THE RIFLE WAS heavier than any weapon Mika was used to. It was surely a step up from her handgun, which she has gotten a little better at using in the last day and a half.

Ahead was a fox who was oblivious to their presence. It sniffed along the ground and stopped. Y/N whispered to Mika as they looked at the animal.

"That thing is gonna have quite a kick, all right? But just relax, breathe in, squeeze the trigger when you're ready."

She held the M1 Carbine and closed one eye as she aimed using the other. Mika did as told, breathing slowly, and looked at the fox.

Mika stayed still for a moment...but ultimately lowered the rifle and let out her breath. She looked at Y/N with a defeated expression.

"I can't."

The fox spotted them and scurried away. Y/N placed his hands on his waist and looked down at the little girl.

"I'm sorry." She apologized. "It's just out there, living. I didn't want to hurt it."

Y/N could tell Mika was still wary about harming the living and Y/N needed to somehow work with that.

He could hear his father speaking in his head. He wasn't there at the moment, hadn't been the last several hours, but he could still somehow hear the faint echoes of things he would tell him.

"I get it." Y/N began. "You're sweet...you're little...but those things can get you hurt. You can't change how big you are, but you can toughen up."

"I don't have to be tough." She replied. "I can run. I'm good at that."

Mika turned around and was going to walk away. Y/N shook his head and called out.

"No."

The stern tone caused Mika to stop and look back at Y/N. The young man stepped up to the girl and continued.

"Sometimes that isn't enough. I used to always go with flight in fight or flight, but you have to be prepared to fight too. My dad would always tell me that."

He didn't even realize it, but Y/N referred to his father as dad for once. He hadn't done that since he was a little boy.

"I know what it takes to fight. I can kill walkers." Mika replied, then paused. "I mean, I've tried. I'm not like my sister, I'm not messed up. I know what they are."

Y/N kept listening. Mika continued.

"But I can't kill people. I can never do that. When the bad people were at the prison, they were right in front of us. I held up my gun...but...I couldn't pull the trigger. Even that moment after I got separated, right before Lili..."

The little girl stopped for a moment before continuing again.

"I fired my gun just to try and scare them off. Killing people is wrong. Someone killed Karen and David. They were nice and—"

"What about people trying to kill you?" Y/N interjected. "Like that man shooting at you before Lili showed up?"

She looked down for a moment before gazing back at Y/N. "I don't even wish I could."

"People came in to try and hurt us, Mika." Y/N emphasized. "They destroyed our home. They killed—"

Y/N stopped before he can mention Liliana and AJ. Mika knew that he was going to say their name and understood he was still trying to get over their passing. Nonetheless, she stood firm on her belief.

"And I feel sorry for them."

"Why?" Y/N asked.

"Because they probably weren't like that before."

Mika walked away. Y/N inhaled, taking in the little girl's words. She had a point, and it also related to him. He had changed from what he was then. Same with Rick...same with Carol...the Governor...

"Mika." Y/N called out, in which the little girl turned back around and listened to what he had to say.

"You know..." He fiddled with his hands. "You know I've killed too, right?"

The little girl simply nodded. Y/N continued.

"You understand that I did that to protect people? Like Lili...like you."

Mika thought back to when she saw Y/N kill the soldier who shot Lili. She recalled how the man dropped his gun and surrendered but Y/N killed him anyway.

"What about...what about that man you shot after you found me?"

Y/N knew exactly who she was talking about. He looked back down at his hands.

"He killed Lili. And who knows if he would've picked that gun right back up if I let my guard down."

"But I know you know when to not do it also." Mika said. "Like yesterday with the guy in the pharmacy."

Y/N nodded, remembering the encounter. He actually thought about it since his father was egging him to do so...but was content with sparing the man's life.

"He was down and out. There was no need." He said.

"And that's all right." Mika replied. "My mom once said that showing mercy is harder than being cruel...but it's always the best thing."

Y/N chuckled, which confused the little girl. He soon cleared up the reason for his reaction.

