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Outpost 22

Just as predicted. By dawn, the others showed up.

"There's sic of 'em." Daryl told us, just as the train appeared.

I created a small bird.

"Keep hidden on the train." I ordered it.

I watched as it flew, before it landed.

"You think we can follow it without them seeing us?" Carol asked

"I think we hang back far enough; we'll be fine." Daryl said

We heard another vehicle appear and I looked at what it was. Connie was here.

"It's Connie." I told Carol.

She took the walkie out and turned it on.

"Guy's saying I have to put an exile on here. It's a cargo transport and against regs. Over." We heard

"It's bee cleared from up on high. She's not gonna be a worker. She's designation two." They said

"Oh shit." The first guy replied.

"Yeah. Exactly. Get her there safely." They said

"Copy that." He finished.

"What's destination two?" Carol asked

"We can't go get her. They'll radio ahead. We'll go find the kids." Daryl said.

"I'll follow her. You guys find the others." Kira said

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"Yeah. I'll meet you with the others at the end." She told us

I nodded and watched as she started following Connie. I created a bird.

"Go to Lydia. Tell her, we need help. Send more people to Kira and I. Two groups." I said.

I watched as the bird flew at full speed through the trees.

"Will it make it?" Carol asked me

"It doesn't matter if it does. Lydia's a banshee. They sense death. She will know we need her help. That bird is just an insurance plan for her." I told her

She nodded and we focused on the train. We got in the vehicle and drove off as the train started.

"Let's get ahead of it." Carol said

"I can still hear it." I told them, as Daryl speed up.

"Train's going to hit that junction. We should just sit tight until it does." Carol said as we looked at the train stop.

"I don't think I can do that." he said

"Do what?" Carol asked him

"Sit tight." He told her

"You have too. I know you are worried...about everyone. Connie, the kids, our people, but you have to think clearly here. What happens if we die? Who will rescue everyone? So, we have to think clearly. Okay?" I said

"Okay." He said.

I took his hand as we waited. We drove away from the sight, so we wouldn't be seen. As we drove, we found Maggie. We got in the car and drove back, continuing to wait.

"They just ripped him away from me. I wasn't strong enough." She told us. "I hate not knowing. It's worse. I shouldn't have...I shou..." she tried speaking but couldn't.

"This isn't on you. You are just one person." Carol told her

"Doesn't matter. It's on me." Maggie said.

I watched as Carol pulled her into a hug.

"You know...I barely saw Daryl when I got my new job at the Commonwealth. I barely saw anyone. Just doing our own thing. It was like the old world. Back then, we never would've spoken to each other. But after the fall, we were forced to become family. That's a good thing. It's a gift that's held, even in that place. They had to come at us when we were separated. What does that say to you?" Carol said.