C H A P T E R   1 6

❛ at the end of a gun ❜

QUINN

     SHE COULDN'T REMEMBER EVER WAKING before Daryl had. It felt like a strange kind of reality she had to fully embrace before it would disappear forever. Which was why she'd been focused on him alone ever since she opened her eyes. The sight of him sleeping peacefully beside her made time come to a halt. It felt like she'd been watching the slow rise and fall of his chest for an eternity and she knew she wouldn't mind spending another eternity entranced in this moment. She took the time to memorize every single line, curve and scar that formed him. The words she'd spoken so carelessly the evening before were carved into her soul and marked all over her body. And with every beat of her heart their meaning grew more true. I love you, I love you, I love you.

It took her all her willpower to resist the urge to reach out and trace the lines of his face with her fingers, knowing it would wake him. He deserved the rest. Especially with the day ahead of them.

The thought of the impending war was what finally broke the spell. She wished she could've spent the rest of her life here in this room, with him. But to make that dream a reality, they would have to fight first. Fight for their right to live, fight for their place in a world ready to spit them out, as they'd always done. She could only hope the outcome would be the same as always as well...With a sigh falling from her lips she forced herself out of bed. As quietly as she could she got dressed before leaving the room. She would wake Daryl later. There was another task waiting for her first...

Her body was sore but for the first time it wasn't because she was wounded. She welcomed every ache and could hardly keep the smile from her face, like a teenage girl in love for the very first time. The only downside after last night was the exhaustion. After all, she didn't get much sleep. No matter what today would bring, she would need all her energy for it. Which was why she made sure to eat enough despite the nerves already occupying her stomach.

The community was still quiet as she stepped outside. But it wasn't the usual peaceful morning slumber she was used to. There was a tension in the air, as though a storm could break loose at any given moment. The few people already out all carried the same nerves in their eyes, though Quinn couldn't help but notice the steel-eyed determination lingering beneath. The fight would be hard, maybe impossible. But everyone here would make damn sure they would come out on top.

Though there was one person Quinn doubted about if he shared that same dedication.

As she neared the cell, all her previous exhaustion had left her bones. Instead she felt wide awake and on high alert. The familiar feeling of dread and indifference she'd come to associate with Nick Morales, settled in her heart once again. She only had one question to ask him and if he answered right, she promised herself right there she would never spend another second wasting energy on him.

She reached for the key in her pocket and opened the door, taking a deep breath before entering.

Specks of dust were illuminated by the morning sun falling through the small, barred window. The room was eerily quiet as Quinn stepped towards the bars, facing the man locked behind them. He was seated on the edge of the bed, arms leaning on his knees as he folded his hands, watching her with those eyes that had haunted her all her life. Up until now.

She folded her arms over her chest, taking another moment to study him and consider her words. Part of her wished Milo was here to help suppress her urge to run away but she also knew this was between her and her father. Father. A word hardly accurate to describe the man seated in front of her.

"We're gonna fight today," she said, finally breaking the silence.

Nick nodded once, as though he'd expected nothing less.

"The saviors have us outnumbered. We need every able bodied man to fight. Which is the only reason you're not dead yet."

He sat up straight, never breaking eye contact. "Just ask me what you want to know."

A lifetime worth of pain, regret and fear clung to the air between them. The weight of the past and the burden of the future in a careful balance. Only one question...

"Do you regret it?"

Her fingers were digging into her arm, her body as tense as a wire yet she refused to break eye contact. She had to look him in his eyes to know the truth. She wondered why part of her hoped she would catch him trying to lie his ass off. Maybe because it was easier to hate him than to forgive him. She wasn't even sure if she could forgive him. But the very least she could do was stop worrying he would hurt anyone she cared about.

"I-" he swallowed and her heart skipped a startled beat when she realized he was crying. Actual tears were streaming down his face. It was the first time in her life she'd seen him so vulnerable and she had no idea what to do or say next. And so she simply waited.

He took a shaky breath and started over. "Ember, your mother, was the most wonderful woman I've ever met. And I loved her so fucking much. And I can see in your eyes that you've felt the same thing. It's written all over your face when you look at the scruffy archer."

She closed her eyes for a moment, trying her hardest to stop her body from trembling. Never, not even once, had she heard him mention her mother. The crushing weight of never even getting to know her was heavier than she expected it would've been after all this time. It was a wound that would probably never fully heal. She opened her eyes, silently indicating for him to continue.

