Rick's P.O.V

Carl tossed me my colt python and threw his bag over his shoulders.
His nose flared and he had my sheriff's hat on, and his face read 'this is war'.

I pushed through the door, met by Abraham and  Glenn, lock, loaded, strapped, devoted-- even sugar coated. We're going to go save Daryl and my wife.

By any means necessary.

"Let's chew some asphalt." Abraham said, tossing me the keys.

Glenn looked worried as ever, like he didn't want to go. I would understand if he didn't though, his wife is on bed rest.. I was a fool to even ask him to go.

"Hey, Glenn.. You wanna maybe stay behind?" I asked.

He quickly perched up and shook his head no, "Nah, I'm good man."

I pat him on the shoulder and nodded at him. Glenn is my right-hand,  he's always strong for me-- even when he's not strong enough for himself.

We got in the RV and waited for Carl to come out the house.

Abraham sat with his back against the seat, staring at Sasha sitting on their porch and Glenn sat across from him.

Carl soon ran out the house and joined us in the RV, he took the passenger seat upfront with me and stared ahead like he was disgusted with the world.

"Carl we gonna save them." I whispered to him.

"Just drive before it's too late," He snapped.

I sighed and pulled off in the RV.
I'm trying to look at the positive side in all of this, and even though there isn't one--- it doesn't hurt to believe.
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Carl's P.O.V

We drove for a while, checking every street but still no sign of Jay.

I'm too worried-- I'm losing hope.

They've got him, and Michonne and Daryl!

I can't lose him, he's all I really have in this world. He's the closest thing I have to a bestfriend, because now Michonne has dad and they're so in love-- she doesn't have time for me anymore.

I can't lose Michonne either. She is more of a mother to me than my dad is a father. Afraid to admit, I love her more than I love myself.

And Daryl -- he's like my uncle. He's important to me as anyone else.

I love them all.

Abraham and Glenn sat behind me, talking about babies and what not. I tried my best not to over hear anything, because god forbid I wanted to, but every time Abraham said another one of his strange phrases...I just zoned back into the conversation.

The only thing that interested me, was the fact that Glenn is nervous he won't be back in time for the baby to be born.
He also consulted in Abraham about what it's like raising a child-- since Abraham was a father before all of this-- and will be again very soon.

Their conversation went on and on, from Abraham explaining how he and Sasha were going to wait for the baby to be born to find out the gender, to Glenn worrying about the name of his baby boy.

"Look," Dad exclaimed.

He mashed the brakes and I almost flew forward but
Luckily, I was paying a bit of attention and was able to catch myself.

Dad pointed ahead and began loading his gun.

In the middle of the Road, there were about a dozen saviors, all strapped with guns and knives.

Beside them, Michonne and Daryl.

They were on their knees, with bags over their heads and their hands tied up behind their back.

And, In front of all them, In front of us-- stood Jaden Thomas.

My brother, my warrior.

Dad jumped out the RV and qued for us to follow.

We did. Abraham, Glenn and I all slowly walked out the RV, holding our guns up so we could fire at any moment.

"Well looka here looka here! You've found us." Dwight spoke.

He smiled at all of us and shot Jay an evil glare.

I swear to god If he tries something-- I'll.. Well I don't know yet but I'll do something.

"Cut to the chase, give me Daryl and give me my wife!" Dad yelled.

"You can have them. Just give us the boy."   Dwight smiled

Jay didn't look back at us, and I couldn't tell if he was even alive.

He didn't move an inch. I can't see his face, so I'm not sure if he's scared, worried or crying.
Probably all of the above.

"How about we make a de--"

"We don't negotiate." A savior exclaimed, cutting dad off.

"You're not getting him!" I yelled

"Well, You're not getting these two." Dwight walked over to Michonne and Daryl and gently, but yet aggressively, hit them in the head with his pistol.

"STOP! JUST STOP." Dad yelled.

Jay then dropped his backpack off his shoulders and began walking toward them, with his guard and gun still up.

