CHAPTER SEVEN || THE FALL

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Alex had barely left Glenn's side in the Two days he'd been Recovering, He'd made improvements which Alex was more than happy about. He could breathe on his own and was waking up. But he was still weak. he let out a long breath as he laid in the makeshift bed in his Cell in death row. Alex's hand wrapped tightly around his like a vice Afraid if she'd let go he'd just disappear. when she held him when he was gasping for air, she felt like he was slipping through her fingers like she was watching him fade away... and she never wanted to feel that again. 

"I could use a vacation" He mumbled, Alex shook her head a small smile tugging at her lips as she looked down at him, his thumb weakly caressing her hand, as the colour had slow began returning to his face, she couldn't take her eyes off him, she couldn't and she didn't want to. 

"a getaway" He smiled softly despite his pain, Alex couldn't help but smile at his words. The pain in her chest having eased knowing he was okay it hadn't completely disappeared, it lingered.  it lingered with the rest of her pain, the rest of her trauma. none of it wanted to go away.  and now her opinion was changing she wasn't sure if she wanted it to go away, despite the fact she never wanted to feel how she did in certain moments again, she remembered what it felt like to lose Lori, lose Eli, to feel Glenn slipping through her fingers. 

"you know our anniversary is coming up.. well from the day we first met" Glenn smiled looking up at the blue-eyed woman her eyes glued to him as her smile grew. She hadn't even thought about that. 

"it is?" She questioned having lost track of the days, her concept of time having completely disappeared, she had no idea how she and Eli had managed to keep track of the days before because now she couldn't even take a guess.

"one of these days" he chuckled, his thumb gently caressing the skin on the back of Alex's hand, Alex stared at him an indescribable feeling flooding through her body as she bent down to kiss his cheek, quickly hugging him to reassure herself he was okay. Glenn's free hand gently rubbed her back as she did. 

"I'm gonna get you some water" She whispered pulling herself from him. He tilted his head squeezing her hand. She didn't have to do that, he was more than capable, it would just take him longer than normal.

"I can get it" Alex shook her head, she wanted to look after him, protect him, she needed him to be okay, she couldn't feel like that again, she gently squeezed his hand reassuringly as her eyes met his. he was weak, the colour had only just begun returning to his face, yet he was beautiful.

"I know... but I'm doing it" Her voice was soft as her hand rested on his side as she edged closer to him, the admiration in his eyes never seemed to fade. slowly she closed the gap between them pressing a gentle kiss to his lips which he gratefully returned, smiling into the kiss, before she gently pulled away.

"I love you," she whispered, those words left her lips for the first time as a warm feeling rushed through her body. She slowly pulled away with a smile almost matching Glenn's, his cheerful smile almost grinning ear to ear as he heard those words leave Alex's mouth, love flooded through his body as heat rose on his cheeks, all it took was those words to make him blush, those words meant more to him than any compliment he could've received.

"I love you too. so much" She was never sure she'd say those words, but she did. She loved him. he had a place in her heart no one else could. his eyes, the way he smiled, he filled Alex with feelings she'd never felt, and that was love.

**

Alex went to go and get Glenn some water, Hershel had told her to make sure he stayed hydrated, and she needed to make sure he was okay, she wanted to take care of him, make sure he recovered. She couldn't shake that feeling, feeling him slip through her fingers, watching him fade right in front of her and there was nothing she could do about it. purely just thinking about it made bile rise in her throat, made her chest tighten. she couldn't deal with that again.

 the water barrels in Cell Block A were getting low so Alex knew she needed to fill them up, glenn would have to wait an extra ten minutes, smiling at the thought of him she walked down to the water pump the cool air sending a shiver down her spine as she walked into the courtyard. as she walked toward the pumps she caught sight of sam jogging toward her. 

"how's Glenn? I tried to go see him yesterday, Hershel just told me to let him Rest" Sam asked as he caught up to Alex, she smiled as he walked beside her following her to the water pumps eager to find out if the medication was working.

"he's getting better. thank you, for going on that-" Alex was cut off by An explosion, the violent noise echoing through the pair's ears. Her eyes shot toward where the sound originated from, as she pulled her gun from her waistband, Sam following her actions as they shared a look of concern, hearts immediately dropping. 

"fuck" She exclaimed as she saw Rick and the rest of the group running out of the prison to see what was going on, guns in hand as her uncle's eyes locked with her's Carl beside him. her eyes darted back to the fences Her heart racing as her eyes laid on a tank at the fences.

