Rise Up

Chapter 35

We made it back to the edge of the lake. It took us quite some time to get all the supplies across the lake. Rick and Daryl went ahead and took the supplies back and forth. Once all of it was on the other side of the lake, we started making our way across. After all of us had made it, we then started loading the crates of ammo and rifles into the van. It really was a lot and I was glad. This was the kind of firepower we needed against them. We were gonna win. We were ready to head back. Daryl got onto his bike and I went behind him.

“We’re gonna win,” I said wrapping my arms around his waist.

He grabbed my hand and kissed the back of it.

“Fuck yeah we are,” he said.

He started the engine and led the way. I looked back to make sure the rest were behind us. They weren’t too far behind. The sun quickly started to set halfway home. When we finally got to Alexandria, it was dark. We slowed when we reached the gate. It started to open and I saw that Rosita was the one opening it up of us. They were back. We all drove the vehicles inside. Once we were parked, I quickly got off the bike and made my way to her. Everyone was getting down. Enid followed me.

“Hey, are you okay?” Enid asked when we got to her.

“Where’s...Where’s Sasha? Is she back at her place?” I asked.

The rest of the group had made their way over to her as well.

“There’s someone here,” Rosita said.

Something wasn’t right by the tone of her voice. And that worried me.

“Francine, Tobin, Aaron, Eric, Gabriel, Carl and Enid, make sure that you get the guns into the armory,” Rick said.

They all nodded their heads and headed toward the van.

“Everyone else, let’s follow Rosita,” Rick said.

We all followed her to the basement of the armory. Morgan had made a cell out of that spare room. Rosita opened it and went inside. We all waited by the door to see who was in it. It was dark and I couldn’t really make out anything. The person then stood up and light of the moon hit his face. I clenched my hands into fists. That asshole. Suddenly, Daryl lunged at him. He pushed everyone out of the way to reach him.

“Whoa. Whoa. Whoa,” Rick said holding him back.

I quickly went over to his side and grabbed his arm.

“Daryl, hold on,” I said.

I glared at Dwight.

“What the hell is he doing here and what the hell does he want?” I asked still glaring at him.

“He says he wants to help us,” Rosita said.

“A load of bullshit,” I said still holding onto Daryl.

Rick turned and looked at Dwight.

“That true? You want to help?” Rick asked.

“I do,” Dwight answered.

I scoffed. Rick went over to him.

“Okay,” Rick said pulling out his gun.

He aimed it at him.

“Get on your knees,” Rick demanded.

I watched as that son of a bitch kneeled right in front of us. I got a hint of satisfaction seeing him do what he and the rest of those assholes made us do. Dwight was looking at Daryl and I didn’t have to look at him to know that he was glaring back at the asshole.

“Look at me. Why?” Rick said.

“Cause I want it stopped. I want Negan dead,” Dwight said.

“So just kill him, then. You’re the only one who is actually close enough to do that,” I said.

“Can’t just be me. They’re all Negan,” Dwight said.

“That girl you murdered…” Tara started.

She got closer to him and Rick moved out of the way to give her space. She looked him right in the eye.

“She had a name. Her name was Denise, and she was a doctor. And she helped people,” Tara said sternly.

“I wasn’t aiming for her,” Dwight retorted.

That was it. I lunged at him and pinned him against the wall.

“You think that makes it okay?” I said full of rage.

I punched him.

“That’s for Denise,” I said.

I punched him again.

“And that’s for everything else you piece of shit,” I growled.

Rick then came and pulled me away. It was Daryl’s turn. He grabbed hold of Dwight by the collar and held his knife right by his eye.

“Do it. Do it,” Tara said.

“You wanna end it this way...you go ahead. I’m sorry. I am. I know you want to,” Dwight told Daryl.

“He could just be here to see if you were here,” Rick said.

“We can’t trust him,” Michonne said.

“He owned me. But not anymore. What I did, I was doing it for someone else. She just got away. So now I’m here. So are you because of her,” Dwight said.

There was more to this. I could see that.

“Do it!” Tara said again.

“There’s another choice,” Dwight said.

“Daryl. Daryl, you knew her,” Tara said.

“Negan trusts me. We work together, we can stop him,” Dwight said.

Daryl was struggling with going through with it.

“You knew me then, and you know me now. You know I’m not lying. I’m not,” Dwight said.

“Do it. Do it!” Tara said again.

Daryl took a second but then he put his knife down. I went up to him and pulled him toward me.

“They have Sasha, if she’s even alive,” Rosita said.

I looked at her.

“What?” I asked.

“Why didn’t you say something? He could be our only chance to get her back,” Jesus said.

“Because I don’t trust him. But I trust Daryl,” Rosita said.

“Negan’s coming soon,” Dwight said.

“When?” I asked looking back at him.

“Tomorrow. Three trucks probably. 20 Saviors and him. I can slow them down, bring some trees down in the road, and buy a little time for you guys to get ready. If you can take them out, that’s where we start. You kill them, I’ll radio back to the Sanctuary,” Dwight said.

“The Sanctuary?” Rick asked.

“Where Negan lives. That’s what they call it. I can radio back to them and say everything’s okay. You drive the trucks back, and I can lead you right inside, and, with the right plan, we can wipe out the rest. Check to see if your friend’s still alive. Then, we get the workers on our side, build our numbers up, and go from outpost to outpost and end this,” Dwight continued.

I crossed my arms. If he really meant what he said, this could work. I didn’t trust the asshole but I did like the plan he was offering.

“Keep talking,” Rick said.

Tara scoffed then headed out.

“I’ve got her,” I said.