- Cass's POV -

The morning breeze flows through our bedroom window, fluttering the thin white curtains and sending a refreshing wave of cool air over me. I find myself nestling closer to Rick, his warm body forever a soothing sanctuary, always grounding me.

Our bodies are connected, our legs intertwined. Rick's face is nestled against my shoulder while my chin gently rests on his soft hair. I'll never get tired of the deep sense of security I feel in his arms as I melt into his arms, pulling him even closer to me.

"I don't want to go," Rick groans into my skin, his husky voice laced with endearing reluctance, making a grin of amusement pull across my mouth. With how comfortable I am right now and my aversion to Daryl's motorcycle, the idea of doing the dry run isn't exactly appealing to me either.

"We have to. You know that," I gently remind Rick, my fingers weaving through his soft curls, eliciting a contented hum from him. The deep rumbling sound reverberates within me, filling my heart with warm fondness.

"These people are idiots," Rick grumbles, prompting a soft snort from me as I twist one of his curls between my fingers, smiling knowingly.

They really are.

"That's exactly why we need to do this. It's only a dry run, once we've got it down it'll be a breeze," I assure Rick as he sighs heavily, knowing I'm right.

"Why did I have to fall for such a smart woman?" Rick mumbles to himself, making me roll my eyes, my cheeks flaming. After just over a month of being together, I still can't get over him saying shit like that. Sometimes it still doesn't feel real.

"Oh poor you," I coo sarcastically, making Rick lift and tilt his head to send me an unserious glare, those intense blue eyes of his meeting mine.

When I simply smile back at him, Rick's playful glare slowly fades away. His eyes soften at the edges, and I can tell he's lost in thought, his eyes reflecting the same enigmatic look they did yesterday.

"You're so beautiful," Rick tells me softly, making my smile broaden, my heart responding with a gentle flutter.

"So are you," I reply sweetly, trailing my fingers from his hair down to caress his sharp jaw. My fingertips graze through the rough texture of his stubble, scratching slightly.

Rick's eyelids flutter shut at the sensation, making adoration surge through my chest. I'll never stop being grateful that while the others just see Rick Grimes, the hardcore and occasionally terrifying leader who relentlessly protects his people, I get to see this Rick.

The Rick who loves me. Who loves it when I use my nails to scratch his hair, when I press kisses on his cheek, and when I do many other things to him.

"You're making this hard for me," Rick mumbles, making a knowing smirk grow on my face as I stop my scratching. Feeling his hard length through his pajama pants and against my thigh is evidence enough.

"I can feel that clearly, Grimes," I murmur with amusement, making Rick groan, dropping his head and pressing his face against my chest, sending electricity dancing across my skin. I bite my lip, my smile pulling wider, butterflies swirling where his nose is pressing against my skin.

Then Rick abruptly sits up, making me raise my eyebrows, excitement fluttering through me, expecting him to make a move so we can...

But Rick just sits there, his gaze fixed on me, his lovely blue eyes moving slowly and deliberately across my face. The intensity behind my gaze makes me wonder if there's something on my face, and my cheeks flush with self-consciousness. Instinctively, I tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

"How'd I get so lucky with you?" Rick breathes, his slightly rasping voice filled with sincerity, making my heart skip a beat. I suppress a smile, feeling a warm flutter in my chest as I look away, unable to meet his intense gaze.

"Stop," I mutter, shaking my head and focusing on the crumpled white sheets draped across my body.

"Never," Rick responds with stubborn determination over the faint sound of a drawer opening and closing. My curiosity gets the better of me, and I start to turn my head to see what he's up to, but Rick gently stops me.

"Close your eyes," he orders, his voice carrying a hint of seriousness. I pause, a smile quirking on my lips, excitement coiling in my stomach as I oblige, closing my eyes in anticipation of his surprise.

"Oh, God," I breathe with feigned dread, clenching my eyes shut in playful apprehension, preparing myself for the surprise Rick has up his sleeve.

Suddenly, Rick's warm hands envelop mine, guiding them until they are held out, palms up. Confusion furrows my brow as I wait impatiently, my eyes still obediently closed.

"What're-"

Rick interrupts me with a shush, and I can't help but internally roll my eyes, trying to suppress a grin. This man, I swear.

But my amused grin immediately drops at the feeling of a cool metal object being placed in my palm. A small, round, and hollow object.

Before I even open my eyes, I know exactly what it is.

My heart plunges, and a wave of nerves courses through my body, my mind whirling. A sharp exhale escapes my lips as I summon the courage to open my eyes, blinking rapidly at the object resting in my hands.

A simple gold engagement ring sits on my open palm, with three small diamonds across the crest that catch and scatter the morning light.

Tears of amazement well up in my eyes, and I get the overwhelming sensation that I'm floating outside of my body as I blink down in sheer disbelief.

Rick just put an engagement ring, in my hands.

My chest heaves and my heart races as I struggle to process what the hell is going on. I glance up to meet Rick's gaze, and there he is, watching me intently, his soft brown curls framing his face, his blue eyes crinkling with a hint of concern.

"Cass," Rick begins softly, his voice filled with tenderness, but a sob catches in my throat, overpowering me with raw emotion. I clench my eyes shut, struggling to grasp the reality of the moment as Rick envelops me in a warm, comforting embrace, his rumbling laughter reverberating through me.

"Oh, my God," I breathe thickly, my throat tight as Rick gently pulls away and wipes the tears from my cheeks.

"I know," Rick murmurs, his beautiful eyes gazing into mine as I crumple into a mess of joy and disbelief.

"Rick-" I begin, my voice trembling and taught with emotion as I search his face, but he stops me.

"Can you let me finish?" Rick asks me with gentle amusement, raising his eyebrows. I gulp and nod, my skin still tingling with utter disbelief.

Rick shifts slightly on the bed and searches my expression, a fond smile creasing his features. "I was never good when it came to... talking about how I felt. It just- never came easy." He confesses, his brows furrowing as he briefly looks down.

I watch him intently, my curiosity piqued as he looks back at me, his expression softening when our eyes meet. "But uh- that changed when you came along. E-Everything did," Rick breathes, causing a whimper of emotion to escape me as my face crumples, my bottom lip trembling.

Rick smiles warmly in response to my meek emotion. "I love you. I'm so completely in love with you, it's ridiculous," Rick tells me with a grin, eliciting a wet, shuddering laugh from me as I try my best to hold back tears of overwhelming joy.

His warm hands are quickly wiping away my tears before I know they've fallen, making the love swelling in my chest nearly overpower me.

"I don't care that we've been together for a month. It doesn't matter because I've known for a while now, without a doubt, you're the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with," Rick tells me passionately, holding my face so that I hear his words.

And that's it. I lose any semblance of control I've been holding onto. My emotions crash over me like a relentless wave, and I'm sobbing, tears streaming from my clenched eyes, my body trembling with every heartfelt sob.

Amidst my sobs, I hear Rick's warm chuckle as he embraces me once again, enfolding me in his comforting arms. I melt into his warmth, seeking solace in his arms as I dampen his shoulder with my tears, still struggling to comprehend the moment.

"You're my partner. The one I search for in every room- my soulmate. And if you'd have me, I want to be your husband too," Rick whispers beside my ear, his voice soft and slightly raspy.

Chills ripple across my body as I slowly lean away from Rick's warm embrace to meet his earnest and slightly nervous expression. My eyebrows knit together, pulling up in the middle as I blink past my tears, searching his eyes for any trace of doubt. But all ll I find is comforting sincerity in his gaze.