"When she passed, I should have continued loving her. By taking care of you and your brother, by honoring her memory. Instead I chose to love nothing ever again. Because alcohol was easier to swallow than the fact that she was never coming back."

He wiped his tears away, then clenched his fists. "I have no excuse for what I did to you and Milo because there is none. I don't expect you to forgive me because I can't even forgive myself. I know there is nothing I can do to ever make it right."

Her throat ached and still she managed to get her next words out without her voice trembling, though her voice was a whisper. "You still haven't answered my question."

His eyes met hers and she knew, in that moment, she was simply a girl asking for her father to love her. A broken child, hoping to mend a little piece of her past to gather the courage to fight for her future. Only one question and the answer would either change everything, or nothing at all.

"Yes," he whispered, barely able to get the words out. "Yes, Quinn, I regret it. Every day of my life."

A weight was lifted from her shoulders. Those words were all she'd ever wanted to hear. Not because she needed him to love her, or because she had any capacity left to care about him. But because she cared about, no, loved, the little girl who'd risen above everything life had thrown at her and stood here now as a woman, healed.

She nodded once, finally managing to choke her tears. Her next words were the hardest words she'd ever said and yet she meant them, completely. "I forgive you."

He looked genuinely startled.

"But-" She took a step closer towards the bars. "I'm never going to be your daughter again. You fight with us and then we go our separate ways."

It was written all over his face this wasn't the outcome he'd hoped for, but it was all she could give him. And she knew he would accept because it was the only way he could ever start to make that weight of his regret feel even slightly lighter.

He got to his feet, tears dried but features saddened, and walked forward. Then he spoke softly: "Okay."

For a moment they simply looked at each other. Nothing left unspoken, all cards on the table for the very first time in their life. Two people who should've meant the world to each other, now nothing more than strangers. Yet that was better than everything else they'd ever meant to each other.

Quinn unlocked the door and opened it for him. "Get ready," she said, then she turned on her heels and left the basement behind.

Once outside she stopped for a moment and inhaled deeply, letting the morning air fill her lungs. Spring was around the corner and just like the birds awakening and the flowers blossoming, she felt reborn. She was going to fight for the future without the burden of her past painted on her back. And she was going to win.

Without looking back she made her way towards the front gates. The community was awakening and though the tension was still palpable, there was a certain exhilaration as well. The possibility of a brand new future, of freedom, was enough to lift the fear of death and loss. Preparations to ensure that future had already begun. Rosita was explaining to a few Alexandrians how to make a bomb out of the explosives they'd stolen off the cars from the highway. While Rick and Carl were picking out different sniper positions all over the community.

She came to a halt next to Michonne, who was watching father and son with a warm smile on her face. "I saw that," Quinn teased.

Quickly her friend placed her usual scowl back in place. "Saw what?" She asked innocently.

"Smooth."

Michonne gave her a playful push, then froze, her eyes lingering on her face. A sudden mischievous spark lit up her eyes. "You look like you had a great night."

Quinn slightly surprised herself by flashing a grin at her friend. She couldn't even begin to pretend she was embarrassed. "I have. In fact, I have three times."

Michonne raised her eyebrows, smirking slightly. "Well, well, look at you, Morales."

They broke out laughing at the same time, catching the attention of Rick, who watched them with a questioning frown. While Carl, on the other hand, wrinkled his nose in disgust.

"Gross," the teenager mumbled.

Rick's frown only became deeper. "What?"

"I'll you when you're older," Michonne told him, still chuckling.

For a moment it seemed like Rick was about to start a full on interrogation. but he quickly decided against it and shook his head instead. He returned his attention to the map of Alexandria in front of him, marking the place of another sniper on the roof.

"Oceanside's here!" Aaron shouted from his position on the guard tower.

Rick put his marker down and made his way over to the gate, followed by Michonne and Carl. Quinn wanted to follow when she caught sight of Daryl making his way over to her. She waited, smiling at him. "Morning, sleeping beauty."

He scoffed. "Should've woken me."

She shrugged. "Figured you needed it."

"Did she tire you out that easily?" Michonne called over her shoulder.

"Shut it, Hawthrone!" Quinn shouted back.

Daryl looked between the two of them, looking adorably confused. "The hell was that about?"

Quinn stood on her toes and placed a quick kiss on his cheek. "I'll tell you later." Then she grabbed his hand and pulled him along to the gate.

