CHAPTER SIXTEEN || THE SECOND TIME

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Rick took a step away from Eli as he caught sight of the unfamiliar Faces behind him, And the young boy Around Carl's Age behind Alex, The leader's gaze flickered back to Eli a smile tugging at his lips as he patted the man's shoulder. Alex's saving grace. Eli Moore was alive. And Rick couldn't be more thankful, Alex carried pain heavier than what most men could carry, and the only person who'd seen her carry all of it was Eli. 

"They're our friends" Glenn Said in regard to the unfamiliar people standing behind them, Rick looked between Abraham, Rosita, Josh, Eugene and Tara. his eyes darting back to his niece she nodded confirming Glenn's words as Josh looked at the unfamiliar people stood in front of him as he subconsciously hid behind Alex

"They helped save us" Alex stated before her glance shifted back down to her cousin, The light that had once shined brightly in his eyes diminished. She couldn't begin to imagine what he'd been through out there. being on the road was a different type of pain, the people that now roamed the world were more dangerous than the walkers. 

"Now they're friends of ours" Daryl Grunted his eyes On Alex and Glenn thankful they were okay, as Alex pulled the brooding man into a hug, Slightly taken back it took a moment for Daryl to register what was happening and hug her back, she didn't care about what had once happened with Merle, he'd stayed with her family, she'd left carl with him. and here they were. she smiled softly as she pulled away the taller man sending her a knowing nod. 

"for however long that'll be" Abraham Scoffed Looking toward Rick. His words Gave Rick an immediate opinion on the man, He was a leader too. Alex's head shot toward the muscular ginger, remembering his negativity from being with him before causing her to roll her eyes. 

"no. They're gonna feel pretty stupid when they find out." Rick's voice was Cold as he wandered over to the door, Staring through the small crack in an attempt to see if anyone was waiting outside, watching them.

"find out what?" Josh asked Looking up at the unfamiliar man, as he emerged from behind Alex getting a closer look at the other boy of his age, Carl's eyes lingered on Josh as curiosity fueled him,  where'd he come from? and why was he with Alex?

"They're screwing with the wrong people." Rick scoffed his eyes shifting from the gap to his niece, as she nodded knowingly. They weren't gonna go down without a fight.

**

Alex watched as Everyone began preparing for when the doors opened, Glenn Took his Belt off, Setting the buckle at an Angle between his Foot And the hard floor he snapped the buckle, Into a fork shape. Holding it in his hand the snapped sharp pieces of metal pointed through his fingers as he wrapped the belt around his Wrist using the belt as a pair of knuckle dusters.  Everyone else worked on Makeshift weapons, Alex pulled Josh and Carl to the side as she pulled a small dagger from behind her belt, One that was hidden for situations like this, like the governor.

"Carl, this is Josh. If anything goes down the two of you stay together." She ordered the two boys, She didn't care if they didn't know each other that well. but She needed them to work together. and she knew Carl was capable enough, she knew he liked to be given a protector role... she didn't know those things about Josh, yet.

"All I have is this" She passed the small knife over to Carl assuming he was the one who could handle himself. Carl nodded as he took the dagger from Alex holding it in his hand. it wasn't much, but it was something.  

"if you can't find me, Look for Rick, Glenn, Eli or Sam okay? and you stay with them no matter what" Alex ordered as Carl nodded, Josh taking in the woman's words as he looked at the boy beside him.

"I missed you jelly bean. we just gotta get through this okay?" Alex offered a small smile as she took Carl's hat off pressing a kiss to his forehead, the happiness he was alive and okay still fresh despite the situation before putting the hat back on the young boy.

"Carls my cousin alright Josh, everything will be okay just do what I say and stay with someone. stay with each other." Alex explained her hand going to Josh's shoulder, the worry in his eyes was evident as he and Alex shared a look, Carl could handle this she knew that. but josh? She had no idea.

"be careful" Josh whispered, Anxiety rushing through his veins as Daryl spoke up.

"all right, got four of them pricks coming our way" Daryl scoffed as everyone Froze Watching as Rick got up rushing toward the door. Alex shared one more look with her little cousin, as he nodded. he knew they had this. they had to get through it. Alex stepped away joining Sam near the door, her heart pounding against her chest. 

"you all know what to do. Go for their Eyes first" everyone prepared to pounce on whoever came through the door, ready to fight their way out before shouting rung through their ears.

"backs to the walls on the side of the car now!" Yet no one moved. Everyone stayed exactly where they were ready to attack when the doors opened, Footsteps coming from above caught Alex's attention. Looking up she watched as a Hatch opened, Dropping a can of tear gas inside the storage container they were being held in. Alex's eyes shot up to Glenn, Carl and Josh.