"Yes," I whisper, watching the relief flood through Rick, his expression softening, a smile pulling at his mouth. "God- Of course, I will marry you, you idiot," I grin, my voice filled with raw emotion and my eyes brimming with fresh tears of joy.

Rick lets out a heart-warming chuckle of relief, his eyes shining with adoration as he leans forward, capturing me in a passionate kiss.

I can barely believe my luck as I kiss him back, losing myself in the refuge of his touch, my heart soaring.

Rick Grimes wants to marry me.

Holy shit.

When we break the incredible kiss, I'm sniveling, likely with snot and tears smeared over my face. But Rick grins back at me as if I'm the most beautiful woman in the world.

Rick tenderly brushes the hair out of my tear-streaked face before looking down at my trembling palm, where the engagement ring glistens. Grabbing the ring gently, Rick raises his eyebrows at me for permission and I nod, my throat constricted with emotion.

With a tenderness that makes my heart ache, Rick takes my left hand in his and carefully slides the band onto my ring finger.

A shuddering gasp escapes my lips, watching with utter amazement as the ring slots right into place. I hold my hand out, blinking at the sight of the perfect ring. It's so simple but beautiful. And gold. How did he know?

"D'you like it?" Rick asks me, making me shift my gaze to him, blinking past my astonishment with a warm smile and nod. "Are you sure? I have others-" Rick begins quickly, fondness spreading through me at his adorable concern.

"-Rick, it's perfect," I assure him, making him grin with relief. "I don't know how you even knew that I like gold," I murmur, my brows furrowed with confusion as I look back at the gold band which seems to be glowing in the warm sunlight.

"You have that watch. And you used to wear a gold necklace back at the prison. Someone told me once that you should only marry a woman if you know what color metal to pick." Rick explains simply, making me look up to meet his completive gaze.

"Well, that person was right," I assure Rick through my grin.

Phillip's ring from a lifetime ago flashes through my mind. The clunky, large, silver ring that I only pretended to like. It was beautiful, but it wasn't me.

He really didn't know me at all.

"Good," Rick replies, his gaze lingering on me as he lets out a steady exhale. "You're going to be my wife," Rick murmurs, his soft and raspy voice tinged with disbelief as his irises dart back and forth, searching my face.

My explodes with tenderness at his words, my skin tingling with anticipation. Letting out a contented sigh, I grin wider, nodding in confirmation as I search his expression.

Rick mirrors my grin, his eyes lingering on my mouth, before he slowly leans in, his warm lips meeting mine in a soft, affectionate kiss.

Our lips meld together, and I savor the sensation as his broad nose nudges against mine, his taste infiltrating my mouth as our tongues gently intertwine. I kiss him back slowly, cherishing each moment, taking my time as I draw myself closer to him. My naked body, only covered by his cotton t-shirt, presses against his bare chest, igniting the passion between us.

Rick groans into our kiss, his grip on my waist and thigh tightening, sending arousal shooting between my legs. Then, his hands are moving, grabbing the hem of his shirt and gently pulling it off my body.

We break the kiss so that I can pull the shirt over my head, grinning at the sharp exhale from Rick as he sees my naked body yet again. As I turn back to Rick, after tossing the shirt to the side, he immediately captures my mouth in another kiss.

His warm, calloused hands are instantly on my bare body, exploring it like it's our first time all over again. Through the kiss, Rick pushes me backward into the propped pillows, making a low moan escape my mouth.

As I spread out on the bed, Rick is on me, breaking our make-out session so he can press numerous kisses down my neck, on my breasts, along my torso, down past my belly button, before focusing on the sensitive skin on my hips. My skin is tingling, anticipation growing steadily as his warm kisses are dotted across my skin while his hands drag across every inch, caressing me.

It's like he's worshipping my body, loving every bit of it.

I stare up at the ceiling, every part of me content now that he is touching me. "I can't believe you're going to be my husband," I whisper hoarsely, earning a groan from Rick, his grip on my body tightening. A smile quirks at my lips.

"Does the idea of being my husband turn you on, Grimes?" I ask lowly and Rick, pausing from kissing my lower belly, glances up at me, his pupils dilated.

Biting my lip at the erotic sight in front of me, I watch him with satisfaction.

"Completely, Grimes" Rick replies lowly before kissing my skin again. Hearing him call me that makes my heart burn with adoration.

But before I can tease him by pretending to claim that I don't want to take his name, Rick sinks his head between my legs to kiss my most sensitive bundle of nerves. A lilted sound of pleasure falls from my lips, nerves sparking up my belly from his touch.

"If this is what I have in store for the rest of our lives, I'm very much in," I murmur, my eyes clenched closed with pleasure as Rick works his magic, swirling his tongue, lapping up my arousal.

I feel Rick's mouth pull into a smile as he works, one of his hands trailing up my naked body, leaving chills in its wake. I quickly grasp his hand in mine, holding on for dear life as one of his fingers slips inside me.

I moan my future husband's name as he passionately eats me out, sending repeated waves of pleasure through my body. His hand still grasped tightly in mine, I look down to see the slightly loose engagement ring glinting on my ring finger.

It's perfect.

He's perfect.

And I'm going to be his wife.

The thought, combined with Rick's finger curling within me, makes my hips lift with the absolute satisfaction burning between my legs. I clasp my free hand, which had been tightly gripping onto our sheets, right over my mouth to stop me from crying out and waking up our family.

Rick moans into me, the vibration only making the sensation more vivid.

He squeezes my hand, encouraging me to let go. So with my future husband's mouth on me, I give into the building sensation between my legs.

It's like a tidal wave, a gush of sensations washing over me, spreading across my body. It grows as Rick continues his magic, a warm tingling building, and building before it finally crests, resulting in a body-wracking orgasm.

I feel myself tremble, my grip on Rick iron-tight as he eases me through my climax. I don't need to open my clenched eyes to know he's watching me, he always does, witnessing every expression of pleasure.

As the sensations pass, my grip on Rick's hand loosens, my heart slamming against my ribcage. I let out a pleasured sigh, sparing a glance down to see Rick removing his finger and sticking it in his mouth, making a strong desire burn through me already.

Rick moves up the bed, pushing between my spread legs and hovering above me, kissing me gently. It's loving and soft, contrasting against our rough and desperate love-making yesterday.

I trail my hands from his hair, down to rest on his muscled back, his skin hot and comforting. He's so warm- he's everything.

Enjoying my taste on Rick's lips, I move my free hand to touch his evident arousal straining against his pajama pants. Rick groans into our kiss in response, a sound I'll never get sick of.

I never have to worry about losing this, losing us- he's going to be my husband. He is always going to be here with me- and he wants to.

Wanting to give him the same pleasure he gives me, I undo his pajama pants, and he leans back to take them off before swiftly returning.

And it's like our naked bodies just melt together. Perfectly made for one another.

It's muscle memory at this point as Rick moves his body, gently guiding my legs apart so he can come between them and sink inside me. Sounds of pleasure escape both of us the moment we come together, connecting in the most irresistible, intimate way.

Rick swears under his breath as he thrusts deep inside me, his movements slow and tender. Leaning my head back on my pillow, I melt into him. Into his warm touch, his body surrounding me.

His thrusts are gentle, slow, and loving, driving me insane. Each wave of pleasure is gradual, making the building anticipation of climax that much more intense.

Rick's warm hand cups my cheek, gently moving my face so I look at him. So I do. My eyes scour my soon-to-be husband's perfect, handsome, face flushed from our lovemaking.