"My mom would say that too. I think she read that in some quote during bible study or something."

"Me too!" She replied.

The two shared a light laugh. He went up to her and rubbed the top of Mika's head.

"Killing isn't right, I know that. It's always best to find an alternative. But, I want you to know this now. If you need help, and that alternative isn't possible...I'll do what I have to. All right?"

Mika understood he meant that he'd be willing to kill in front of her to keep her safe. She nodded and was content with his notice.

"Okay."

Y/N softly smiled. He gestured his head toward the path and they continued through the woods.

• • •

IT WAS NIGHTIME and the young couple sat on the porch of the shack. They could hear the crickets chirping along with the buzzing of other bugs within the forest. They had a couple of empty jars beside them, as they just finished enjoying some more moonshine.

"I get why my dad stopped drinking." Beth suddenly said, sitting back against the balustrade.

Ramon replied from across, sitting against the other railing. "Feeling sick?"

"Nope. I wish I could feel like this all the time. That's bad."

"I guess that's what you call a happy drunk. You're lucky. Some people can be real assholes when they drink."

Ramon's smile faded as he thought about his parents and home life. Beth took notice but before she can question him, the young man spoke again.

"There was this one time...I think I was about ten, I stayed home with my dad. My mom and sister were out doing something. He was heating something in the kitchen and the dumbass forgot about it because he was busy downing his third bottle. A fire started, I was in my bedroom sleeping, and once my dad smelled the smoke...he bolted."

Beth kept listening. Ramon continued.

"Thankfully, Erica and my mom had arrived when they saw my dad run out the door. My sister asked him where I was and he couldn't even answer. My sixteen-year-old sister ran in and got me out. Firefighters came and did their thing, they asked what happened, and parents brushed it off as a simple mistake. I would've thought my mom would kick my dad's ass for leaving me...but she didn't. A part of me thinks she instantly forgave him...because she felt like she probably would've done the same."

The young man let out a sigh and spoke once more. "Erica's been there for me. Always. She might be only six years older than me, but she did the real raising as a mom would. I looked up to her. She would've been the example for my kids if I had any."

Beth smiled after hearing his statement. Ramon looked back at her and his grin returned.

"You miss her, don't you?" She asked.

He just nodded.

"I miss Maggie. I miss her bossing me around. I miss my dad. I miss my big brother, Shawn, he was so annoying and overprotective. You two would've gone along."

"Because I'm annoying?"

She laughed in response. There was a beat before she continued.

"With my dad...I hoped he'd just live the rest of his life in peace, you know? I thought Maggie and Glenn would have a baby. And he'd get to be a grandpa..."

"...they'd run around with AJ and Judith on the grass and he'd just watch those tots with a smile on his face. We'd have birthdays and holidays and summer picnics. And he'd get really old. And it'd happen but it'd be quiet. It'd be okay. He'd be surrounded by people he loved."

Beth looked at her hands and laughed, but it was a tearful one. Ramon watched as she tried to keep herself from sobbing.

"That's how unbelievably stupid I am." She added before taking a drink.

"That's..." Ramon began. "That's how it was supposed to be. I'm sorry you couldn't have that."

Beth nodded and looked down, sniffling. Ramon let out an exhale, resting his head against the beam and looking out into the sky.

"I'm sorry." He said again. "I could've done something. I know I could've..."

Beth looked back at Ramon. "What?"

"I knew what Y/N and Michonne were actually doing. They weren't just supply runs. They were looking for the Governor." He admitted. "I could've joined them. I could've covered more ground. I could've helped find him and stopped him from—"

Ramon paused after he felt a sob about to come out. He deeply inhaled as he shook his head.

"He rolled up to our gates just like that." He added. "I didn't do anything before and even when he was face to face with us...I just watched as he did that to your dad."

"Ramon—"

"I've been doing nothing. I did nothing at Woodbury when the Governor was pillaging camps and raping my friend. I did nothing at the prison and he came back and destroyed our home. If I had just done...something..."

