Rise Up

Chapter 37

When we got there, Enid, Carl, Jesus, Rick and Michonne were there.

“Hey guys,” I said when Daryl and I walked through the door.

“Hey. Everything set?” Carl asked.

“Yup. We're ready,” Daryl said.

“I was just telling Enid and Jesus that they're gonna go back to Hilltop in the morning. And they're taking Judith with them,” Rick said.

“Good. I was gonna ask about her. You guys gonna tell Maggie what's going down tomorrow?” I said.

“Yeah. She's gonna be up to date with everything,” Jesus said.

“Good. I'm gonna go and get some sleep. Or at least try to. I'll see you guys in the morning,” I said.

They all nodded.

“I'll come up in a bit. Gonna get me something to eat,” Daryl said.

“Alright,” I said kissing his cheek.

I made my way upstairs. I opened the door to our room and laid down. I grabbed hold of my necklace and held it tight.

“We can do this,” I whispered.

My mind then drifted to Sasha. I hoped with everything in me that she was still alive. The thought of her not being here anymore made absolutely no sense to me. She was tough. As tough as Abraham now that I thought about it. They should have had more time together. The fact that he was killed way before his time wasn't fair. Negan took him away from this world. Now, it was our turn to take him. I closed my eyes and waited for sleep to find me. I woke up with a start the next morning. Daryl shot up and grabbed my hand.

“What is it?” he asked.

“Nothing. It was just a dream…” I said.

“A nightmare?” he asked.

I smiled.

“No. It was good. It was the same one I had a few days back,” I said remembering the dream of the picnic.

“What happened?” he asked.

I moved on top of his lap and wrapped my arms around his neck.

“Everything we wanted,” I said.

I leaned in and kissed him. I parted and pressed my forehead against his.

“Let's get ready,” I said.

We got dressed and headed downstairs. Rick, Michonne and Carl were up as well. Carl had Judith in his arms.

“Are Jesus and Enid up yet?” I asked when I reached the bottom of the stairs.

“Not yet,” Carl said.

I made my way over to him and held out my arms to Judith. He handed her to me and I held her close. I kissed her head. I really missed not being able to see her face on a daily basis. The door opened and Enid walked in.

“Morning. Jesus is packing a car. He asked me to come and get Judith,” she said.

I kissed Judith once more and handed her over to Enid.

“Watch out for yourself, Enid,” I said.

I hugged her and Judith.

“I'll see you guys out there,” I said heading for the door.

Jesus was finished packing the car him and Enid would take. I made my way over to him.

“You sleep okay?” he asked when I reached him.

“As okay as I can. You?” I said.

“It was something,” he said.

“Be careful. Stay alert. Get to Hilltop safely,” I said.

“I've got them. I've got them both,” he said.

I went up and gave him a hug.

“Thanks for everything you've done for us. You're one of us. I hope you know that,” I said.

We parted and he placed his hand on my shoulder.

“I'm really glad I met you all. You guys be careful as well,” he said.

“Send my best to Maggie,” I said.

“I will,” he said.

Everyone made their way out of the house. With our final goodbyes, it was time to part ways. We watched as Jesus, Enid and Judith got into the car. The engine started and we all looked as the car made it out. Daryl came up and held my hand.

“Lil ass kicker is gonna be fine,” he said.

I chuckled. It had been awhile since I heard him call her that.

“I know. And we will too,” I said.

He nodded.

“Michonne and I are gonna go and get the Scavengers. Stay put and get everything set up,” Rick said.

I hugged both him and Michonne.

“Be careful,” I said.

“We will,” Michonne said.

They made their way to the RV and took off.

“Let's get started,” I said.

We spent the next couple of hours passing out rifles to our people. Placing extra one's on all the watch points and making sure that we knew exactly where the others were in order to get to them. Once we were practically done, Rosita had started to open the gates. Rick and Michonne were back. They brought along with them two garbage trucks carrying the group he had mentioned. Some rode in on bikes. We had more numbers. That was enough for me to be okay with them. They all made their way out.

“Time to set up the dynamite,” Daryl said.

“Yeah. Rosita,” I called.

She came up to me.

“Do your thing,” I said.

She nodded and headed out. Daryl, Aaron and I followed her to a truck just outside the gates. Watching her work was fascinating. She really knew what she was doing.

“I'm glad you made it back. We all are,” I said as I wrapped some wires together.

“I just wish Sasha had let me come with her. I didn't even make it inside,” she said.

Sasha had saved her. I realized at that moment how far she'd come. After Bob and Tyreese, she finally understood it. Fighting for someone else was what it was all about.

“She knew what she was doing,” I said.

We continued wrapping the wires and attaching them to the dynamite along with more explosives we'd gathered from Oceanside. When we'd finished, we carefully placed them back on the right side of the truck. We got down and carefully closed the back of the truck. Rosita had created a detonator out of a car remote. When Rick gave her the signal, she'd set it off. The cars in front were in position. Everyone made their way back inside. I grabbed a rifle and held it tightly. Michonne had gone with one of the Scavengers to set up on the tallest house in the community. Daryl and I were right by the gate covered by a car. Tara and Rosita were close by. Rick and Carl were up at the watch point that overlooked the entrance. I looked up at him. I nodded and he nodded back.

“Rosita. Get into position. I'll signal you. And the wall's gonna hold,” Rick said.

“It'll hold,” Rosita said.

We looked to the entrance and waited for them to come.