A smile of complete adoration crosses my face as I rest my left hand on top of his, still on my cheek. His eyes dart down, noticing the engagement ring on my hand, making his eyes flutter closed.

Rick's pace stutters, making me blink at him in amazement. Grinning, I grind my hips against his, the friction making a sound of pleasure fall from his lips.

"My wife," Rick mumbles, opening his eyes and searching my face lovingly.

Those two words coming from Rick make my nerves tingle with overwhelming pleasure as I moan desperately, my grip on his hand tightening.

"My husband," I respond, my voice tight with pleasure. Rick grunts with approval before thrusting into me, much deeper than before, making a wall of satisfaction slam into me.

I throw my head back with pleasure, needing to grip his warm back as an anchor. Rick buries himself inside me, leaning his forehead against my collarbone as he fucks me passionately. My hand tangles in his hair, holding him close to me as our bodies collide perfectly.

My husband. My partner, for life. Mine.

Rick is mine.

Completely.

The pleasure building inside me is beginning to soar with new fervor, making a desperate whimper fall from my lips. Rick groans deeply, grinding his hips against mine, sending fluttering waves of warmth and satisfaction throughout my entire body.

With one more thrust, my second orgasm explodes across my body, making a shuddering gasp escape my mouth as I ride out every sensation.

Feeling me spasm and clench around him, Rick groans deeply before I feel his movements falter, and he finishes inside me with a groan.

We stay there for a moment, frozen, catching our breaths. There was something different about our sex this time- something more... meaningful.

Because we're going to be married.

It was like a promise- of our future together.

"Damn," Rick mumbles, making me grin, my chest heaving as he looks down at me, love clear in his deep blue eyes.

"Maybe you should propose to me more often," I suggest breathlessly, making Rick grin widely, shaking his head as he gently gets off me with a sigh, laying beside me on the mattress.

"I would if I could," Rick responds, slightly out of breath as he shifts his head to the side so he can search my face, his eyes wrinkled with adoration.

God, he's so handsome. And he wants me. Forever.

"Now I don't want to go," I groan, the idea of getting out of our warm, love-filled bed seeming much less appealing now, making Rick chuckle.

"What d'you want to be doing instead?" Rick asks me lowly, making me shift onto my side, grinning brazenly at him.

"My future husband of course," I respond, making his eyes darken, a smile pulling at his mouth. I can't stop saying it. Rick is going to be my husband.

"We'll have plenty of time for that," He tells me softly, caressing my cheek, damp from our lovemaking.

Leaning into his touch, I nod. "We better," I respond with a grin. To be fair, we have a stellar track record so far. I've never had a more fulfilling and satisfying sex life.

Rick leans forward and kisses me lovingly before rolling over and checking his watch on the nightstand.

Rick grunts with disapproval as he glances at the face of his silver watch. "We should get going," He mutters with slight dread.

I groan, falling against our warm comfortable bed.

We have to go. If we don't, these useless idiots with probably kill themselves.

With deep reluctance I get out of bed, stumbling slightly as I try to put weight on my wobbly legs. I glance up to see Rick watching me, a smirk of amusement growing on his face as his satisfied eyes watch me struggle.

"Oh shut up," I say with a grin, not needing him to say anything because he has before, fucker.

Rick just laughs to himself as he pulls on his jeans and buckles his belt.

Even thirty minutes later when we're on the main road, loading up for the dry run, I still can't believe it.

I sneak a glance down at my hand, smiling to myself when I spot the ring again.

God, I'm so lucky.

"You feelin' ready?" Maggie asks curiously, suddenly appearing next to me. I look over to her with a smile as she stands beside me on the road, her arms crossed tightly against the frigid breeze, and her breath clouding in front of her as she exhales.

Heat tinges my cheeks as I instinctively tuck my hands behind my back. "Yeah, it should be fine. Are you sure you don't want to come with us?" I offer, searching her face earnestly.

Maggie returns my smile but shakes her head, her shoulder-length hair partly shielding her face from the wind. "I- uh shouldn't," she mutters, a hint of something unfamiliar in her gaze.

Furrowing my brows, I pivot to face her completely, curiously searching her expression. "Why? Maggie, You're fully capable, and you're one of our strongest-"

"It's not that," Maggie interrupts, her cheeks flushing slightly at my compliments.

Shifting from foot to foot, I raise my eyebrows expectantly, making her flash a sheepish smile. She glances over her shoulder, where her husband is talking with Rick by the truck.

"Okay, I guess if I'm going to tell anyone, I should tell you," Maggie mutters under her breath before taking a deep breath and meeting my gaze, her eyes twinkling. "I'm pregnant," she reveals through her smile.

Surprise washes over me, and for a moment, I'm left speechless, blinking at Maggie in disbelief before my mouth pulls into a stunned grin. "A-Are you and Glenn happy about it?" I ask quickly, searching her expression as Maggie nods, her eyes crinkling with happiness.

Emotion sweeps over me, and I struggle to contain the urge to cry, a feeling I've grappled with multiple times already today. Without hesitation, I reach out and wrap Maggie in a tight, emotional hug, the warmth offering a comforting contrast to the chill of the breeze surrounding us.

Maggie chuckles as she hugs me back. "I'm so happy for you two," I gush, my voice filled with genuine happiness as I pull away and hurriedly wipe tears from my cheeks.

"Thank you," Maggie responds sheepishly, her hands moving from my back and finding my hands, making my heart skip a beat.

Maggie pauses, her hand lingering on my left one. Her eyes widen as she pulls my hand closer to her, pulling the engagement ring into her line of sight.

"Cass-" Maggie begins, her gaze lifting to meet mine, her mouth curving into a grin of amazement. I smile bashfully, averting my gaze.

"It just happened this morning-" I start, but my words are cut off as Maggie embraces me once more, even tighter this time, eliciting a burst of laughter from me.

We hold onto each other for a moment, sharing in our joy.

"Congrats, Cass," she whispers into my ear, making my smile broaden as I hug her back, thinking back on how far we've come.

From the strangers who met on the farm, bonding over cleaning a chicken coop, to family who've survived everything together. All the death and pain we've gone through at this point is somehow made up for in moments like these. Moments that carry a depth of significance beyond our understanding.

We finally pull away from our second hug, chuckling at how emotional we've become. In the background, Abraham's voice calls out, a reminder to those of us preparing to leave that we need to head out.

Annoyance flutters through me, regretting signing up to help for this damn thing. I lean closer to Maggie, whispering, "I'll keep an eye on your dad, okay?" as I look down at her belly subtly. Maggie laughs, her touch gentle as she playfully pushes my shoulder away. With a grin, I say goodbye before heading over to the kids gathered by the porch.

"See you guys later?" I ask brightly, scanning their faces. Beth nods with a smile, sitting beside Noah, their hands intertwined. Carl sits nearby, and Sophia doesn't acknowledge his presence as she gets up and heads straight for me, Judith in her arms.

I step forward to take Judith from Sophia's offering arms. "Thanks, Soph," I tell the teenager warmly, who nods, her smile not seeming to reach her pretty brown eyes.

I'll need to talk to her more when I get back. And Carl too.

"Hey Jude, Mommy is going on a run for a while but I'll see you later love," I tell Judith softly, bouncing her gently and pressing a kiss to her soft cheek.

Carl steps into the conversation, making Sophia step back and look down, her auburn hair shielding her face.

"You should tell Dad to let me come." Carl asserts, just as stubborn as his father. I turn to him with raised eyebrows.

"If I'm not mistaken, you've got some studying to do," I inform him, making Carl pause, furrowing his brows with confusion.

