We Survive This

My palms were clammy, my heart rate through the roof as I desperately tried and failed to devise a plan to get us out of this shit show.

Negan well and truly had us by the short and curlies - the Scavengers had played us, our explosives had been tampered with, and now Negan was instructing his men to unstrap a coffin from the bed of one of his trucks.

The moment it hit the ground, the air in Alexandria grew heavy. The sharp thud echoed through the silent streets, the tension pulled so taut I could feel it pressing against my ribs.

Negan grinned, slapping a hand against the lid like he was unveiling some grand prize.

"Sasha's inside. Alive and well... for now." His voice dripped with amusement as he paced lazily in front of us.

Oh God, no. He had her.

I'd stupidly assumed Sasha had returned to Hilltop when Rosita came back here. I think we all had.

I felt Daryl shift beside me. He didn't flinch, didn't let Negan see the way his fingers curled into fists, but I knew better. He was ready to explode.

"Here's the deal, Rick." Negan continued. "You give me all your guns, all your lemonade, your pool table." his eyes flicked over to Daryl, lingering like he was already picturing the fun he could have with him, "And Daryl... I'm going to need my Daryl back. Then maybe, just maybe." His gaze fell back on Rick again. "I let you live."

I couldn't breathe. He wasn't taking Daryl. No.

No. No. No.

I stepped in front of him automatically, as if my body could somehow protect him from Negan's words and the people surrounding us. They wanted to take him from me, and I couldn't let it happen.

Daryl instantly pulled me back, moving in front of me now instead. His back was inches from my face. I pressed my forehead to it for just a second - breathing him in - before stepping to his side, closer than I had been before.

He'd done enough to protect me from Negan already. We'd stand side by side, husband and wife, no matter what happened next.

Negan's grin widened. "Well aren't you guys just adorable? Hey, maybe I could fit you both in here once Sasha's done with it." He tapped the coffin again, enjoying every second of this, "You see, I've still gotta kill one of you pesky Alexandrians. Just to make a point. But I feel like two Dixons for the price of one is kind of poetic considering how goddamn in love you are. Don't you think?"

Daryl's face was stone, but I could see the fire burning behind his eyes. His hands twitched at his sides like he was debating whether to go for his gun and damn the consequences.

"I want to see her," Rick said, trying to derail the conversation. his voice dangerously low.

Negan smirked. "Sure thing, Rick."

He turned, tapped Lucille playfully against the lid, and swung it open.

Everything happened at once.

Sasha lunged. But it wasn't Sasha anymore.

The second her snarling form surged forward, Negan's smug grin faltered. Just for a fraction of a second, before instinct kicked in, and he staggered back, arms flying up to block her snapping jaws.

Daryl moved first, whipping his gun up. "Now!" he barked.

I didn't hesitate.

I drove my elbow into Jadis' ribs, the impact sharp and satisfying as she gasped. Before she could recover, I wrenched her gun from her grasp and Rick reared back, sending her hurtling down from the tower. I span to fire at the nearest Scavenger.

Gunfire erupted.

Chaos took over.

Rick jumped from the tower, rolling and then opening fire. Daryl shot down a Savior before turning to help Rosita, who was locked in battle with a female Scavenger.

I whipped around just in time to see another Scavenger raising his weapon at Daryl. I fired, and he dropped in an instant.

Not my husband, asshole.

Our eyes met for the briefest second - no words, just understanding.

We survive this. Together.

With a humongous crash, a Savior truck barrelled through the gates.

More followed.

They were in.

Jadis was injured, but I caught sight of her for a split second as she wriggled under cover.

The Scavengers and Saviors scrambled as Alexandria exploded into a firefight. I ducked, returning shots as Rosita fell, clutching her side. Tara dragged her to safety, shouting orders.

Daryl was a storm of fury, taking down two men in seconds.

"We're too exposed up here!" I yelled to him. "We've gotta get down."

"Go." He replied. "I'll cover ya."

I wanted to argue, but there wasn't time. I climbed halfway down before abandoning my efforts and leaping. I just wanted Daryl down as quickly as possible.

I hit the ground, gasping.

"Stay down," a Scavenger that had been hiding underneath the tower warned.

I rolled just as he fired - too slow. The bullet ricocheted, missing me by inches. I kicked his legs out from under him and grabbed his rifle, slamming the butt of it against his skull. He went limp just as I saw Daryl reach the bottom of the ladders.

The battle was turning. The Saviors and Scavengers were gaining control. Alexandrians were dead all over the place. Bullets tore through the air as Alexandria became a war zone. Daryl and I covered each other as we fired frantically.

I froze for a second as I heard the unmistakable roar of a tiger.

Shiva.

The Kingdom had arrived.

Carol had done it.

"Badass." I said under my breath as she emerged, gun raised. Beth and Merle flanked her, rifles popping as they took in the chaos.

It was like the world had flipped upside down as I saw Shiva lunge at a group of Saviors.

"A goddamn tiger!" I heard Negan exclaim somewhere behind me, baffled.

I raised my gun at an approaching Savior. Daryl aimed his and fired at something to my right, his face filled with fear.

Suddenly, a white-hot, searing pain tore through my side, knocking the breath from my lungs. My legs buckled, and I hit the pavement hard, my gun slipping from my grip.

Daryl's voice cut through the pandemonium as he ran toward me. "Ath!"

I pressed a hand to my side, my fingers coming away slick with blood. My vision swam, my ears ringing from the gunfire.

A shadow loomed over me - one of the Saviors, rifle raised for a finishing shot.

I fumbled weakly for my weapon, but before I could reach it, I heard a bang. The Savior's head snapped back, and he crumpled to the ground.

Daryl.

He was there in an instant, dropping beside me, his weapon discarded as he grabbed my face. His hands were shaking. "Ath. Ath, look at me."

I tried to say something to reassure him, but my lips wouldn't move right. The pain was unbearable, stealing my breath, my strength. The world began to spin.

"Ath," His voice cracked. "Stay awake. Ath, please."

I wanted to, but my body wasn't listening. My limbs felt heavy, the sounds of battle muffling as darkness clawed at the edges of my vision.

"Fuck." Daryl pressed down hard on my wound, tears escaping, "Stay with me, baby. Jus' - jus' stay with me."

I wanted to. God, I wanted to. But the pain was fading now, replaced by a numb, creeping cold. My head lolled against his chest. His body was heaving.

The last thing I heard was his frantic voice, raw with terror.

And then - nothing.

A/N: Thank you so much for your votes and comments. They mean so much! ❤️