"May my mercy prevail over my wrath."

~ Rick Grimes

Sobbing loudly, Maiya frantically ran up the stairs to the second floor. Several times, she stumbled over her own feet as her tears blurred her vision, forcing her to grab onto the railing to pull herself up.

Upon reaching her room, she practically kicked the door down in a frenzy. She knocked over and pushed anything that was in her path, sending objects flying across the room.

She was after one thing and one thing only.

Desk drawers were forced open and thrown to the ground; valuable papers and tokens littered the ground like trash in search of the one thing that could fix this.

When her fingers felt the plastic hidden deep within one of the drawers, she gave a gasp of relief. Flicking it on, she examined the flame elatedly whilst holding onto the lighter tenderly.

"Don't," A sudden voice warned from the doorway.

"It'll be quick- If that's what you're worried about." Maiya never took her eyes off the flame in front of her. "I know there's a chemical in the lab that'll make it instant," She laughed unexpectedly. "If there's one thing I know about chemicals and science, of course it would be that."

"It doesn't have to be this way. Listen, Maiya," Glenn attempted to reason with her, but she would have none of it.

"We'll all die together. A quick and painless death. Wherever we go, we'll go together. We'll leave this world together." She grabbed her brother's hand tightly. "Isn't that what you wanted? For me to finally put family first?"

Glenn opened his mouth to protest, but before he could even utter a sound Maiya shoved him and ran out the door.

However, Glenn managed to grab her ankle and pull her down with him. She hit the floor roughly; never losing hold of her precious lighter. Managing to wriggle out of her brother's weak hold, she was back up and out of sight rather quickly.

Glenn scrambled to his feet and chased after her desperately, throwing himself at her at one point. They tumbled down the stairs with Glenn wrestling with his sister to grab the lighter, but their fight was interrupted when they hit the nearby wall. Thus, preventing the siblings from falling down any further and seriously injuring themselves.

"No one else has to die!" Glenn grabbed his sister's wrist. "We can still make this work!"

"Hypocrite!!" Maiya hit him with her free hand. "You're just as guilty as I am!" She stood up fiercely, gazing down at her pathetic excuse of a brother.

"I know..." Glenn groaned, sighing deeply in pain as he slowly rose to his feet.

"You think that's what I want?" She looked at him incredulously. "No... Our mistakes- Our crimes deserve to be burned and forgotten." Her voice dropped to a whisper.

"We have no place in this future."

A single gunshot rang out over the raging wind and thunder just as she finished her sentence. Glenn's hand reacted before his mind, slowly reaching out as her body went stiff and fell backwards. His hand had only brushed up against her waist, grasping onto the sickle that she carried.

"M-Maiya?" Glenn's voice cracked, holding the sickle limply. "M-Maiya?" He took a few steps down, seeing his sister's body lying against a railing.

"I'm sorry it had to be this way." Carl came out from the darkness, aiming his gun at Glenn. "But you both deserve to die," He said unsympathetically.

~

Rick shifted his eyes to the side, glaring at the handcuffs that chained his hand. He shook it harshly, unsuccessful in his attempt to free himself.

A nearby groan caught his attention, causing him to jerk at his restraints even harder. But the voice of Jeffrey temporarily stopped him.

"Stop- Rick," He croaked out from the next bed, seemingly exhausted.

"Where... is... my... son?" Rick stressed out each word dangerously; his eyes blazing into Jeffrey's soul.

"He- He- left," Jeffrey stammered in fear.

"TELL ME WHERE!!!" Rick roared, yanking at his cuff with so much force that it left a red mark around his wrist.

Acting on reflex, Jeffrey leaned back, speechless and visibly shaking at this outburst.

Growling in frustration, Rick pulled at the handcuffs again, feeling the strain that it was putting on his bones.