Cars poured into the community as the women of Oceanside arrived. All of them carried a pun, ready to get justice for the massacre of their husbands, sons, brothers and friends. Quinn was surprised to see Natania had come along as well. She supposed it was only logical, considering the woman didn't trust her at all. The former leader of Oceanside wouldn't want to put the fate of her people into their hands.

Her attention was quickly taken away from the older woman when Cyndie came walking up towards her. She released Daryl's hand to pull her in for a hug.

"Thank you for coming," Quinn said, smiling thankfully.

Cyndie nodded. "I'm just glad we got here in time. What can we do?"

"We need to put armed cars in front of the gate," Rick said as he joined them. "That way they won't be able to get to it with their trucks and bash it open."

"Smart."

"It was Carl's idea," Rick said, smiling somewhat proudly. He turned around to look at his son as he gave out orders to the Alexandrians helping him with the cars. A born leader, just like his father..."Do you have any snipers among your people?"

Cyndie nodded. "I'll get them into position."

"Then let's get to work," Rick replied.

They all shared a look of determination before going their separate ways. Quinn took a hold of Daryl's hand and led him away from the others, wanting to talk before hell would break loose.

"You all right?" He questioned, immediately noticing the change on her face.

"I'm fine." And she meant it, truly. She was just worried if he would be fine after she told him about her decision. "I talked to Nick this morning. I let him go."

Daryl tensed immediately, his eyes scanning the streets as if he expected her father to jump out that very instant and go on a murderous rampage.

"He's no danger," she said, squeezing his hand to get his attention back.

Reluctantly he turned his gaze back to her. He didn't look convinced.

She rubbed her thumb over his skin, calming not only him but herself as well. "I don't know what happened to him after the world ended but it changed him. He's different now." She took a deep breath. "I've forgiven him."

Daryl frowned. "He ain't worth yer forgiveness."

"Maybe not but I deserve to forgive him, for me."

His eyes softened then, setting her heart aflame. "Yeah, yeah you do." He cupped her cheek, tracing the lines of her features with his fingers. She stood on her toes and placed her forehead against his. "That don't mean I gotta do the same though."

"I wouldn't expect you to," she muttered, smiling softly as she curled her hands against his chest. "I love you."

A chuckle vibrated through his chest. "Yeah, I heard ya loud and clear yesterday."

"Fuck you, Dixon," she grinned, taking a step back.

But he didn't let her get too far and pulled her back towards him, their lips meeting in a hungry kiss. "I love you too," he muttered against her lips, making chills break out all over her skin.

"Hey, Mr. & Mrs. Three Times! We got work to do!" Michonne's voice sounded over the street.

There must've been some truth to the theory of people in a relationship starting to look like each other because both Quinn and Daryl raised their middle finger at the same time. But neither felt like facing the wrath of their sword-wielding friend either and so they broke apart and got to work.

The plan was simple. Get Negan out of his truck and get him to hold another stupid monologue. Which shouldn't be a problem considering he loved hearing himself talk. Then, while he and the Saviors were distracted, Rosita would trigger the bomb hidden outside the wall. Which would, hopefully, blow up at least half their convoy. Then they'd attack the other half while they were disoriented and take them all out.

There wasn't much that could go wrong and yet Quinn felt herself grow more tense with each passing minute. Milo also still hadn't arrived with the others of Hilltop. It didn't have to mean anything considering Hilltop was pretty far removed and yet she couldn't stop worrying it did mean something. She didn't want to hope for anything until this was all over.

It was around noon when the alarm sounded.

The Saviors were coming.

It took less than two minutes for everyone to get to their posts. The snipers, including Michonne and Cyndie, were up on the roofs. Rick was up on the guard tower beside the gate, ready to face Negan. Rosita was within his eyesight, ready to press the button on his singal. The people of Oceanside were hidden out of sight, a last minute surprise for the Saviors. Quinn and Daryl were with the others on the ground, ready to attack as soon as the dust of the bomb had settled. She'd spotted Nick in the crowd, having been given a gun. But the sight of the weapon in his hand didn't worry her. She would never worry about him again.

Her hands were sweating, causing her to tighten her grip on her rifle until her knuckles turned white. They were going to win this. They had to.

The heavy roar of the Saviors' trucks was getting closer, making her heart race. She forced herself to keep breathing steadily, waiting as the cars came into sight. But suddenly another sound joined the roar of the engines. A familiar voice calling out through a megaphone.

