CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX || WELCOME TO THE TOMBS

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Alex stood beside Glenn as Rick walked toward them, the Majority of the group preparing to head to Woodbury.. preparing to end this so they could live the life they all deserved. a life that once seemed normal now felt impossible to even think about.

"Rick" Glenn called as Alex's uncle approached the pair, Rick nodded acknowledging Glenn as he stood in front of the two young adults.

"we're staying. we don't know where the governor is. if he comes back we'll hold him off" Rick looked at his niece a slight feeling of relief washing over him knowing his niece might not end up in danger after all. and that was all he wanted. 

"well I appreciate you staying" He nodded patting his niece's shoulder and nodding at Glenn. Rick had started to notice the closeness between the two. and out of everyone he was glad she was close with the man who started everything, the guy who saved his life right at the start. 

Rick pulled his niece into a hug, a subtle sense of urgency between them as they hugged, as the hug broke Rick looked toward Glenn, sending the boy a nod as if to say 'protect them'. Glenn got the memo, understanding immediately, and he would. he'd protect them. he returned the gesture before Rick walked off getting into the car.

Glenn and Alex shared a look as they went to open the gate allowing the car and motorcycle free, her muscles flexing as she pulled the gate open the task becoming easier from Glenn's added strength. The pair watched as Daryl drove forward followed by the car.

**

Alex Sat on the floor of her cell, the backpack she'd filled with her possessions laid out in front of her as she focused her attention on the journal in front of her. a journal filled with memories, some she wanted to cherish, others she wanted to forget. 

<october 28th 2011

somehow between me and Eli, we have managed to keep track of the days, time however not so much. it's been 368 days since the world was deemed 'normal'

it's the not knowing that kills me, the only family I had left, Carl, Rick, and Lori. I don't know where they are. or if they're still alive. rick got shot just before, that's the last I heard. Eli had faith, he says tricks got it in him to survive, what if he doesn't, what if they're gone... But what I do know is I have family here.

Eli and the rest of this group are my family. I don't know where I would be without them now. I'm trying to keep myself in check trying to control these memories that I just can't keep out of my head. yet Eli notices, he knows me better than I know myself. id be dead without him. 

Alex sighed reading her own words memories of her best friend rushing through her head. every day she seemed to miss him a little bit more than the last. the thought of never being able to see him, or speak to him again pained her in a way she would never forget. wiping her teary eyes she turned a few pages and began reading again.

january 17th 2012

"no matter what happens to me you keep moving" That was one of the last things he said to me. I lost him. Eli's gone, they're all gone. I can't do this without him. I never thought about death that much, even when it surrounded us. but now. it's all I think about.

I'm alone. I've felt alone before, yet I never really understood what that meant until now. I have no one. I'm alone in a world, fighting for a life every day that I don't even want. not without him.

My chest hurts, my throat feels like it's closing, I feel sick. every time I think about him that's what I feel. Ive spent the past week believing he must have gotten away, I never saw a body.. but a body doesn't mean much nowadays.

I have to find somewhere to hold up, but I keep seeing things, I can barely focus on one thing at a time. days are blurring together. I feel like I'm dying like my life has no meaning. it should've been me. I should've tried harder to get to him. I should've stayed with him. let the walkers take me too. then at least I wouldn't have to feel this.

I'm so sorry Eli.

A tear slipped down her cheek as she read the last journal entry in her book, she couldn't bare to read anymore. She couldn't bring herself to read the pages before, the pages that were a constant reminder of all the good times she had with Eli. And in a way. her pain hadn't changed. She would never feel the same as she did when Eli was alive.

"Alex, Hershel is looking for you" looking up her eyes landed on her cousin who stood at her door, She knew Carl was struggling again. She'd heard what he'd done while in the woods with Hershel. In a way she understood, Yet she wished she could do more to shelter him from the pain and destruction this world would bring to his life but she couldn't. she didn't want him to lose himself the way she had. Closing the book she wiped her eyes standing up, throwing the book on her bed she could see the sadness in Carl's eyes. how the light in his eyes was slowly draining the same way hers had.

