All Out War

Chapter 1

After the meeting, we all dispersed and continued to help around the community. Daryl grabbed my hand and held onto it tightly as we made our way up the street.

"What are you thinking?" I asked.

He looked at me.

"Just...nah. Forget it," he replied.

I stopped and made him do the same.

"Daryl, I thought we had promised to tell each other everything. Please, don't keep me in the dark," I said moving closer.

"We gotta win," he said.

"I know we do. We don't have the numbers but if we strategize the right way, we will. We will win, Daryl," I said wrapping my arms around his neck.

We pressed our foreheads together. I sighed.

"Now what is it you're thinking?" he asked rearing his head back to look at me.

I looked over to where Morgan was sitting with Carol.

"Something happened for him to start killing again. I want to know why but at the same time, I'm afraid to know the truth," I said.

"Yeah. Something happened to Carol too. What do you say we go and ask them huh?" he said.

"Yeah. We should," I retorted.

We made our way over to them. They were chatting among themselves when we reached them. The both of them looked up at us.

"You guys okay?" Carol asked.

"Yeah. We're good," Daryl answered.

He looked over at me and nodded.

"We're glad you guys are here. That you helped. But...we can't help but wonder. What happened for you to join in? You two seemed to have your minds made up about not killing anymore. What changed?" I asked.

Morgan took in a shaky breath and let it go. Carol looked down. I knelt down in front of them.

"Guys. Please. What happened? I...I have to know," I said.

Morgan looked right at me.

"Benjamin...they...they killed Benjamin," he said softly.

"What?" I asked in disbelief.

"It's true," Carol whispered.

I sunk to the ground. Daryl knelt down behind me and held me close.

"That was it for me. He was a good kid. He shouldn't have died. Richard was to blame. But I took care of him," Morgan said.

I sniffled and wiped away the single tear that had fallen.

"I knew that asshole was trouble," I said sternly.

"You were right," Morgan said.

"And Henry? His little brother?" I asked.

"He's safe. Taking the loss hard of course but he's safe," Carol answered.

"It's great seeing you guys again," I said.

I went ahead and gave them both hugs. Carol and Daryl embraced tightly. It was a welcoming sight.

"How's Michonne? I heard she was sent to the infirmary. Rosita too," Carol said.

"She's gonna be okay. She just needs lots of rest. She was beaten pretty badly. And Rosita was sleeping when I last saw her. The bullet went clean through her shoulder. No shards left behind. She's going to be fine. I'm sure Rick, Carl and Tara are at their sides right now," I said.