Weak//c.g ✔️

Chapter Forty

Meadow Fletcher's POV

I looked at the map that was presented to me, my mom's eyes scanned over the writing, "This is Daniel." She said. Rick looked over at me and I nodded my head, "This is my dad, could be a trap." My mom scoffed, looking over at me, "Your dad would've killed you at Alexandria and he didn't. He could've killed you a few nights ago and he didn't," She looked at Rick, "He's helping us."

I was packing my bag, the door creaked open, I turned around quickly, trying to hide the bag, "You going on a trip?" Carl asked, his eyes darting at the bag. I looked back my bag, "I was gonna leave after the fight," I whispered. "Why?" "I need to get away, be alone for a few weeks, maybe a few months." Carl shook his head, "You can't."

"Carl, I need to." "That's bullshit, Meadow." My throat went dry, "We found the Saviors, they were holed up in some run down shipping yard. A herd came, we were tied up. Your dad and I talked the Saviors into untying us and helping them," I paused, taking a deep shaky breath, "They were gonna come back with us, they wanted to," I looked down reliving the memory, "Rick and Morgan gave each other a look and within seconds, those Saviors were dead."

"That's not your fault, Meadow." "I helped them. I helped them kill those men. After this morning, after this fight. I'm leaving. I have to go." I got up, putting the bag on my back, "What about us, Meadow? What about me?" His voice cracked, "Carl, you and I never happened."

My words felt like daggers on my own tongue, "We kissed here and there. We said I love you. That's it." His face fell, "Meadow, you don't mean that. You're just upset."  "No, I do mean that Carl. The reason why you and I never happened was because I was scared. I was scared of the things I did for you. I killed three men in one night to protect you. I continue killing people because that is how I was built, that's how this apocalypse built me. I am scared that if I stick around any longer more people will die, including you." 

"Don't say that, don't do this to me." He pleaded. I shook my head, "This is how it has to be." I cleared my throat, "You were my first and only best friend. My only love. I'm doing this for me, I need to do this for me. Please, don't tell my mom, don't tell your dad. Don't tell anyone." I whispered. Carl nodded his head, "One condition." "Yeah, what is it?" "Treat this like any other day for us. Kiss me before we leave. Fix my bandage. Joke around with me." "Are you sure?" "Please." His voice cracked, "It's going to hurt you more, Carl." "Please." He repeated. I looked up at the ceiling, "Yeah, I will."

Carl pressed his lips against mine, the kiss lingered. I kissed back. He let go, "I'll see you after." "See ya." I whispered. 

I looked my Aunt, waiting for the signal, I looked at the men in front of us, they were setting up a roadblock of the dead. She gave the signal and within seconds, they were all dead. Their blood splattered on my clothes and hands. I let out a deep breath, "Let's go." "Hey! Hey! I give up." A man surrendered at my feet, "I'm done! I'm done!" Morgan sliced his throat. I watched the whole time, my face was blank, zero emotion.

We walked through a field. Whistling in the distance. I stopped dead in my tracks, aiming my automatic weapon. "Well, damn, Rick, look at that." Negan was on a megaphone, "Pegged again. Pegged so very hard." My grip tightened on the weapon, "I ambushed you ambush with an even bigger ambush." "How about you step out and face us?" Rick yelled. "Oh, I am everywhere, Rick. Some more bullhorns, more walkies. Pick a direction and run. See how you do. Make it fun for all of us. Guess what else I did? I brought you some old friends of yours. You remember your old buddy Eugene? Well, he is the person that made today possible. Same goes for Dwighty boy here. In case you were wondering, he didn't ream you on purpose. No, he is just a gutless nothin' that sucks at life and now he gets to stand up here and watch you all die, and he's gonna live with that. So is Daniel, I was shocked but I should've known after his wife left that this would've happened. Gabriel, well, he's got to go, too. We are cleaning house today, Rick. And then there's you. It never had to be a fight. You just had to accept how thing are. So, here we go. Congratulations, Rick."

It went silent, my heart was pounding in my chest. "Three!" Negan's voice boomed. I looked around everywhere. "Two!" My hands began to sweat, I peered at the tree line. Saviors began coming out everywhere. "One!" The Saviors shot and all I heard was an explosion.

The Saviors on the horizon fell back. Their bullets exploded. I looked at everyone, "Now!" Rick yelled. We pushed up the hill. "He's running!" Maggie yelled. I followed Rick, he tried shooting Negan, "Rick!" I yelled, "Don't shoot!" His gun clicked. I stood in front of him, "He can live, we have him, it's done." I was shoved to the ground by Negan. I yelled. Negan got Rick to the ground, picking up Lucille. I stood up quickly, Negan swung his bat up I kicked him back. "You're beat and your people are down!" I yelled.

"I can get out of this, I always do. I am bigger, I am badder, and I got a bat." Rick laid unconscious on the ground. I looked at Negan, "We can have a future. What I said at Alexandria was true. I meant that. Carl meant that." "I know, I'll have a future." I put my hand in front of me, placing my pistol down, "Give me ten seconds to tell you how." I was the only thing standing between Rick and Negan, "No." "Ten seconds, that's all I ask." Negan began counting down, "We said it doesn't have to be this way. It doesn't have to be a fight anymore." "You two were wrong. Eight." "No, no. We were right. Carl was right." Tears welled up in Negan eyes, I smiled, nodding my head, "We can make this happen. Our groups can come together as one. We can." Negan nodded his head. Rick came up behind him, slitting his throat, "No!" I yelled. My face fell, I shook my head repeatedly. 

I turned around, everyone was there and then I looked back at Rick. Rick looked back at me, then at Siddiq, "Save him." Rick yelled. "No!" Maggie protested, Michonne held her back, "No, he can't! No! No, he killed Glenn!" "We have to." "We have to end it! Rick! We have to make it right!" She wailed. "M-Meadow?" Maggie looked at me, "End this!" I shook my head, backing away. I picked my gun and my bag up. "Meadow?" My dad asked. I stayed quiet, walking away from them.

Walking away forever.