"Don't do that to yourself." Beth said. "Nothing is your fault. Lili...my dad...the prison...nothing is on you. And you're doing something now."

Ramon looked down from the sky and at the blonde. She continued.

"You're helping me. You're with me. 'Cause if I was alone..." She paused, looking to the side for a moment before gazing at her hands. "I probably would've given up."

The young man took in her words. Beth finally looked at him again, still speaking.

"Any guilt warranted or unwarranted, you have to put it away."

"What if you can't?" He asked.

"You have to. Or it kills you." She put her hand on her heart. "Here."

Ramon just looked at her, not giving any form of gesture or vocalizing a response. He looked at his hands and fiddled them with them too.

"I needed that." He finally spoke. "I did, really."

The blonde girl softly smiled. Ramon looked back at her and continued.

"You're very special, Beth. There—there isn't any other person I'd rather be with on this trek through the unknown...than you."

Beth still smiled, blushing a bit after seeing the young man grin at her once again. She felt the same way about Ramon and was appreciative that he was there with her now, also thanking the Lord above that he was the one she ran into after the prison attack.

There was a moment of silence between them. Ramon looked out into the woods as the blonde picked at her fingernail.

"You're just saying that because I'm a pretty little thing you got to sleep with." She teased.

Ramon chuckled. "It's not like that. Of course not. You mean a lot more to me than that."

"A lot more?"

He seemed to barely catch what he said. But, he decided not to downplay or deny it. Ramon nodded, emphasizing what she asked.

"A lot more."

• • •

Y/N AND MIKA were making their way to a bridge. They could see it in the distance and it'd only be about a mile until they reached it.

Both were currently talking as they walked. Mika was telling the story of a time she and Lizzie broke a vase in the living room.

"Then my aunt came in. We were just sitting there acting like nothing happened."

"What she say?" Y/N asked.

"Well, she knew we did it. She knew my mom would get mad. So she helped us. Made up the story that the dog she brought knocked it over."

"Oooh. Cool aunt, huh?"

"Yeah." Mike said with a smile, then randomly asked. "Did you have a dog?"

"Recently? Nah. Wouldn't be able to take care of it while playing baseball."

"How about when you were little?"

Y/N thought back. He let out a chuckle at the memory.

"We never were allowed one. Want to know why?"

Mika nodded and attentively listened.

"Before I was born, my brother used to bring in stray dogs. My mom hated that. One time he brought a mean one...ended up hurting and scaring away the other ones he had. It even bit half of my mom's ear off. So...I guess you could blame him for ruining my chance at a pet."

"Wow." Mika simply reacted. "Sorry about that."

"He should be the one saying sorry." Y/N replied with a snicker. "My brother."

"Where is he? Do you think he's still alive?"

Y/N let out an exhale. "I hope so. But then there's that part of me that doesn't think so."

"I'll keep hoping for you."

"Thanks." He said with a smile.

They kept going. Sometime later, Mika spoke again as she reached for her pocket.

"Y/N? I have something."

He turned around and faced her. Mika had been thinking about giving him the picture the last couple of days, and now she felt like it was a good time.

"I took this before we left the prison." She handed him the photo. "I waited because...I'm not sure how you'd feel."

Y/N took and looked at the photo. His breath hitched as he gazed upon it.

It was a picture of Liliana and AJ. Thanks to Glenn finding a Polaroid camera on a run weeks ago, they were able to take one

"I'm sorry if it made you sad again." Mika apologized. "I miss them too."

Y/N inhaled through his nose and nodded. He lowered the photo and smiled softly at the girl.

"I know you do, Mika. And...thank you."

The little girl smiled back, then slowly went over to hug Y/N. He reciprocated the act and embraced the short nine-year-old.

Amidst the hug, he held the picture up and looked at it again, before putting it down and continuing to hug Mika.

• • •

BETH AND RAMON had stumbled upon a funeral home. Inside, it was well kept and the two figured there had to at least be someone still living there. But upon searching the home there was nobody there. They figured the person left and would come back soon, which is something they were prepared for.