"thanks, jelly bean. how you feeling?" He shrugged as the two walked from her cell into the main living area of the cell block. Carl looked up at his cousin noticing the tears in her eyes yet deciding to not mention it.

"alright" He stated bluntly, Alex sighed her hand falling to his shoulder. She knew all he wanted to do was help and prove himself to the group. But he shouldn't have to.

"wanna go help Glenn on watch? tell him I'll take over in a bit." Carl nodded, the sad look in his eyes not faltering making Alex sigh. Carl walked off to join Glenn on watch as Alex walked through the cell block to find Hershel, her mind wondering as to why he would want to speak to her.

Catching sight of him sitting at a table, A bible laid out in front of him. Alex slowly made her way over to him, a slight feeling of anxiety washing over her as she sat opposite him at the table. he looked up at her, the wise man's eyes glued to hers as he broke the silence. 

"I never got the chance to fully thank you for saving my life.. looking after my girls" Alex shook her head as she looked up at the wiser man, he'd saved her life, and Carls after all. She didn't deserve a thank you, she just did what was right. 

"There's no need" Alex shook her head, She never expected a thank you for the things she had done she never expected a thank you for anything. Maybe Glenn's ways were rubbing off on her...

"I want you to know that I'm here if you need help with anything, Rick enlightened me on some things including a previous injury." Alex gulped, as she nodded along to his words. You can never fully hide the past, you can run from it. run as fast as you like. yet it'll never truly be fast enough.

"Thank you, Hershel, But I'm okay." Alex nodded offering a smile, her hands fiddling with the bottom of her Jacket, Anxiety brewing in her chest at the mention of her past. 

"I know you say that. but after the governor.." He sighed as he looked at the brunette, a look in his eye she hadn't seen before.

"We all care about you here Alex, I spoke with Glenn... After you were shot, that boy cares about you a tremendous amount" Glenn had told her he cared about her, yet hearing the words come from someone else, especially Hershel. His words. They made it all seem more real. she cared about him, but fear laced every decision she'd made. she couldn't handle another loss, especially someone she cared about... maybe she already cared too much for Glenn to be shielded from the pain that comes with loss.

"thank you, Hershel, I appreciate it but I better go take over being on watch" She offered another smile yet Hershel could see past the persona she was putting on.

"Let me give you some Advice Alex, Enjoy what you can... don't ever be afraid of living."

**

"Alex! Glenn! They're back!" Carol called from the Fences catching the Pair's attention, Alex's eyebrows furrowed together as she caught sight of a bus following behind them. Glenn and Alex rushed toward the gate, Their muscles flexing as they pulled the gate open. Her mind filled with questions as the bus drove past her and Glenn. a bus? what did they need that for? 

Alex and Glenn pulled the gate closed, Securing it as the two jogged toward the car, Bus and Daryl's motorbike. Eager the pair wanted to know what had gone down in Woodbury. Alex watched as people began making their way out of the bus, looking toward Rick she split away from Glenn approaching her Uncle, Her younger cousin having the same idea.

"what's going on?" She questioned, The abundance of people they'd brought back filling her mind with the consequences that could come with that decision. woodbury citizens of all ages...

"what's this?" Carl questioned, Anger still laced through his voice as he looked up to his father.

"they're gonna join us," Rick stated, Alex looked back at the people some still making their way off the bus, Maybe she was wrong. maybe things could go right for them. Carl scoffed before storming off, Rick's pained eyes fell on his niece knowing she had a special bond with Carl he hoped they would've spoken and Carl would've calmed down by the time he got back.

"I'll talk to him don't worry. you're good for this you know, maybe there still might be a bit of cop in there" Alex offered her uncle a smile, The light that had once left her eyes slowly creeping its way back. Rick smiled his arm wrapping around his niece's shoulders as he pulled her into a side hug. Alex accepted his embrace, A slither of hope finding its way back to her as she watched Hershel lead the group of Woodbury citizens inside the prison.

Maybe just maybe there was a chance of a happy ending.

**

AUTHORS NOTE: And that's season three written!!! i hope you're all enjoying this story! there's a lot of exciting plot lines too come!

thank you for reading!

i'm not sure if i want to keep writing all in here or start another book! let me know what you think 🫶🫶