I grin, readjusting Judith on my hip. "Talk to Denise, I wrote some instructions for the textbook you can start working on. I expect to hear about the first chapter when I get back," I declare, making a grin grow across Carl's face before he nods, looking down.

"Fine," Carl grumbles playfully, making me grin.

I begin to joke, "Price of being-"

"Doc! We're leavin'!" Daryl calls from down the road, waiting expectantly by his bike.

Sighing and sending Carl a faked fearful look, I hand him Judith.

"Watch out for your sister for me," I tell him quickly, before saying goodbye to the rest of the kids and jogging down the road to join Daryl on his two-wheeled death trap so we can get this damn dry run over with.

___

"I know this sounds insane but this is an insane world. We have to come for them before they come for us, it's that simple," Rick begins, his shouting thick with urgency, barely audible over the deafening groans of the quarry walkers.

I place my hand on my brow to shield my eyes from the blinding sun and focus on Rick as he continues his speech. He stands atop the bed of one of our trucks, a lone figure amidst the anxious crowd, ready to explain our dangerous plan.

"This is where it all starts tomorrow. Tobin gets in the truck, opens the exit, and we're off. He hops out, catches up with his team at red staying on the west side of the road. Darl and Cass get on the bike-" Rick's barrage of orders is abruptly cut off by the deafening and unsettling guttural rumbling erupting behind him. It hits like a wave of terror, and Rick's body tenses, his gaze locked on the source of the impending calamity.

"You see that?" Sasha's voice pierces the growing tension, a collective gasp escaping our lips as we inch forward. The entire group watches in wide-eyed horror as the cliff supporting a red semi-truck crumbles and collapses.

My breath catches in my throat, and I stagger back in sheer shock as the semi-truck tumbles from the precipice and crashes onto the quarry floor with a cloud of dust and debris.

Shit.

"It's open! We've got to do this now!" Rick's voice reverberates with a newfound urgency, snapping us out of our daze. In a chaotic flurry of motion, we scatter to our designated vehicles, our hearts pounding, as the Alexandria residents look around in panic, clearly having no idea what to do.

Rick leaps off the truck, the transformation into a resolute leader instantaneous, and he takes charge, guiding us through the turbulent tempest that awaits.

"Tobin's group, get moving, go!" He shouts, waving his arm, desperately trying to get the frozen people to realize that we need to do this now.

I'm already unholstering my handgun and checking the ammo before tucking it in my waistband.

"No, Rick, we're not ready!" Carter's voice rises in dissent, making Rick exhale sharply, his face flicking with frustration.

"Sasha! Abraham!" Rick barks, his gaze darting to them, seeing if they can rise to the occasion.

Abraham, running out from behind me and Daryl, responds immediately, his resolve unwavering. "Damn straight, we're doing it live!" he asserts, determination etched into his features as he and Sasha get into the red car.

"You meet Daryl and Cass at red. Let them take the walkers through the gauntlet!" Rick orders.

I offer an affirming nod, my heart racing as Sasha echoes, "Yeah, we meet at red," her voice edged with unwavering determination as she clambers into the driver's seat.

"Go!" Rick's shout is a frenzied order as they accelerate away, tires clawing through loose dirt

Anxiety ripples through me like a live wire as I notice the horde of walkers, their relentless march through the gap left by the fallen semi confirming the grim reality of our situation.

"Rick! I'll head to the tractor place," Glenn announces, his voice resolute, and Rick's nod is all the confirmation he needs. My stomach drops. He better make it out for that baby.

"Okay, who else?" Rick asks, making a few people, the new guy Heath and Nicholas, step up and offer to go with Glenn.

But my focus sharpens on Carter, who strides toward Rick with a feverish urgency. "This was supposed to be a dry run!" Carter pleads, his words crackling with desperation as if we have any say in this situation.

"Daryl, Cass, get ready!" Rick's call pierces the chaos, fueling my resolve. I nod with grim determination, raising my gun in tandem with Daryl as he aims the relentless walkers struggling to get through the gap of the semis in front of us.

"Rick, we haven't even gone through the entire plan!" Carter argues desperately, and I pivot to face him angrily.

"Did you not see what just happened?" I demand sharply, staring at Carter incredulously as he blinks at me in fear.

Rick catches my eye before turning to Carter, his expression a mix of annoyance and unyielding resolve. "You want to go back, go back. We're finishing this!" Rick retorts, his tone unwavering, a testament to the dire lack of options.

With no room for debate, Rick's authoritative command echoes through the air, jolting Carter and the others into a frenzy of action. Some run off as others scramble to perform their assigned tasks, setting off flares that act as a beacon, drawing the horde to us.

As the flares ignite one by one, luring the walkers into our deadly trap, Rick seizes my arm, turning me to face him. His eyes bore into mine, the urgency of the situation forging an unspoken bond between us.

"Stay safe. I'll see you later," he tells me in a voice that holds no room for argument, and I nod quickly, bracing myself for what lies ahead.

"Later," I confirm, my gaze locked onto his with unwavering determination despite my hammering heartbeat.

Rick mouths 'Love you,' sending my heart into a flutter, and I do the same right back.

The last flare bursts to life, casting eerie shadows across the quarry, and Rick turns to Tobin in the truck. "Do it!" he bellows, the final trigger to set their plan into motion.

Tobin does as Rick tells him, pulling forward and releasing the walkers to come right at us.

Rick releases me, giving a nod to Daryl. My hand trembles as I quickly nudge my finger against my nose, our secret code, and Rick mirrors the gesture before taking off.

I whirl on my heels and run toward Daryl's idling motorcycle, climbing onto it with him. Clinging to my friend with a white-knuckled grip, we roar down the road, the deafening engine's roar drowning out the cacophony of hundreds of walkers in relentless pursuit, our very lives hanging in the balance.

Rick's steady voice continues to deliver updates and orders through Daryl's walkie-talkie, a lifeline connecting us as we guide the ever-growing herd of walkers in our wake.

Before I know it, we find ourselves approaching the intersection of Redding and Marshal, shepherding the horde along the planned course. As Daryl cautiously maneuvers the bike around the corner wall, I glance at the imposing steel plates, an odd sense of reassurance flashing through me knowing Rick's somewhere behind it.

Rick, Michonne, and Morgan set off flares from behind the wall, ensuring the walkers keep coming. We progress steadily around the bend, the tall metal wall trembling and shuddering as the walkers relentlessly batter against it, a haunting reminder of what is following us.

Keeping my hand securely gripped on Daryl's shoulder, I turn backward to look behind me. I watch as the walkers slam into the wall and stumble around the bend. My narrowed eyes carefully watch the metal plates, making sure the wall stays up and Rick stays safe.

It becomes clear that the plan is working, the horde of undead obediently following us, the wall successfully functioning as the bumper we desperately needed.

As time wears on, the initial anxiety gradually ebbs away, replaced by a sense of cautious optimism. It appears the plan going well so far, despite being so unexpected. I had planned to be home by now, hanging with the kids and making lunch- not this.

While adjusting my rifle slung over my back, my grip on Daryl's shoulder slips momentarily, but Daryl reacts quickly, firmly grasping my hands and securing me in place, preventing any chance of me tumbling off the back of his motorcycle.

Chuckling at myself and my keen ability to be clumsy no matter the situation, I thank my good friend, my cheek warming with embarrassment.

Daryl grunts in response, glancing down at my hands, and doing a double-take. He chuckles slightly as he looks forward, grabbing the motorcycle handles.

