Give Me Hope || {twd} ➳ book two of the hope series.

Chapter Twenty.

Joelle's pov;
*******
I woke up at seven that morning, the alarm beside my bed sounding.
i stretched and stood up, trying to get my vision to focus.
i slipped my boots on, tucking my gun into my holster.
i turned my attention to a knock at the door, and saw Rick standing there.
"Alright, Joelle. it's time." he closed the door behind him, and i covered my face with my hands.
i continued to the door, eyeing the bedroom one last time.
I swung it open, and slammed it behind me.
I trailed outside to see my friends, and everyone from Alexandria.
They were dressed nicely, almost as if we were at a party.
or a funeral.
I walked through the crowd of people to Deanna, who was standing at the end of the line.
i nodded when i saw her, and we began walking to the gate.
The people of Alexandria followed behind us, like the paparazzi followed a celebrity.
i took a deep breath as we neared closer, and then stopped.
Two watchers came up towards the gate, where they started unlocking it.
Promise pushed through the crowd, wrapping her arms tightly around me.
I hugger her back, forcing myself to not cry.
I went down the line, hugging each of my friends until there was only carl left.
I nodded and pursed my lips.
"Goodbye, carl."
His eyes flickered down, nodding also.
"Joelle, wait!" I turned to see Catherine, who was still wearing a nightgown, and was carrying a stuffed bear.
"Please don't go." she said quietly.
"Im sorry, Catherine. but i have to." i picked her up in my arms, and she hugged me tightly.
i put her down, and watched her run back to Alicia.
i turned around and the guards were pushing open the gate.
no going back now, joelle.
what's done is done.
i walked out the gate, turning to face everyone.
I watched them disappear behind the red, rusty, gate.
********
Promise's pov;
********
I choked on my own words, watching my best friend being locked behind the gate.
I stifled a sound, turning around.
Snow's arms wrapped around me, and i fell into her embrace.
"I-it's not fair!" i screamed, the tears falling down my cheeks.
"I know, i know." she was crying too, but i could tell she was trying to hide it.
Blake appeared at our side, and i broke away from Snow to wrap my arms around him.
He rubbed my back until i stopped crying, and i turned to face everyone.
"Come on, promise. let's go." Tyler said, and Rain nodded in agreement.
James was huddled with Alicia and Catherine, and Michaela was with Wesley.
Snow, Josh, Rain, Cameron, Blake, Tyler, and I went back to the house.
Lydia didn't even show up.
But Beatrice did.
********
We walked slowly back to the house.
it seemed as though there was tension in the air.
Almost like none of us really knew what to do.
She was our leader.
Our best friend.
She was family.
And i just let her slip away.