I was about to confront him about it when Rick and Michonne came back, making their way down the ladder and past the other survivors waiting out the nightmare above us. Everyone was somber and I couldn't help the feeling like I was missing something. The things happening were horrible but...but there was something else. Siddiq was here, I had noticed. He'd slipped in through the tunnels, I guess. I knew it was Carl's idea - it must have been. It's the only way he could have known how to get down here.

Rick sent a harsh glare to the Middle Eastern traveler as he passed him by.

"I brought him here," Carl spoke up suddenly, making my eyes flit to him.

I nearly gaped - his shirt was damp with sweat and he looked so worn and tired, it made me frown. This wasn't because of Negan or the battle or any of that. Not at all... Rick turned to face his son then and his expression mirrored mine as he knelt at his side.

"That's how it happened..." Carl breathed out quietly and my chest tightened in anxiety.

No...please, no...

Slowly, he lifted up the hem of his shirt before peeling back a bandage on his side. Indentions of teeth were in the bloody wound hidden underneath and I couldn't help the cry that burst free from my lips.

"No, no, no, no, no! NO!" I shouted, falling to my knees beside him.

No! Please, no! No, it couldn't be! It just couldn't be! My chest heaved as sobs ripped free from my throat, making my airways constrict. It was like someone was sucking the life out of me, stealing all the air from my lungs. It wasn't true, it wasn't true... It couldn't be!

He couldn't die! He couldn't just leave me!

"Carl!" I sobbed, tears running down my face in waves.

Why?! Why?! I tried to take a breath but they came in short gasps. Carl pulled me into his chest then, letting me cry freely.

"Please, no...please...please..." I choked out, my cries muffled by the material of his shirt.

The softness of the cotton, the warmth of his arms used to warm me but now I couldn't feel anything. Not a thing. All I could feel was pain - irrevocable pain that washed over me like the stabbing of knives all over my body. He rocked us back and forth as I sobbed, clinging onto him for dear life. This couldn't be it. This couldn't be the way it all ended.

He was supposed to be my happy ending, the one I spent the rest of my life with...

How could I live without him?

Note: Well, that hurt to write. I need to leave now, excuse me. *walks off into distance and ugly crying can be heard* :"(