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"𝐈'𝐦 𝐬𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮."

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.・. .・゜✭・.・✫・゜・. .

Running. Running. Running.

Sunny's legs burned as she sprinted through the woods, struggling to keep up with Maggie and Michonne. Her breath came out in short, ragged gasps, each one catching in her throat. Her chest ached, but she couldn't stop. She had to keep running. 

Her heart was still shattered from the conversation with Negan, but right now, all she could think about was the camp. Was Daryl hurt? Was someone else in trouble? Fear twisted her stomach into knots.

Branches scraped her arms, and she stumbled over roots and fallen leaves, almost losing her footing. She pushed herself harder, wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand, but the tears still wouldn't stop. They blurred her vision, mixing with the sweat on her face, but she couldn't slow down.

Ahead, Maggie's pace quickened, and Sunny heard Michonne shouting something she couldn't quite catch. The urgency in her voice made Sunny's pulse race even faster. There was a heaviness in the air, a sense of dread that clawed at her insides. She couldn't get the image of Negan's broken face out of her mind, his sobs echoing in her ears, but she forced herself to focus.

She had to keep moving. She had to be strong, even if it felt like she was falling apart inside.

She could hear the faint sound of rushing water up ahead—the river, and the bridge. Whatever was happening, it had to be bad for them needing to come all the way. Sunny's legs moved faster, driven by the desperate need to know if her friends were safe.

Sunny burst out of the woods, her feet hitting solid ground as the trees thinned. The cold air bit at her face, and she gasped for breath, trying to take in what was ahead of her. Maggie and Michonne had already stopped, and a crowd of people was gathering behind them—the others from Hilltop and Alexandria, all rushing out from the woods. But Sunny's eyes were locked on the bridge.

There, stumbling and barely staying on his feet, was Rick. His shirt was stained with blood, his face pale and twisted in pain. Behind him was a massive herd of walkers, a sea of rotting faces and snapping jaws, all shuffling and moaning as they pushed forward. They were so close to him, so many of them, and Rick was struggling to stay ahead.

What the fuck.

"Rick!" Someone shouted from behind. Sunny's ears were ringing, and she felt frozen for a moment, staring at him as he stumbled. It was like the world had stopped, and all she could hear was her own heartbeat, pounding like a drum.

Maggie started yelling, ordering people to move, and Michonne was shouting something too, but Sunny couldn't make out the words. Her eyes darted to Rick again—if the herd got across the bridge, they'd be headed straight for Hilltop. There was no way to turn them around now.

"Sunny!" Daryl's voice cut through the chaos, and she spun around, spotting him a few steps away. "Stay with me!" He called out, his voice firm and steady. He was already pulling his crossbow off his shoulder, aiming at the walkers closest to Rick.

Sunny nodded, her heart thudding in her chest. She fumbled with her gun, hands shaking as she raised it. Her palms were sweaty, and she wiped them quickly on her jeans before gripping the handle tighter. Daryl fired a bolt, hitting a walker square in the forehead. 

She squeezed the trigger, the sound of the gunshot ringing in her ears. A walker fell, crumpling to the ground, and Rick kept moving, but barely. His steps were slow, each one dragging, and the walkers were gaining on him.

"Keep goin'!" Daryl urged, not looking at her, his eyes focused on the herd. He pulled back the string of his crossbow, loading another bolt, and fired again. Sunny took a shaky breath and fired her gun once more. The recoil jolted her arm, but she kept shooting, each bullet a desperate attempt to clear the path for Rick.

The noise was overwhelming—gunshots, yells, the groans of the herd. The bridge creaked under the weight of Rick's stumbling footsteps and the crush of the walkers behind him.

"Rick!" Michonne yelled, her voice almost drowned out by the chaos.

Daryl shot another walker, his movements quick and practiced. Sunny tried to copy him, focusing on aiming right for their heads, just like he had taught her. Her hands were trembling, but she didn't stop. She couldn't stop.

"Rick, come on!" Michonne was shouting now, desperation in her voice, but Rick kept stumbling forward, one hand pressed against his side. He looked so small against the massive horde of walkers, so fragile, and Sunny's stomach twisted. 