"All points are covered. Every contingency is already met. I come armed with two barrels of the truth. A test is upon you and I'm giving out the cheat sheet."

The trucks pulled up in front of the barricade they'd placed before the gate. In the back of one of the trucks stood Eugene. He no longer looked afraid to be among their enemies, instead, he'd become one of their enemies.

"H-hello. I come salved with the hope that it is my dropped knowledge that you heed. Options are zero to none. Compliance and fealty are your only escape. Bottom-lining it. You may thrive, or you may die. I sincerely wish for the former for everyone's sake. The jig is up and in full effect. Will you comply, Rick?"

Her eyes drifted to Rosita, who was trembling from contained anger, her eyes shining with tears as she watched her friend betray her for the second time. Then she looked at Rick, watching as he tried to swallow the pain of watching a member of their family turn against them. Just when they thought Negan couldn't take any more of them...

"Where's Negan?" Rick called out, deciding not to grant Eugene an answer.

Eugene lowered his megaphone. "I'm Negan."

Quinn inhaled sharply as memories of her time spent in the Sanctuary flashed before her eyes. She would've been able to forgive Eugene if he'd been broken like Negan had tried to break her and Daryl. But he wasn't, they'd seen him walk around freely. He had voluntarily joined the Saviors. And now it was going to cost him his life.

She saw Rick tap his fingers against his legs, the signal. Her heart was racing as Rosita's finger hovered above the button. She knew Rosita wanted to end this fight, she didn't doubt that she would trigger the explosion. But in that moment she wished for nothing more than to take the weight of having to kill her friend from her shoulders.

She braced herself, ready to dive for cover.

Rosita closed her eyes.

Then she pushed the button.

Silence.

"What the hell," she mumbled, looking around with a frown on her face.

Nothing had happened, the bomb hadn't exploded. And since no one doubted Rosita's skills, everyone reached for their weapons, scanning for the unknown enemy in their midst. She wasn't fast enough, realizing her mistake seconds too late when she felt the cold barrel of a gun pressed against her head.

"Drop your weapon," Natania ordered.

Her eyes spat fire as Quinn did as she was told, hoping her gaze alone was enough to let the woman know that she would be dead very soon.

Natania grabbed her by the neck, holding her captive as she pressed the gun to her temple. All around them the women of Oceanside came out of their hiding places and held the Alexandrians at gunpoint. Though Quinn couldn't help but notice, not every Oceanside soldier joined the rebellion. To her right, Beatrice was looking around in confusion while to her left three other Oceanside women were ordered to put their weapons down as well.

"What the hell did you do?" Quinn hissed.

"Cleaning up the mess you started," Natania sneered then she gestured towards one of her soldiers.

The woman walked up towards the gate and pulled it wide open, revealing the trucks of the Saviors waiting for them.

Then her eyes found Daryl and her heart sank. He was still holding his gun, aiming it at Oceanside's former leader. "Let her go," he growled. His voice was hardly recognizable, as though some primal instinct had taken hold of him.

"Daryl," Quinn said calmly, wincing as Natania pressed the gun even harder against her head. "Don't."

He didn't listen, eyes filled with a raging storm that she feared no one would be able to calm.

"I really would listen to Little Miss Tempest if I were you. Or else you know, it's gonna be a real fucking mess. And I for one would hate to scrape a face that pretty off the floor."

It felt as though a bucket filled with freezing water was poured out over her. His voice alone was enough to make her shiver. She knew he was standing there, just outside the gate but she paid him no attention and kept her eyes focused on Daryl instead.

She trusted Daryl and knew he was a good shot, he might be able to kill Natania without harming her but even if he managed to do so, he'd be dead as soon as he'd pull that trigger. And that was a risk she wasn't willing to take.

"Daryl," she whispered, keeping her voice low in the hopes Negan wouldn't catch her next words. "I'm yours, remember? No matter what."

Even if she were to die here, even if she was taken captive once again, she would forever be his. And he was hers. Which was why he wouldn't be foolish enough to attempt a rescue that would lead to both their deaths.

The struggle was visible on his face as he clenched his jaw and his eyes kept darting between her and Natania. But when those stormy eyes settled on her face and she gave him one last encouraging nod, he finally lowered the weapon. It was taken from his hands immediately as Negan's laugh echoed through the air.

