Solitary: The Walking Dead

Chapter 121.

I got bit.

Before Iris can make it to Carl, explosions start going off around her, "shit" she mumbles, Iris starts running, dodging the explosions as they start going off around her, she takes off her backpack and rips it open. The red head pulls out one of the smoke bombs, triggering it before she throws it behind her.

The car next to Iris explodes, the power of the blow sends her to the floor, "motherfucker" she mumbles, Iris slowly stands and starts moving again, ignoring the pain in her body. She climbs up one of the watchtowers and sits with her rifle across her lap, she watches as Negan's truck drives into the gate, knocking it to the floor, the saviours and Negan walking through.

Iris twists the silencer onto her rifle before laying on her front and propping up her gun, she scans the streets, looking through her scope, she watches Carl get away from two of the saviours by letting off a smoke bomb, when the men walk through the smoke Iris shoots both of them.

...........

Iris notices two figures in the smoke, she quickley gets up when she recognises Rick and Michonne, she climbs down the ladder and runs to them, "it's me" she says when they point their weapons at her, Rick lowers his gun, michonne doing the same with her sword.

The three of them start moving again, Iris grabs onto the manhole cover and slides it open, Michonne lowers herself down first, Iris following, slowly lowering her boddy into the hole trying to ignore the pain in her body, Rick joins them and covers the hole again.

Michonne turns on her light and they start navigating their way to the rest of the group, Iris stops and looks around at all the people sat together, she follows Rick towards the end, she notices Dwight stood away from the others, facing the wall.

The red head stops when she notices Rick freeze, she looks down at the strange man sitting in the corner, "I brought him here." Carl mumbles, Iris turns, when her eyes fall on the boy everything stops, she slowly steps forward, lowering herself down and sitting in front of the boy, "That's how it happened." Carl adds, his voice weak.

The boy slowly lifts his shirt and pulls back a bandage revealing a bite, "no. no" Iris mumbles hot tears falling down her face, "I-I don't..." Rick stutters "Dad." "How..." "Dad... it's all right. It's gotta be. I wasn't sure if you'd make it back before... But just in case, you know... I wanted to make sure I was able to say goodbye." Carl mumbles, pulling out letter and holding them out.

"No. It's them. It's them. They... They don't...It wasn't..." Rick tries, Iris watches the boy in shock and confusion, "Carl." "No." Iris mumbles "I got bit. I was bringing someone back. His name's Siddiq. We saw him at that gas station, before... It wasn't the Saviors. It just happened... I got bit." Carl explains, Iris grabs onto the boys hand and gently bring it to her lips, kissing the top as her tears drip onto his skin.

The boys condition quickly worsens and together they help him lay down, "Is that better?" Michonne asks "Yeah... Thanks." Carl whispers, "I, um, I got these. They're over-the-counter, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. They'll, um... They'll help a little with the fever. They did for my mom and dad. Please take them. Your son... he should have them." Siddiq begs.

Iris keeps her eyes on Carl, holding onto his hand and keeping him close, "You're a doctor?" Rick asks "I was a resident... before. Yeah." Siddiq answers "Your name is Siddiq?" "Yes." "Did you know he was a doctor? Is that why you brought him back?" Rick asks looking down at his son "He wasn't gonna make it alone. He needed us. That's why." Carl explains.

"He was the one at the gas station." Rick says, one of the explosions go off above them, causing dust and rubble to fall on them, Iris and Rick lean forward and cover Carl, "Shh!" Rick tries to reassure his son as he coughs, "Water. Give him water." Michonne says grabbing a bottle from someone.

"Easy. You got it? Slowly, slowly." Rick says, helping Carl drink the water, Iris notices Michonne stand up but looks back at Carl ignoring everything else, "you're so strong little sheriff" Iris whispers, stroking Carl's hair from his face, a weak smile makes its way on Carl's face as he looks up at Iris.

Iris moves to sit at the head of the bed Carl is using, making room for Michonne and Rick, "You left. You were supposed to be resting." Carl says to Michonne "I'm not tired." the woman says "Yeah. You look great." Carl jokes "It's gotta stop, Michonne. It's not supposed to be like this. I know it can be better." Carl explains.

"Sounds like they're letting up." Someone says, but Iris just keeps her focus on Carl, she ignores the footsteps as they approach her, Carl looks up at Iris "i'm glad you didnt leave us at the farm" he mumbles, "i'm glad too" Iris says, smiling sadly at the boy, "thank you for being in my life, i've loved watching you grow ito the strongest person i know" Iris says, she leans down and kisses the boy on the forehead.

"Your the person that made me strong" Carl whispers before looking up at his sister in Ricks arms, "Let me say goodbye." he says, Iris and Michonne help the boy sit up and lean his back against the wall, "You be good, okay? For Michonne. For Iris. For Dad. You gotta honor him. Listen when he tells you stuff. You don't have to always. Sometimes, kids got to show their parents the way." the boy explains.

Iris looks down at the floor as the boys words sink in, "This was Dad's before it was mine. Now it's yours." Carl says handing his sister his hat "I don't know... Just... Just having it and... It always kept Dad with me. It made me feel as strong as him. It helped me. Maybe it'll help you, too. Before Mom died... she told me that I was gonna beat this world. I didn't. But you will. I know you will." Carl says, Iris holds onto his hand as Judith starts crying.

Daryl takes Judith and looks down at Carl "These people. You saved them all. That's all you, man." the man says before turning and leaving, the last of the others following him, "You were helping me honor my mom..." Siddiq says, sitting down next to Carl "Not just yours. Mine, too." Carl says.

"You brought me here. You gave me a chance. I know I can never repay you... but I can honor you by showing your people, your f-friends, your... your family that what you did wasn't for nothing. That it mattered. That it... That it meant something. Because it did. So that's what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna honor you, Carl." Siddiq explains.

Carl holds out his hand to the man and siddiq takes it, holding onto it, "Congratulations. You're stuck with us." Carl jokes, Siddiq stands and walks out of the tunnels, Iris helps Carl lay down again, using her thumb she gently wipes his tears from around his eyes.