Three Empty Words

Chapter 15

"When you're backed against the wall. I could be the one who's always there to break your fall. You are not alone. You're the sun, you're the day. The light that guides me through. Never run, run away. I will save you." ~ Starset (Halo)

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Thea's PoV

"They're here," Carl informed me from the doorway of my room. I let out a breath at the news and slid the fully loaded magazine that I'd been working on back into my handgun. Pulling the slide back, I made sure there was one in the chamber, before securing the gun in my holster. I didn't even bother putting the safety on. Not for the events that were to come today. Today would be the start of the war.

I pushed past the Younger Grimes to head downstairs and out the front door. Upon entering the outdoors, I noticed the large garbage trucks that were parked near the gates, all accompanied by several bikes and people. I picked up my pace to meet with Rick, who was standing patiently with Jadis. I told him earlier that I wanted to be there when she did. When I met up with them, Rick was the only one that attempted a nice greeting.

"What you fight for," Jadis nodded, looking around at Alexandria. At that moment, Michonne turned up to join us.

"Not the place...the people, each other. You're a part of that now," Rick smiled, glancing at Michonne. Jadis gave me a look, one that almost seemed more sullen than usual.
"We take. We don't bother... our way. Maybe another way." She attempted to smile. She took in the sight of Michonne, and her closeness to Rick. "Yours?" she asked motioning to Rick. The three of us gave her a confused look.

"Yeah, we're together," Michonne told her. Jadis tilted her head.

"I lay with him after. You care?" I snorted, putting my hand over my mouth to keep me from laughing. The look on each of their faces was priceless. I bit down on my lip, trying to wipe the smile from my face. Michonne looked at me and did the same.

"We should get back to work," Michonne suggested.

"Yeah," Rick agreed instantly, backing away from Jadis. I watched the two of them walk away, before turning my attention back to Jadis. She just gave me a cheeky smile and shrugged. I shook my head.

"I still got work to do. I'll see you later." I smiled and left her to her own devices. I headed back towards the house, before I head my name being called from the armory. I stopped to see both Carl and Rosita. I gave them both a quizzical look, before approaching them.

"Have you got your position yet?" Rosita asked me. I shook my head no.

"She's going to be on the wall with me," Carl told her. I raised my eyebrows.

"I want to be on the ground. With Daryl and everyone else," I countered.

"That's the most dangerous place. I don't think so," he argued. I glared at him and turned to Rosita for help.

"Can you use a sniper rifle?" she asked.

"I've never tried," I answered honestly.

"Have you ever been in a close firefight like this before?" I thought back to all my experiences, and the only thing I could compare this to was the night at Woodbury when I helped Maggie and Glenn escape.

"Kind of..." I trailed off. She sighed.

"Not good enough," she grimaced and turned around to grab a familiar assault rifle. I knew it wasn't the exact M16 that Carl used to kill a man to save Ron all those months ago, but it was close. I almost didn't want to keep a hold of it when she thrust it into my hands.
"Light weight. Three-round burst. You're on the wall. Get going. Both of you." Carl gave me a smirk as he walked passed, heading towards the wall. I let out a huff, before following after him. When I caught up to him, he slowed his pace. Shifting around the weight of the larger gun, I gave him a curious look. There was no time to be wasting around. Negan could be here any minute. People were already gathering in their set positions.