"Ah, I've missed this! Who needs tv when you've got these two? Damn soap opera!"

Quinn braced herself as she turned to face him, the man who haunted her every nightmare. He was watching her with that shit-eating grin of his and the urge to scratch it off his face came back stronger than ever. But she was powerless, forced to watch helplessly once again.

Negan winked at her before turning to look at Rick, the grin quickly fading from his face. "You ever hear the one about the stupid little prick named Rick who thought he knew shit but didn't know shit and got everyone that he gave a shit about killed?" He pointed a finger at their leader. "It's about you."

He slung his stupid bat over his shoulder. "You're all gonna wanna put your guns down now."

"No one drops anything," Rick said, not once taking his eyes off of Negan. "Quinn?"

She clenched her jaw. "We can trust Cyndie and her people. It's this bitch I should've dealt with from the beginning."

"Judge me all you want!" Natania snapped. "I'm just trying to keep my grandmother alive!"

"By allying yourself with the man who killed half your community? Great fucking job."

She knew it probably wasn't wise to taunt someone who was holding a gun to her head but she refused to keep her mouth shut. They could still turn the tides. She'd convinced the people of Oceanside to fight with them once before. Maybe once they saw how much of a coward their leader really was, they would turn against her. Besides they still had their snipers and Hilltop was on their way as well. All they needed was time.

"You never would've beat them!" Natania shouted, sounding as though she was close to getting a nervous breakdown. "At least this way no more of my people die!"

"Maybe," Quinn agreed. "But better to be dead than be a traitor."

"Ow, you keep breaking my heart, Tempest," Negan joined in, then his eyes turned dark, filled with the promise of hell awaiting her. "Which will make it all the more fun for me to break yours."

She froze, unable to help herself from looking at Daryl. He was staring at Negan as if he could kill him with willpower alone. But she noticed the way he was picking at his nails. Negan's words had unsettled him just as much as they had her.

A grin flashed over Negan's face as he watched the two of them. But when he turned to Rick, his face was filled with the shadows of a murderous anger. "You push me, and you push me and you push me, Rick. You just tried to blow us up, right? I mean, I get me, my people. But Eugene? He's one of yours. And after what he did. He stepped up. You people are animals. Universe gives you a sign and you just shove your finger right up its ass." He raised his middle finger to demonstrate and though he was grinning, his eyes were spitting fire. "Dwight, Simon, chop-chop."

Dread made its way through her veins like lead as she watched Simon and Dwight climb into the open trunk Eugene had just stood on. Only now did she notice the coffin placed there. She clenched her fists, pressing her nails into her skin, hoping against hope it was empty...But she had a fearful suspicion of who could be inside.

They pushed the coffin up and then got off the trunk again, making way for Negan.

"So, you don't like Eugene anymore. You guys gotta like Sasha. I do, too. Got her right here packaged for your convenience alive and well."

Her eyes met Rosita's and she knew the same regret was painted on both their features.

"Now, I brought her so I wouldn't have to kill all of you and not killing all of you could get complicated. See, I know there's a lot of firepower left in there, Rick. So, I'm gonna make this simple. I want all the guns you've managed to scrape up. Yep, I know about those, too. I want every last grain of lemonade you got left. I want a person of your own choosing for Lucille. Ooh, I gotta get me my soap actors back. Daryl, Quinn, I see you. And the pool table and all the pool cues and chalk. And I want it now or Sasha dies and then all of you. Probably. C'mon, Rick. Just because I brought her in a casket doesn't mean she has to leave in it."

When no response came he sighed dramatically.

"You know what? You suck ass, Rick. You really do. I don't want to have to kill her, but that's exactly what you're gonna make me do."

"Let me see her," Rick finally spoke up.

Negan chuckled. "All right. Just give me a second. I might have to get her up to speed. You can't hear shit inside this thing." He knocked on the coffin, the sound vibrating through her bones as though she was the one trapped inside. "Sash. You're not gonna believe this crap."

He opened the coffin and Sasha came out.

Only, it wasn't Sasha anymore.

The walker went straight for Negan and they tumbled out of the trunk, disappearing out of sight. And then, all hell broke loose. The Alexandrians retaliated without hesitation for the brutal murder of their friend. It was Carl who fired the first shot, turning so quickly on the woman holding him captive that she didn't even have time to scream.

