Red ~ TWD (Daryl Dixon)

The Price of Survival

Back at Hilltop preparations were well underway for the attack we knew was imminent.  The entire way back Deadpool pleaded with me to convince Maggie to let George and the twins go, but she didn't need my help.  Maggie would do the right thing.  She'd let them go.  She just needed time to see the choices before her and pick the right one. 

"What do you think?"

I wiped the sweat from my forehead, taking the water bottle from Glenn.  "About what?"  He pointed to George and the twins, sitting outside Barrington house next to their confiscated van.  "I think windmills are great, but they aren't going to help us tonight."

"It gives us a chance though...a chance at a real future."  His eyes strayed to his wife who was carrying a crate filled with records.  We all worried for our future, but no one more than the parents to be.  "I wish things were different."

What would the world look like where we used our collective strengths to band together to rebuild the world instead of fighting over the scraps left behind?

"We'll get there," I lied, the deceit tasting bitter on my tongue. 

The truth was there would always be another threat.  Desperation had a way of turning decent human beings into vicious creatures.  Glenn wanted to believe in the world Carl imagined, a place where we helped people instead of hurt them, but I didn't have the luxury of dreams.  The sad reality was this wouldn't ever be over, not for us, probably not even for our children, maybe never.  It was a sad and sobering realization.

"I'd like to thank you." 

I carefully set the bomb in the back of the truck, rubbing my dirty hands on my jeans.  George stood tall before me, shoulders back, an inviting smile on her serious face.

"For what exactly?"

She tilted her head to the side, studying me intently.  "For saving our lives."

"I didn't save your lives.  I just didn't kill you."

When she smiled it threw me off balance.  "Something tells me that was enough."  She glanced over her shoulder at Maggie who was overseeing the twins as they unloaded crates of food.  "She trusts your judgment.  You stayed your hand, and therefore she agreed to the deal."

That was some fucked up logic if I ever heard it, but whatever.

"Well, I'm happy to help."  Even if I still wasn't sure what we were actually talking about.

"I look forward to seeing you again in the future.  I hold out hope it will be one improved from what we experience today."

You and me both you pant suit wearing weirdo. 

The trio departed shortly thereafter, leaving us to finish our preparations.  Jesus returned just before nightfall, dejected, haggard, and empty handed.

"Anything?" Glenn asked hopefully.

"No."  He squinted against the glare of the sun, eyes going wide when he saw the crates filled with food sitting outside Barrington House.  "How'd you get that?"

"We kidnapped people."  He turned slowly, eyebrows raised.  "I take it you didn't try that approach?"

"I can't tell if you're kidding."

I snorted, and he picked up a sticky bomb, licking his lips.  "Will these really work?"

"Throw one and find out."  He mulled over my suggestion, but decided against it, for now.

The horns sounding in the distance made us all jolt, my blood turning to ice in my veins.  That was the signal.  The Saviors were coming.

People ran around frantically, shouting, getting the last of our plan in place.  A group retrieved the pile of sticky bombs, running out the front gate before disappearing into the forest.  I bolted for former museum, retrieving the sniper rifle I'd stashed near the front door.  Maggie was there with Glenn, both looking tense, eyes locked on the lookouts standing atop the walls.