"W-What are you- Stop! You're going to break your-"

The sound of a horrific crack and snap interrupted Jeffrey's warning, but confirmed what he was about to say. Now completely liberated of the handcuffs, Rick raised his broken and bloody hand while jerking forward and grabbing Jeffrey by the collar with his other one.

"N-No!! Let me go!! You don't understand!" Jeffrey cried out, flailing out his arms in defense.

"I understand perfectly," Rick snarled, bringing the young man in closer. "You are a coward."

"NO!" Jeffrey grabbed on desperately to his brother. "I'm here for you, Richie! Can't you see that?! But you never could see that!! Even back then, it was always Shane! He was the one that took my place! The one who saw you get shot and saved you! The one who was there in the hospital because I couldn't be! Well, he's dead and I'm here now!!" Jeffrey laughed hysterically.

Rick had barely any time to process what was just said when a gunshot went off in the distance. Jeffrey's eyes seemed to convey that something irreversible had taken place, and who had been the one to fire the bullet.

"Carl..." Rick's whispered as he wrapped his whole hand and arm around the boy and threw him down recklessly.

"Rick!" Jeffrey moaned, reaching out for his brother in suffering. "Don't leave me! Not like this!"

"I'm your brother!"

"You're no brother of mine," were the last words Rick said before leaving.

~

"C-Carl?" Glenn asked incredulously; his eyes shifting wildly between the boy and his sister.

Carl gave no response, coldly squeezing the trigger instead.

Nothing happened.

Confused, Carl turned the weapon over in alarm. And that was when Glenn attacked.

Taking advantage of this plight, Glenn struck Carl's hand with the sickle, drawing blood from his cut.

Jumping back in pain and nearly losing his balance because of it, Carl accidentally dropped the gun onto the steps below. He staggered down the stairs while clenching his wound, keeping close to the rail.

Blood was dripping everywhere, making everything wet and slippery. He was nearing the bottom where Maiya's body lied; he was so close to an escape.

But then the floorboard broke.

And he fell down.

He screamed as he flew forward, bracing himself for the hard impact.

It came with a collision against the same railing Maiya was against. The breath was taken out of Carl's lungs from such a blow, and he remained there in frozen panic for a minute.

But it was enough time for Glenn to approach.

Carl slowly turned himself over, seeing the man standing just a few steps above. Glenn moved carefully and calculatedly, regarding the boy dangerously.

Preparing to strike, but this time fatally.

As hardened and numb as Carl was, this was sight enough to scare him.

Because what approached was no longer his friend or even a man.

It was a demon.

Too deep in rage and bloodthirst, Glenn aimed his sickle at the one thing that he was ready to stab and rip out of Carl's socket.

The eye that was regarding him so fearfully.

Carl gripped onto the railing, weaponless and vulnerable, readying himself for what was to come. While Glenn rushed forward madly, tears falling from his eyes as he swung his arm upwards towards Carl's skull, his watch spilled out of his pocket and rolled towards the boy.

But his sickle never struck Carl.

By the time Glenn could comprehend what had happened, it was too late to stop. The sickle had impaled Rick in the chest.

As Carl watched the sickle come for his eye, out of nowhere Rick had shoved Carl with his good hand and placed himself between Glenn and his son.

Glenn felt the blood splatter onto his skin; his eyes widening in horror once he realized the truth. A strangled sound emitted from deep within him as he dropped the sickle, grabbing onto Rick tightly.

"Y-You dumbass..." Glenn choked, sinking to the floor with the man. "W-Why?"

"Because I couldn't let you do this," Rick sighed as tears rolled down his face. "You saved me. It was my turn to save you."

Hearing these words, Glenn's entire world shattered and crumbled down with it. Giving a howl that not even the most miserable of creatures could rival, he hurriedly let go of Rick and went in search of the lost gun.

It was not long before he retrieved it, placing it in his mouth in agony. Just as he was about to place his finger on the trigger, a soft moan from nearby stopped him.

Maiya moved ever so slightly, clutching at her bullethole and moaning in pain.

