Lilly Watkins has always been the strong one compared to her twin. That doesn't change when the dead start walking. Taking care of her family during the apocalypse, she never relied on anyone else. When she meets Daryl Dixon, a more temperamental pe...
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I enter the room where Deanna is lying peacefully on a twin-sized mattress. She ushers me in with the last of her strength.
"Sit down, Lillian."
I take a seat, stunned at my full name. Only two people have ever used my full name, my mother and now Deanna.
"Do you want to make this place work?" she asks, tilting her head.
I pause. "Of course."
"I know you do. The others too. Unfortunately, I think you're the only one who knows how. You have a mother's heart and that includes tough love. Michonne does too."
"What about Maggie?" I ask.
She pauses but the look she gives me says more than enough. "Maggie has been instrumental to bringing you guys in, make no mistake. I don't think she's there yet. We need someone now. Someone to reign in the wildcards, like Daryl and Rick. They look to you."
"You know," I start. "There was once a wise old man that told me very similar."
"Well, us wise old folk like to die, I take it," she grins. "I'm going to tell Rick to follow you, not that he doesn't already."
"If that's what you want."
"It's what Alexandria needs. Now go, be with your family."
I nod, squeezing her shoulder, our eyes meeting in one final goodbye. "It was an honor to meet you, Deanna."
"Likewise."
I head downstairs, hearing a window break, my steps increasing in pace. Rick is pounding on the door to the garage.
"What's going on!?" I yell, shoving my shoulder alongside the door when I hear Tiff scream.
"Tiff and Carl were in the garage with Ron," Rick says, starting to panic.
I grab the ax from my belt, beating on the deadbolt. Once it's free, Rick kicks open the door, ushering all three of the teens in just as Walkers push in through a window.
"What happened!" I ask, grabbing my daughter's chin.
She glares over at Ron. It's Carl who answers. "A shovel fell and attracted Walkers."
"We heard yelling," Rick says, not believing him for a second.
"Well yeah, we had to move."
Jessie turns to her son. "It sounded like you guys were fighting."
Ron storms off, Carl following him. Tiff goes to follow, but I grab her arm. "You are not going into whatever fight is happening there, ya hear me?"
"But Carl-"
"Can handle himself," Rick interjects. "Listen to your mother. Where's your gun?"