"Look, It's all over now. I surrender-- you win, give them up." Jay pleaded

No no no no no no no no no no

"JAY STOP YOU DONT HAVE TO DO THIS!" I yelled behind him.

He glanced back at me, and I watched as the tear rolled down his face. When the tear reached his mouth, he smiled.

At a time like this, Jay smiled.

Dwight grinned and untied Michonne and Daryl. He got them on their feet and pushed them on.

Daryl walked off and flicked Dwight the birdie and Michonne ran to my dad.

I only caught a second of her face, but when I did, I saw bruises and a little bit of blood.

They beat her up. Maybe even worse. Those sick fucks! how could they do that to her?

Dad wrapped his arms around Michonne and she cried into his shoulder.
He pulled her away and examined her face, her bruised eye and forehead and her busted lips.

"What did you do to her! Why did you hurt her!!" He shouted

Dad was angry, the veins on his forehead and neck throbbed as he shouted and spit flew from his mouth -- Michonne even had to hold him back from getting at Dwight.

It was a painful thing to watch.

"Drop the gun Jaden. We just want you-- no gun, no trouble." Dwight reasoned.

And surprisingly, Jay actually slid his gun unto the ground and placed his hands in the air.

I can't believe he's doing this---I can't let him do this! !

Right before I ran out the line and snatched Jaden back, a hooded figure crept out the woods with an RPG in hand.

"Let him go." the masked man said to the saviors.

Right when the words left his mouth, I instantly knew who the masked man was.

It was Tyler. . Jolene's son.
This must be part of Jay's plan.

I knew he had this!!

The saviors began mumbling and shaking their heads-- yeah! We've got an RPG how about that ya shitfaces?

Dwight finally turned toward his crew and gestured for them to go back.

"We may be leaving but this isn't over." Dwight said, hopping on a bike.

They all started their bikes at the same time and drove off, one by one.

Jay turned his head and we made eye contact. He was crying, and I almost was too. We connect on a brotherly vibe when we gaze into each others eyes, we're just that close.

He opened his arms and began walking to me but

Before

I

Could

Hug

Him

Before

I

Could

Scream---

Dwight had already stood up on the bike, turned around and pulled the trigger on his gun..

Everything went quiet and time slowed down a bit.

The bullet went through Jay's head and he fell to the ground.

It was silent and I could actually hear his body drop, let along see it drop.

The hole in his head leaked blood and suddenly I felt sick to my stomach. Like I couldn't move, like I couldn't breathe.

I heard Michonne scream Jay's name as she pushed Rick away and ran to Jay's lifeless body.

Tyler threw his hoodie off and began firing the RPG repeatedly at the bikes as they drove away. He was going crazy.

Jay's dead. Dwight killed him.
I let him slip from my fingers. And I could've saved him!

If I would've yelled him name in time!! It's my fault.

I never made it to his hug in time. I won't ever get to hug him again, because he's dead.

30 seconds ago, everything was fine and Jaden Thomas still lived.

Now he's lying on the ground with a hole in his head.

I won't ever get the chance to tell him how proud of him I am,  what a hero he is.

Jaden died to save Michonne and Daryl-- actually, he died for all of us.

Suddenly, my knees locked and my vision began to blur. I felt like I was falling and I couldn't catch my self. I couldn't breathe, I couldn't blink.

Jaden's voice played in my head--- so serene and pacific, he said

"Carl, you can't protect me anymore."

The last words he ever said to me. And I feel like he was right,

I couldn't save Jaden. I can't even save myself.

I felt my head slam against the hard concrete and it practically knocked me out. I fluttered my eyes open for as long as I could, tears running from them....

Dad and Abraham crowded me, screaming my name. But I could barely hear them, I could barely see them.

All I could hear was Jay, All I could see was Jay. Him walking to me for a hug and then a bullet going through his head.

"Set me free, Carl."

And that was the last thing I heard as I shut my eyes for good.

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This book is absolute trash, I know you guys are so done with me

:( I'm sorrrryyyyyy! But for real this time RIP Jaden Thomas,  Chapter 5- 34.

You can hate me now, I used a Negan reference.