He watched her in disbelief before slowly moving towards her.

If she were indeed a walker, he wouldn't deny her his flesh.

However, her eyes fluttered as she came back into consciousness and she gave another humane moan.

Glenn gently lifted her up, careful not to hurt her anymore, and carried her away solemnly.

He gave one last look back to Rick, who was now talking softly to Carl. He would not get to say his last farewells to him; he would not get to apologize for what he did.

He knew he didn't deserve to be included in Rick's last moments; his presence would only corrupt them.

He had done too much of that already.

~

"No! No!" Carl huddled near his dad, crying hysterically. "I-I can take you to the lab- Dad, please! Let me take you! You're going to be okay! You're going to-" His last words were incoherent as he broke down into uncontrollable sobs.

"No, Carl." Rick gently placed his hand on his son's hair. "You will be okay. Even without me, you have to go on." Rick smiled through his tears. "No more kid stuff remember? You have- You will be a man, my son."

"Y-You shouldn't have- I said I would rather be blind than-" Carl broke down again. "I can't lose you too- Why... Why..."

"A father's job is to protect..." Rick answered quietly, looking at his son emotionally.

"No," Carl wept. "A father's job... Is just to love."

"Rick!!! Rick! I-" Jeffrey suddenly entered with his cane, pausing when he saw what was before him. "No... NO!"

"Help me prop him against the railing!" Carl exclaimed. They both cautiously moved Rick to the railing as they did not want him to die lying on his back.

He deserved a death better than that.

"Richie, I-I- Who did this?! Who?!" Jeffrey sobbed, clutching onto his brother's arm.

"It was Glenn... I should've killed him- I should've- But I still can." Carl's eyes darkened in anger, looking at the abandoned gun and sickle.

"No," Rick instructed sternly to a speechless Carl. "No more war. No more bloodshed. No more violence. Let it end here. Let it end with me."

"Richie, I'm so sorry!! This is all my fault!" Jeffrey whimpered.

"Jeff, I'm the one who should say sorry," Rick sniffled, wiping his brother's tears. "For not being the brother I was supposed to be. But you-" He forced Jeffrey to look into his eyes. "You protected me back when that trident should have killed me. I was just following your lead." Rick glanced at his son with a weak smile.

"Take care of them, Jeffrey." Rick blinked back his own tears while holding his brother's hand tightly. "Promise me you will."

"I-I promise," Jeffrey nodded his head before his body was wracked by more sobs.

"And Carl- I'm sorry I wasn't always there for you. I should've- I could've been a better father," Rick sighed, feeling his body losing his strength.

"Oh, dad, you were the best." Carl hugged his dad, letting his blood stain his own shirt. "You can't leave me... We were supposed to beat this world. Together. You can't go..."

"I'm sorry," Rick cried. "I couldn't beat this world. But you will. Both of you will. And you'll bring in the new world. You can do what I couldn't... If not for me, then for Judith."

"W-We will. Judith will know who her father is. And her mother," Carl choked. "I still have the picture," He gave a small laugh. "After everything, I still have that."

Rick returned his laugh, clutching at his chest as it hurt to even give a chuckle. 

"Rick...." A new voice entered. "What happened?!" Morgan ran to his friend's side, followed by a stunned Ezekiel.

"It doesn't matter..." Rick sighed wearily as his lids started to grow heavy. His skin was already a deathly pale, and his blood now covered his entire torso and the floor beneath him.

"We came too late..." Morgan dropped to his knees, weeping alongside the rest of the men. "We came too late.."

"Morgan, watch after Carl. Please," Rick pleaded, clasping Morgan's hand firmly. 

"As if he was my own," Morgan vowed; his voice shaking as he looked at Rick's blood smear on his skin.

"Thank you... Thank you..." Rick shut his eyes, his good hand falling to his side.

"And we shall honor you, Rick," Ezekiel affirmed, smiling through his tears.