"He finally asked you, huh?" Daryl asks, having to shout over the roar of his bike and the relentless horde close on our heels.

The mention of the engagement ring sends my stomach into a joyful flutter, and I find myself fighting a smile as I look off to the woods to the right of us, wondering where Rick is now.

"Daryl, we've been together for a month. I wouldn't say he finally asked me,'" I respond with a chuckle, the wind whipping through my hair as we continue down the road.

Daryl grunts, shaking his head as he navigates the bike. "Nah. I was there with 'im when he picked the damn thing out. Took forever," he grumbles, evoking a warmth to spread through my chest.

"You were there?" I ask curiously, shifting my gaze to the side to catch a glimpse of his face, partially obscured by his disheveled hair and broad shoulders.

Daryl nods. "Shoulda seen him, worried about scarin' you off," Daryl mutters, his words making heat flush my cheeks and my heart ache.

The idea that Rick worried about scaring me off is weirdly sweet. It's hard to fathom that he'd think that.

"Why would he be scared of scaring me off?" I question aloud, my eyes darting over my shoulder as though I might catch a glimpse of Rick following us through the woods.

"Cause it was the mornin' after you two... got together," Daryl mumbles shortly, his awkward embarrassment matching the shock that rushes through me.

Rick was planning this the day I had been grappling with the fear that he might not even want me.

Wow.

"I had-" I begin to speak, but my words are abruptly cut off by a blaring, continuous horn in the distance. My stomach lurches as I whip around in my seat, scanning the surroundings with wide, fear-stricken eyes.

What the fuck is that??

Further down the road behind us, I notice the walkers shifting their lumbering gait, lured by the haunting sound emanating from the woods. The side of the woods Rick is in. The side everyone else is in, and the direction Alexandria is in.

Fuck.

"The hell is that?" Daryl demands but I just shake my head in response, not knowing what to say.

God, if that's coming from home, all those walkers, about half of the entire herd, are headed straight there. To Judith, Carl, Sophia, Beth, pregnant Maggie- fuck.

"Rick, what's happenin' back there?" Daryl bellows into his walkie-talkie, his voice a blend of concern and urgency, and I swivel my head to peer at him, my heart pounding with dread.

A wave of relief washes over me as I hear Rick's voice crackling through the radio speaker, though it comes in slightly distorted. "Half of 'em broke off. They're going toward Alexandria," Rick explains, out of breath, each word heavy with dread.

Shit. I was hoping I was wrong.

"Towards you?" Abraham's voice crackles through the walkie-talkie, his question sending a shiver down my spine. Wait-

"We ran ahead. There's a horn or something. Loud, coming from ahead. It's not stopping," Rick's loud voice echoes through the speaker, his words fueling the dread coiling in the pit of my stomach.

"We should go!" I urge Daryl, my chest heaving in panic as I fervently scan the herd following us and then the woods, searching for any sign of them.

"I'm gonna gas it up, turn back!" Daryl shouts into the walkie-talkie, and I heave a sigh of relief, gripping him even tighter, preparing to speed off.

"We have it. You keep going." Rick responds, his faded voice carrying a hint of stubborn determination that sends my eyes widening in disbelief. Rick you idiot-

"They're gonna need our help!" Daryl's defiant shout resonates, echoing the sentiments thundering through my own heart.

"You gotta keep the herd movin'!" Rick retorts, a stubborn edge evident in his voice.

Daryl's finger presses the speak button, but I lean forward, determined. "Rick, if it's going down, we don't need to!" I cry out, my words catching Daryl off guard as he glances at me in surprise.

"The rest of that herd turns around, and the situation back there gets worse," Rick responds gruffly, his distorted and clipped words injecting a surge of annoyance into my veins. As much as it pisses me off, he's right.

"Daryl, Cass?" Rick asks after a pause during which we haven't replied. Daryl glances over his shoulder at me before activating the walkie-talkie again.

"Yeah, we heard you," Daryl confirms, and I hang my head, suppressing the disturbing feeling gnawing at my gut. It's a visceral, nagging sensation, urging me to return to our baby, to protect our family.

"Good. Keep her safe," Rick responds but the finality of the click cutting off his comforting voice only deepens the unease festering in my gut.

So we press on, leading the undead horde in our wake. I burrow into Daryl's vest, my cheek pressed against the rough fabric, my gaze locked on the woods as I silently pray for my family's safety.

Abandoning them like this, just sitting here and doing nothing- is agonizing. I clench my eyes shut, attempting to stifle the overpowering urge to cry. It's a stark contrast to the tears of joy I'd shed earlier.

But my worried thoughts are abruptly jolted as Daryl steers the bike alongside Abraham and Sasha.

"Hey! Have we covered five miles yet?" Daryl shouts, turning to Abraham through the open window.

"Give or take some yardage," Abraham replies, prompting me to lift my head and peer over curiously. "Got a reason for asking?" he asks, raising his brushy ginger eyebrows.

"Next intersection. We're gonna spin around and go back," Daryl announces, and I turn to him, blinking in surprise. Are we really going back?

Hope begins to bloom in my chest, my heart warming with relief that Daryl cares just as much as I do.

"The plan is to go fifteen more," Sasha points out incredulously from the car, her brows furrowing.

"Yeah, I'm gonna change that. Five's gonna have to work!" Daryl calls out, relief fluttering through me that Daryl wants to go back just as much as I do.

"The magic number is twenty. That's the mission. That's making sure they're off munching on infirm raccoons the rest of their undead lives instead of any of us!" Abraham argues back, resolute.

I turn to look at Abrham's blood-streaked face incredulously. Doesn't he understand that they need our help?

"They're headed home, Abraham. Where Judith is, Carl- all of them, and you just want us to stay?" I demand with wild eyes, making the burly man shake his head.

"You two want to go, we can't stop you. But without you guys, they could stop us." Sasha asserts, staring directly at me, her deep brown eyes pleading.

I close my eyes and lower my head, torn between my loyalty to my friends here and the overwhelming need to ensure the safety of our family.

We drive past an Alexandria billboard, and I notice Daryl glancing over at it. I look too, recognizing the porch of Aaron's home in the promotion. My heart aches, wishing I could be there.

"Nah, I got faith in ya!" Daryl abruptly shouts back, revving the motorcycle and catching me off guard.

I grin into his back as he accelerates, a weight lifting from my chest. "Thank God," I breathe, drowning out my fear of the motorcycle and reminding myself that we're only five miles from home.

The ominous horn has finally ceased, filling me with a profound sense of relief as we drive off from the main road, headed down a curved route that seems to be curving around, headed back for Alexandria.

About ten minutes later, Rick's voice breaks through the radio. "Daryl?" Rick asks, his breathless voice laced with weariness.

My stomach twists as Daryl answers for us, informing Rick that we're here.

"Won't be long now. They're almost here." Rick tells us, causing my gut to churn with dread. The walkers are almost home.

"I'll get them going your way again," Rick explains, his voice muffled by the radio. I sit up straight, guilt gnawing at me as Sasha's voice breaks through the noise of the motorcycle.

"How 'bout that, you two? Rick's heading our way," Sasha's faded voice clips through, causing me to gulp anxiously. Shit. We shouldn't have left.

I glance at Daryl, who continues driving with determination.

"There's gunfire coming from back home. We gotta sit with it and hope they can handle it. I think they can. They have to." Rick's voice rumbles through the radio speakers.

"We keep going forward for them. Can't turn back 'cause we're afraid." Rick reminds us, making me close my eyes and look down. I know Rick is telling himself just as much as he's telling us.