She thought of all the times he had protected her, his face flashing in her mind—smiling, angry, determined, tired. Her chest tightened with each memory, a weight pressing down on her heart.

"Stay with me, Sunny!" Daryl said again, his voice urgent. He reached out, grabbing her shoulder and squeezing it tightly. "We're gonna get him outta there. Keep shootin'!"

Sunny nodded, blinking back tears. She had to stay focused. She had to keep Rick safe. She fired her gun again, feeling the kick in her shoulder, and saw another walker drop. It wasn't enough. There were too many of them, and Rick was slowing down, his steps unsteady. She fired again, her ears ringing, the weight of it all crushing down on her.

Daryl shot bolt after bolt, his face set in grim determination. Each time a walker fell, three more seemed to take its place. Sunny's heart was in her throat, and she was barely breathing, each shot coming quicker and quicker. She was running out of bullets. She could feel the panic rising in her chest.

"Rick!" Sunny heard Michonne's distant yell again as she ran through the woods, but Rick didn't look back. He kept going, a few more steps, the herd getting closer, the bridge groaning under the weight of so many feet.

"Come on!" Daryl shouted, his voice rough and desperate now. Sunny fired again, her last bullet hitting a walker in the chest instead of the head. It didn't fall, just kept stumbling forward. She fumbled to reload, hands shaking so badly she almost dropped the magazine. Daryl was still firing, his jaw clenched, his eyes never leaving Rick.

"Sunny!" Daryl snapped, and she looked up, her eyes wide with fear. "We gotta hold 'em off. Keep shootin'!"

She nodded, swallowing hard, and raised her gun again. She had to keep going. She had to keep Rick safe. She took aim and fired, her shot going wide, missing the walker completely. Her chest tightened, and she blinked back the tears that blurred her vision. She couldn't cry. She had to be strong. She had to—

Suddenly, Rick turned, his eyes meeting theirs, and for a moment, everything seemed to stop.

He wasn't asking for help. It wasn't fear she saw in his eyes. It was something else. Almost like he was saying goodbye. Like he was ready.

Sunny's hands shook, and the gun felt too heavy. Her whole body froze. She couldn't move. She couldn't breathe. All she could do was stare at him, her vision blurring with tears.

Daryl's voice cut through the noise. "Sunny!" He yelled, but she couldn't answer him. She was still staring at Rick, and he was staring back, the distance between them feeling so huge, like he was already gone.

She wanted to shout for him to run, to get off the bridge, to come back. But no words came out. Her throat felt tight, and her chest ached with every heartbeat.

Suddenly, Rick's eyes shifted, looking past her to Daryl, then back to Sunny. He gave a small nod, and she knew—he wasn't going to run. He was staying.

A rush of memories flooded Sunny's mind, hitting her all at once like a tidal wave.

She remembered the first time she saw him—the sheriff-cowboy man kneeling down, raising his hands gently. His voice had been so steady and kind, saying, "Hey there. It's okay. We're not here to hurt you. I'm Rick Grimes. What's your name?"

She'd been scared and alone, searching for her dad. But his kindness had felt real, even in a world where trust could get you killed.

Rick had always been like that, steady, warm. Kind. God, he was kind like no other. He had always been good to her for no reason whatsoever. Realistically, she had never benefited the group by tagging along, she didn't hunt, didn't cook, nothing.

But that didn't matter to Rick, as soon as he had laid eyes on the starving girl in the church, he had took her in, treated her like family. That was the kind of man Rick Grimes was.

Her chest tightened as she remembered his comforting smile, his words when she had stayed with the group just one more night. He had promised to help her find her dad, and for a little while, Sunny had let herself believe that it might actually be possible.

Then there was that terrifying time after Woodbury when Maggie had hugged her so tightly she couldn't breathe, and Rick had knelt down, his hands on her shoulders, worry carved into his face. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?" She'd shaken her head, but he'd noticed the cut on her cheek, the bruises. He'd pulled her close, holding her like a father, making her feel safe again.

