CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE || ANGER-RIDDEN

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"do we think this is actually gonna work?" Josh asked a hint of sarcasm lacing his voice as he stood between Alex and Sam while they waited for Abraham, Eugene and Glenn to attempt starting the firetruck they'd spent all morning trying to fix. just as Alex was about to respond, the rumbling engine of the firetruck filled their ears, the sound was followed by happy laughter coming from the group, the plan was back on track. things were gonna work out.  

"Bout time things started going our way" Abraham exclaimed, Smiles growing on everyone's faces. Sam's hand fell to Josh's shoulders they began to approach the fire truck; "that answer your question?"

A smile rose on Josh's face as his eyes flickered between Sam and Alex. happiness flooding their surroundings. the cloud of pain and grief that once followed Alex everywhere she went couldn't be seen. things had changed. she was fighting for a future, the future everyone had believed was normal years prior. a sigh of relief slipped past Alex's lips as Abraham began pulling the truck forward testing the engine. 

"you alright?" Alex asked, her voice soft as she turned to Maggie noticing the woman's sad expression watching Eli walk toward Glenn as the firetruck pulled out. almost as if Alex pulled the woman from her thoughts she turned offering Alex a soft smile. maggie didn't offer a verbal response, just a soft nod as Alex's hand subconsciously moved to the woman's arm in a comforting manner, the same way it had back in the prison when Hershel had been bitten.

"Just come find me if you need anything okay?" Just as Maggie nodded listening to Alex's words the splutter and rattling of the engine caught the girl's attention, followed by the frustrated cursing that left Abraham's lips; "come on! just once" 

Abraham jumped out of the firetruck as Glenn, and Eli approached him followed by the two girls who were previously talking, the rest of the group keeping their distance as they went through their supplies. 

"we'll find another ride" Glenn offered trying to keep Abraham calm, things would work out. they had to. the future of the world was at stake after all. Sam approached the group as Abraham spoke again: "If there was a ride worth a shit in this town we'd have seen it"

"This thing's done some crowd clearing, right up into the intake. which means we got an air filter filled with damn human remains. and there is no damned corner on this damned earth that has not been dicked hard  beyond all damn recognition" Abraham exclaimed frustration radiating from him as he tried clearing the filter on the side of the truck, tension building in the air as Eli spoke up: "Abraham"

"What" Abraham's voice laced with anger, the stress that came with trying to get Eugene to Washington, and what hung in the balance getting to the brooding man as Eli stepped forward to continue only for Rosita to cut him off. 

"that feeds the radiator. the intake for the engine is actually on the roof." she pointed out Abraham's obvious mistake a chuckle slipping past Eli's lips despite him trying to hold it back resulting in a glare from his best friend. abrahams expression fell as his head shot toward Rosita, nodding the ginger tried to play off his mistake. 

"what the fuck" Josh's mutter caught the group's attention, Sam turning first to see a tire rolling past them. the rest of the group turned to the peculiar scene. Both Sam and Alex's hands falling to the weapons on their belts. a string of thuds filled their ears quickly followed by the snarling sound of walkers emerging from a nearby building. 

"Tara, Maggie!" Eli called out to the only people who weren't in his view, the pair having gone off to check their supplies. Hearing Eli's call they quickly returned to the group who were already jumping into action with the approaching walkers. Hearts racing. Glenn surged forward the butt of his rifle wedging itself into a walkers skull. 

Eli and Abraham charged toward the walkers. weapons in hand they each mutilated a walker's skull. the things falling to the floor with a thud. Alex and Sam both rushed toward the next set of walkers. there were so many of them. Alex's heart raced. her knife violently piercing its way through a walker's eye socket. blood oozing from the wound around the knife. splattering across her clothes as she tore the knife from the walker's head.

"Abraham wait!" Rositas shouts were muffled by the violent pounding of Blood against Alex's ears as she took down another walker. her surroundings blurring as she worked on autopilot. one walker after another. her knife hacking its way through skulls. 

"There's more from the back" Glenn exclaimed. he rushed to the walkers approaching them from behind quickly shielding Josh as the young boy pulled a knife from one walker's skull. they kept coming. The group fought. Sending walkers to the ground with every step. alex's heart raced. surging toward another walker. her muscles flexing. her spine burning as she wedged her knife through another skull. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Sam. a walker quickly gaining on him from behind. 