Quinn heard Natania gasp behind her and took advantage of her distraction by throwing her head back. She heard the loud crack of a nose breaking, followed by a pained scream. She turned quickly and pulled the gun from her hands. But she paused, doubt filling her at the very last second. Cyndie would never forgive her for killing her grandmother...

Luckily the choice was taken from her hands when Daryl grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the gate. They knelt behind a car and Daryl handed her back the rifle she'd been forced to put down earlier. For a moment their eyes met and they nodded at each other. This was it. Then they raised their guns and searched for their targets as the Saviors came pouring into Alexandria.

Gunshots came from all over the place, the entire community turning into a warzone. She placed her finger on the trigger and fired. Without mercy, without regret. They killed Beth. They killed Abraham. They killed Glenn. They killed Sasha. And now she was going to kill them. The kick back of the gun vibrated through her entire body and made old wounds ache again. But she ignored all the pain and kept focused on every single Savior daring to step into her sight.

But they were with too many as they stormed towards the gate as one.

"We gotta go!" Daryl shouted above the noise.

She nodded, grabbed his hand and together they sprinted after Tara and Rosita, disappearing into the streets of Alexandria. They ran into an alleyway as bullets followed them with every step.

"I got front," Quinn shouted, raising her rifle as they ran.

Daryl didn't protest and followed her order, letting her go first so he could cover their backs.

Together they fought their way through the crowd of Saviors storming into their home. Every man or woman they crossed was left dead on the ground. Perfectly in sync, as though they'd been born and bred for battle. Maybe they were...

"Right!" Daryl shouted.

She didn't doubt and reacted immediately by storming into the street on their right.

"Where are the others?" She asked as she sought cover behind a car.

Daryl joined her, aiming his gun at the three Saviors still on their tail. "Rosita got shot. Tara took her inside Maggie's house."

Quinn peaked around the corner and fired, bringing the last Savior down. "And Rick?"

He gave an almost invisible shake of his head. He hadn't seen what happened to him either.

"Fuck," she muttered. "We gotta go back. They'll all be killed."

"Ain't no way for us to save 'em. Not without a plan."

She sighed and leaned her back against the car, pinching her eyes closed in frustration. Tears welled up in her eyes so suddenly she couldn't even try to stop them. Sasha's dead body flashed through her mind, quickly followed by the sight of Oceanside turning against them. If she hadn't been so hellbent on getting her revenge, if she had simply stopped to think for a minute, maybe she could've stopped this all from happening. "I should've seen this coming. I should've killed that bitch when I had the chance."

"Hey, don't do that." He placed his fingers beneath her chin and tilted her face to his. "This ain't on you. None of this is on you."

She opened her mouth, about to protest when bullets were fired once again, shattering the windows of the car they were seated behind. A startled yell escaped her lips as she covered her head and made herself as small as possible.

Daryl fired back but then his gun clicked and he looked at it in horror, empty.

They were trapped.

She clenched her jaw and reached for her trusted daggers. She refused to go down without a fight. She watched as Daryl took out his knife as well. All while trying to shield her body with his from the bullets still raining down on them.

A sudden pained scream cut through the noise and then it was quiet.

With wide eyes she turned to look around. A relieved laugh fell from her lips. She was up within seconds, storming across the street. She all but threw herself at her brother and wrapped him in her arms, embracing him so tightly it was a miracle she hadn't broken any bones.

"You're okay," Milo mumbled silently, as though having to convince himself that what he was seeing was real. "You're okay."

"I am, thanks to you."

He smiled. "Hope we're not too late." He looked over his shoulder, revealing not only the soldiers from Hilltop but Ezekiel and his people as well.

"You came," Quinn said, not even bothering to hide her shock.

Ezekiel chuckled. "I was told to get off my royal ass. Now, let's end this."

She nodded, tightening her grip on her dagger before turning around and storming back into the community with two armies behind her. They poured through the streets like a storm, killing everyone who dared to set foot in their community and did not belong there.

"End these Saviors and their accomplices!" Ezekiel shouted from somewhere behind her, somehow managing to make himself heard above the chaos. "Alexandria will not fall! Not on this day!"

"Move! Third group covers the right! Now!" Maggie ordered, storming into the fight like an archangel coming to bring justice.

She was running down the street when a heavy body barreled into her, throwing her off her feet. A surprised scream escaped her lips as she was thrown against the ground. The Savior responsible immediately got on top of her, grinning as he brought his fist down against her cheek. Stars danced in front of her eyes as the world spun around her in blurry colors.