"Rick!" she knew that voice. She knew that voice anywhere. The governor.

the ghost of the governor's Fingers ran down her spine, the way he'd touched her lingered on her body making her shiver as he ordered Rick to go and speak to him, down by the fences. Alex and Sam both shared a look of worry. Sam didn't know the details of what had happened Between the governor, Alex, and Glenn. but he knew enough from what happened to him, to know it wasn't good. 

Alex and Sam Ran over to the rest of the group, Staring down at the governor from the courtyard in disbelief, this is exactly what she had been worried about, this was exactly why she'd continued training Sam. 

"it's not up to me! there's a council now! they run this place!" Rick yelled back to the Governor's orders, Alex felt the bile rising in her throat as she looked around the group, each person's face plastered with a look of panic and fear. 

"Hershel on the council?" The Governor Yelled As two of the governor's new soldiers pulled Hershel from one of the surrounding vehicles, Catching sight of him Alex's heart dropped as she heard the panicked gasps of his daughters.

"what about Michonne?" he yelled as another one of his soldiers Pulled Michonne from another Truck. The Anxiety within the group Rising quickly. after the last time, rebuilding, the illness they were weak and Alex knew it. they couldn't fight, he had a tank.

"I don't make decisions anymore!" Rick yelled as the governor's soldiers forced Michonne and Hershel to their Knees. alex's eyes subconsciously darted toward Hershel's daughters... they shouldn't have to see this.

"You're making the decisions today Rick!" The governor resorted, The anger clear through his voice, Alex snuck behind the group Pulling an AK-46 assault rifle from one of the hidden spots they kept weapons for situations just like this. her heart racing, stomach churning as she watched Daryl do the same thing.  Rick gave up, Making his way down into the field to talk to him but before he did, he looked at Alex a saddened expression on his face before he looked back to Carl.

"Whatever happens. you find Alex or Daryl. and you do not leave their side." Rick stated his hand on his son's shoulder as Carl nodded before Rick made his way down the field. carl's eyes flickered to his cousin as she nodded as if telling him everything was going to be okay. Alex watched as Her uncle walked Down to the Governor her chest filling with a familiar sense of dread as Daryl and the rest of the group began planning.

"We can't take 'em all on. we'll go through the admin building, through the woods. like we planned" Daryl explained, Alex agreeing. they had a tank and more manpower. they couldn't get themselves out of it, at least this time.

Alex watched as her uncle spoke to the Governor, Her AK pointed through a gap in the fence. Everyone copied her actions, multiple guns stuck through the fence all aiming at the same man. Her heart raced. she felt like she had to hold her breath, she watched her uncle dangerously close to a killer. in front of a tank. she gulped her anxiety as she focused her eye through the scope of her weapon taking a breath as she saw Hershel and Michonne on their knees in front of him.

"we've gotta do something" Carl stated pointing a shotgun through a gap in the fence as he stayed between Daryl and Alex, Sam beside her they shared a distasteful look. there wasn't anything they could do, not against that many people.

"your dads got it" Daryl assured another AK firmly in his grasp, Alex lined up the scope to the governor's head knowing she had a clean shot. Yet she couldn't, if she did that tank, all those people would charge right through. hurt rick, kill rick. she couldn't take that chance.

Alex's heart dropped as she watched the governor jump down from the tank, Holding Michonnes katana he pressed it against Hershel's neck, Alex's blood ran cold as she looked over at Sam. The looks on their faces almost identical as Alex tried lining up her scope with the governor's head again, yet Rick was too close this time, she was too far. not the right weapon for a perfect shot 80 yards away.

everything happened so fast, Alex watched through her scope as the katana sliced through Hershel's neck, The horrified screams of his two girls echoed through her ears as she held the trigger for rapid fire. Gunfire and screams filled her ears, She almost felt as if she was back in afghan yet she stayed focused. One of her bullets lodged itself into the governor's shoulder as he rushed for cover behind one of his trucks. Her chest constricted as adrenaline pumped through her veins continuously pressing the trigger of her assault rifle. Watching as they drove the tank forward through the fences. The heavy machinery easily rammed its way through the fences they'd spent so much time securing. 

"carl! I need to find Glenn! stay with Daryl. do not leave his side!" Alex ordered to her cousin who just nodded as he continued firing his weapon, consumed with having just watched Hershel die. Alex Ran off to the side. She couldn't leave Glenn she needed to know he was safe. she needed to get him to the bus. 

"Alex! I'm coming with you!" Sam stated quickly following the brunette, They'd barely had time to process what they'd just seen as they rushed back into the prison, their hearts pounding against their chests. Hershel had Just saved Glenn, Hershel had just saved so many lives... now he was gone

Alex and Sam Rushed back into the prison, Alex's legs moving as fast as They possibly could. Sam was on her tail Firing bullets in the direction of The Governors Men as he covered them both. his focus on making sure they didn't get shot while Alex's was on Glenn.

