ELEANOR . NEGAN

067.

Eleanor didn't give one flying single fuck in Negan and Gabriel saying she wasn't allowed to fight. The echoing drawls of walkers only grew louder and louder as they surrounded the building like a sickening hug. She got everyone who was able to fight in one room, her hands flat against a wooden table as the people loaded up bows and added knives to their holds.

She eyed each and every fighter, main ones at least, and did a head count. They all looked confused and worried, probably at her bruised state, but nonetheless listened because it was her. Her green eyes looked around, jumping from Oceanside people to Hilltop to Kingdom and Alexandria. She lingered at Carol before clearing her throat and looking at Gabriel.

"We lead the horde away." Gabriel boomed, "Just not from Oceanside as we had planned. Once the walkers are clear, we evacuate to Rendezvous point B."

Eleanor stood up straight, "Recent times have been a fucking struggle." Gabe hissed at her words, oh bite me. People need to get used to her vulgar language. "And trust might be a bit shit at the moment, but we need it. So, Luke?"

"So, so these are the final pieces that we need to connect to the wagon. But in order for it to do the pied piper thing that we need it to do over the cliff," Oh yeah, splat the walkers go. "we gotta go from A to B... and I gotta plug and plug... and then we should be good to go." He knocked on his head, so Eleanor sighed. Fuck.

"That wagon is on the other side of the horde." Magna raised a new issue.

Jerry frowned, "So... someone's gotta go through it? With skins in there?"

Eleanor poked her head up and scoffed at how both Maya and Daryl shook their heads instantly. Idiots, she thought. Thats not what she was going to suggest. She wasn't stupid. "Four groups." Gabe spun around to face her. Why is everyone so shocked? "Two in each. We gotta keep it fucking small, so one carries and the other protects. Preferably strength and stealth as a pair, you hear me?"

The group nodded; finally. "It is crucial that the equipment makes it to the wagon. Crucial."

A uncomfortable silence filled the air because whether they liked to admit it or not, they were scared. Idle in a building surrounded by things that kill them. Not even that — eat them. "I'll help." Said Lydia.

Oceanside members sent hateful glares to her body, not even caring if she could see them. "We're willing, but not if she goes."

"We know she's earned trust with you, but... Oceanside isn't ready. Not with this."

Eleanor pinched the bridge of her nose and that stopped anyone from talking. "Understood." But she was far from finished. "But you all need to understand that this isn't the place or fucking time to deny fighting because a teenage girl wants to help. This is a type of moment when it don't actually mean fuck all where we came from, we just gotta do it." The Oceanside members froze up and looked at each other and then back at Eleanor like it was a game of tennis. "Oh bloody well, Lydia's got a job inside anyway."

"All that for nothing?" One fired back.

"It's a lesson." Elle responded. "You can't fight if you don't trust your soldier. It's a recipe for a big whooping mess."

"And you know?"

Elle scoffed, "Of course I know."

And apparently that was enough for them to shut up. Maya thanked Elle through her eyes as she strolled to stand next to her friend, meanwhile Daryl took a single step forward to grab everyone's attention.

"Look," Oh God. "We're not all gonna make it throu'. But this is the only way."

It sent a new look on what was about to happen. Where hope has gone and only realism and physical strength resided. "If Daryl's going, then so am I." Replied Kelly. And that was good enough for everyone else to get on board.