"We ain't afraid," Abraham interjects firmly through the walkie-talkie.

"This is for them. Going back now before it's done, that'd be for us," Rick adds, and I can hear the pain of the decision in his voice. My heart sinks.

He's right. Why does he always have to be right?

Daryl continues pushing forward, and I wonder if he's hearing Rick. Understanding that we need to go back.

"The herd has to be almost here." Rick's voice echoes, a somber reminder of the impending threat closing in on them.

I snatch the walkie off Daryl's shoulder, ignoring his sounds of protest and clicking the speak button.

"Rick," I call out desperately, unclicking the button and waiting for a response. There's a brief pause.

"Yeah, Cass I'm here." Rick's comforting voice comes through as Daryl steadies the motorcycle after my abrupt thievery.

I close my eyes for a moment, willing my tears to subside so I can speak. "Don't be stupid. I wanna see you later- alive." I order, my voice wavering slightly, despite my trying not to.

"Later," Rick confirms, eliciting a relieved exhale from me as I try to regain my composure.

There's another pause, and I can hear Rick letting out a breath as if he's going to speak. But then a crash and a barrage of gunshots blare through the radio's speaker, causing my stomach to plummet. "Rick?!" I cry out, and Daryl shifts in the front, glancing back at me.

"Rick?" Daryl calls too, but it's no use, the gunshots are continuing- Rick's finger must still be on the button.

A horrifying silence from the other end sends shivers racing across my skin. There's no need for words- Daryl immediately revs the engine and accelerates, hurtling down the road with the deafening roar of the motorcycle.

After a considerable distance, Daryl veers off to the side, tires squealing as he retrieves the walkie-talkie from my trembling hands.

"Rick? Rick?!" Daryl repeats into the radio, his voice raspy and filled with concern. Now stationary, I dismount the bike, running an anxious hand through my hair before covering my face in distress.

Rick is all alone, somewhere near Alexandria while gunshots are going off. And I have no fucking idea what to do.

My breathing is ragged and panicked as I pace back and forth, my heart slamming against my ribcage. How did this day change from one of the best in my life to a nightmare? Torn between what's doing right and selfishly reuniting with my family.

"Come on." Daryl's rough voice breaks through my fog of worry, making me look up.

"What?" I ask with a gulp, wringing my restless hands as I meet Daryl's determined gaze.

"Come on," Daryl repeats, nudging his head to the motorcycle. I let out a sigh, knowing he's right. I walk over, climb onto the back, and hold tight as Daryl takes off, clearly with a plan this time.

I hide my face from the bitter cold as Daryl speeds down the winding roads. I don't have the courage to look up, to find out what we're doing.

After a while of driving like this, the cacophony of hundreds of walkers groaning prompts me to glance up and notice that Daryl is reuniting with Abraham and Sasha, pulling up alongside them.

"Daryl! W-we need to go back!" I shout, smacking Daryl's shoulder desperately.

Daryl doesn't flinch, his gaze fixed firmly ahead as he continues to drive. Frustration wells up within me, and I can't contain the hot tears that escape my eyelids.

"Daryl..." I mutter, shaking my head with dread. No, please.

"We needa keep goin'. For them." Daryl responds roughly, making me crumple with emotion as I give up on the idea of going home.

I don't have a choice on the back of a moving vehicle, despite the fleeting thought crossing my mind to just jump off. A vivid mental image of my body scraping and tumbling across the unforgiving asphalt before being torn apart by walkers quickly deters me.

"Fuck you." I grit stubbornly through my teeth, using the sleeve of my jacket to rub off the tears from my face.

"I'm keepin' a promise," Daryl responds, further fueling my frustration as I shake my head in disbelief, not knowing what the hell he's talking about.

As I reluctantly accept the fact that we need to keep going, to help the rest of them, all I can think about is my family. About Rick, God knows where he is, Michonne and Glenn, who were also out in those woods. But I can't even bring myself to think about what is happening back home with the kids- what that on earth that horn is.

The mere thought that something might have gone wrong back home haunts me.

If it has gone bad- back home, all of our best fighters are here. Out on the dry run, effectively leaving them home defenseless.

I've lost all sense of time while consumed by anxious concern for my family. The rumbling engine of the motorcycle sends vibrations coursing through me, the deafening noise in my ears seems to grow louder, and the relentless wind whips around me. The feeling of not knowing what's happening weighs heavily on my chest, becoming almost unbearable.

It's just too much.

Amidst this overpowering worry and the cacophony of noise, I eventually hear Daryl confirming with Sasha and Abraham that we've reached mile 20, and we're clear to drive off and leave all this shit behind.

A semblance of relief finally washes over me as we tear away at full speed, tracing the route back home that guarantees the walkers won't be able to follow.

We barrel ahead, Daryl's motorcycle's engine roaring to outrun the relentless walkers. The town we've pulled through rushes past us, a blur of dilapidated buildings and deserted streets.

But before anything can go right, automatic gunshots burst around us, their deafening cracks ringing in my ears. Bullets whiz perilously close, relentlessly zipping through the air.

Adrenaline surges through me, my heart pounding aggressively against my ribcage, confused panic engulfing my senses. I instinctively press myself closer to Daryl, trying to make myself as small as possible as the gunshots echo around us.

There's no time to think about who these assholes are as Daryl guns the throttle, desperately aiming to put some distance between us and the persistent gunfire.

Amid the chaos, Abraham and Sasha get separated from us, their red car veering off to the right, chased by another car and the threat of more bullets.

To evade the rest of them, Daryl makes a lightning-quick decision, steering the motorcycle into a sharp turn. The wheels skid and screech beneath us, and before I can fully grasp what's happening, we're tumbling over.

I brace for impact, my heart racing as the heavy motorcycle pitches violently, sending Daryl and me crashing onto the unyielding asphalt.

Anguished cries burst from my lips as my body skids across the unforgiving ground littered with car junk and creeping weeds. Meanwhile, Daryl is hurled in the opposite direction, the motorcycle clattering and tumbling beside him. I slam into a small building on my left, my spine sending agonizing signals of pain through my body.

Despite the blinding pain going through my body, I muster the strength to stagger to my feet, squinting through the haze of agony. My vision remains blurred, and in my faded hearing, I hear the muffled sounds of tires screeching and the distant crack of gunshots, each sound wrenching my gut with sharper dread.

Daryl gets to his feet, rushing forward to grab his motorcycle which crashed beside him. He looks around wildly, searching for the source of the still-popping gunshots. I join his frantic survey of the strange, decaying parking lot where we've crashed.

The nearby woods catch my attention, closer to me than the motorcycle and Daryl. I instinctively duck as automated gunfire erupts to my right, just a few yards away.

Fuck.

"Daryl, go!" I shout, my words ripping through my throat, adrenaline pumping through my veins as I unsling my rifle, cock it, and pivot to look over my shoulder at the menacing woods once again.

"I ain't leavin'!" Daryl's defiant response is accompanied by a desperate look as he ducks to avoid a hail of gunfire, but I shake my head.

We're on opposite sides of an open area, with rapid gunfire being fired at us. I risk getting shot just to be reunited with him.

"Go help them! They need you! I'll meet you back home!" I shout, before taking off in the direction of Alexandria, not giving Daryl a chance to argue as I crash into the woods, armed and headed home.

- Rick's POV - 
36 hours later

As the others put on their sheets, covered with the guts of a few of the walkers who got in, I find myself drawn to one of Jessie's windows. My gaze fixates on our street, bathed in the ominous glow of the setting sun, casting an eerie light over the grim sight of hundreds of walkers slowly overtaking our once-safe haven.

