All Out War

Chapter 23

Daryl kissed my forehead and my eyes flew open. I looked around frantically.

"Hey. It's okay. We're all okay," he whispered.

I cleared my throat.

"How long was I out?" I asked.

"About half an hour," he said.

"What's up?" I asked.

"We think they may have left already. I was just about to head up and check it out," he said.

I rubbed my eyes and started to get up.

"Okay. I'll come with," I said.

"Nah. I'll be quick. You stay down here and wait for me," he said.

"No. Daryl I'm coming with you," I said.

"Amelia, I want you to stay here. Where it's safe," he said.

"I have to see it. Please...I just...I have to see it," I said softly.

He pressed our foreheads together.

"All right. But you stay close to me you hear?" he said.

I nodded.

"We'll be back," Daryl told Rick.

"Be careful," he said.

I grabbed my rifle and slung it over my shoulder. Tara, Scott and Tobin came with us. We got to the ladder and Daryl went up first. He moved the cover out of the way and got out. He looked around before extending his hand to me. I grabbed it and he helped me out. It was still dark out but it looked like the sun would be coming up soon.. I looked toward our home and saw the flames engulf it. I exhaled shakily. I breathed in and breathed out to keep me from losing it. Daryl patted my arm.

"This way," he said.

We all followed him to the edge of where we'd rammed the trucks through. Daryl stopped and held up his finger. I listened for anything that would indicate that we weren't alone. There was nothing.

"All right. Come on," he said.

We followed him inside. There were some houses completely up in flames and others that were untouched. We all held up our weapons once we were further in. The Saviors had ran. All of them. I put my rifle down. I had to know whether or not our house was still standing. I took off running down the street. I heard Daryl calling me but I ignored him. I slowed down when I got closer. Rick did say that Negan was waiting for him here. Maybe that was why it was still standing. I then remembered something and I went inside. I went up the stairs and into Carl's room. It was still there. I grabbed the frame off the drawer he had next to his sleeping bag. It was okay. It was still okay. Lori, Rick and a younger looking Carl. I had to take this back to him. I heard the front door close and open then footsteps quickly heading up the stairs.

"What the hell?" he asked.

I turned and watched as Daryl caught his breath.

"I'm sorry...I just...I had to see if it was still up or not," I said.

He crossed the room and grabbed the frame I had close to me. He looked at it.

"Crazy to see how much time has passed," he said.

"I know. I wanted to give it to him. That's why I came up here," I said.

"So let's give it to him," he said.

"There's some things we could pack and take to Hilltop," I said.

"Yeah but not now. We have to get back and tell the others. That way, we could all plan it together," he said.