Chapter 25

More happened with our group, intricate plans, that many of our people chose to ignore. Carl and I were left to keep Alexandria safe, but sometimes even Carl left. On one recent attempt to leave, I stopped him, I talked sense into him. A few hours after speaking to him he left anyway.

Our groups most recent plan had worked, which involved trapping Negan and Saviors in the Sanctuary with no way out. We managed to collect a herd of Walkers and lure them to the Sanctuary, our hopes were that the Saviors would turn on each other and not be our problem anymore. Or a door or window would give and the walkers would flood the place and kill everyone. Well like I said not everyone stuck to the plan.

There was a loud clanging sound outside the walls, it was amplified sending chills down my spine.

"You May be wondering why the hell your lookouts didn't sound the alarm. We are polite, I mean I don't know when they're gonna wake up from that kind of shot, but they should wake up. So let's just cut through the cow shit, you lose. It's over." Negan said darkly. I looked behind me noticing Daryl with a petrified look on his face, Tara alongside him. "So you're gonna line up in front of your little houses, and you're gonna work up some apologies, and the person with the lamest one, is gonna get killed. Then I kill Rick in front of everybody, and we move on."

I wasn't listening anymore at this point, seeing red as I approached Daryl with anger bubbling in my chest.

"Where 've you been?" I growled.

"Out." Daryl said short.

"Don't lie, where were you?" I shoved him.

"We were at the Sanctuary." Daryl confessed.

"What'd you do?" I shoved him again.

"I was trying to end this-" I didn't even want to hear anymore. I started swinging my fists at him in anger.

"Rick had a plan and you went and fucked it up!" I yelled at him. Carl cutting in front of me holding me back, trying to keep me from hurting Daryl further.

"Hazel stop, we can't turn on each other now, right now we need to get to safety." Carl urged. "We need to start packing things up, I have an idea Alright." Everyone started moving quickly bringing out supplies to the street, for everyone to pack. "We need to make it look like we're escaping out the back, make it to the woods, halfway to the quarry, and cut the lights. Get enough of a lead on them, hit them, and get away on foot. You know where we'll be, just have to get the guns, get everyone else here, and we'll meet you there." Carl said with haste as he finished packing a bag.

"Two minutes people, dig deep, I want these apologies to be memorable, bonus points for creativity." Negan announced, still outside the walls.

I stood there by Carl still fuming, Daryl a few feet away, just as angry; probably that his plan didn't work. I understood his haste, I wanted that prick dead too, but I wanted to do this in an organized way.

"Get going, there's going to be people in the infirmary that need your help." Carl ordered a group of men. They ran toward the infirmary as instructed.

"Look we got guns we can fight them." Tara stepped forward.

"Shut the hell up Tara." I growled at her. "Whatever you and Daryl did fucked up any chance of an attack right now. We can't fight them, we only have a handful of capable people at this point. You want to die for nothing be my guest, but I'm going to make sure these people are safe." I glared at her, she glared back at me.

"Carl, we can't just let them have this place." Michonne seemed shaken as she spoke.

"We can, all we have to do is survive tonight. This is my show. You said it, this is my plan, and you're gonna do it. You're all gonna do it." Carl ordered. "So let's go." All of us ran in our separate directions as planned by Carl.

I ran for the sewer helping people down the ladder, passing kids down, that were too small to climb down, to people below. It was tiring but I knew it was worth it, if it meant these people would be safe. Judith was the last child, so I carried her down the ladder with me, Tobin and Scott still helping people into the sewer behind me. I took Judith to the end of the sewer where everyone was tucked away. I went to the open space at the end of the tunnel, a man on a cot sat there, looking slightly scared by all the people that were here now.

I could barely hear Negan chanting his nonsense into the air. I knew Carl was planning to talk to Negan and stall him, while everyone finalized their parts of the plan. It was several long minutes of silence, everyone whispering to one another, some shushing frightened children, I was one of them, trying to keep Judith calm.

"Who're you?" I finally asked the man.

"Siddiq." He answered politely.

