rag doll | TWD

[72] do not send us astray

silent lucidity --- queensryche

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[POV]

The Hilltop was preparing for an attack from the saviors. They knew it was coming. In that time, Daryl and Siddiq had agreed that moving JJ into the house was the best idea. Siddiq and the other doctor feared the beds in the medical trailer would be needed quickly.

Little did they know that choice had saved her life. 

By the time the sun had disappeared, trucks and cars filled with saviors pulled up outside the gates of the Hilltop.

"Negan. I wanna talk to Negan." Maggie told Simon through the walkie talkie. 

"Well, hello there. You are speaking to Negan, but my birth certificate says "Simon." With whom do I have the distinct displeasure of speaking?" 

"Maggie. Maggie Rhee... The Widow."

Simon answered, "Well, then. Hello again, Widow Rhee. Allow me to offer my condolences. For what's happened and what's about to happen. In case it's not already plain as Hilltop potatoes, yours truly is speaking on behalf of Negan this go 'round."

He continued, "And I assure you that the man himself personally received your care package next day delivery. I noticed it was the box that I gave you in good faith- trick's on me. But the bill's come due. You and your people are gonna have to pay. Quite dearly, I'm afraid."

Despite burning with anger, Maggie's voice remained calm, "Your 38 people are alive and breathing. Turn around and leave us be, and they stay that way."

A few of the saviors were brought to the balcony Maggie looked over. 

"But if you don't, I have 38 bullets that I will personally fire in all 38."

She held the walkie up to one of the ex-saviors, Alden, "It's too nice a night to spend it dyin' slow, don't you think, Simon?"

Maggie took back the walkie, waiting for Simon's response. "How's this gonna go?"

"Well, Maggie Rhee, this is highly regrettable, but the way I see it, the saviors you're in possession of there are damaged goods." Simon told her, "You know, they've got themselves into their own pickle, and this organization prices those who, A. avoid capture and B. figure out their own shit when said outcome eventuates. Which, in the end, is my way of saying screw them."

Gregory judged Maggie's decision, "Do you really think that cockamamie play would work?"

"It will." Maggie lifted her chin, refusing to look to the former leader of Hilltop.

Outside the walls, as Dwight challenged Simon's decision, Daryl began the chaos, shooting from his bike, leading them into Hilltop's trap. 

As the first truck hit the bus decoy, Maggie shouted, "Now!" In which, Hilltop, the people of the kingdom and Alexandrians began to fight back.

The shooting continued until Maggie gave the signal, ending the shooting on their part. All of the ones who were with the Hilltop retreated back into the house.

Simon and the other saviors fell for it, inching closer to the house to get a better look. When they closed in, the ones who had retreated back into the house had broken the silence and fired at the saviors through the boarded-up windows. 

When Simon yelled for them to retreat, Rick and his group came in from the gate, boxing most of the saviors in and shooting them to the ground. It didn't take long for them to end the small group of saviors. Only a few of them had managed to escape, but that included Simon and Dwight.