Their decaying bodies swarm the streets of our community, an infuriating reminder of the obstacle that keeps me from going out and finding our people. From finding Cass. I've been trying for over a day now, both me and Maggie desperate to find our partners, but it's too damn dangerous because of these undead assholes.

Two days have passed since they left, and as the sun begins to set, it marks the beginning of the second night they've been gone. A relentless worry gnaws at me every passing second, knowing that they're out there, going through God knows what.

Daryl, Glenn, Sasha, Abraham, and Cass. Still gone.

I've been trying to stay strong and make sure they have a safe place to come back to, but as more time passes, I know the chances are just getting slimmer.

I swallow the lump in my throat, trying to push through it all and focus on the immediate problem at hand: getting our family out.

Ensuring the safety of Carl and Judith through the night and creating a place for the rest of them to come back to. If they can come back.

God- please let them come back.

"Hey," Michonne breathes from beside me, her voice heavy with what I can only assume is apprehension about what we're about to do. I turn to her, our eyes locking for a moment, and I can feel the tears welling up, begging to be released.

But I won't. I can't.

I can't afford to break, not now.

Not because the first real safe place we've found is now overrun by walkers despite the plan we specifically made to avoid it.

Not because Deanna is lying in the other room, clinging to her last moments of life. Or because the people in front of me have to muster enough strength to stay calm and walk through a herd of walkers to survive.

Not because Carl and Ron nearly killed each other in a fit of jealousy and rage. Just like me and Ron's father.

And definitely not because my family, including Cass- my future wife- have been missing for nearly two agonizing days.

The burden is overwhelming, but I have to carry it. For them. For Cass.

"Is it time?" I ask, my voice choked with sorrow as I blink slowly, watching the relentless walkers meander through our road as if it's their own.

"Yeah, we have to go," Michonne whispers, her words filling me with dread.

Blinking through my blurry vision, I nod, mustering the inner strength I desperately need to confront this nightmare.

With a deep breath, I move forward and follow Michonne's lead. I gently pick up Judith, who's lost her voice after crying for her Mama for two days, and hand her to Carl, who cradles her beneath his gut-covered cloak.

We proceed slowly and cautiously, stepping through the crowd of walkers that has now invaded Jessie's living room- the same room where I nearly killed Pete.

As we move through the room and out the door into the frigid night, my heart sinks at the devastating sight. The herd of walkers has ruthlessly conquered our home, seizing our refuge, and made it their own.

I glance at Jessie and her kids, silently hoping that they can find the strength to endure this as we link hands and begin descending the stairs and onto the crowded road.

We make our way through slowly, headed for the armory as the sun sets behind us. The walkers don't even notice, unaware of the seven very alive humans walking among them.

Relief flutters through me at our plan working as I spare a glance behind me, ensuring everyone is following safely.

When I realize just how many walkers are here and how spread out they are, I guide the group off the side while Carl and Michonne watch guard for us.

"Okay, new plan. There are too many walkers, too spread out. We're not going to the armory. We need our vehicles back at the quarry- we'll need to round 'em up. We leave, we come back," I explain quietly but urgently, meeting the apprehensive expressions on their faces.

"Okay." Jessie agrees with a gulp. "But Judith... to the quarry and back, I..." She trails off with defeat, just blinking back at me, unsure what to do.

Cass survived with Judith alone for a month and she told me the measures she had to come to just to keep them both safe. And we don't exactly have the luxury of having her here to keep Judith calm and safe.

I exhale deeply, feeling the burden of leadership as I pinch the bridge of my nose, my mind racing to devise a new plan.

"I'll take her," Gabriel offers, his voice carrying a mix of apprehension and determination. I turn to him, squinting slightly as I consider his offer. "I'll keep her safe in my church until you all lead the walkers away," Gabriel adds, his eyes darting nervously between us.

Michonne, positioned on the left, speaks up, her voice laced with skepticism. "Can you do this?" she checks roughly.

"I'm supposed to. I have to. I will," Gabriel responds with newfound determination, his dark brown eyes meeting mine. It's the first time I've seen him look so confident.

Knowing I don't have the time to come up with another plan, I nod in agreement and gesture for Carl to hand over my daughter, my heart twisting with the anguish of leaving her behind. Judith whimpers, her big brown eyes wide and tearful, her tiny hand reaching out for me as she's gently transferred to Gabriel's care. My heart aches, but I don't let myself feel it, reeling it back.

Gabriel takes Judith gently, covering her carefully with his sheet. Jessie makes an attempt to convince him to take Sam as well. Sam, however, adamantly refuses, insisting that he can keep going. Eventually, Jessie concedes with a sigh.

Turning to me, Gabriel meets my gaze, his expression resolute. "I'm going to keep her safe," he reassures me, the strength in his voice providing some semblance of ease.

A soft breath escapes my lips. "Thank you," I tell him genuinely with a nod.

Gabriel nods in return and begins to move slowly and carefully, heading toward the church with Judith in his arms.

Watching him go, another piece of my heart breaks as I part with another family member. First Cass and now-

I draw a deep breath, pushing aside the overwhelming concern that's gnawing at my heart, and clutch Sam's hand, guiding the others to follow me as we make our way out.

The sun has long since set by the time we're close to the gate. I maintain a deadly tight grip on my axe, ready for any threats that may come our way.

My mind keeps wandering to Cass, Daryl, Sasha, and Abraham, wondering where on earth they are. I know that if they're together- they have to be okay.

Maybe they saw the walls fall and know they can't come home. They could be just next door, waiting until it's clear.

My hopeful thoughts are shaken from me as Sam lets go of my hand, clearly panicking as he backs up, his eyes wide. My stomach drops with dread as I realize what's happening.

Tears fall from Sam's face as his mother says his name softly, urging him to come with her- to stay strong.

But Sam just stands there, the picture of a scared child, staring at his mother in fear as she quietly begs him. My anxiety levels rise as the noise of his crying increases, knowing the sound is drawing the attention of the nearby walkers

I begin to quietly urge him too, desperate given how close we are to getting out-

And then it happens.

A gaggle of walkers are drawn to his cries and in a matter of a second are on him, devouring his flesh as he screams for his mother.

Shock surges down my spine and I stagger back in shock, my hearing fading out seeing a child- younger than Carl- being eaten alive this brutally.

Jessie cries out, refusing to let go of his hand, despite me trying to pull her off him as she screams.

"Jessie, come on!" I beg her desperately, and so does Carl, the one still holding her hand. But it's too late.

There's no saving her as more walkers swarm her, mounting on top of her agonizing, screaming form and consuming her, just as they did to her son.

I stand there, stunned by the gruesome sight in front of me, remembering the kind woman who came to me for help when her husband was hurting her. And now she's...

It's Carl's urgent call for me that jolts me back to reality. My heart sinks when I see Jessie's lifeless hand still clutching Carl's, keeping him in dangerous range of the walkers killing her.

Swallowing back my nausea as I realize what I need to do, I step forward, slamming my axe down on Jessie's arm, the blade hacking again and again until Carl is free. A grim sense of déjà vu washes over me, reminding me of the day I had to remove Hershel's leg.

Carl collapses backward but quickly regains his footing, standing up right beside me. I make eye contact with my son, my chest whirling with a mixture of relief and sorrow.

But any relief I feel is short-lived as my attention is abruptly seized by the distinctive click of a gun. Just past Carl's shoulder stands Ron, his face a tumult of emotions.