The place was stockpiled with food which they decided to indulge in, making sure just to get a certain amount in case the home's inhabitant came back. They even took some wrappings from the morgue downstairs so they could treat Beth's ankle, which she twisted the day before.

Ramon went to go check the alarm system they put up earlier in the day, consisting of cans and string. He came back inside, hearing the piano playing in the reception area along with rather angelic-sounding singing.

He entered the room and saw Beth facing the piano, playing it and singing a song. He leaned against the wall and watched, the blonde oblivious to his presence.

Pine for summer,

then we'll buy a beer to shotgun,

we'll lay on our lawn,

and we'll be good...

Beth played a couple more keys before stopping. She could hear the creak beneath Ramon's footsteps amidst the silence and turned around. The young man was smiling.

"Why'd you stop?" He asked.

"I felt eyes burning into the back of my head." She joked.

The two laughed. Ramon crossed his arms and kept looking at the blonde.

"You have a beautiful voice." He said sincerely, then after a brief pause he grinned. "Piano skills, though..."

"Oh, haha."

He gestured out of the room. "Food still on the table, right?"

She nodded. He went to the kitchen to eat some of the things they had out. Beth followed him and they sat at the table. There were jars of peanut butter, jam, and bottles of soda. Ramon started to finish the jar of peanut butter he had left earlier.

"Sucks that there is no bread." He remarked. "I could've made us sandwiches."

"Really?"

"I make the best. Cut them right down the middle. Yum. There's a good meal."

She arched a brow. "You cut them how?"

Ramon ate a glob of peanut butter from the spoon. "Down the middle."

"Not diagonally?"

"Oh, hell no. Weirdos do that."

Beth scoffed. "What's wrong with that? We did that all the time."

"And that makes you a weirdo."

Beth rolled her eyes as they shared a quick laugh. She took out her journal and ripped out an empty page from it.

"I'm going to write a thank you note."

"For what?"

"If they come back. Even if they don't, I still want to say thanks."

She started to write. Ramon stayed quiet for a bit, thinking as he held the jar of peanut butter.

"Maybe you don't have to leave a note."

Beth looked at Ramon. The man took another spoonful in and explained his reasoning.

"We could stick around for a while. They come back and we can thank them ourselves. Who knows? Maybe they'll be down with two new roomies."

"So...you think they're good people?" She asked.

He shrugged, scraping some more peanut butter out of the jar.

"There's gotta be some still out there." He replied. "You said it before, they were taking care of those bodies downstairs, respected and still dressed them up. Shows that they still have their humanity."

Beth nodded at his reasoning. He had finished his food and put it down.

"Or maybe they're crazy and like playing dress up with corpses they find on the road. Just hop on my back and I'll run as fast as I can."

The two laughed, recalling how Ramon had been basically carrying her all day and yesterday because of her foot.

"I'm feeling better now. You wouldn't have to." She said.

He shrugged, smiling back at her. "I don't mind. I'd run miles for you if I have to."

Suddenly, they heard cans rattling and the whining of a dog. Ramon encountered one earlier in the day and assumed it returned for some food.

"Dogs like peanut butter, right?" He asked as he grabbed another jar. "I'll invite him in too. Get him cozy."

Ramon left the kitchen and to the front door. He opened the door without hesitation expecting to see the dog...but was met with several walkers on the porch instead.

"Shit!" He exclaimed.

They snarled and lunged at him right when he shut the door. It didn't fully close and they tried getting in but Ramon used his weight to keep them at bay.

"Beth! Beth!"

She came in and saw what was transpiring. Beth held the M1911 he left on the table and tossed it to him after motioning for it.

"Run!" He shouted at her.

Ramon stepped back and let them come in. He held up the pistol and fired.

BANG! BANG!

He ran down the hallway with Beth. She was up ahead and Ramon stopped a couple of times to shoot at the incoming walkers.

BANG!

"Open a window! Get your things!" Ramon exclaimed.

He heard her yell from across the hall. "I'm not gonna leave you!"

