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The roars of the dead flowed in and out of your ears, reminding you of the need to hold on. The current situation that you had gotten yourself into was rather puzzling. To be frank, you weren't so sure how you had gotten into it anyways.
The group had been on the road for a few weeks now, and this was your first time seeing a store in a while. So being in the desperate state that the group was in, Rick decided that they should go check it out, see if there was anything left at all. Of course everyone agreed seeing as no one had eaten in days. Long story short, it didn't end up how anyone was hoping.
You, Glenn, Tara, and Noah managed to find a few things that could be useful, but nothing more than a few granola bars worth. The four of you sighed in defeat, turning to walk to the front of the store to meet the other groups. Your group was the first back at base, and the first to notice something truly terrifying. Walkers barricaded the outside of the building, and were slowly making their way in through the broken doors.
"Walkers! Everybody up to the roof!" Glenn yelled, alerting the other groups who were scouting. You watched as the other groups ran to the back of the store and broke through the hatch on the roof, climbing up the ladder one after another. After Noah and Tara were up, Glenn made sure you got up before he did. As soon as he was up, he shut the hatch under him.
"They're going to breach the stairway," Daryl proclaimed, causing everyone's eyes to dart over towards the dark stairs. Growls and footsteps could be heard approaching, and suddenly everyone was looking for anyway off of the building and away from the herd.
"Rick, it could be days before this herd passes, we've either got to keep that door shut or we have to move!" Sasha noted. Everyone looked at Rick, who looked at you. You were like his right-hand man, and in a situation like this, he knew you could help. You nodded, Glenn placing a hand on your shoulder. You turned to face him, giving him a small smile before turning back to the group.
"We've gotta go, and the only way to get away from them is to jump." You watched as everyone's face fell in confusion. Sighing, you ran a hand through your hair and gave Glenn's hand a squeeze before letting go.
You quickly pulled your hair out of your face with a hair tie, taking deep breaths. Being a sort of leader was difficult, constantly having to risk your life for others and decide what's best for them. Glenn understood this part of you, but he still didn't like the idea of you being put in harm's way.
"I'll go across first, then someone who can help get the rest over. Carl and Judith before anyone else, you hear me?" everyone nodded, knowing what you were about to do was risky.
You looked down at the alleyway between the two buildings, seeing walkers roam beneath you hungrily. Your throat felt sore and dry, a pit forming in your stomach. Everyone stepped away from your path as you backed up, stretching out a bit.
Your eyes squeezed shut as you enjoyed feeling the glorious sensation of the cool summer breeze brush against your cheeks. Your eyes shot open as you began sprinting, and as you approached the edge of the roof, you jumped. You could hear the sounds of the dead grumbling at you and you could feel everyone's eyes, especially Glenn's, watching as you landed on the other rooftop.
A breath of relief escaped between your lips, one that you didn't know you had been holding. You turned around, facing the group that stood across the alleyway from you. You took one quick peek around you to make sure it was safe before telling them it was all clear. You met Glenn's gaze momentarily, flashing a solemn grin as you saw relief wash over his features.
You had Abraham jump over next, seeing as he was the strongest and would be able to get people over a lot quicker than you would. He made it successfully, and then the two of you started catching people as they jumped over.
Once Carl, Judith, and all the women were over, you began bringing over the men. Glenn was the second to last one, giving you a tight hug and standing behind you as you helped over the last one, Eli.
Eli was one of the people from Woodbury, and the two of you had become great friends when the Governor attacked, him and you escaping together. You probably would've died without him, so you and Glenn were both extremely grateful to have him around.
Nevertheless, Eli wasn't the athletic type, you knew that, so you also knew that he would be the hardest one to get over. His blank gaze ran over the faces of the group across from him, fear rushing through his veins. You yelled for him, and so did everyone else, but it was only when the walkers began trudging through the staircase and onto the roof towards him that he began to run.
He jumped, and he fell. Your breathing hitched, adrenaline causing you to lean over the edge and grab Eli's arm before he could fall into the hands of the dead. However, his mass sent you over the edge as well, you now holding yourself and Eli up with only one hand. You gazed down at Eli, fear rushing through your spine as you saw how close the two of you were to the walkers below.
Turning your attention to see the group all looking over you, you could hear them yelling for you or Eli. You couldn't tell, you were terrified. You were to far down for any of them to grab you, you were stuck.
"Somebody do something, look around!" Your eyes met Glenn's as he yelled, tears forming in them. You yelled his name, catching the attention of everyone.
"I'm okay- I just can't hold on much longer," you spoke, your knuckles turning white as your fingers began to bleed, "just get me something to hold onto, okay? Anything will work just hurry."
Eli's whimpers could be heard from beneath you as you spoke, your shoulder beginning to ache. You bit down on your lip as Eli struggled to hold on, twisting your arm in ways that it shouldn't be twisted. In a matter of seconds, a walker had clenched its jaw on Eli's ankle, despite his effort to kick it off. A grown escaped his lips, blood oozing from the wound in his ankle.
Your eyes were wide, tears starting to fall as you yelled for him. Glenn yelled your name, Eli being dragged down into the herd of walkers with every cry. But he didn't let go, his left hand was still wrapped around yours, tugging you down with him.
You continued to cry as you began to feel your skin peeling from your fingertips, your grip weak and sweaty. You whimpered softly, trying with every muscle in your body to hang on.
"Hold on!" You heard many members of the group yell, watching as they fumbled about, looking for a way to bring you back to safety.
A sob escaped your lips as your blood covered fingers unleashed Eli's. You inhaled roughly, your chest and eyes burning horribly. Your grip kept loosening, despite the group above yelling things in your direction.
For a moment, you felt like you were falling into an abyss, shutting your eyes tightly in fear. Until it all came to a stop.
Glenn. A rope had been lassoed around his waist, the other men in the group holding it as he grabbed you. In no time, you had been pulled up, a delusional state overcoming you as you wept, Glenn drawing you into him.
You felt the familiar warmth of Glenn's hands on the sides of your face, his glossy eyes staring into yours. "You'restill here, y/n," Glenn croaked, attempting to break you from your paralyzed state.
You were covered in Eli's blood, but Glenn didn't care. He pulled you into him as you sobbed into his neck, the rest of the group taking a moment to silently mourn. You weren't able to save someone who had done so much for you, and you couldn't help but hate yourself for it.
Glenn knew things would be rough for a while. He knew how isolated you could become, so he reminded you now that you weren't alone, that everyone else was still with you, that he was still with you.
"You're still here."
1504 words ahh it's been awhile. im not really sure if I like this one, but it's all I have for now. be sure to follow my instagram guys, @/glennstara. :)
