MAKNAE [twd]

【83】

It was dark by time Beth and I made it nearly to the corner of the wall. Meaning, all there was left to get to Maggie was the corner, gate, then the climb over the railing that was keeping her safe. But, we were finally in ear shot of each other as well.

"How the hell did you two get over here? You climbed the whole way?" Maggie asks.

"It's crazy what someone can do when determined," I say, pulling myself back up into the seated position.

"Are you okay?" Beth asks, staying standing on the edge.

"It's my leg. I cut it trying to get up here- the ladder broke," Maggie explains, pointing down to the ladder that was on the ground.

As we spoke, walkers took notice and began crowding us. I pull the radio up, pushing the button again.

"Daryl?"

"Here," he responds.

"How much longer until you're here-here?" 

"Right up the road, maybe five minutes," he answers and I exhale in relief, "Your end?"

"Beth and I made it to Maggie. I haven't seen anyone else," I answer.

"Rick and Michonne are leading a fight back with Taeyang, Aaron, and some others. I saw some stuff go down," Maggie calls.

"They're still here?" Beth questions.

"Things.. Things went bad," Maggie shakes her head, closing her eyes like she was trying to get the image out.

"We're almost there. We're coming," Daryl says before I could hear the engine speed up and he goes silent.

"Here, I'll go first," Beth urges.

I pull myself tighter on the wall and Beth steps past my leg and climbs onto the gate that rattles under her weight.

"Careful.. Be careful," Maggie worries, holding her hand out as she was ready to grab Beth.

Beth pauses, taking a deep breath before continuing over. Once close enough, the sisters clasp hands and Maggie helps Beth climb over onto the guard post. Beth sits on the board, rubbing her legs that were probably sore from all the climbing. I only knew that because I'd been doing it longer than she had and mine felt like they were about to fall off if I took another step.

"Hana, now you," Maggie waves.

I clip the radio back to my side, pulling my bat closer so I could ease back to the standing position. My legs scream in pain as I do so and I clench my teeth to force through it.

It was harder in the dark and I blindly sweep my left leg around to find the gate. Once I do, I shimmy over and cling to the iron. The top of the gate was iron poles which should've been easier to hold compared to the sharp metal. But, as I had to wrap my bare hand around it, the cuts opened up more on the rough surface.

"You got this. Just a little more," Maggie coaxes, holding her hand out again.

The blood on my hand made my grip slide and I curse under my breath, trying to hold on. Pulling my right hand up to try to gain more grip, the blood on my bat makes it slide right out of my hand and fall to the ground. As the metal meets the gravel road, it makes a loud clanging sound that echoes.

"Shit," I huff, gripping the bars with both hands.

The walkers are quickly drawn to the sound, only making more pile around. Some kick at my bat, sending it further away from the gate.

"Hana, you have to hurry!" Maggie cries.

On cue, a walker grabs my ankle and pulls it off the rail. I yelp in surprise, kicking at it before Beth shoots it and I find my footing once more. Of course, the walkers were only drawn to the gunshot even more and begin rocking the guard tower that held Maggie and Beth.