All Out War

Chapter 41

"Sweetheart," Daryl whispered.

I felt him grab my hand and kiss it. My eyes slowly opened and I looked over at him.

"It's time to go," he said.

I stretched then he helped me up. Rosita was already up.

"Why am I always the last one to wake up?" I asked heading over to the window.

"You need it more," Rosita said.

"Not true. But I appreciate it nonetheless. What's the status?" I said.

"All those cars that were there last night have long gone. I'm guessing Eugene has a group working with him. There's no way he could make that many bullets on his own. We'll just have to hope that he goes outside. I'm sure he has to test them out. When and if that happens, that's when we'll take him," she said.

I nodded.

"So we head down there and wait for our moment," I said.

"Yeah. That's the plan. We'll see how it goes," she said.

I went and grabbed my backpack, double checked that my handgun had a full clip then went back to the window. I grabbed the binoculars and looked toward the entrance. There was no one on watch which I was surprised at.

"You two ready?" Daryl asked.

"Yeah. Let's get this over with," I said.

We left the building and made our way closer to the warehouse.

"We should split up. I'll wait by the side of the building while you two wait right in front. Remember, the minute we see Eugene, we take him as quietly as possible," Rosita said.

"You got it," Daryl said.

"Be careful," I said.

"Don't worry. We will get this done," she said before taking off.

Daryl and I went ahead and knelt down by an abandoned car that gave us a clear view of the front of the building.

"You good?" he asked.

"Yeah. You?" I said.

"Just want this done quick," he said.

"So, it'll be done quick," I said.

We got quiet and waited for our chance. After a few minutes, we saw the door open. Eugene was being flanked by two others.

"We go in," I said.

"Yup. Stay close," he said.

We quietly made our way over. Daryl took out the first guy with an arrow while Rosita handled the other. Eugene was startled to say the least. I looked to make sure it was all clear. Daryl held his gun to the back of Eugene's head. I grabbed the bag he had with him while Rosita grabbed a hold of his arm and led him away. We headed for the car which was parked a couple of miles from the place. I had tied up Eugene's hands to make sure it would make it harder for him to get away if that happened. Daryl and I then left Rosita with Eugene while we stayed on the lookout for Saviors or walkers. We'd been walking for a few minutes when Eugene decided to break the silence.

"I can't help but suspect that the reason I'm being taken alive is despite what completely warranted bad blood exists between us, you still harbor a vestigial nostalgia for our comradery. And in light of that, I'm willing to shut my grub flap. Give you your space until you see such a time as you're ready to break the ice..." he had begun but Daryl cut him off.

He had pulled out his knife and was now holding it near Eugene's mouth.

"Shut your mouth. Before I cut your tongue out," Daryl threatened.

Rosita and I went up and tried to pull Daryl away from Eugene.

"Whoa. Daryl, stop," I said.

"All right. We gotta keep going. They have to be out looking for him by now," Rosita said.

"Come on, babe," I said grabbing his hand and leading him away. "

"Thank you," I heard Eugene say.

"Shut up," Rosita retorted.

Daryl looked back to make sure that we still had him. I kept moving him forward.

"The quicker we get to Hilltop, the quicker we won't have to deal with him," I whispered to him.

"Ain't quick enough," Daryl muttered.

We kept walking.

"When I told Negan I made the bullet it was to save your life. I didn't think, I just acted on your behalf and I fully expected the crack of the bat to be the last thing I heard but that didn't happen. Then I thought that they would torture me. But they didn't. They gave me a chance to live. And I tried to resist. I tried to rise above my biological imperative but that is not who I am," Eugene said.

"I know who you are. You're the reason they were able to escape the Sanctuary. Everything that's happened since then, everyone who's died...yeah...that's on you. Move," Rosita retorted.

I was glad that he was safe but at the same time, my disappointment in him grew even more. A few more minutes and we'd be back at the car.

"Rick's the one who pushed us all to take the Saviors on," Eugene said.

And with that, my anger boiled.

"You better watch yourself, Eugene," I turned and said.

Now it was Daryl's turn to keep me moving.

"He's the one who jumped headlong any of this shit storm with no waiters," he continued.

I turned just in time to see Rosita pull out her gun and hold it to his chin.

"You're selfish. And you're a coward and you're a traitor. You turned you back on the only friends you ever had. Shooting you in the head right here would actually make the world a better place," she threatened.

I could hear the pain in her voice. She had known him the longest. I couldn't even imagine what she was going through. She moved her gun away.

"We're not gonna kill you. Not because we give a rat's ass about you, we just need what's in there," she said pushing his head with her index finger.

"We're gonna stick you in the darkest hole we can find and the only time you'll see the light of day is when we need you teach us how to do something. So don't worry you'll get what you want, you'll live. But we're gonna force you to do something useful with your pathetic life," she finished.

She had needed to get all of that out. I was glad she finally did. She pushed him in front of her and we kept going. After a few more minutes, he spoke up again.

"What about you Ms. Sanchez?" he asked.

"It's Mrs. Dixon. I've gotten married since that last time I saw you," I retorted.

"Congratulations. Your husband seems very happy," he said sarcastically.

Daryl turned and was about to give him a right hook but I stopped him.

"Shut the hell up, Eugene. Let's go," I said.

We continued walking.

"Tell me. You're husband and Rosita made their views quite clear. I'd like to hear your opinions," he said.

"You really don't want to know what I think, Eugene," I said.

"On the contrary. I do," he said.

I stopped.

"You don't have to," Daryl came up and whispered.

"I know. But...I think I do," I retorted.

I let out a few breaths then turned and made my way over to him.