Love, Lose, Mourn

Love, Lose, Mourne

It was the worst battle Rick Grimes had ever seen. It put his last battle with the Governor to shame, making it look like an inadequate practice run for this one.

The human threat had been serious but nothing like the walkers that poured in through the fallen walls of what should have been a safe place.

Hundreds of walkers were now in the streets and there were hundreds more pressing to get in. It seemed like every walker in Virginia had come to their gates. It was enough to make Rick wonder if there wasn't some form if communication that the walkers had that humans weren't aware of, some kind of hive knowledge that told them the buffet was open. All you can eat while supplies last.
He'd done awful things. He'd been unable to save Jessie and her sons. Even worse he'd had to hack Jessie's arm off to save Carl. She'd been panicked as walkers began to devour her and had latched onto his son with a death grip. The look in her eyes of pain, fear, betrayal, as she been torn apart, had left him shaken.

The ammo was gone. There were no more gunshots ringing through the air. There was only the screams of those being eaten, the wet sound of bodies being ripped apart and devoured, bony hands banging on houses to get in at the terrified people taking cover inside. There was the sound of breaking glass and splintering wood. There were grunts from those still fighting with knives, axes, machetes, and one single woman with a sword. Everything came together to make a symphony from he'll that could only be pleasing to the devil's ears.

Rick did the only thing he could do. He kept swinging. He was exhausted. He was covered in gore and sweat but he kept going. He had to. He couldn't give up. He couldn't stop. Carl and Judith's lives literally depended on it.

"This way!"

Daryl was motioning toward the bell tower. He saw Carl inside, Judith in his arms, crying in fear. There were others. Maggie, Glenn, and Sasha.

"Michonne," Rick said, struggling to breathe.

She moved forward, still taking out walkers as she came. They were close to the tower, near the fallen gate, when he rose up. One man with a gun, one of the initial attackers. He aimed at Michonne and fired. One round, then two, then three, before the gun just clicked, empty.

Every shot hit home. Two in the stomach, one in the chest.

"No!"

Rick wasn't the only one to cry out that word in heartfelt agony. Daryl and Carl, others in the bell tower. She stood there, her eyes locked on Rick's. This was it, the end, and she kept her gaze on him.

"Run," she whispered.

Walkers were drawn their way but damn if he'd leave her to be eaten. He rushed her way as she went to her knees, caught her as she slumped forward.

"No, no, no..." he wept, the word useless but repeatedly falling from his lips, as though saying it often enough would undo what had happened. Daryl helped him carry her to the bell tower entrance where Glenn yanked open the door.