"Sam! on your left!" She exclaimed. Yet the brunette was preoccupied. his knife already penetrating a walker coming at him from the front. In a split second Alex raised her knife. Launching it through the air. her knife jammed its way through the walker's shoulder causing it to stumble. Giving sam that extra second to turn and end the mindless thing. sending its limp body to the floor.

"shit" Sam muttered as he locked eyes with Alex. His expression fell to one of relief for a second before Alex turned pulling the gun from her waistband. A grunt filled the air as a walker barged into Abraham. Alex's heart raced his name slipping past her lips. her heart raced. fighting through more walkers. trying to get to him. 

The violent shock of cold water hit Alex like a truck. unpleasant memories quickly following. the water... the cold water. for a second she couldn't breathe. she stopped fighting. She wasn't there. then she locked eyes with Glenn, she was okay. the surrounding walkers having fallen victim to the violent pressure of the water. silence. disbelief. 

"That was insane." Josh gushed being the first to break the silence as he stared up at Eugene standing on the roof of the truck aiming the hose in utter disbelief. Alex's eyes darted from Eugene down to her own clothes which had now been soaked in water. a sigh escaping her lips. 

" I've been to 8 county fairs and one goat rodeo. I ain't ever seen anything like that." Abraham scoffed. Alex's eyes darted to her husband, whose clothes also seemed to be soaked as well as everyone else's. his wet hair sticking to his forehead as his hand ran over his face tucking a few strands of his longer brown hair behind his ear. 

"There's a goodwill over there by the bookstore. it's pretty blown up but there might be some supplies. some dry clothes maybe?" Glenn suggested his hand raised as he hoped Abraham would agree, yet he didn't: "Not necessary" 

"I can clear that intake in two shakes. then the engine will get some wind. you'll air dry. we roll on" Abraham scoffed walking around the truck as he got to the back he began climbing up the side. Sam sighed pushing his wet brown hair from his forehead also agreeing with Glenn. Abraham got onto the roof catching the uninterested expressions that laid upon everyone's faces. A strong laugh escaping the ginger's lips. Everyone stared up at him confused as to what he could possibly find funny. Alex sent him a disapproving glare as he chuckled. something wasn't right. 

"what? this shit is so screwed up!" he laughed.

****

hours later, Alex stood by the side of the firetruck keeping watch. the piece of shit truck had broken down... and of course, Abraham was determined to fix it, despite the fact it wasn't looking good. Alex sighed, her eyes focused on Sam who seemed focused on a bush by the edge of the road, her brows furrowed in confusion as to what he could possibly be doing. She tilted her head slightly as she caught sight of the man picking berries.

"what's he doing?" a voice pulled her from her thoughts, her eyes darting to the voice, to see Josh standing beside her also examining Sam's odd behaviour. Her eyes flickered back to the man she considered one of her closest friends, her heart instantly skipping a beat as she saw the round black berries piled up in his hand. 

"getting himself killed" Alex scoffed her long strides rushing toward the man who was seconds away from chomping on nightshade berries. when she got close enough to him, her foot forcefully connected with his calf.

"ow! What was that for?"He flinched, the berries flying from his hand as he turned to face the woman who'd just kicked him, betrayal etched onto his features as his head flew toward her. his voice somewhat high-pitched due to the slight pain in his calf. 

"that's nightshade dumbass" she scoffed, a soft chuckle escaping her lips as she shook her head at the man who seemed to have no idea what she was talking about, his eyes flickered between her and the bush he'd picked the berries from. A chuckle pulling Sam's attention from the bush as he looked back to see Josh cracking up. 

"It's not funny" Sam shook his head his eyes darting between the two who'd just watched him make an almost fatal mistake, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink from embarrassment, which didn't go unnoticed. the smile on Alex's face growing at the brunette's flushed cheeks.

 "Lex!" Eli's voice echoed calling her back to the firetruck. She sighed the smile not falling from her face as she looked up at Sam in disbelief of his stupidity. Sam shook his head as the pair walked back up to the fire truck. 

"It's so funny. you're never living that down" Alex chuckled as they rejoined the group, small chuckles still escaping the 13-year-old boy's lips as Sam's head hung in embarrassment. Alex almost instantly noticed the looks of disgust on Glenn and Eli's faces as she approached them, concern immediately filling her as her eyes darted between the two men her smile fading. 

"What?" she questioned, Sam and Josh both picking up on the mutual looks of discomfort and disgust that consumed the group's faces, as Glenn responded she immediately regretted rejoining the group: "Winds picking up, you're about to smell it"

and they did, the nauseating smell hit their nostrils violently almost inciting gags from the three who stood feet away from Glenn and Eli.

