WITH YOU | TWD

[15] TIME OF DECISION

Rick had called a meeting, and everyone in Alexandria had gathered, their faces a mix of curiosity and concern. The church, once a place of peace and reflection, now felt like the heart of their troubled community. Charlie glanced at Andy, who stood silently beside her. The air was thick with the scent of old wood and the faint lingering traces of candle wax. The evening light filtered through the stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the floor. Rick stood at the front, his presence commanding attention.

"We have food. But they're not giving it away," said Rick. "Those Saviors, almost killed Sasha, Daryl, and Abraham. Now, sooner or later they would've found us, just like those Wolves did." he said, looking around at people's faces. "Just like Jesus did. They would have killed someone or some of us. And own us. Then, low on food, we would loose. This is the only way. But this needs to be a group decision." he added after his speech. "If anyone objects, raise your hand."

"Isn't it already made?" Cass asked, fixing glasses on his nose.

"You sure we can beat them?"

"I have the same question."

"After everything we've been through...yes. I'm sure," Rick nodded.

What we Rick was talking about? - was Charlie's first thought. Because Alexandria's residents were still green when it came to fighting, guns, weapons, and walkers. They had survived, yes, but they had done so mostly behind the safety of their walls, relying on the seasoned fighters like Rick and his group. The Survivors group was experienced. They had been hardened by countless battles, losses, and near-death experiences.

"Then that's what we tell them." Morgan interrupted Charlie's thoughts.

"They don't compromise." Rick shook his head.

"It's not a compromise," Morgan disagreed. "It's a choice. It's a way out for them and for us."

"We try and talk to the Saviors, we give up our advantage, our safety." answered Rick with annoyance in his voice. "We have to come for them, before they come for us. They always come back."

"They comeback when they're dead, too."

"We'll stop them. We have before."

"I'm not talking about the walkers." Morgan's words hanged in the air.

She had seen her fair share of death, had lost people she cared about, and each loss left a scar. These scars weren't just physical but etched deeply into her psyche. The faces of the dead often visited her in quiet moments, their memories a constant reminder of what she had lost. Charlie knew better than anyone what Morgan's words meant.

There was a palpable tension between the two men, a silent battle of wills. Morgan's stance was calm, yet resolute, his eyes reflecting a deep-seated belief in his pacifist philosophy. Rick, on the other hand, was a warrior, a leader who believed in fighting to protect what they had built.

"Morgan wants to talk to them first. I think that would be a mistake, but it's not up to me. I'll talk to the people still at home." Rick said. "I'll discuss it with people on guard now, too, but who else wants to approach the Saviors, talk to them first?"

"What happened here, we won't let happen again." said determined Aaron. "I won't."

"Well, looks like it's settled." Charlie said, catching Rick's eyes. Just by this short interaction, he knew that Charlie wasn't on his side. Not by her own will, at last. "We kill them all."

As the last rays of sunlight dipped below the horizon, a calm settled over the walls of Alexandria. The air grew cooler, carrying with it a sense of relief after another day of tension. The day had been long. But now, in this quiet moment, Charlie and Daryl found solace in each other's presence. He leaned back against the bed, while Charlie nestled herself closer, feeling the warmth of his presence. They didn't need to speak at first; the silence between them was comfortable, a shared understanding that words weren't always necessary.