Protection (Rick Grimes)

Chapter Forty Nine

Warning: This chapter will probably be really short. I know it'll be shorter than the others.

My heart pounds against my chest as I repeatedly pick Rick's arm up to look at his watch. The time seems to be going by slower than ever. Either that or I'm looking at Rick's damn watch too much.

I reach down to grab Rick's arm, but he stops me and makes to turn towards him. He puts his hands on my arms and gives me a small, weak smile.

"Stop that. You're going to drive yourself crazy."

"I'm just nervous." I sigh.

"Everything's going to be okay. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you, okay?"

I nod with a smile, "Okay." He nods as well and kisses me quickly.

We probably have another 30 minutes to and hour before Lloyd and his men get here.

Everyone is stationed in different parts of the community while Sasha and Rosita are in the guard tower, watching for Lloyd and ready to signal everyone on their radios.

I'm stationed with Rick and several people I trained the other day. We're kind of up front with Daryl and his group. His group is maybe 300 yards behind us, waiting. Just like the rest of us.

"They're coming." I hear Sasha's voice come through the walkie talkie. I tighten my grip on my gun while Rick grabs the walkie talkie.

"Everyone get ready." He says and puts the walkie on his belt.

Sasha and Rosita climb down from the guard tower and open the gates. That's when I see three trucks and a van outside the gates. All packed full of men. They all step out, and Lloyd makes his way to the front.

"Danielle, didn't I say to get your people out? I think I did. But now...you're just extra blood on my hands."

"I know what you said. But we're not leaving." I say.

"Well boys. Show em whatcha got." Lloyd shrugs. His men begin shooting and I instantly duck down and move out of the way. I hide behind the gates and look to Rick. He gives me a nod before moving to shoot Lloyd's men.

Hearing a truck start up, I peep out from behind the gates and see the trucks moving inside the gates. I quickly hide again and begin running to the closest house.

I get behind the house just as bullets come flying by me. I press my back against the wall and sigh heavily. Hearing leaves crunching, I press my gun to my shoulder and quiet my footsteps as I walk to the side of the house. I look around the corner and see one of Lloyd's men. He fires making me duck back behind the house.

Taking a deep breath, I turn the corner and fire at him, hitting him in his chest. Making my way to him, I pull out my knife and stab his forehead so he doesn't turn. With shaky hands, I put my knife up and look around, watching for more people.

Hearing nothing but gunshots and screams, I slightly cringe before going to find Rick.

I finally find him, hiding behind one of the vehicles. I run to his side and he looks over at me quickly.

"You good?" He asks.

"Yeah. You?" I nod. He does the same before looking over the car and firing his gun. I hear several more screams, knowing that Rick hit some of the men. I take a deep breath.