Too Far Gone // D. Dixon

chapter fifty-five

Time kept moving onward at an agonizing pace, despite Maren so desperately wanting it to stop.

Eugene had found a way to make homemade bullets and from Negan's request, he had begun to mass produce them. Gabriel had been assigned to help with the task, helping Eugene and the workers to fulfill Negan's growing demand for ammunition despite his newly-acquired visual impairment.

With Simon dead, after becoming a 'nuisance' to the other Saviors, things had been squared away at the Sanctuary. Things had gone back to the way they were before the attack, with workers working tirelessly day in and day out to make it all function again.

At this point, Maren feels utterly powerless. As her pregnancy had reached the twenty week mark, she was getting bigger every day. She was unable to hide her condition any longer, much to her and Daryl's dismay. People knew now, and she was sure that the people back home knew now too.

Negan moved to speak to Eugene, "There's my bullet maker!"

Eugene was quick to reply, "Attaché in tow and order fulfilled PDQ, as promised. Every munition personally quality-controlled by yours truly. Sleep be damned and efforts be tripled, the deed is done. Take yourself a tester."

Eugene handed Negan a seemingly loaded gun, a revolver. Negan smiled as he took it, taking aim at a bag of hay labeled so kindly as 'Rick.' The sounds of the shots made Maren tremble. She knew this wouldn't end well. People would die, that was a given. She could only hope that Rick would come out on top, and just let her Dad go. But, with Eugene's help on Negan's side...her doubts were there.

"Regina laid out the plan for you, right?" Negan asked, looking at the intelligent man with respect. He'd done a great deal for the Sanctuary. He had gotten them out of a lot of tricky spots, and now was certainly no different.

Eugene nodded, "That's why I requested the ride-along. Depending on the terrain and timing, the pump and priming, I believe we should attempt a one-fell-swooper. A firing line that would minimize chaos opportunity and alpha-to-omega this thing in less than 10."

Negan smiled, "Are you sure that's something you want to see?"

"More of a need-to thing." Eugene uttered, making Maren gulp. Maren thought long and hard about that, had Eugene really said that? Had he really switched sides like that?

"Look at you!" Negan patted Eugene, "Let's load up, roll out."

With Maren following them, Negan stopped her and Daryl, "Just where the hell do you think you're going?" Maren's brow furrowed as she stared down her father.

Daryl and Maren exchanged glances. Maren scoffed at her father as she spoke her mind, "I'm going with you. Daryl's going to be there too, it's not like I'll be unprotected." Negan's expression hardened, his jaw clenching with resolve. No way.

"No, Maren," Negan fought back, "You've got special cargo and I abso-fucking-lutely will not let you come. You're staying." Negan was so sure of himself on this, he wouldn't be letting her tag along on this one. No, this was going to end bloody. She was not going to be a witness to this.

"No, I'm not-"

"Yes, you fucking are..." Negan spat, getting closer to her as he spoke, "And that is fucking final."

With that, Negan turned and stormed off, leaving Maren and Daryl standing there. Maren's hands balled into fists at her sides, her frustration palpable. She knew Negan was trying to protect her, but she couldn't bear the thought of being left behind while her friends were in danger.

Watching him as he was pulling away, she formed a plan. Looking at Daryl knowingly, he shook his head at her.

"Maren, he's right..." 

"The hell he is!" Maren whisper yelled, aware of Negan's remaining men around them, "You and I are going. We need to be there, Daryl. For Rick."

Daryl let out a heavy sigh, understanding the desperation in Maren's voice. He knew all too well the importance of being there for them, but he also couldn't ignore the risks to Maren's well-being.

"Ya think I don't know that, Maren?" Daryl whispered back to her, "But you ain't in no condition to be fightin' right now. You took a nasty fall and you're still recoverin'...our baby-"

"Then I won't fight. I'll...stay hidden, I promise," She quickly stopped him there, reaching out to him as she spoke, "But I have to be there, Daryl. I fucking have to be."

"Why?"

"I have to pick a side, right?" Maren spoke, her voice not wavering one bit, "Well, this is me choosing."

                                                                                - TOO FAR GONE -

Maren's heart raced as she and Daryl hid in the back of the cargo truck, the rumble of the engine vibrating beneath them.

She clutched the small arsenal they had smuggled in, her knuckles turning white with the intensity of her grip. They had been keeping completely silent as they rode along to the battlefield that awaited them.

Maren looked at Daryl, her face unsure.

"We're gonna win this, Maren," Daryl said, his calloused hand enveloping hers. Maren searched his weathered face, finding both determination and a hint of trepidation.

Sensing the gravity of the moment, Daryl suddenly pulled Maren close, his lips crashing against hers in a passionate embrace. Maren melted into the kiss, her free hand tangling in his shaggy hair as she savored the sensation, knowing it could be their last.

All too soon, the sound of the truck slowing jolted them apart, their eyes locked in a silent exchange. Maren's stomach twisted with a mix of fear and adrenaline, but Daryl's unwavering gaze steadied her.

As the truck came to a stop, Maren and Daryl tensed, their hands gripping their weapons in anticipation. The sound of voices and commotion outside filled the air, signaling that they had arrived at their destination.

Maren took a deep breath, steeling herself for the battle that lay ahead. She knew the risks, the dangers, but the thought of abandoning Rick and the others was unthinkable. This was a fight for their very survival, and she would be damned if she sat on the sidelines.

Exchanging one last look with Daryl, Maren nodded, her eyes narrowed with purpose.

"Let's fucking do this," she whispered to him, her voice laced with unwavering resolve.