely there without you."

"I'll tell you what, after the bridge is done I'll come back."

He nods his head, "I'm gonna go work on that bridge."

Hunter turned on his feet and jogged through the camp. He picked up work gloves and started making his way over to the bridge. And when he got there he saw Daryl and Justin fighting. He dropped the gloves and started running up the hill.

"Hey! Break it up!" Hunter shouted as he pushed his way through the people. He grabbed Justin, yanking him away from Daryl, "I said enough! Stop!"

Hunter glances over at Daryl seeing as he spat out blood. Hunter hated that there were Saviors working on the bridge with them, but that's what Maggie wanted in return for asking the Hilltop for help on the bridge. He never stepped foot into the Sanctuary because he hasn't forgotten what these people have done.

"Get back to work."

Hunter walked away from all of them on the bridge and started returning to camp. Where he wanted to talk to Daryl about what happened but it seemed like Rick beat him to it.

"So, that asshole just gets a free pass? Is that it?" Daryl asks.

"It's just a few more days. I don't like it, either, but we're in a rush to get that work done," Rick stresses, " He's strong. The Saviors are over half the workforce, and we've had too many walk-off already."

"Yeah. 'Cause, that's who they are. Some of them ain't ever gonna fall in line just 'cause you say so."

"Daryl's right," Carol agrees, "These people have never had to live together. And we can't expect them to just forget what's happened."