Solitary {2} : The Walking Dead

Chapter Eighty-seven.

Rest In Peace. ||

"All right, let's go!" Mercer orders, Iris holds onto Judith arm as she helps push the bed towards the truck, "it's gonna be okay kid" she says, letting go of the girls hand and stepping back, she watches the others lift the bed onto the back of the truck.

"Iris" Lydia whispers, the redhead turns to the girl, "are you okay?" she questions, looking at Lydia's arm, the girl wraps her other arm around Iris's waist, "i am now" Lydia mumbles, Iris hugs the girl, "i'm so sorry kid" Iris whispers. She pulls away and helps Lydia into the truck, climbing in after.

.............

"You can put her down here." Tomi says, pointing to a bed, Iris follows Daryl as he lays Judith onto the bed, he grabs onto Iris's hand as they watch Tomi assess Judith, "She's in a fragile state. It's good you gave her blood. I'll do what I can." Tomi says, looking up at Iris and Daryl.

"Ezekiel" the doctor says, "on it" Ezekiel says, rushing away and grabbing the supplies, "Prep the IV." Tomi says, Iris tightens her grip on Daryl's hand, "We need to clear the room." Tomi says, "We'll get you when she's stable." Ezekiel says, looking up at Daryl and Iris.

"I'm not leaving" Iris says slowly stepping back and watching them work, after a while Tomi and Ezekiel finish, Iris sits next to the bed, resting her head on Daryls shoulder as they watch over Jusith.

After what felt like an eternity, the girl starts to stir, Iris quickly stands, Carol and Daryl doing the same. Iris strokes the girls hair, "Hey. Hey, kid." she smiles as Judith opens her eyes, "Hey, Lil' Asskicker." Daryl says, "Hey, Big Asskicker." Judith says.

Iris lets out a small laugh, "Damn straight." Daryl says, "How're you feelin'?" Iris questions, "Not great. But I'm fine, like you promised. What I said about Mom and Dad..." Judith says, "Is that true?" Daryl asks, "It's why she never came back. Sorry I didn't tell you before. Scared that you would leave, too." Judith explains, "we're right here." Iris says, feeling a lot of different emotions, Michone's gonna find Rick? He's alive? After all this time, after everything they've been through, he's alive?

"Off the wall!" a man shouts from outside, followed by a gunshot, Mercer rushes to the window, looking through the binoculars, "What's going on?" Ezekiel asks, "They're shooting anyone that climbs the gates." Mercer explains, walking back over to the kitchen island and grabbing one of the guns, "Hey, what are you doing?" Max asks.

"People are dying. I can't just stand by. The truck is gassed up with some reserves in the rear. It's enough to get you home. We can sneak you out the back. This isn't your fight. These aren't your people." Mercer explains, "Yes, they are." Ezekiel says.

"And so are you... You may not think this place is worth saving, and I get that, given how they treated us. But it's worth it to me. The people are worth it, and I'm not gonna allow them to fall without a fight. Not today. I'm with you. Who else?" Ezekiel questions.

"Yeah. We can do more than just save ourselves. We need to." Aaron says, others start to join, Iris looks back down at Judith, "i love you kid" she says, kissing the girl on the forehead, "i'm in" she says, "no" Daryl says, Iris turns to her husband.

"i've got to. These people dont deserve this" Iris says, she walks over to Daryl and kisses him on the cheek, "i'll find you" she says, walking away and grabbing a gun, "i'm in" Daryl says, Iris smiles at him as he walks over to her.

"Lower your weapons!" Mercer orders, Iris steps out from behind him, aiming her gun at Pamela, "Arrest them." the governor orders, "Traitor!" Pamela shouts, looking at Mercer, "No. You are, Governor. You disappeared hundreds of citizens, led the dead to our doorstep. You shot a child." Mercer says, Iris keeps her gun pointed at Pamela,

"And now you've left thousands out there to die." Mercer finishes, Pamela turns and looks at the people pushing against the gates, Gabriel steps forward, walking towards the gate, "Stop!" the General orders, "We're opening the gate and letting these people in. I'll kill anyone who tries to stop me." Gabriel says, "Stop or we will be forced to shoot you." the General says, "We'll fire back." Iris says.

"shoot him!" Pamela shouts, a guard walks towards Gabriel and points his gun at Gabes head, "Stop!" Daryl shouts, "What the hell you doing? We all deserve better than this. You built this place to be like the old world. That was the fuckin' problem." Daryl says to Pamela, "If I open the gates, the dead will get in, not just the living." Pamela snaps.

"If you don't, you're gonna lose everything anyway. We got one enemy. We ain't the walkin' dead." Daryl says, walking towards the gates, Iris lowers her gun and follows him, "Lower your weapons. Lower your weapons! He's right! Give the priest the key." the general orders, Gabriel takes the keys and starts to unlock the gate.

Iris grabs onto the gate, looking to Daryl next to her as they pull the metal gate open, the crowd rushes through the gap "Close the gates now!" Iris shouts, as the last of the people get through and the hoarder gets closer.

The gates lock, Daryl grabs Iris and pulls her back as the walkers grab at them through the gaps in the bars, everyone moves back and aims their guns at the walkers, Iris holds onto Judith as they watch Pamela stand in front of the gates, Lance now a walker grabs at her, "We have to help them, Governor! All the people that are still out there! It's not too late! It's never too late!" Judith shouts.

Iris raises her gun and fires, the bullet flying past Pamela's head and landing in Lance's head, Pamela turns to them, looking at Iris in shock, the redhead lowers her gun and glares at the woman, "you hurt my family again." Iris says, stepping closer to the woman, "and I will make you wish that bullet was for you" Iris threatens.