"Go out! I'll meet you up the road!"

They swarmed the small corridor and Ramon looped around into a room, getting their attention as Beth went the other way. Ramon shouted at them.

"Over here, vatos!"

BANG! BANG!

He shot at them again as he went downstairs to the morgue. He looked back and shot at them as they came down.

BANG! BANG!

BANG!

click!

Ramon realized he was out of ammo and stepped back. He saw a gurney and put it in front of him, keeping the walkers back as they flailed their arms at him. He took out his switchblade and stabbed a few of them.

SULK!

SULK!

SULK!

He quickly went under the gurney and slipped through, grabbing another and sandwiching the remaining walkers between it and the other. Ramon immediately ran back up the stairs, killing a straggler that was coming down.

SULK!

Ramon made it outside the funeral home and ran toward the road he said he'd met Beth at. On his way, he saw a familiar-looking bag on the ground. It was the blonde's bag. He panted as he looked down.

Suddenly, he heard the squealing of tires. He darted his eyes to his right and saw a car starting to speed down the road. Immediately, he assumed whoever was driving had taken Beth.

"Beth!" He shouted and started to run after it. "Beth!"

The car kept going until it disappeared into the night. Still, Ramon kept running...and running...and running.

The sun had come up. It had been hours since Beth was kidnapped. Ramon was still running, only having taken three-second breaks along the way to catch his breath.

The road was lonely. The car was long gone and far from where he was now but Ramon didn't care. He just needed to keep running. He needed to keep hoping. He was running miles for her...just like he said.

Ramon stopped for a few seconds to catch his breath before resuming again. He was drenched in sweat. He kept going and going until he made it to a railroad track, where he stopped and looked around.

He dropped to his knees and then sat on his bottom. Ramon's legs burned and he was thirsty, but he didn't care about those things. The thing that hurt the most was the realization that he might've lost Beth forever.

The Latino sat in the middle of the road, crossed-legged and looking down. He didn't even notice the sound of incoming footsteps and didn't look up until someone spoke.

"Well, lookit here."

Several men surrounded Ramon. One of them neared him, and immediately, the young man swung and punched him across the face. He took out his gun, and despite it being empty, he aimed it at the guy on the ground. Everyone else raised their weapons at Ramon.

"I'm claiming the kid's shoes." One of them called out. "Those some 1s? I like 'em."

The leader looked up at Ramon, impressed by his demeanor and instinct to attack first. Before he can speak up, another voice called out.

"You ain't claiming shit."

Ramon looked ahead, seeing a familiar man coming out of the woods. They eyed each other and the bowman stepped closer.

"I know 'em." Daryl said.

• • •

THE GIRL LOOKED up at the sign. It was the second one they'd run into, the first being by a bridge they crossed a few miles back. She read it to herself again.

SANCTUARY
FOR ALL
COMMUNITY
FOR ALL
THOSE WHO ARRIVE
SURVIVE

Y/N looked at it too. Their initial plan wasn't to follow the railroad tracks but they found themselves doing so. A part of them thought maybe survivors of the prison attack could be there.

"Why the rhyme?" Mika asked.

Y/N turned to her. "Hmm?"

"Or I mean why is it like...a poem? You see it?"

The young man eyed the words more and he did recognize what she meant.

"It's catchy, I guess. They got us talking about it, right?"

Mika nodded. "I like poems. I remember learning about it in school."

"Got any favorites?"

"I guess..." She thought about it, then shrugged. "Green Eggs and Ham."

"That's a poem?" Y/N replied.

"Yeah."

"I thought it was just a book."

"Based on Dr. Seuss's poem."

"Ah." Y/N rubbed his chin. "See? You're already smarter than I was at your age."

The two softly laughed. As they did, Y/N looked back at the tracks and saw three figures in the distance. His survival instincts came in and immediately grabbed Mika.

"Hide. Come on."

They scurried into the woods. Within the shrubbery, the two watched as the three figures came closer. He held the M1 Carbine and Mika clutched her pistol.