"What're you doing down here?" I questioned.

"Carl brought me down here." He explained. I heard the garbage trucks drive past, part of the plan, then I looked back at Siddiq, as I heard Negan yelling angrily in the distance.

"Still wanna stay?" I said sarcastically.

Soon dozens of explosions outside shook the sewer, rubble and dirt showering onto us. I pressed Judith against my chest, shielding her from the debris. Judith whimpering in my lap, fear in her eyes as she looked at me.

"Dada." She said with glassy eyes.

"It's okay, daddy and Carl will be here real soon. Michonne, and Uncle Daryl are coming too." I said into her ear as the explosions continued, making sure she heard me.

When the explosions slowed my ears rang between each one, afraid of what was going to happen next. I heard a truck engine rev up, then the clatter of the gates hitting the ground, the Saviors were now inside of Alexandria. I handed Judith to Tobin who was in the sewer now, quickly heading to the lid of the sewer. I knew Carl would be trying to get in by now, and he'd need help.

I heard shouts outside, then wisps of smoke came through the holes of the lid. I quickly shoved the lid to the sewer open, and dropped down out of the way, Carl climbing in, shutting it just as quickly. He stayed at the top of the ladder, looking out of the holes in the lid, holding his breath, until it was clear, he let out a sigh of relief. His foot slipped as he came down the ladder, and he fell, I quickly caught his arms before he hit the ground completely.

"Carl?" Everyone heard my shrieks. Siddiq quickly ran over helping me move Carl through the sewer to the end where the cot was, but Carl refused to sit on it. "Are you okay, what happened-" Carl shushed me lightly, he grimaced as he looked down at a bloody wound.

"Something hit me up there." He said weakly. I took a flashlight and shined it on the wound.

"It looks like debris, probably from the explosions." I inspected, trying not to be too rough with the wound. "If I can get to the infirmary I can fix you up."

"No, no." Carl argued. "Don't waste your time on me, you gotta get everybody to safety."

"What? Carl I'm not gonna leave you hear like this. I'm gonna help you." I argued back.

"I can help you." Siddiq spoke quietly. "I have medical training. Well, I was a doctor."

"Okay then. No arguing we are going to help you." I stated.

Soon I heard the echoes of one of the manhole covers scraping open, and a splash. I stood up tall with my gun in hand ready to attack. Soon Tara, Daryl, Rosita, and Dwight came into view.

"Where's Michonne?" I asked.

"She went into Alexandria." Rosita said a little irritated.

"And you let her?" I squeaked.

"I'm sure she's looking for Rick." Rosita added.

"Carl, you okay?" Daryl asked noticing Carl's pale face. Carl looked to me, too weak to explain.

"He's hurt." I stated. "He's got debris stuck in his side." I explained. "Once things settle out there I'm going to the infirmary to get supplies for him." Daryl nodded, understanding he couldn't talk me out of it.

Daryl took Judith from Tobin, sitting at the edge of the tunnel across from Carl, allowing Judith to talk to him. Every face in the sewer was solemn, unsure of what to do or what to say. I sat with Carl keeping him awake. Not long after did we hear footsteps echo through the tunnels, Rick and Michonne stumbling into view. Hardly anyone moved or even looked at Rick and Michonne, everyone in a state of shock. Rick and Michonne made their way through the tunnel, a solemn vibe that weighed heavy in the air. Once Rick made it to the end of the sewer he glared confused at Siddiq, Carl spoke up.

"I brought him here." Carl caught Rick's attention. Rick and Michonne both looking confused at Carl's disheveled appearance. Rick sat by his side, Carl lifted the makeshift bandage we gave him, revealing his bloody wound.

"He was hit by debris from the explosions out there. I'm going to the infirmary to get supplies. Siddiq and I can save him." I knew the way that wound looked, the chances seemed bleak, but we had to try.

Carl rested his head back against the wall with a bummed look on his face. Tears streamed from Rick and Michonne's eyes as they looked at their wounded son.

"Do it." Rick finally spoke up. "Save him, if you can." I gave Rick a determined nod.