The End of a New Beginning // Daryl Dixon

Part 87

Meredith

I walked along the woods with Bea and Arat. We worked the grid together. There was something that had caught Maggie and Cyndie's eyes. Rick called for backup. Bea, Arat and I were supposed to head over to them, only Arat was taken out. It was almost a shock when I see Rachel and a few others from Oceanside aiming their guns at me, myself pointing them back at them.

"What the hell are you doing?" I question Rachel.

"We're taking her." Rachel points down to Arat's unconscious body. I furrow my brows. It didn't take long for me to put the puzzles together.

"You're the ones taking out the Saviors." I utter. Rachel kneels down and ties Arat's hands behind her back.

"She killed your son, didn't see?" Bea asks me. I turn my eyes down to Arat. Everything that I felt towards her- all the hatred I had for her ever since she pulled the trigger and killed Harley. I swallowed hard and found myself nodding my head.

"What do you want me to do?" I ask.

"Lie down on the ground. The others will wonder why we didn't show up." Bea explains. "Just pretend you're unconscious."

*****

Rick wanted to get to the bottom of finding Arat before more Saviors found out. As much as I love Rick, and will always respect him, this was something I knew I always wanted done. Killing Arat...finally getting to see her body just not be around anymore...it was almost a relief.

Maggie and Daryl found Rachel, Cyndie, myself and a few other Oceanside people standing over Arat. She was then awake and begged Maggie and Daryl to do something. But the truth came out when she did the same thing Negan did to Glenn. 'No exceptions'. Maggie was the first to turn away. Daryl, stared at Arat, watching her beg him to help her. But only did he stare at her, shake his head and followed after Maggie. Cyndie jammed her spear into the back of Arat's head. I didn't flinch, guilt didn't take over. I was almost...smiling. I didn't kill Arat myself, but watching her go out...it was enough for me. Because in my own opinion, she got what she deserved for killing my son.

The very next morning, all the Saviors packed their things and headed off the bridge camp grounds. They were all getting amped up over the other missing Saviors, still not knowing it was Oceanside behind all of it.

I get what they're doing and why. Negan found Oceanside, killed all of their men, even the little boys. All of Oceanside women retreated over to the ocean and they were never found or seen by the Saviors since then. But now, with Cyndie leading the group, she's been taking out the Saviors, a few at a time, one at a time, a group at a time. Arat was the main one Cyndie wanted dead, as she killed her little brother. And I still say what I mean; she deserved it.

*****

With the Saviors gone, the bridge will be taking a bit longer to get it finished. As much as Rick wants it done as soon as possible, he knew the Saviors were better off being back at home.

I stood in front of my tent, sipping away at my morning coffee, mentally preparing myself for the day that's about to come. Today could be a slow day, could be a busy day. Mostly depends how hard everyone's working. We try our hardest not to have many accidents, as we want everyone to be safe. But sometimes, accidents happen and we learn from them.

"Morning, Mer." Rick approaches me. I greet him with a smile as I swallowed the mouthful of coffee.

"Getting back out there today?" I ask him. He nods.

"Yeah, we've got some business to do, as always." He says.

"Another day, another dollar, right?" I lightly tease with him. He chuckles softly.