"What is that?" Sam questioned exhaling deeply in an attempt to rid the stench from his nostrils, Josh shook his head trying to do the same thing. grimacing at the violent smell that violated their noses and filled the group with nausea making their stomachs churn.

"Whatever's making that stench. it ain't nothing nice... we're not stopping" Abraham groaned getting out of the firetruck, the smell made Alex's stomach turn. somehow, it was worse than rotten flesh. she almost felt like she was drowning in the stench that surrounded them. vomit, shit, and death. that's all it could be described as. 

 Alex's brows furrowed as she caught Eli giving Maggie the look. his stupid look. the smiley look she always used to make fun of him for.  the smile returned to her face as she rolled her eyes at her best friend keeping a mental note to speak to him later. her focus then shifted to getting as far from the putrid smell as possible.  

And the walking began, the truck broken, their last resort was walking. And in all honesty, Alex was okay with that. Falling behind she managed to pull Eli aside for a moment. interrogation time as they used to call it. her eyes glued to Glenn as he walked ahead. 

"so Maggie huh?" She questioned as she walked beside her best friend luckily out of earshot to the rest of the group as she began the casual best friend questioning. The blonde man immediately rolled his eyes at his best friend's antics. 

"before you start. I'm not taking advantage. she's grieving I wouldn't do that... we just talk" Eli defended himself knowing the possible lecture he'd receive, Alex shook her head at his words. she'd seen the subtle looks the two had been giving each other. 

"you gave her the look... you like her lee." Her words instantaneously made him shake his head as they walked, her eyes meeting his as she gave him a look as if to say 'Don't bullshit me'

"Alright, alright... she's fucking gorgeous. and she has a beautiful smile... and we get on really well. but Alex. but. I'm not like that, she needs someone to talk to, I'll be there. her dad, and her sister. that's a lot of trauma in such a short amount of time." Eli sighed, his heart aching for the woman he'd grown to like. Alex's brows rose a smile growing on her face as she noticed Eli's eyes flicker toward Maggie. he deserved to be happy. 

"Don't be afraid of living. that's what her dad said to me... about Glenn, and that's what I knew you'd say to me too. I'm not saying try it with her right now. but if things happen let it. if I could go back and fix the way I treated Glenn when we met I would. but I was so consumed by you dying on me" Alex chuckled swatting Eli's arm as he exhaled a soft laugh at the fact the pair had spent a year grieving each other only to find out they were both okay. 

"just don't fuck her over. and don't die again," Alex chuckled as the pair walked, Eli looked down at his best friend and nodded: "I don't plan on it"

***

After what felt like hours of walking the group came to a stop. the danger that laid ahead made Alex's breath hitch. walkers in the distance. hundreds if not more. there was no way... Alex's eyes flickered to meet Glenn's as they shared a mutual look of understanding. they weren't risking that. not with Josh. not with each other. 

"Let's go" Glenn sighed as he turned around to walk back. there was no way he was dragging his family through there. it was a suicide mission. it wasn't happening. Everyone followed. But Abraham. He stayed put staring out into the distance muttering incoherent words under his breath.

"Abraham. Let's get out of here" Rosita warned siding with Glenn and Alex, if they went further it wasn't just dangerous it was impossible. Looking beside her Alex locked eyes with a worried Josh. The minuscule interaction just further reminding her why she wouldn't carry on. she had to protect him.

"no. they can't hear us and they can't see us we're fine." Abraham scoffed his eyes not shifting from the distance, Alex's eyes darted between Eli and Rosita as she stepped forward in disbelief, she wasn't putting Josh in danger for this. and not for Abraham's stupid stubbornness. 

"yeah, this is the definition of fine." Tara scoffed, Josh, nodding along to her sarcastic tone of voice. His hands trembled as he looked beyond Alex seeing the hundred of walkers roaming the fields ahead of them. shoving his hands into his pockets he didn't want anyone to know he was afraid... he didn't want anyone to think he was weak. 

"we're not going through that. not with Josh. wheres the map? there's gotta be a detour." Glenn suggested not falling for Abraham's false sense of security. yet Abraham didn't let up. he was persistent: "We're not doing it. I'm not doing it. we detoured and detoured all the way to here. I'm not playing that game anymore"

"get a grip abe. I'm not taking my 13-year-old through this." Alex scoffed not even realising the exact words that escaped her lips as Abraham scoffed finally turning to face the group. frustration and anger displayed clearly on his features.