Rick seemed to have not heard this as he looked at his son for the last time and said:

"Everything I've done... Every choice I've made was for you. I love you... Carl."

Carl buried his head in Rick's chest, giving him a kiss on the cheek. His tears falling onto his dad's face and wetting his clothes as he said the final words Rick Grimes would hear:

"I love you, too, dad."

~

Glenn had just passed the castle entrance when the door swung open, letting in torrents of rain and gusts of wind. 

A soaked group of people had arrived, weakened and devastated from the floods and losing one of their own.

Glenn gave no hint of surprise or even acknowledgment. He neither asked how they managed to get through the gate or the guards, continuing to walk forth instead.

The group looked at him in silence, regarding him with concern. His face was emotionless despite carrying his injured sister, who had slipped back into unconsciousness. 

He wore no expression of hatred or cruelty. There was no fire of rage burning in his heart. No thoughts of vengeance plaguing his mind. 

"...Go to him," Glenn stated numbly, motioning his head to the nearby staircases. With no further words, he kept shuffling towards the lab.

Cindy hesitantly pulled out a pocketknife, seeing that not only was Glenn's back turned but he was at his most vulnerable. 

She could just drive it into his neck, if not his neck, and it would all be over. She took a step forward, raising her shaking hand. 

Just as she started marching towards the man, a hand stopped her.

"Don't." Morgan gripped her shoulder, holding her back from taking another step forward.

Cindy spun around defensively, looking at him appallingly. 

"If you do-" Morgan glanced at Glenn. "That is where this life will get you."

Cindy looked back at the now vanishing Glenn; her eyes widening in distress. Tara, Gabriel, Aaron, and Eric pushed past her and rushed forward in Glenn's direction.

Meanwhile, Morgan had let go of the girl and had disappeared to the staircase with Ezekiel. 

Cindy remained alone in the entryway; her arm frozen in mid-air still clenching the knife.

~

Dante was staring off dazedly at the ceiling with his back pressed against the counter when Glenn entered the lab.

"Maiya?!" Someone exclaimed from nearby.

Dante made no attempt to get up to see what was going on until Glenn had placed his sister before him on the table.

"Help... her..." Glenn grimaced at him. 

Dante gaped at the man, slowly rising to his feet. The other medics were beginning to swarm around the table as well, unsure of how to react.

"If you want to finally do something important with your life, then help her!" Glenn snapped. He shoved some of them out of the way and went over to the cabinets. He pulled each one open, revealing his shivering and naked friends.

"Hey," He said softly to Michonne. "It's over. You're getting out of here."

Michonne blinked out him; tears coming out of her eyes when she looked to her now missing arm. Glenn could only avert his eyes in shame and remorse.

"Oh my God..." Tara gasped upon seeing the lab. The other group members entered the lab a few seconds later, but nonetheless horrified. 

"Get them dressed," Glenn rasped as he helped Sherry out of her prison. "Make sure they are dressed."

Tara slowly walked over to Abraham, trembling as she did so. Gabriel followed, pushing a nearby wheelchair along the linoleum floor.

Aaron and Eric had grabbed the piles of clothes and hurried over to their friends. They began dressing them, covering their bandaged and stitched bodies with mismatched clothes.

Once Glenn saw that they would be okay and that his sister was being operated on, he quietly exited.

~

Carl was still crying into Jeffrey's embrace when the Castle guards descended, wet and confused. What they witnessed upon entering the castle was a bloodbath.

Or it appeared that way, initially.

They stood at the top of the stairs, looking down at the huddled group who were mourning their leader. They had no idea what happened to their own one.

"It's over," Jeffrey murmured; his eyes bloodshot. "We lost."

"W-Where's our Commander?" Siddiq stammered. 

"I-I d-don't know..." Jeffrey replied dully. "But it's over. You don't need those  anymore." At Jeffrey's command, the guards tentatively let their weapons fall to the ground.

