Surviving All Out War (BOOK FIVE IN THE SURVIVING THE WALKING DEAD SERIES)

I Won't Give Up

     Rick stared back at me in silence. He was shocked that I was there, especially since he had gotten word I was at the Hilltop, expected to be executed, as promised. "Dad, we need to-" Carl began.

     "Gimme the keys." Rick grumbled.

     "Dad-"

     "Now, Carl." Rick ordered. Carl let out a sigh and handed Rick the keys. A few seconds later, Rick unlocked the cell door.

     "What's wrong, Rick? Ya look like you've seen a ghost." I chuckled. Rick didn't respond as he slowly entered the cell. "My, how the tables have turned. Well, I'm standin' right in front of ya." I held out my arms to my sides. "Give it your best-" POW! I instantly staggered backwards as Rick's fist collided with my jaw. "Now that's what I'm talkin' about!" I chuckled. "Alright, game on!" POW!

     "Dad, stop!" Carl shouted as I collapsed to my knees. POW! I swung my arm as hard as I could, punching Rick in the cheek. I staggered to my feet and held my fists up, ready to make my next move. "Dad, stop it, she's pregnant!"

     "Run along, Carl. Daddy and I got some business to discuss. Like funeral arrangements. What's your favorite color, Rick? Blue? Ya look like a blue guy. I'll be sure to find the best blue shirt for ya." SWOOSH! Rick swung at me, but I quickly moved out of the way. "Oh, also, would ya prefer open or closed casket? I mean, It'd probably be best if it was closed, seein' how Negan's gonna throttle ya when he gets here." SWOOSH! POW! I ducked again and slammed my fist into his cheek, sending him back a few steps. "I already know what I'm gonna put on your headstone. 'Here lies the stupid lil' prick named Rick who got everybody killed'."

     THUD! Rick suddenly tackled me to the ground and straddled my hips. One hand wrapped around my throat as the other one balled up into a fist and repeatedly slammed against my face. "DAD, STOP!" Carl pleaded. My face grew numb. I reached up and dug my fingernails into his face, but he only tightened his grip around my throat. Taking another approach, I jabbed my finger into his eye socket "GAAAAAH!" Rick instantly released my throat and grabbed his eye in pain. I quickly lunged forward and bit down on his left arm as hard as I could, blood trickling onto my teeth and tongue. "GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Rick bellowed in pain. I suddenly released him as a painful sensation emitted from the side of my stomach.

     Rick shoved me back onto the ground as hard as he could, lifting a bloodied knife above his head and thrusting it downwards. I grabbed his arm, forcing the knife to stop a few inches above my heart. "YOU MADE ME DO THIS!" Rick snarled. "I'M GONNA FUCKIN' KILL YOUR AND CUT YOUR BABIES OUT AND SEND YA TO NEGAN!"

     "RICK, STOP!" Daryl, Tobin, and Michonne suddenly rushed into the cell, grabbing onto Rick for dear life and prying him off of me. I quickly placed my hand on the side of my stomach, grunting in pain as I dragged myself over to the wall and propped myself up.

     "LET GO OF ME!" Rick ordered. "LET GO OF ME!"

     "Michaela, are you alright?" Carl asked as he knelt down beside me.

     "Why did ya get help?" I grumbled.

     "What else was I supposed to do? Let him kill you?"

     "I killed your people, I'm a Savior, it's exactly what you're supposed to do."

     "I can't do that, Michaela, no matter what you've done... you're my sister." I looked away from Carl and slightly moved my hand from my stomach, it was already covered in blood. "Daryl!" Daryl glanced over at us, his eyes widened and he ran over to me, kneeling down beside me.