Bloodlines.

Chapter seven: pissing our pants yet?

Rick returned to Alexandria alone, his jaw tight and his expression tense. Morgan had decided to continue searching for Carol alone, despite Rick's protests, and now Rick was left to figure out his next steps.

As he walked through the gates, he was immediately met with commotion. Maggie was on her knees in the middle of the street, clutching her stomach, her face contorted in pain. Enid was by her side, trying to comfort her, while others looked on in growing concern.

Rick rushed forward, his heart sinking. "Maggie! What's wrong?" he asked, his voice sharp with worry.

"I-it's the baby," Maggie stammered, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps. "Something's wrong."

Rick knelt beside her, his mind racing. Maggie was barely 16 weeks along—it was far too early for anything like this.

"We need to get her to the Hilltop. Now," Rick said firmly, already helping her to her feet. "To Dr Carson."

Without wasting any time, Rick began barking orders, his leadership instincts kicking in. "Aaron, help me load her into the RV. Enid, grab her things—anything she might need for the trip."

Aaron nodded, moving quickly to help Rick carry Maggie toward the RV. Enid sprinted off toward Maggie's house, returning moments later with a bag slung over her shoulder.

Rick called out to the others in the community. "Abraham, Sasha, Eugene, Aaron, Carl—you're coming with me. Gabriel, you're in charge while we're gone. Judith stays here with Tobin and the others."

Gabriel nodded, his expression serious as he accepted the responsibility. "We'll hold things down," he assured Rick.

Abraham and Sasha were already moving toward the RV, while Eugene awkwardly climbed in behind them. Carl followed last, his face set in quiet determination.

Rick helped Maggie into the RV, settling her onto the small couch inside. Her breathing was shallow, and her hands clutched her stomach protectively. "We're gonna get you there, Maggie," Rick said firmly, his voice laced with urgency.

With everyone loaded up, Rick climbed into the driver's seat and started the engine. The RV roared to life, and within moments, they were speeding out of Alexandria, heading straight for the Hilltop.

Inside the RV, Abraham knelt next to Maggie, trying to keep her calm. "You're tough, Maggie. You've got this," he said, his voice steady but gentle.

Sasha sat nearby, keeping a close eye on her, while Carl and Eugene exchanged uneasy glances, both clearly worried but unsure of what to say.

Rick's grip on the wheel was tight, his knuckles white as he pushed the RV as fast as it would go. He didn't let himself think about anything else—Alyssa, Daryl, the Saviors. None of it mattered right now. All that mattered was getting Maggie and the baby to safety.

The RV barely made it two miles down the road before Rick slammed on the brakes, bringing the vehicle to an abrupt halt. In front of them, the road was blocked by a wall of cars, Saviors standing ominously outside their vehicles, each one armed and ready.

Rick's jaw clenched as he surveyed the scene. Without hesitation, he stepped out of the RV, his movements measured and deliberate. Behind him, Carl followed, his hand resting on his holstered gun. Aaron, Sasha, and Abraham exited next, their expressions tense and wary.

A man stepped forward from the group of Saviors, his voice loud and mocking as he addressed Rick. "He's someone with a whole lot of someone's who didn't listen!" he shouted, gesturing toward the RV.

Rick took a deep breath, keeping his tone calm and steady. "We can make a deal. Right here, right now," he said, his eyes scanning the man and the group behind him.