"Wait...is that?" Mike questioned as he kept looking.

Y/N also eyed the trio. He could barely see them in the distance...but as they neared he could tell it was a man, a woman, and a child.

Mika was the first to realize. "It is..."

"What?"

"It's them!"

"Are—"

Suddenly, the girl ran out of cover and onto the tracks. Mika reached out and immediately exclaimed.

"Mika! Mika!"

The trio spotted the girl on the tracks. They were vigilant at first from her shout and the man reached for his weapon, but quickly noticed who it was.

Y/N got out too. At that very moment, all of them seem to know who each person was. Y/N was in awe at the sight of people he thought were lost forever.

"Rick?" He called out.

The former sheriff's deputy gazed back. "Y/N? Mika?"

"It is you!" Mika exclaimed as he ran to them.

She hugged Rick first. Although they were never close at the prison, she was just so happy to finally see him. Michonne opened her arms out and embraced the girl too.

"Holy shit." Y/N breathed out as he went up to Rick, hugging him too.

"You made it out." Rick said, patting his back.

He left the embrace and then went to Michonne. She smiled as she invited him in for a hug.

"I thought I'd lost you guys." Y/N said.

Michonne held in her tears as she closed her eyes mid-embrace. "I thought so too."

Carl was also hugging Mika. The girl was happy to see that she wasn't the only kid who survived the prison's fall.

"Big man." Y/N greeted Carl next, smiling as he still hugged Mika.

"I'm so happy to see you guys." He told them.

Y/N looked at each of them. "So...it's just you guys?"

Rick nodded. "Just me and Carl at first. Michonne caught up with us not long after. Been on the move the last couple of days."

"Where's Lili?" Carl asked Y/N.

There was silence at first. Y/N looked down and shook his head. The rest immediately understood that Liliana was likely dead. They didn't even want to ask about AJ...as they feared his answer would be the same.

"I'm sorry." Michonne said.

Y/N took a breath in. "It's been Mika and I for the last few days. We just stumbled upon these tracks some time ago."

"You've seen the signs?" Rick asked.

"Yeah. Been following them?"

"We have. Thought some people who survived the Governor's attack would be there."

"We thought the same." Mika chimed in. "I'm hoping my sister is there."

"I hope so too." Y/N said. "As well as everyone else. Might be unrealistic to think so...but—"

"It's best to hope." Carl interjected.

Y/N agreed. Rick looked out at the rest of the tracks ahead.

"We should keep moving then. Along the way, we can stop and rest, hunt, something. We got half a day's water left..."

"We got some. Don't worry about it." Y/N said.

The former officer nodded. The quintet kept moving forward on the train tracks.

After resting at a makeshift camp for some time, they kept moving. Michonne, Carl, and Mika were ahead of Rick and Y/N.

The swordswoman was talking with the children, having quick laughs as well. Everything seemed more jovial now after reuniting.

Mika started to imitate a robot with her voice and arms as she joked about the name of the sanctuary they were traveling to.

"I am a robot. Come live with me at Terminus. Dance with our robot friends. Ter-ma-nis. Ter-ma-nis."

Carl and Michonne laughed. The boy tried it himself but came out worse than hers. The trio laughed it off as well.

Behind them, Rick and Y/N watched. Although not as noticeable, they had smiles on their faces. They had a sense of contentment that they hadn't had in days.

The two kept walking. Finally, Rick spoke up.

"I'm sorry." He said as he looked down. "Didn't say so earlier...but I am sorry for your loss."

Y/N understood he was talking about Liliana and AJ. Rick had lost Lori a year ago and has seemingly lost Judith too. Both men had something they could relate to, having lost their first love and then a child.

"I'm sorry too." Y/N replied, turning to him. He let out a breath and looked back down. "I'm—I'm also sorry that I couldn't...ugh...that couldn't find him sooner."

"Don't be." Rick interjected. "None of us had an idea where the Governor was."

He had a point. Months of searching with Michonne turned out fruitless. It just turned out that Philip was able to find them again and act first.