"You really thought you could win? Did you, bitch?"

He grinned and raised his fist again, punching her in the throat.

She gagged, struggling to breathe as the world continued to spin around her. Every single alarm in her head was ringing, trying to tell her to get up, to do something. Or else she was going to die...

"I asked you a question!" The man spat in her face.

Quinn wasn't even listening, her hand desperately reaching for the dagger attached to her belt. If he wanted to gloat, she was going to give him all the time in the world to do so. It would only give her more time to try and escape with her life. Finally she reached her belt and her hand closed around the hilt of her blade.

"Got nothing to say?" He placed his gun against her forehead. "Thought not."

There was indeed nothing to say and so, without wasting so much as a breath on him, Quinn pulled her dagger free and plunged the blade through his skull. Blood splattered on her hand and arm. The gun fell from his hand as his body convulsed.

Gathering every bit of strength she had left, Quinn pushed the now dead Savior off of her. She pulled her dagger free and wiped her face clean with her shirt. While trying her hardest to keep her balance, she got to her feet, her stomach protesting as the world swayed around her.

"Fucker," she mumbled, then returned the favor and spat on his dead body.

With her dagger grabbed firmly in her hand she stumbled forward. Her head spinning from the blow delivered to it. Out of the corner of her eyes, Quinn could spot Shiva as she feasted on a Savior she'd killed. She could only imagine what his last thought would've been when he realized he was going to die because of a tiger...

She tried to run but her body was trembling too much. It was likely she had a slight concussion and so she came to a halt, forcing herself to walk slowly. She couldn't help anyone if she were to fall down.

By the time she reached the main street, most Saviors had retreated from the community. Though she'd arrived just in time to see Negan's big black truck skimming the road as he retreated, followed by his men. But she could do nothing but watch as they left. The bullets fired ricocheted off the truck and then he was gone.

And then everything was quiet.

Just as suddenly as it had begun, so it had ended as well.

Slowly Quinn felt the exhaustion settle in her bones as the adrenaline of the fight wore off. She swayed on her feet and yet she was smiling. Because they'd taken a stand and despite not being able to kill him, they'd definitely delivered a weakening blow. From now on, Negan would definitely think twice before crossing them again.

She turned around and watched the three communities take care of each other as the dust settled. In the distance she saw her father as he was seated on the floor, trying to clean the blood off his hand. Aaron was helping Tara as they got Rosita to the hospital. Carol and Morgan sat together on the porch, trying to forgive themselves for the lives they'd taken. Maggie, Ezekiel and Rick were speaking together. And in the distance she could spot Cyndie talking to her grandmother while Beatrice was binding Natania's hands. Oceansides' former leader wouldn't get the chance to betray them again.

Through the chaos the familiar figure of Milo came walking up to her, smiling softly though there was worry in his eyes as well. As soon as he reached her, Quinn placed her hand on his arm, seeking support to keep standing up right.

"We did it," she mumbled. "We fought back."

Milo nodded, following her gaze around the streets of Alexandria. "We did."

And as the two siblings stood there, looking out over their community, they both realized one very important thing. In his attempt to break them, Negan had brought them together instead. Not as strangers, but as family.

A U T H O R 'S  N O T E

And so we end season 7! Sorry for not getting this chapter up last weekend but I simply didn't have time to write, so it's up today instead. I had a lot of fun with this chapter! Usually I worry the jokes I write aren't really funny enough. Simply because I have a very childish sense of humor lol. But damn was I ridiculously proud of the "three times" joke. See? Childish.

 I can't believe I've already finished season 7. I loved getting to write Quinn and Daryl being imprisoned (please don't think I'm evil lol),  breaking out and healing together. These two live in my head rent free, I swear. I also loved setting up the war with my own ideas and arcs. I hope you guys like my decision to remove the garbage people and include Oceanside instead! And no worries about Jadis saving Rick in season 9. I've got it all figured out ;)

Season 7 was really all about Quinn and her journey. Fighting her demons and learning the difference between getting revenge and getting justice. Season 8 I wanted to put more focus on Milo and his struggles with this war. Of course we'll still get Quinn's pov as well, but in my mind season 7 was her journey and season 8 will be Milo's.

I hope you guys are excited! Please leave some comments and votes if you enjoyed this chapter. And don't hesitate to let me know your predictions and hopes for season 8!

xx Nelly