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

Honor

"The Saviors are gone." Michonne informed as she walked over to Rick. "We can get everyone to Hilltop. We can get Carl there."

"Carl?" Rick looked down at Carl and me. "No."

"Daryl can get one of the cars."

"Carl won't make- He can't leave here. I have to stay with him."

"Rick-"

"He can't... I have to stay."

"We'll both stay." Michonne nodded.

"The four of us." I spoke up. "I ain't leavin' my lil' brother behind."

"You need to get to Hilltop. If Negan comes back-"

"He ain't comin' back. Not today, at least. I'm stayin' with Carl." Michonne let out a sigh and gave me a gentle nod.

"Will you... Will you take Judith?" Michonne asked. "She needs to be there. If she..." Rick began to whimper.

"I'll take 'er." Daryl butted in. "I'll get 'er there. I'll keep 'er safe. I got this."

"Let me say goodbye." Carl mumbled. Michonne and I carefully sat Carl up and leaned him back against my chest. He was getting hotter, his body was drenched with sweat. He didn't have much longer. Maybe an hour. Rick carefully sat Judith down and she walked over to Carl in silence. "You be good, okay? For Michonne. For dad. You gotta honor him. Listen when he tells you stuff. You don't have to always. Sometimes, kids got to show their parents the way."

"Are you weaving, Carl?" Judith asked.

"Yeah... yeah, I'm leaving, Judith."

"Where are you going?"

"I'm sick. I gotta go away for a while."

"Am I gonna see you again?" The tunnels fell deathly silent.

"No." Carl sighed. "I'm sorry, but you won't see me. Not after tonight." Carl carefully reached down and picked up his hat and looked it over in his hands. "This was Dad's before it was mine. Now it's yours." Carl sniffled. "I don't know... Just- Just having it and... it always kept Dad with me. It made me feel as strong as him. It helped me. Maybe it'll help you, too." Carl handed Judith his hat and sighed. "Before mom died... she told me that I was gonna beat this world. I didn't." Carl whimpered. "But you will. I know you will. You have so many people who love you, Judith. Michonne, Dad, Michaela, Daryl... they're gonna keep you safe. Beat this world, Judith. Beat this world for me."

"I wuv you, Carl." Judith began to cry.

"I love you, too." Rick picked up Judith into his arms and carefully passed her off to Daryl.

"Hey." Daryl spoke up as he looked down at Carl. "These people. You saved 'em all. That's all you, man." Carl instantly smiled. "Sure ya don't wanna come with us, babe?"

"I'm sure." I nodded. "I- I wanna stay. I wanna be here for Carl." Daryl gave me a nod and turned to the others, motioning for them to head out of the tunnels as they all stopped to say their final goodbyes to Carl.

"You were helping me honor my mom..." Saddiq spoke up as he knelt down beside Carl.

"Not just yours." Carl responded. "Mine, too."

"You brought me here. You gave me a chance. I know I can never repay you... but I can honor you by showing your people, your f-friends, your- your family that what you did wasn't for nothing. That it mattered." Saddiq looked up at Rick, who remained silent. "That it- That it meant something." Saddiq's voice began to tremble. "Because it did. So that's what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna honor you, Carl." Carl softly sniffled and held his hand out to Saddiq. He hesitated briefly, but took Carl's hand and shook it.