"The sorrys aside." Rick began. "I also want to thank you...for saving me."

Y/N recalled how Philip was about to strangle Rick to death before he ended up stabbing him. The young man shrugged, letting out a chuckle.

"Look at us. Who knew that months after you pointed a gun to my face we'd be chatting it up like buddies?"

Rick snickered, thinking back at the day he and Michonne showed up to the fences of the prison. To him, it felt like not so long ago.

He looked ahead, seeing his son talking to Mika and Michonne.

"If it wasn't for Carl...well..."

"Then I'd have a hole between my eyes right now." Y/N interjected.

"Pretty much."

Y/N laughed it off. He also looked ahead, seeing the two children chatting as if there weren't any walkers ready to creep up at any moment.

"Glad that wasn't the case."

• • •

THE CLAIMERS ENDED up recruiting Ramon thanks to advocacy by Daryl. It was that or let the young man get beaten to death for his things.

Daryl explained that they had found him on the road a couple of days ago. He had gotten a sense of their rules and explained to Ramon what they did and how they operated, even telling the story of how they killed a man named Len for believing he was lying.

When they had a chance alone during a walk, Ramon explained what had happened to Beth. Although he possibly had support now, the young man did not feel as if it was a good idea to let the Claimers know of his predicament, to which Daryl agreed.

"Right." He replied. "Ain't bright letting 'em know there's a barely legal farm girl waiting to be found."

"I have to keep moving." Ramon said. "You should come with me."

"Been thinking of leavin', just waiting for the right time."

"Is now a right time?"

Daryl paused for a moment, looking ahead at the rest of the Claimers to see if anyone was overhearing. In reality, the redneck had felt lost and wasn't looking to leave right away...but the reunion with Ramon and hearing about Beth finally gave him a reason to do so.

"Yeah." Daryl responded to his question. "We'll go tonight when everyone—"

"Ray-Ray!" The leader, Joe, abruptly called out ahead. "Come here a moment."

Ramon glanced at Daryl before jogging up to Joe. He spat a loogie out before speaking to the young man.

"So...how you know Daryl? Just curious is all."

"Uh...knew him in Georgia. Hunted with my old man and we rubbed elbows."

Although he lied, Joe either didn't care or seemed to believe it.

"So you hunt?" He asked, to which Ramon simply nodded.

"Good. Gonna need a hunter now that Len is gone." Joe added. "And not just animals..."

Ramon arched a brow. Joe explained what he meant to clear up the confusion.

"There's a couple of assholes we're after. Killed my friend Lou and then choked out Brian. Even took their jacket and guns. Can you believe that? Didn't even claim 'em."

The young man didn't answer, only listening to what Joe had to say. The man continued.

"And once we find 'em. We're gonna make sure they know that they screwed with the wrong people."

• • •

THEY HAD FOUND an abandoned SUV on the side of the road earlier that evening. Once it got dark and chillier, Carl and Mika napped in there while the adults were outside around the small fire.

"That was one small rabbit." Rick remarked, seated beside Michonne on the log.

"It was something." She replied. "Gotta hand it to the thing. It traveled well."

Rick chuckled. "Have you noticed that's all we talk about anymore?"

Y/N sat on a rock across from them. He was picking the dirt from his fingernails and noticed they were rather long.

"What? Food?" He also chuckled. "Honestly, I forgot what this felt like."

"Me, too." Michonne said. "I hope we're able to forget again soon."

"We're close." Rick replied with a nod, then put out the fire by kicking dirt onto it. "Just got to make it through another day."

"What you think about this place?" Y/N asked. "Terminus?"

"If folks there are taking people in, they have to be strong. They have to have a system."

Michonne exhaled. "I wonder if the whole thing's legit."

Suddenly, they heard a branch snap. Rick stood up and looked around. Y/N and Michonne also did, the woman about to unsheathe her sword and the young man going for his knife.

They heard it again. Y/N looked back and saw a figure in the darkness. He gripped his knife and watched as they walked out. His eyes widened after seeing who it was.

