Broken

Fallen

When the radio crackles I jump, it's Ezekiel with an update on the Kingdom. Carl and Daryl have been there for almost a month now. 

Last week most of the buildings were engulfed in flames. The pluming is shot, the heat hasn't worked since they tested it before winter. The Kingdom is gone. 

The Kingdom has fallen. 

"Elaine," the man says, "I'm here," I say. "Good, do you have any word on the groups?" the King asks, "They just shipped out," I say, "They'll get to the Kingdom in about an hour." 

"We're all packed and ready," Ezekiel says. The chill has already set in and frost covers everything sometimes there's even a layer of snow. "Just be safe and give Daryl my love," I say. "Just Daryl?" Ezekiel asks, I give a small chuckle, "Just Daryl," I say.

I leave the infirmary to get home, school has been canceled because of the cold.

I fall into step with Rosita, "Hey," she says, we both stop to look into the sky. To the east the clouds are dark, it looks like the sun is setting even though it's only ten in the morning. 

"I came to talk to you about the infirmary and the plan if a storm hits," Rosita says. "We can call a meeting," I say, "I'll  get Gabriel and Eugene to your- Michonne's house asap," the woman says. I walk the rest of the way to my house. 

"Elaine!" Mika yells, "Jesus, it's freezing in here," I mutter as I shut the door. "Where are the kids?" I ask, "Wrapped in blankets, heater's broken," Mika says. "Okay," I say, "I'll try to get it working again." 

I walk into the dining room where the heater is sitting on the table. I fiddle with the knobs, then I move to the wall where the outlet is. I change outlets, that doesn't work, instead I go over to the light switch, I flick it on and off. 

The door opens and closes, "Shoot," I mutter. The heater's out and the lights aren't working in here either. 

"The solar panels are no Bueno," Eugene says. 

I sigh, "Noticed that," I say as I drop the cord to the heater. "And the barometer took a nosedive straight to hell so we've got a helluva storm coming," he says. I close my eyes from a moment.

I sigh, "Great," I mutter. "What are we going to do?" Rosita asks. "We need to keep people warm and without the solar panels working there won't be any heat," Gabriel says. 

"Aaron and Rosie's houses have the biggest working fireplaces," I say, "The meeting room too," Gabriel says. "We can split into those three places," I say. 

"We'll get dry firewood, food, med kits. Hole up and get cozy until the storm passes," Rosita says, "Sounds like a plan," I say.

We all set off on our tasks. I go to the infirmary and prepare med kits for the three places. It's unlikely that we'll need them but it's better to be prepared. 

I gather as many blankets as I can to ward off the cold, since the infirmary is probably the most supplied place in the community. Judith comes into the infirmary with Julia, "Hey guys," I say, "Did you get all the blankets I asked for?" 

"Yes ma'am," Mika says, "Where are they?" I question, "In the wagon with RJ," Judith says. "Alrighty, I need you to take them to the meeting room, that's where we'll be," I tell them.

"If we kick RJ out of the wagon we can put the med kits in and deliver them to the houses," Mika says. 

"Don't kick him out but, that sounds like a good idea," I tell them both. "Get the warmest clothes that you have, layer up okay," I say to them. 

"Already done, that's why we brought RJ and Julia," Judith says. I nod, "I'll get them ready," I say. Mika nods before she leaves with Judith and the med kits. 

I get Julia layered up and dressed. Getting her mittens on is more annoying than Negan but I get them on. RJ gets the same layers that Julia does. 

Rosita comes into the infirmary with Milo and Abraham. "Hey boys," I say as I grab RJ and Julia's gloved hands, Milo and Julia look the most alike. Their skin is paler than Abraham's but darker than their father's. The two have lighter colored eyes than Sasha and Rosita. 

"Everything is ready at the meeting room but we should head over before it starts to snow," Rosita says. "I'm worried about the Kingdom people going to Hilltop," I say. 

"There are waypoints, they have shelter," Rosita says, placing her hand on my arm. "I know but if something happens," I mutter, "Nothing will happen," Ro says. 

"But if it does, to get to Hilltop they'll have to pass through-," Ro cuts me off, "They won't have to," she says. 

We start out the door with the kids, Mika and Judith are still delivering the med kits. 

"What about Negan?" I question, "What?" she says, "He'll freeze down there," I say. "Shit," she says. "We have to let him out," I say. 

"Damn it, we have to let him out," she says. 

"I'll get Gabriel and we can let him out, take him to the meeting room," I say. "Ugh," she mutters, "I know but it's the best place for him to be, we're in charge until Michonne gets back. If something happens while he's out it's on us, this way we can keep an eye on him," I say. 

Rosita sighs before she takes Julia's hand, "Go with Auntie Ro, I'll be with you in a few minutes," I say, placing a kiss to her forehead.

I sigh as we leave the infirmary, I take the path to the Rosie's house. Gabriel comes out as I get closer, "Hey," I say. "You look grim, what's wrong?" Gabriel asks. 

"We need chains," I ask, "What?" he asks, "Negan can't stay down there, he'll freeze," I say. The man sighs, "I'll get his chains."  

"I'll get him warmer clothes," I say. 

I go to the infirmary again to get him some of the warm clothes that we have stored in the attic. 

Gabriel and I meet at the stairs to the basement of the empty brownstone. I unlock the door. "You two look like you just found out your grandma died," Negan says with a smile. 

"Not quite," Gabriel says, I slide the clothes and jacket under the tray slot, "Put them on," I say. 

"Only if you watch," he says with a smirk. I shake my head as I turn around. 

"I'm all dressed," Negan says. I turn to him, "Sit on the bed," I say. Negan cocks his head at me, "You're getting me out?" he asks, "Just go sit on the bed," I tell him. 

"Bossy," he mutters as he sits on the bed. I roll my eyes as I unlock the cell door. 

"I've got it," I say as I take the chains. I enter the cell, Gabriel shuts the door behind me but he doesn't lock it. "Feeling unsafe?" he asks, I don't say anything as I cuff his hands. 

"Come on," I say as I take a step away. Negan stands up, I yell out as my back hits the wall. Negan stands over me, "You need to back up," I say. 

"Why are you letting me out?" he asks, "There's a blizzard coming you idiot," I say, "If we leave you in here you'll freeze." 

Negan stares at me, "You want to play?" he asks. 

I yell out as I push him back, "Don't touch me," I say. Gabriel grabs Negan and yanks him out of the cell, "You okay?" Gabriel asks me. I nod as Gabriel takes him out of the basement.