Spider Monkey

Chapter Fifty - Three - Last Day On Earth

A new threat had made themselves known. The Saviours.

While on a mission, Carol and Maggie got taken. The group got them back, made some enemies along the way. And when on a run with Daryl and Rosita, Denise was killed.

The news on Denise's death hit hard for Hedley. He liked her. She'd helped him find his voice. Without her Carl would be dead.

Someone else who took her death hard was Daryl. He blamed himself. And he had this rage inside him that only got more and more heated.

That was how he ended up forcing the gates open, revenge on his mind.

"Where are you going?" Sasha demanded.

"Out."

"No, shit." Abraham said from watch, "You got specifics?"

Merle came over, "Whatcha doin', baby bro?"

Daryl ignored him.

"What the hell is he doing?" Glenn spoke, watching Daryl getting back on his bike.

Michonne answered, "Something he shouldn't."

"We gotta stop him."

Hedley saw this and ran to the gate, watching his father zoom off into the distance. "DAD!"

Merle and Abraham stopped the van Michonne and Glenn got in to follow.

"Whoa! Make room for my freckled ass." Abraham said.

"No." Rosita growled, "Cover my watch. You stay."

"Hey, we should keep numbers here." Glenn said.

"I know where Daryl's going." Rosita got into the van.

"And that's ma brother." Merle said, going in after Rosita. He called out to Hedley, "I'll go get 'im. Stay outta trouble."

Hedley nodded. The door closed and the van drove off. Maggie and Hedley watched from the gate as the vehicle disappeared into the distance.

***

Maggie needed a doctor. She was in a lot of pain so the group decided to take her to Hilltop. Carl and Hedley got the guns from the armoury and headed into the Rv along with Rick, Eugene, Maggie, Abraham, Sasha and Aaron.

And soon, they were off too.

Maggie was breathing deeply, clearly scared and in pain. Hedley went over to her, a water bottle in hand. He helped her sit up slightly to take a few sips. "Thank you." She whispered to him. Hedley gave her a small smile, helping her back down onto the pillows. He took out a cloth and gently wiped the sweat off from her forehead. Maggie reached for him and held his hand. She was terrified.

Rick came through and knelt down to her level. "Hey."

"Hey." She sniffed.

"We're gonna get there. The doctor at the Hilltop, he's gonna make things better."

Maggie let the tears fall. Rick cupped her cheek tenderly.

"How do you know?" She asked, desperate.

"Everything we've done, we've done together." He told her, "We got here together and we're still here. Things have happened, but it's always worked out for us 'cause it's always been all of us. That's how I know. 'Cause as long as it's all of us, we can do anything."

After a moment, Rick stood back up. He nodded to Hedley, "Keep her company, Spider Monkey."

Hedley nodded, up to the task.