Maggie waddled into the infirmary. "where is she?" Eyes searched frantically and calmed when she saw me.

A lump formed in my throat at her expression. "Are you alright? Who hurt you?"

I looked away. There were no words for her, and can't believe that she's holding herself together like this.

"As soon as I find Glenn, we'll go tell Daryl that ya'll arrived safe."

Fuck me. She doesn't know.

The entire room looked away. I'm not proud to say that I was one of them. Tears cut through me as the image of our friends and family snapping, reanimated. Who could hate us this much? What's happened in the short time I've been gone?

Maggie huddled over me, cooing to me, "it's alright. Everyone's safe now."

And with that, I wailed. I tugged on her blouse pulling her in. "I'm so sorry," I breathed.

Rick edges in, placing a firm hand on Maggie's shoulder. "How 'bout you come with me, Mags?"

My friend jerked away from him, looking back and fourth between us. "What's going on?"

I swallowed hard, and gave everyone a warning stare. This is one of the worst pieces of news you can receive, and I was the one who needed to tell her. One by one, they cleared out, Rick being the last Alexandrian to depart.

I sighed, holding onto her shoulder. My mouth was suddenly cotton dry, my vocal chords producing nothing more than mere gust of wind.

"Rackel, you're really fucking scaring me." Maggie tenderly rubbed her tummy, waiting for me to break whatever news I had for her.

Tell her. Stop torturing her.

"It's Glenn," I whispered.

Mags shook her head, looking concerned but not desolate.

I'm going to have to spell it out.

The words ripped at my chest.

Their mouths agape. Their eyes clouded. Their skin fucking dead. Dead. Fucking dead.

"They're dead. Someone killed them."

I tried to stop their faces, as if scratching at my eyes would take them away. Make me forget. They'll never go away. Never.

Maggie gripped my blouse, shaking me. "Rackel? Rackel? What do you mean?"

My vision blurred as I thought of our loved ones. What could they have possibly done to deserve this? "They're gone, Mags," I spluttered. "Glenn's dead."

She didn't cry or holler. She remained still, face stoic. Her arms snapped around her belly, looking through me. After what seemed to be an eternity, she blinks, scrunching her nose. "Why would you say that? Has being with that asshole really made you that cruel?"

My friend slapped me, square across the mouth. I invited the pain like the welcome distraction it was. Anything to get D—

Don't, dont, don't.

"Where is he, huh?" She clawed at my arms. "Where is he, Rackel?"

I tried to hold her, but she pushed me back, sobs making her quake.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." I sit there, open to her slowing hits. "I wish I were lying."

"He can't be gone. He can't be gone." Maggie collapsed to her knees, scraping at the linoleum. She pulled at her back as she fell on her palms.

I instinctively placed my hand on her stomach, feeling her rock-hard bulge. Tears trickled down her cheeks as she clenched her teeth, howling.

Not now.

"Somebody help! Maggie needs help!"

Rick and Siddiq came rushing in, both more urgent as they took in the situation.

I tear at the hair caked to my face, pleading with Alexandria's surgeon, "Please help her. I think she's in labour."

The doctor carried out a quick assessment and nodded.

Clear liquid dripped from her legs, as she bucked and squirmed. "Rackel?" Her eyes lock onto mine.

No woman should ever have to go through this.

"I can't," She panted, her voice squeaking. "I can't do this without Glenn."

"Yes you can," I said, curling myself around her. "You're the strongest person I know and we're doing this."

I didn't move anywhere until her baby was safe in her arms. Violet and Eric had been passed to the cluckier residents of Alexandria, while I stayed wrapped around Mags. She weeped, cursed and pushed that baby out in the most dire of circumstances.

The little boy cuddled into her, so peaceful. From day one, whenever she had her son in her arms, they were completely calm.

"Do you have a name for him?" I held out my finger and the newborn immediately grabbed it. He was a perfect, little chubby fighter, just like his Momma.

Maggie swallowed before letting herself be mesmerised by her miracle. "Hershel. Glenn and I decided on Hershel."

I nodded, trying to forget how we'd lost him.

Far too many people gone.

"Perfect," I whispered, resting my head on top of hers.