Ruins

24

In the morning Daryl was gone before I woke, but left a note.

off to save the world. Love you
-D

I chuckled, rubbing my hand over the note. Just come home in one piece, I thought.

My anxiety grew throughout the next couple days. I knew Maggie had went out, but I literally wasn't allowed to even leave my trailer, so I was in the dark most of the time, unless Aaron came to visit me.

"I'm taking Enid out today." Aaron spoke, letting me take baby Gracie.

"Well then maybe I can watch her for you." I offered, excitedly. I was ready for a task, being couped up in this trailer was driving me mad.

"Uh... I was gonna ask Tammy but-" He nodded at me, as I sat up. I tugged my shirt up, showing him that my bandage had no blood on it.

"The stitches are ready to come out. I feel good." I nodded. "Please Aaron-"

"I have to ask Enid, and if she says yes, then you can watch her-"

"Awe, you suck Aaron. You know she won't let me, she's a hard ass-"

"Who's a hard ass? Me?" Enid asked, stepping in the trailer.

I sighed, glaring at Aaron.

"I feel really good Enid. And I want to watch Gracie while you guys go out today."

"Well, let me see your stitches." She said. I lifted my shirt again and she took my bandage off.

"Well, I think your stitches should come out on there own..."

I watched her, waiting for bad news.

"Here are your conditions." She smiled, making my eyes light up. "Don't carry her for long periods of time. No up and down. And if you can't handle it you open that door and tell the closest person to go get Tammy, okay?"

"Okay." I nodded, giddily, taking Gracie from Aaron. "Get me her bottle and formula, and her little mushy fruit stuff- oh and that little pink elephant." I told Aaron. I watched him laugh but shooed him away. "And her pacifier!" I called as the door shut. "Thank you Enid." I smiled.

"Well mental health is just as important." She chuckled. "And I figure you can use the practice." She shrugged.

Aaron left me with her diaper bag, full of everything I asked for and they left.

"So Gracie." I panted, heaving myself into a sitting position. "I know I'm not great company, but you're really cheering me up." I spoke, sitting her against me. "Thank you for keeping my mind off of all the terrible things happening out there."

I didn't have to get up for much, other than rocking her as she cried. She slept with me, so I assumed Aaron and Enid's run ran longer than expected.

Gracie was fussy in the morning, telling me she was hungry. I couldn't help but think of her real parents, wondering what they were like and if they were good to her.

"You know I've got a little baby just like you growing in me." I told her, rubbing my thumb over her squishy cheek. "I think... It's time to see some sunshine. Huh?" I spoke, sliding my legs from the bed. I sat her up and got myself out of bed and picked up her, settling her on my hip.

I moved across the room, pushing the door open and almost blinding myself with the light.

I sucked sin a breath, letting myself enjoy the fresh air.

"That's nice, huh?" I rocked her. I could see a few people milling around the community, but stopped when I saw a pin full of people- of Saviors.

"Oh my God-"

"Sam, what're you doing up?" I turned to see Jesus. "Don't think Enid didn't tell us to keep an eye on you."

"Jesus... What is this? Why are they here?"

"Prisoners of war." He shrugged. "It's better than casualties." He nodded. I didn't know if I agreed with that, but nodded anyways, turning from some of the familiar faces. "Oh God... I'm sorry. I'm so insensitive." Jesus shook his head. "It must be hard for you-"

"I-" I shook my head. "What has been going on? Please tell me something?"

"The... Saviors escaped the Sanctuary." He spoke, making my heart drop.

"The plan didn't work?"

"Someone..." He sighed. "Drove a truck into the building, flooding it with walkers..." He shrugged. "We ran into some last night on the road. They told us, they're keeping Hilltop safe, and going after Alexandria and The Kingdom-"

I cradled Gracie, gaping at him. "And? Is anyone out there trying to warn them or he them out..." I stopped, watching his face. "My family is out there!"

"So's mine." I turned to see Maggie.

"Maggie." I shook my head.

"We have to trust them." She nodded. "This ain't their first rodeo."

My stomach flipped.

"I never should have left them-"

"What could you do?" Maggie asked. "You shouldn't even be up." She shook her head. "You go back to bed, I'll come and fill you in." She said. "Alright?"

I didn't think that I was looking for answers when I'd left the trailer, but I guess I was.

When Maggie came she filled me in on everything. The Kingdoms fight, Alexandria's fight, Simon out on the road, killing Neil.

"I gotta go check out inventory. I'll come back when I hear any news." She stood, rubbing my shoulder and pressing a kiss to my head.

"Thank you, Maggie."

I decided to nap while Gracie was asleep, which didn't last long. I woke to her crying out loud wails and a thundering hammering outside.

"Okay." I breathed, sliding out of the bed and picking her up to rock her. I glanced out of the window, seeing people hammering up more metal plates to the walls.

The dread and doom spread through me slowly. It was here. We were getting ready to fight, here. This meant Alexandria, and Kingdom were down and they were coming here next.

"Alright Gracie." I sat her down on the bed and lifted my shirt. The stitches were already partially out.

I grabbed my knife, cutting the next few and tugging them out. "There." I smiled at the brown eyeys baby before me. "Good as new. Now as much as I loved our time together... You're gonna go see Tammy Rose." I smiled, plucking her and her bag. I dropped Gracie off with Tammy and found Maggie in the courtyard talking to one of the Saviors through the fence.

"I don't wanna hear it." I said as she spotted me.

"Enid is going to kill me." She shook her head.

"You leave her to me." I chuckled. "What can I do?"

"You can let me check you out at least!" I gasped seeing Enid.

"What- where's Aaron?" I asked.

"Come on." She nodded. She took me to the medical trailer, checking me out.

"He stayed behind to convince Oceanside to fight." She said, pumping up the blood pressure gauge.

"If anyone can, he can." I sighed.

"Well, you can help, but nothing too crazy." She said.

I followed her outside and we saw Carol rushing toward the gate with a smile on her face.

"Daryl..." I muttered, following behind Enid. Daryl carried Judith through the gates, followed by Rosita, Tara and plenty of Alexandrian's.

I smiled, but let it fall, seeing the look on Daryl's face.

He began shaking his head looking between us all. "Carl." He shook his head.

I gaped at him, and Judy in his arms then felt Enid's arm that was wrapped arm me fall.

"Oh..." I wrapped my arms around her, looking at Daryl. I shook my head, seeing his eyes lighting on fire. We had to end this.