"we're taking Eugene to Washington that is what you agreed to" Abraham reminded, frustration consuming his voice, Alex shook her head anger rising throughout her body. She wouldn't allow it. she'd turn back. go back to Rick. Abraham had once been a close friend. but now. now he was different. Glenn shook his head frustration building within him at how quickly Abraham was willing to just send the whole group to their deaths. 

"We are not going through this okay? it isn't gonna happen" Glenn exclaimed approaching Abraham and pointing toward the hundreds of walkers that would surely tear the whole group apart. Glenn shifting Abe's frustration to him rather than his wife. 

"you got a shit storm behind Door A and you got a storm of shit behind Door B. If you're lucky it's walkers or a shot-up truck. but sooner or later you get cornered. you end up stayin' or you end up killin'. we don't go back. we can't go back." Abrahams anger ridden voice caused Sam to shake his head as his fist balled up by his side... the pent-up anger within the brunette threatened to make an appearance yet he held back. 

"I'm not talking about going back. just south a few miles" Glenn barely managed to finish his sentence before he was cut off by a strong; "no!"

"We already hit a full stop because of the air filter compromised by innards. that will happen again" Eugene's statement only fueled the thick frustration that shadowed over the group filling them all with an intense discomfort. 

"then we'll hit em with the hose" Abraham scoffed trying to make sense of his own plan, his need for purpose clouding his common sense and ability to think clearly as he paced in front of the skyline view of hundred of prowling walkers waiting for their next meal. 

"the tank is empty Abraham"  Rosita reasoned, yet He somehow came up with another excuse: "Then we'll floor it" yet Alex's patience was wearing thin. the longer they stood there the worse their chances were. all it took was for one walker to hear them, smell them... they had to go. 

"we can get through!" Abraham's voice boomed violently through the air sending an unpleasant shiver down Alex's spine, unease flooding through her as her eyes darted back to the walkers. The anger within both her and Sam growing stronger as Abraham lost his cool.

"you want all our blood on your hands? you might be fucking suicidal but I'm not" Alex spat anger lacing her tone as she turned walking away, She was going back. if the ginger wanted to follow he could. But she wasn't gonna force it. and she wasn't letting Josh get hurt in the process. Josh, Sam and Glenn all followed Alex walking back the way they came, Both Maggie and Eli shared a look before Eli's eyes darted back to Abraham. Alex was right. Eli sighed as he followed Maggie walking in the same direction as his best friend.

"They're right," Rosita sighed desperately hoping Abraham would agree... and after all of that, he did. sighing in defeat he nodded begrudgingly following the rest of the group back to the firetruck they'd abandoned earlier. 

But those five seconds of peace didn't last long as seconds after Abraham caught up with the group he gripped Eugene's arm dragging him down the road. his actions being met with a string of objections from the rest of the group. yet he wouldn't listen. he was set in his ways. 

"hey let go of him." 

"I won't let you do this"

"Abraham stop" Alex's frustration got the better of her as Abraham ignored everyone's orders, the man thinking he deserved blind obedience angered Alex in another way. Surging forward both Alex and Tara made an attempt to get the man who was double their weight off Eugene. In the process, Abraham pushed both Alex and Tara... 

"Hey, you're done you're done!" Glenn exclaimed pushing Abraham from Eugene, Alex's heart raced as she steadied herself hearing the shouts from both Abraham and Glenn as an alteration started. Alex and Rosita's frustration grew visible as the group tried to break them apart yet to no avail. Alex and Rosita both surged forward. helping pull the two apart. Panic consumed Alex as she watched Glenn. She couldn't let him get hurt. not like Merle. not like the governor. 

"Don't touch me! I told you, you do not touch me!" Abraham shouted. tension thick within the air. Desperately trying to separate the two men grew difficult against Abraham's strong grasp and pushes. Abraham's hand landed on Alex's shoulder, thinking she was Glenn. With one violent push, she was sent flying into Rosita. the two women falling to the floor. the action sending a newfound rage throughout the group. through Glenn, through sam. 

Sam surged forward trying to put space between Glenn and Abraham, Eli doing the same. yet their actions only caused the altercation to grow. Both Glenn and Sam filled with a growing rage from Abraham's outburst. chest booming with anger. shouts filling their surrounding. Everything was a blur of anger and shouts until;

"I'm not a scientist!"

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a/n- long ass chapter to make up for the lack of updates recently! please let me know what you think, quite a lot happened in this one and we're almost at the part I'm more excited for.