More memories poured in—Rick playfully teasing her about her love for the pigs, his exasperation when she wouldn't leave the pen, and then that silly moment in Alexandria when she'd burst out, "What happened to your manbush?" She'd laughed at his clean-shaven face, the shock of seeing him without his scruff. They'd joked, and he'd said maybe he'd even wear cologne to fit in with "the clean folks."

The memories twisted painfully, each one blending into the next, the warmth of his hugs, the playful teasing about his beard, and the way he'd laugh with her like she was just a normal kid, even in a world that was anything but normal. 

She saw his face light up when he pulled her into his arms after Negan's men had captured her. She could still feel the roughness of his shirt against her cheek and the way his hand had rested on the back of her head, holding her like she was the most important thing in the world.

The girl had been so sure that when she returned from the sanctuary, everyone would hate her. But, no. Rick was on the brink of tears when he had saw her, hugging her, apologizing like he was somehow to blame for anything. 

"No," she whispered, shaking her head as if that could change anything. But the memories kept coming, his voice echoing in her mind—telling her they'd get through everything together, that she was strong, that he was proud of her.

Rick's gaze softened, a ghost of a smile touching his lips, and she saw the man who had given her a family when she'd had no one left. The man who had always been there.

Her heart was breaking, splitting wide open, and she couldn't stop the tears streaming down her face. She remembered his comforting embrace after the Sanctuary, his promise to keep her safe, and the way he'd looked at her when she mimicked him, trying to lighten the mood with a fake beard and a grin. It felt like those moments had happened a lifetime ago.

The last memory that hit her was of him holding her hand, his thumb gently rubbing her knuckles when she woke up in the medic tent. "I'm so glad you're okay, Sunny," he'd said quietly, his voice trembling. She'd felt the warmth of his hand, his relief, the way he'd looked at her as if she meant something.

The others had ran closer to the bridge, trying to move the herd, trying to do anything they could to ensure Rick was safe and that the walkers wouldn't get to Hilltop. But, there were thousands, more than the amount that destroyed Alexandria so long ago. 

This felt like it was the end, there was no way they could stop this and somehow, Rick realized that much sooner than them all.

Then, it was as if everything was in slow motion. Rick raised his gun, Sunny moved her eyes, seeing the dynamite on the bridge. No. No. No.

"Daryl!" Sunny screamed, begging him to do something, to get Rick to stop, just anything. But Rick had already made his mind up, he was willing to blow the bridge up, blow himself up just to save everyone.

The sight of the dynamite made Sunny's heart pound harder, her breaths coming in short, desperate gasps. Her mind flashed back to the first time she'd seen Rick—he was the sheriff, the man in the cowboy hat. He'd looked like something out of an old Western, larger than life, someone who would always keep people safe. 

That was who Rick Grimes was to her—a protector, someone who always knew what to do when things got tough.

Sunny remembered how he had become more than that over time. He had become a father figure, the man who had cared for her, checked in on her, and treated her like his own. 

Rick wasn't just the leader of their group; he was a good man, a kind man who put everyone else's needs above his own. It didn't matter what they faced, he always found a way to keep them together. He had saved her so many times before—when she was scared, when she thought she couldn't go on, when she felt lost. He was always there.

But now he was the one who needed saving, and Sunny was helpless.

"Rick, no!" She wanted to shout, but her voice wouldn't come out. Her feet felt glued to the ground as her eyes filled with tears. All she could do was watch, frozen with fear and heartbreak. A strangled sob escaped her lips. This couldn't be happening.

She wanted to run to him, to drag him away from the danger, but she couldn't move. All those times he'd protected her, she wanted to do the same, to show him that she would protect him, too. But it was too late. 

She didn't even know how this could have happened, how so many walkers could be after the man. But the questions didn't matter at that moment.

Her body shook as the reality set in, a cold, sick feeling spreading through her. Rick was going to die, and there was nothing she could do. He was giving up his life to save them all, just like he always did—sacrificing himself so the rest of them could live. 