"I c-can't do it, Jeff. I can't-" Carl cried, holding up the sickle. Jeffrey timidly took the weapon from him, and placed it by Rick's temple before dropping it and sobbing.

"It has to be one of you- H-He would have wanted it." Morgan placed the sickle back in Carl's hand.

Carl shook his head adamantly, wiping his eye with his clean hand. The silence of everyone had suddenly given way to a new sound; the sound of a pocket watch ticking.

Carl turned his head towards the opened watch, seeing that his father's blood speckled the inside of it. As he reached for it, footsteps were heard approaching and the sound of wheels being pushed. 

"Carl... You have to," Morgan urged. 

"How long has it been?" Carl regarded the pocket watch skeptically just as the remaining members arrived.

The rescuers and the victims all stared at the kneeling men in disbelief, unable to cry. They were all too dismayed that their leader was now dead just a few hours after seeing him alive. They were all too traumatized after what they had been through and this was just another blow.

"How long has it been?" Carl asked again desperately. 

No one had an answer, only looking around in confusion. Carl was on the verge of crying again, breathing heavily as he struggled to keep himself calm.

"I-It takes 10 to 12 minutes for a person to turn," Dante said, stepping forward from the grief-stricken crowd. His clothes were covered in fresh blood as well as his gloves and surgical mask. He pulled his mask down, continuing to speak.

"If they die naturally. Hours if they are bit then," He explained tiredly, coming close to Rick's body. He placed his hand on his skin, feeling that it was cold. He then took the pocket watch from Carl, estimating in his head how much time had passed from when Glenn arrived with Maiya to her surgery to now.

"I don't believe this..." Dante gasped. "There's no way..." He looked at Carl in amazement.

"He hasn't turned."

~

Now able to fully relive what he had done, Glenn fell to the dirt and heaved all the contents of his stomach. The bloodstains on his clothes and skin sickened him. He hoped the falling rain would wash them out along with his endless tears.

He continued to cry on the ground for a while before pacing around the flooded areas in agony. 

Then, an idea that came to his mind made him stop.

Unsure of sister's fate, but sure of Rick's, made him stand up and walk towards the gate. 

The floods could carry him away.

Or the wilderness could kill him.

Whatever was in the swamps could take him.

All of these thoughts pushed him forward to open the gate. He would disappear and never be seen again.

His mind screamed to him that it's what he should have done so long ago. It screamed over and over that it wasn't supposed to be this way.

And it felt like it won't stop.

He spotted three figures in the distance, and he knew how to make this screaming stop forever. 

Yes, he would let walkers eat him. Tear him limb by limb and devour his flesh. He deserved a painful and miserable death. He deserved to die alone.

Glenn quickened his pace, eager to finally end this wretched life of his. 

Eager to end this endless screaming.

"Hey!" One of the figures called to him, ending all hopes of death.

"W-Wha-" Glenn sputtered.

"We don't mean any harm!" The figure waved his hands. 

Glenn remained silent, letting the people come to him. 

"We saw fireworks like a few weeks ago, and we've been trying to find the source!" The man wiped his brow. "Did you see them?"

Glenn nodded slowly. "We set them off."

"That's great to hear. We've been trying to find shelter for so long now and we thought the fireworks meant civilization was nearby. Oh, let me introduce myself. My name's Richard."

Glenn nearly broke down again upon hearing this name.

"Um," The man paused, noticing Glenn's expression. "This is Alicia. And this little girl is Clementine."

"...I'm Glenn," He forced himself to say. 

"So... Can we come with you?" Richard questioned hesitantly. 

Glenn stayed quiet for a few seconds. Then, he took in a deep breath and said:

"I have to ask three questions first. 

How many walkers have you killed?

How many people have you killed?"

Glenn paused again before asking his final question.

"...Why?"

A/N: The next chapter will be the conclusion of Something To Fear. 

I'll just be crying in the dark until then. This chapter was so emotionally draining for me.