Don't Close Your Eyes [TWD]

°•nine•°

Once the fever settled, Alex told me I could go back to the train car.

"The photo," I demand, holding my hand out. He looks down at it sadly and sighs.

"I haven't seen her since the beginning. Hell, even before the beginning. She was in juvey for months before it all started," he sympathetically pouts.

"Yeah, she told me. But, she made it. And now she's with my group. So, unless you want to piss her off, maybe don't hurt her family," I offer, still with my hand out.

"I'm not in charge here," he says, running his thumb over Katie's face in the picture, "It's not up to me."

"Then tell Gareth," I respond.

"I did. He said-" he cuts himself off, looking over at me, "Never mind."

"You can't say," I figure out.

"There's a reason he wants you alive. Every person counts," he vaguely answers, finally handing the photo to me.

--

When I return to the train car, I'm immediately enclosed by arms. I settle in the hug, figuring it was Maggie. That is until the person releases me.

"Michonne?" I ask, eyes widening.

"I'm so happy you're okay. I saw you at the prison, guarding me. I was trying to find you and I couldn't," she sniffles, rubbing my arm comfortingly.

"I'm just glad you're okay," I admit, going back into her embrace. When we release the second time, a strong hand settles on my shoudler.

"Rick," I gasp, darting into his arms next.

"I was so worried," he sighs, stroking my hair.

Once he lets me go, we speak the same word:

"Carl?"

The disappointment fills both of us soon after.

We don't have long to indulge in the sadness as Glenn and Maggie lull me towards them.

"They didn't hurt you? You're okay?" Maggie asks, feeling my head and cheeks.

"No, they just gave me meds and let me sleep," I answer, "But, there's something wrong."

"What?" Glenn asks, voice full of concern.

"The leader, Gareth, the woman we saw, Mary, and the other one, Alex. It's- they're," I pause and sigh shakily, "Kate's family. Her mother and her brothers."

Rick and Michonne look at each other so quickly, it was easy to know that something else was involved.

"What?" I ask them.

They trade a silent conversation, speaking only with their eyes.

"Guys?" Glenn asks, body tensing.

"We were with her," Rick admits.

Maggie covers her mouth, her knees suddenly shaking.

"What- what happened?" Glenn stutters.

"When we got here.... They split us up. Shot bullets at our feet to separate us. Made us come this way and we don't know where they lured her," Rick explains, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Oh my god," Maggie whimpers, tears brimming her eyes.

"I was just with Alex. I don't think he knew yet," I tell them, trying to keep my composure.

"Alex is dead," Rick spits.

I gasp lightly, taking a startled step back.

"What?" I ask, lips quivering.

"I had to," is all Rick elaborates with.

"Rick, he was good. He was gonna talk to Gareth! He could've helped," I emotionally rant.

Rick doesn't respond and I look to the wooden floor in defeat. Glenn sets his hand on my back, a look of disappointment also on his face.

"They won't hurt her, right?" I ask, looking up to Glenn.

"No, no of course not," he assures, caressing my head and setting his arm around Maggie's waist, pulling her into his chest. She immediately hides her face in his neck, clenching his shirt between her fingers.

"Unless they think she betrayed them," Abraham roughly says in the back corner with Eugene.

"Don't start," Glenn glares him down. Abraham throws his hands up in surrender, rolling his eyes.

"We can't think about that. We've gotta get ready in case they come back," Rick says.

Soon enough, everyone is in their own work areas, inventing makeshift weapons.

--

Carl POV

"Carl, what did you do?!" Carol screeches.

"What had to be done," I respond, not allowing her words to hurt as much as they should.

"How could you?!" She cries, falling to her knees beside the young girl's body.

"It was for us. For Judith. You would've done the same if you understood sooner."

I leave Carol behind in the field. Her cries echoing in my ears even as I walk into the house to retrieve Judith.

--

Jade POV

"What happens if we see Kate?" I whisper to Maggie, "She could get caught in crossfire."

"We can't think about that. You know that," she quietly responds.

"I know. It's just- I don't understand it. Alex saw my picture. Now she's with them. She'll explain how she knew Rick and Michonne. They'll know she trusts us. Why hasn't Gareth called them off? Let us out?" I ask, stomach in knots.

"I don't know. I don't understand why they gave you medications," she admits.

"Valuable resources given to prisoners.... Doesn't make sense," I agree.

--

Kate POV

"You have to understand," Gareth continues to try.

"Please," I cry, still heaving roughly, "This- this isn't right!"

"He was the reason you were there in the first place. It's probably better this way," Gareth assures. At his words, I begin gagging again.

"Kate, you're upsetting mom," he sternly says, setting his hand on my back, motioning to mom with his other hand.

"If anything should be upsetting mom it's her dead son on the table!" I snap, ripping myself from his grasp.

I chance another look to Alex's bare body on the table. His leg was already gone, I wasn't sure who did it but I definitely didn't want to know. It's then I remember just minutes ago how mom fed me a forkful of meat.

Immediately, more contents leave my stomach, landing on the floor.

My mother fed me my dead brother.

--

Jade POV

I sat with my back in the corner, twirling the certain pair of scissors in my hands. I had taken my belt off in order to attach it to the wooden stick Maggie had carved for me. I was working on it while watching the others every now and then.

Once I finished it, I raised up to take the photo out of my pocket. I stared at it, almost emotionless. No thoughts were in my head, I felt nothing. It was like the past weeks have completely drained me of all emotions. The one thing I felt, was tired. Everything was just exhausting.

The only other emotion hit whenever voices appeared outside. Gareth's voice to be exact. That emotion was pure adrenaline.

--

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