She thought of every kind thing he'd done, how he'd saved her life countless times, how he'd taught her to keep going when things seemed impossible, how he'd hugged her like a dad when she needed it most.

But now, it wasn't just about sacrifice anymore. Now, it was about the reality of it all. Rick had made his choice. He wasn't going to run. He wasn't going to save himself.

And that realization hit Sunny harder than anything.

Sunny's breath hitched, and she tried to run forward, the panic overwhelming her. "No! No, don't do this! Please, Rick!" She screamed, but her words were lost in the chaos around them. Before she could take another step towards him, strong arms grabbed her, pulling her back.

It was Daryl, his grip tight around her shoulders as she thrashed and fought against him. "Let go!" She cried, her voice hoarse and raw. "We have to help him! Daryl, let me go!" But he wouldn't. He couldn't.

Rick was still there, his figure growing smaller and smaller as the walkers closed in, the sound of their moans blending with Sunny's screams. Her vision blurred with tears, and she barely heard the people around her yelling, barely felt Daryl's arms holding her back. All she could focus on was Rick, standing on the bridge, ready to do what he had to do.

"Don't watch, Sunny," Daryl's voice was low and rough, full of pain. He tightened his grip as she struggled harder, trying to break free, but he wouldn't let her go. "You can't do anythin'. Just stay here. Stay with me."

"No! Rick!" She sobbed, kicking and clawing at Daryl's arms. She felt his hold tighten even more as she broke down, her body wracked with desperate, shuddering sobs. Her nails dug into his skin, but he didn't let go. He just held her tighter, his own face twisted with grief.

But Daryl didn't let her go. He held her tightly, his body bracing against hers, keeping her back.

"Sunny, stop!" Daryl said, his voice harsh, but there was no anger in it—just desperation. "You can't go out there. You won't make it."

"I have to!" She screamed, thrashing in his grip. "I can't just stand here and watch him die! Daryl, please!"

But Daryl didn't let go. He kept holding her, his voice softer now, raw, broken, much like her own. "It's too late, Sunny. You can't save him. You can't change it."

Tears spilled down her face, blurring her vision as she struggled to break free from Daryl's hold. "I don't care!" She cried, her sobs coming harder now. "I won't lose him. I won't let him die!"

But, he wasn't going to run. He wasn't going to leave. And she could see it now, in his eyes, clearer than ever before.

Rick Grimes was ready. He was ready to die to protect them all.

A deafening roar filled the air, and in the next moment, the explosion shook the ground beneath their feet.

The bridge exploded in a violent burst of flames, the shockwave hitting Sunny like a punch to the chest. She screamed, the sound lost in the chaos around her. The world seemed to crack in half, her heart splitting in two as she saw the flash of light, the eruption of fire, the roar of the explosion.

And just as the smoke billowed up from the wreckage, Daryl's arm wrapped around her, holding her tight.

"No!" Sunny sobbed, her body shaking uncontrollably in his arms. "No! Rick!"

The bridge was engulfed in flames, and the sound of the explosion echoed through the air, drowning out Sunny's screams. Her knees gave way, and she crumpled to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. She barely noticed Daryl sinking to his knees beside her, crying too, his arms still wrapped around her as she shook with the force of her grief.

She couldn't look away from the flames, couldn't stop the tears that poured down her face. It felt like her heart was being ripped out of her chest, the pain so intense she could barely breathe. This was it. Rick was gone. The man who had been like a father to her, who had been there since the start, who had kept them all safe, was gone.

Sunny clung to Daryl, her fingers digging into his arms as if he was the only thing keeping her from falling apart completely. The heat from the explosion washed over them, and she couldn't stop the sobs that tore from her throat, raw and broken.

The flames roared, and Sunny's vision blurred as the tears kept coming. She couldn't stop them. She didn't want to stop them. She just wanted Rick back, to hear his voice again, to feel his arms around her in one last hug. But he was gone.

Gone forever.

In just one day, Sunny lost two fathers.

.・. .・゜✭・.・✫・゜・. .

𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞

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I fear I didn't do this chapter justice, but I swear I triedddd!!

One more chapter till the timeskip though oh my lord.