"Move!!" She exclaimed rushing toward the three making sure they were out of the way as gas filled the confined space. it all happened within seconds. Her lungs filled with the burning Gas as the smoke blinded her Unable to see anything in front of her.

"Glenn?" She reached where she'd just had hold of him, Coughing as the chemicals filled her lungs. The sound of the group's Coughs filled her ears as Glenn grabbed her hand as he coughed. Her vision Blurred as the Gas made it harder to keep her eyes open, Gasping she gripped Glenn's hand tighter as she heard The door open. 

Only seconds later she felt a struggle beside her as Glenn's hand squeezed hers tightly, Gripping hers like a vice, her heart raced as she took her other hand gripping his wrist, she could not lose him again. 

"Alex" He coughed as she tightened her grip on his hand unable to see, his grip tightened as she felt him being pulled away. Yet her weakened muscles weren't strong enough. Her heart raced as his hand slipped from hers. and there it was, that feeling. he slipped through her fingers again. 

"Glenn!" She coughed desperately trying to stay conscious as she tried processing what was going on. Only seconds later she heard the Clang of the metal door Close again, her stomach churning,  Glenn was gone.

"no- no- Glenn? Rick?" She coughed leaning against the wall the Gas Clouding her vision, She could see figures.. but she couldn't feel him. Glenn, Rick she'd just gotten them back. 

"Everyone okay?" Abraham Coughed his lungs constricting as the Gas consumed him, A multitude of 'yeahs' followed but voices were missing, their voices were missing, her hands trembled as she fought against the ache in her back.

"Glenn, Rick, Daryl? Where are they?" Alex coughed as the smoke began to Clear, And the group became more visible, Some fighting to stay conscious, some coughing. Immediate Panic rushed through her body as she looked around the group, rubbing her chest in an attempt to keep herself calm. She couldn't lose them. Not now. Anger flowed through her body as she turned to Carl.

"Give me the knife." She ordered Dread filling her stomach Carl hesitantly Passed Alex the knife as she looked at Sam. and like a switch, whatever emotions she was feeling were gone and replaced with anger. 

"you do not leave Josh and Carl. no matter what happens Sam" She sighed her panic-filled Eyes trained on his. Sam tilted his head in confusion yet he nodded. he'd do what was needed.

"I got them don't worry" He nodded his glance shifting to where the two young boys stood, Panic thick within the confined space of the train car. Heer military training was back, she was on autopilot. and she had an idea she knew no one, especially Eli would agree with but she didn't care. 

"Eli, think you can get me up there? see if I can open it from the inside?" She looked up at the ceiling her eyes Glued to the Hatch Eli Looked up, Knowing he could easily lift her up yet he knew he wouldn't fit through the small hatch.

"Yeah But Lex, Most of us aren't gonna fit through there" Alex shook her head holding the dagger firmly in her grasp, She'd just got him back. She wasn't risking anyone else's safety. 

"I'll go. get Rick Daryl and Glenn then we'll come back for you. just stay here." he shook his head in disbelief, she couldn't go alone, it wasn't safe. but what was?

"no-" Eli countered, his eyes darting to Sam hoping he'd side with him, yet Sam stayed silent knowing his words weren't going to make a difference. Alex wasn't gonna let Glenn or Rick get hurt and he knew that. 

"Eli do you trust me?" she cut him off sweat beading on her forehead her anger and anxiety growing with every passing second, Her uncle, Her boyfriend. She had to get them. 

"yeah I do" he sighed nodding, Alex Looked back at Sam her eyes darting between him and the two young boys. She trusted Sam, Eli and Maggie with the two boys more than she trusted herself. 

"I'll be back." She nodded glancing between the two young boys before she looked back to Eli, Who had his hands linked to give her a boosted up so she could try the Hatch. he didn't want her to do it, but he knew his best friend. Placing her foot in Eli's hands, His muscles flexing as a small grunt left his lips as he lifted Alex up, Her hands connecting with the roof as she balanced herself, Grunting she pushed against the hatch.

Wedging the dagger between the slabs of metal Alex managed to pry open the hatch, Eli held her steady as she pushed the hatch open. Putting the Knife between her teeth she reached up grabbing either side of the hatch, trying to pull herself up yet she needed to be closer.

"Eli a bit more" Alex huffed as she tried to pull herself through the hatch, Eli boosted her up his weak muscles from malnutrition yet still strong enough to lift his best friend. Alex grunted as she pulled herself out of the Train car getting onto the roof.

"stay there okay? I'll be back" she ordered Looking back down into the hatch Before she closed it behind her, Her heart racing as she looked around. At least she knew they were safe in there. for now..

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AN || hey guys I hope you're enjoying this story so far! id really appreciate some comments and feed back 🫶🫶