"You," Ron mutters with disgust, looking right at me, making my stomach drop at the anguish contorting the teenager's face. The poor kid just saw his mother and younger brother die in front of him- but this?

As my heart races, Ron continues to stare me down, his finger tightening around the trigger of the gun. "You," Ron repeats, his voice a chilling echo of his father's, and I can see tears glistening in his eyes.

I can sense the inevitability of the situation, and in that moment, the first thing that flashes through my mind is Cass. Her beautiful smiling face as she laughed with Carl back at the prison, when she was beaming at her and Judith's reflection, and her teary grin just yesterday morning as I placed that ring on her finger.

The warmth of her presence, the way she shines with my family, and how fiercely she protects them. She was supposed to marry me- our family was supposed to become real. And she's gone.

Maybe it's my turn now.

I stand there, immobilized, lost in a whirlwind of emotions, knowing if I move, that kid is squeezing the trigger and I'm done for. In a flash of metal and blood, Michonne's katana pierces Ron's chest, stopping him. His arms flail out as he staggers back, squeezing the trigger, shooting a bullet to the side as blood spurts from his chest wound.

I blink in shock at the sight, tears springing to my eyes as Ron collapses to the ground. Michonne rips her sword out of Ron's lifeless body, her expression mirroring the nausea churning in my gut.

I send a nod of gratitude to Michonne for what she did for me, which she returns, her expression grim.

"Dad?" Carl's quivering voice reaches my ears, making me turn to him.

My gut bottoms out when I see it, my world tilting on its axis. Because my son's right eye has been replaced with a gaping bleeding hole, blood streaming down his face.

An icy chill runs down my spine, my chest shuddering at the horrific sight in front of me.

"Carl-" I choke out, tears burning in my eyes as he collapses to the ground.

Without a moment of hesitation, I lunge forward and scoop up his nauseatingly limp body into my arms. Sobs escape me as I struggle to hold back the imposing wave of terror and grief crashing within me.

Without needing to say a word, Michonne leads the way, slicing through the crowd of walkers as I stagger behind her, weighed down by my overwhelming grief.

Michonne is panting, whimpering just as I am as she leads the way to the infirmary, and I follow quickly behind.

The door to the infirmary swings open as I run forward, lugging my son in my arms after he got shot, for the second time in his life.

Michonne and Denise are shouting, presumably about what happened, their voices blending into a chaotic blur as I carefully place Carl on the stretcher. The ringing in my ears is deafening, but I can't focus on anything else as I look down at my son, my heart breaking painfully in my chest.

"Please save him," I groan, the weight of my anguish suffocating me. The pressure behind my eyes becomes too much, and tears stream down my face uncontrollably. I'm utterly heartbroken at the sight in front of me, helpless in the face of my son's injury.

Cass should be here- she would know what to do. I know she would be able to fix him, heal the wound, and bring him back. She would do anything.

But she's not here.

Why isn't she here?

My eyes remain fixed on my son, the horrific wound disfiguring his face, blood oozing and wrenching my insides into knots.

"Please," I repeat in a low, broken voice, staring in disbelief. Michonne steps forward and gently removes my gut-covered cloak before returning to Carl's side.

Running my hand through my hair and then pinching the bridge of my nose, I have to turn away, trying to breathe. Denise's faded orders blur together, reminding me vaguely of Cass. I step backward, covering my mouth with my trembling hand.

I can't.

I can't do any of it any longer.

Why is this happening? Why is everything falling apart?

I turn back, my gaze locked onto Carl, lying unnervingly still on the stretcher, while the crowd of people around him buzzes with urgent conversation. Denise stands by Carl's head, shouting decisive orders, a stark contrast to the panicked and green-face Denise I remember.

Cass would be proud of her.

But I can't bear watching it any longer. My mind is a swirling mess of emotions, and I turn away, pushing aside the curtains beside the front door. I peer out at the darkened herd, full of resentment for the monsters that have caused this. If it wasn't for them none of this would have happened.

And that's when something inside me snaps.

With a surge of anger and despair, I yank my axe from its holster, ignoring Michonne's calls to me. I throw the front door open and step out into the darkness, ready.

I slash through their bodies, the acrid stench of decaying flesh assaulting my senses, but I ignore it. It's a sea of blood, and I don't know what I'm doing, just that I'm killing them. I'm taking them all on, my axe cleaning through rotten flesh and shattered bones, the relentless rhythm of the violence consuming me.

I need to. I need to rid our town of these fucking assholes that, in a matter of 36 hours, have taken everything from me.

Bodies collapse at my feet as I strike with ruthless efficiency. It's all a blur, a dance of death, and I don't stop. I can't stop.

Even when Michonne, Spencer, and Heath come out to help, I keep going. I keep killing and killing and killing.

In my blur of violence, I sense the arrival of others in my periphery- Eric, Gabriel and even Carter coming to help. The tide of walkers surges, but we hold our ground. And I know, we can do it. We can fight back, save Alexandria for ourselves.

Before long, more join. Carol, Rosita, Eugene, Morgan, and we're doing it. Standing together, unyielding, against the relentless horde, taking back our home, one kill at a time.

I channel every ounce of grief, frustration, and anger into every strike, determined to kill these fucking assholes.

As we slowly retreat, the relentless wall of walkers closes in on us, and desperation begins to set in. We're cornered, forced against a wall as a surge of them pushes into us.

But then, a sudden and deafening explosion bursts the air, illuminating the darkness with a fierce ripple of heat and light. Blinking past the sweat, tears, and blood covering my face, I gape at what used to be a small man-made lake, now replaced with a sea of flames.

Half of the walkers, in their mindless frenzy, are drawn towards the blinding fire. They pivot away from us and stumble toward the blaze, the thinning crowd giving us the chance to push forward and keep fighting.

Relief washes over me, hope surging within because deep down, I know that was my family.

It has to be them. And they're back.

So I keep going. We keep going, relentless in our slaughter against the walkers. I've lost count of how many of these fuckers we've taken down, but one thing I'm sure of- they're gone, and I'm drenched in blood.

At some point, it simply ends. There are no more walkers left to kill, leaving us standing, heaving with exhaustion, staring at the endless corpses dirtying our streets.

Dropping my axe with a clatter, I squint through the darkness and realize that there's a tanker pulled up by the lake. Standing on top is a familiar figure, holding a rocket launcher.

Relief surges through me as I recognize that it's Daryl. I know with the promise he made- Cass has to be here too. Not only is the love of my life back, but so is the best damn surgeon I know who can save my son.

Despite the fact that my lead arms are weighing me down, or that each of my breaths is rasped and burning, I sprint over, desperate to see them.

I nearly fall over with relief to see the group of living people around the truck. It's a daze as I greet them, seeing Glenn and Enid reunited with Maggie, and Abraham and Sasha, all looking safe and good.

Thank God.

"You guys okay?" I ask, my breath still ragged as I blink to clear my blurred vision as I assess their well-being. My family responds with smiles and nods, and Glenn's reassuring pat on my shoulder provides a semblance of comfort. Daryl drops down from the truck, his gaze trained on mine.

Surveying the group, my chest still heaving from the slaughter, I furrow my brows in concern. "W-Where's Cass?" I inquire through my labored breathing, turning to meet Daryl's gaze.

Daryl's eyes widen slightly, his mouth parting and his skin paling. A heavy, foreboding silence hangs in the air as we lock eyes, dread creeping up my spine.

And then his next three words hit me like a freight train going full speed, knocking the wind out of me.

"S-She's not here?"

___

A/N: ... don't hate me