"Glenn! Glenn!" Alex Rushed into death row, in order to find Glenn while Sam remained just outside shooting anyone who came too close, his heart racing... he'd never killed anyone before. yet he was working on autopilot, he didn't have time to think. he either pulled the trigger or died. 

Alex's Lung Constricted as she saw Glenn struggling To get down the stairs, His weakened body not moving as fast as needed. Alex rushed toward him as he approached the bottom of the stairs confused, her heart racing as her stomach violently churned, he was still weak... too weak for this.

"what the hell is going on?" Glenn questioned as Alex ran up to him his arm going over her shoulder so She could help him out, she clung to him gun still in hand as her panicked mind filled with thoughts of Carl and Judith.

"We've got to get everybody out of here!" She exclaimed her heart racing. Everything was happening so fast. Another explosion filled her ears as she helped Glenn out of the building, tightly clinging to him in fear he'd just disappear. get him to the bus, Judith, Carl. she had to make sure everyone was safe. 

"Alex go! get him to the bus!" Sam yelled bullets Flying towards them as the rifle in Sam's hands made bullets fly toward the Governor's men as he covered Alex as she ran as fast as she could while helping Glenn. sam's focus purely remained on the approaching men making sure Alex, and Glenn didn't get shot.

Reaching the bus Alex ordered Glenn inside Almost pushing him and forcing him inside the safety of the bus, the panicked shout of her name filled her ears as She looked back seeing Sam got cornered By two of the Governor's men, Her heart raced as she looked between Glenn and Sam. how was she supposed to protect everyone.

"Sam! I'm coming!" She yelled watching as the Governor's men edged their way closer to Sam as he dodged their bullets flying behind a bench his ammo draining quickly, Glenn looked at Alex as she took a step out of the Bus.

"we'll get him" Glenn huffed his Lungs not prepared for the Fast movements he'd been taking as he rushed to the bus. he attempted to get up, and follow Alex. but she wouldn't let him. She couldn't. he was safe, she needed to find everyone else.

"no-no stay here" Alex exclaimed as Glenn tried to follow her, Her hands planted on his chest as he Tried following her out of the vehicle, and she pushed him back. She needed to know he was safe so she could help Sam, find her family. She had to try, Lori's words echoed through her mind despite the chaos, protect my children. 

"no you're not going by yourself" Glenn Exclaimed His voice breaking as Alex pushed him back into the bus shaking her head, the fear of losing each other overwhelming as his brown eyes pleaded with her blue ones yet she couldn't let him put himself in danger.

"Please I'll be Right back" Alex begged As Glenn's weak body fell Into a sitting position his weakened muscles not allowing him to fight against Alex any more, She had to know he was okay, He hadn't recovered yet, He couldn't survive not on his own. 

Alex Grabbed her Gun from her shoulder Rushing Away from the bus, leaving Glenn, in search of Sam, The two governor's men dangerously Close to Sam. Her heart racing as she caught sight of Sam trying to reload yet his shaky hands wouldn't allow it. she rushed up behind them raising her gun Sending bullets through both of their skulls without a second thought. Alex rushed toward Sam, a sigh escaping his lips as he sent her a thankful nod. As soon as she turned to face more of the approaching soldiers she heard the sound of an engine Her head spun to see the bus driving away. Glenn. her heart dropped as her widened eyes shot toward Sam.

"we'll figure it out" Sam Huffed aiming his gun back toward the Governor's men, Alex copied his actions shooting down a few more of the governor's men as she looked around trying to spot her Uncle or Cousin. Alex couldn't see anyone, Just bodies, Walkers, People. and Glenn was gone. she swallowed the bile rising in her throat as she pressed her finger firmly against the trigger again she noticed walkers now making their way through the damaged gates.

"We gotta go! Now!" Sam ordered as he grabbed Alex's wrist Almost dragging her away from the Destruction they'd once called home. Bile rose in her throat as she thought about Judith, Carl, Rick, and Glenn. they had to be okay. they had to be. She couldn't do this. not again.

"Now Alex!" Sam yelled in an attempt to the girl back to reality, as he tugged at her wrist again trying to get her to move, yet she was frozen in time, Lori died here... Judith was born here... now she had to leave without her family. she couldn't. 

"Alex!" Sam tugged at the girl's wrist again, anxiety lacing his voice as her eyes darted up to the freckled man the panicked expression laid out across his features pulled her from her thoughts as she followed him, running from the place they once called home.