Save Me

29. War

Both sides were drained, both leaders had lost so much already. Rick was at the end of his tether, so was everyone, including Molly. She knew Negan's fate, everyone had told her many times. She had to do right by her family now, but would she just let the love of her life die?

Bombs and flares dropped all around us as we ran for cover.

Rick stayed behind as I helped Carl into the bunker.

I tried to lie to myself by pretending that Negan wasn't the one doing this, but he was.

He wanted us all dead and decided to burn Alexandria to the ground to achieve that, killing innocent families and children.

My love was gone.

He wasn't the man I recognised anymore.

I made sure all the children were safe in the bunker and climbed back out with Michonne to find Rick who was trying to fight back.

'Rick!' Michonne shouted as he turned to face her.

There we three stood amidst the burning church and houses.

Mine was still untouched.

'Carl needs you, Rick!' I yelled to him as the sounds of explosions deafened us and the smoke strangled around our throats.

Tears formed in my eyes as I struggled to breathe, if he wanted to kill me, he was gonna have to try harder than that.

Rick nodded in shock as Michonne and I grabbed him and made our way down the bunker.

It was dark and damp down there as all you could hear were droplets hitting against the rusted metal walls.

I squeezed past everyone and brought Rick and Michonne over to Carl who was being tended to by Siddiq.

His face was pale and beads of sweat formed on his brow as he struggled to keep his eyes open.

I had known him for five years, he had become such a man over the years.

'Dad...' he said wearily as he pulled up his shirt.

We all thought he was just sick but my heart stopped when I saw the bite mark which oozed blood.

Rick dropped to his knees and clambered to him, crying and screaming like I'd never heard him do before.

It was hard to watch. Tears rolled down my cheeks.

'I did what I had to do, what you guys taught me' he said looking at Rick and Michonne.

'I love you mom' Carl said holding Michonne's hand as she kissed it through her tears.

Aaron peeked outside and saw the burning subside slightly, this would be our only chance.

'Rick...we have to move. We can carry Carl' Aaron said quietly.

Rick just turned and looked at Michonne.

'How long do we have?' she asked pleadingly.

'Five minutes tops before the fire on us again. The smoke will cover us' he answered.

Rick just nodded as he was about to lift Carl when Carl said 'don't, you have to leave now. I have my gun'.

Rick just stared at him in confusion.

'Dad...please. Let me do this' he pleaded as his voice strained.

Michonne dragged Rick away as we all clambered up the stairs to the outside.

The smoke was bitter and dry in our lungs as we coughed and spluttered as we stumbled out of the back gates.

Michonne held Rick up as we hurried, but we were stopped dead by a gunshot which echoed amidst the explosions.