Rise Up

Chapter 19

I took in small breaths. In and out, in and out. I wiped away the tears that had started to fall. I leaned back against the building. I sniffled and looked up at the sky. I could feel Glenn and Abraham's presence. A smile spread across my face. I closed my eyes and sniffled once more. I don't know how long I had been there but it didn't take long for Daryl to come out.

"You good?" he asked.

I still had my eyes closed.

"Yeah...I just..." I said shakily.

I looked over at him.

"Come here," he said.

He held me close and I wrapped my arms around him.

"They should be here," I whispered.

"I know. Which is why we gotta fight," he said.

I parted and looked at him.

"Damn straight," I said.

I pressed my forehead against his.

"Where are the others?" I asked.

"Still talking with the guy," he said.

We parted. A few minutes later, everyone made their way out. Rick and Carl came up to me.

"Are you okay?" Rick asked.

"Yeah. Just felt like I was suffocating in there. Didn't mean to freak you all out. Sorry," I said.

He hugged me.

"You sure you're okay?" Carl asked.

"Yeah. Just needed to take a breather. So what's the plan?" I said.

The rest of the group had gathered around us.

"Ezekiel wants us to stay for the night. He'll tell us his answer in the morning," Rick said.

"He's gonna think about it?" I asked.

"Yeah. Richard and Morgan will show us where we're staying. Come on," Rick said.

I nodded and we all followed Richard and Morgan. There were some spare rooms that were available to us. Daryl, Rick, Carl, Michonne and I were able to fit in one room. Tara, Sasha, Rosita and Jesus would be staying in another.

"Supper is in half an hour. You all are welcome to join us," Richard said before he left us.

We all met in one room.

"What do you all think?" Rick asked.

"Morgan, from what you've seen, is the King a good guy?" I asked.

"Yeah. He's a good guy," Morgan replied.

"Okay. So let's hope that he comes to his senses and joins us," I said.

"There doesn't have to be more killing," Morgan said.

He got annoyed glances from everyone in the room. I made my way to him.

"Morgan, you have your beliefs and I get that. But these Saviors, they don't deserve to live. You weren't there when..." I trailed off to take a breath.

"Negan showed no remorse whatsoever when he killed Glenn and Abraham. Right now, he thinks he owns us. He thinks that we'll kneel willingly. But he doesn't know us. What we're capable of. Morgan, you are a part of that 'us'," I finished resting my hand on his shoulder.

He nodded.

"I appreciate that. I do. But I still feel we should talk to them," he said.

"What the hell, man?" Daryl said.