"Holy shit..." Ramon breathed out as he saw the three.

"Ramon?" Y/N called out, also looking back at Rick and Michonne with an expression of elation.

Y/N expected him to come up and embrace him. But that man's face had nothing but worry.

"You guys got to get the hell away from here." He warned.

"What? Why—?"

"These men. They're—"

As they listened to Ramon, Rick felt the barrel of a gun press against the side of his head. Joe along with several other Claimers came out of the woods with their weapons drawn, even at Ramon who they overheard give the warning.

"So...I guess these are your people, Ray-Ray?" Joe asked with a chuckle. "Trying to give them the heads up? That ain't how this works."

Ramon was suddenly hit in the back of the head by a Claimer. He fell to the ground.

"I knew a scrawny little bitch like you wouldn't have survived this long out here without help." Joe continued speaking to Ramon as he held Rick at gunpoint, finally he put his attention on the former officer. "On your knees."

With gritted teeth, Rick obliged along with Michonne. Y/N still was on his feet as he eyed the Claimers in front of him.

"Today's the day of reckoning, sir." Joe spoke to Rick. "Restitution. Balancing the whole damn universe. Shit, and I was thinking of turning in for the night on New Year's Eve."

Joe chuckled as he glanced at Rick and then Y/N. He knew they were the ones that killed Lou and attacked Brian based on the jacket Rick had and the rifle by Y/N's feet.

For even more confirmation, Brian looked into the SUV and saw Mika, who he remembered seeing before being choked out earlier that week.

"Oh, yeah. This is the guy, Joe." He called out.

Carl and Mika were startled awake when another Claimer, Dan, pounded on the window. He menacingly grinned as he held the knife against the glass.

"Now, who's gonna count down the ball dropper with me, huh?" Joe joked. "Ten Mississippi. Nine Mississippi. Eight Mississippi."

"Joe!" They heard a voice call out.

Daryl appeared, having finally caught up with the group. He saw Ramon on the ground along with his other friends held up at gunpoint. Y/N, Rick, and Michonne were shocked to see him.

"Hold up." Daryl spoke again.

Joe was annoyed. "You're stopping me on eight, Daryl."

"Just hold up." He said again as he stepped forward.

"These the guys that killed Lou and damn near killed Brian. We got nothing to talk about." Another Claimer said.

"The thing about nowadays is we got nothing but time." Joe interjected. "Say your piece, Daryl."

Daryl looked Joe straight in the eye. "These people, you're gonna let 'em go. These are good people."

"Now, I think Lou would disagree with you on that. I'll, of course, have to speak for him and all 'cause your friend here strangled him in a bathroom."

"You want blood, I get it." Daryl replied then dropped his crossbow. He opened up his arms. "Take it from me, man. Come on."

Joe was speechless for a moment from Daryl's act. He kept looking at the redneck.

"These people killed our friend. You say they're good people. See, now that right there is a lie. It's a lie!"

A Claimer went up to Daryl and hit him in the stomach with his gun. Another grabbed him from behind and dragged the man away.

"Teach him, fellas." Joe called out to the two men who started beating Daryl. "Teach him all the way."

Another man grabbed Ramon too and landed a right hook across his face. He was kicked in the face before he can get up.

Everything was happening fast. As they were getting beat, Dan opened the car door and pulled Carl out. Y/N looked over as it happened, watching as another Claimer, Charlie, dragged Mika out as well and she shouted.

Y/N was about to run toward them. "No—"

Brian stopped Y/N with a punch to the stomach and then a knee to the face once he doubled over.

"You leave them be!" Rick shouted as he too noticed the men taking the children.

Michonne gritted her teeth as he saw Dan holding Carl and sniffing his hair. She wanted to act but a Claimer had his gun in front of her face.

"You'll get yours." He said. "You just wait your turn."

"Listen, it was me. It was just me." Rick pleaded.

Y/N grunted as he got up and landed a blow to Brian's side. He was going to land another but a Claimer nearby joined in and punched him in the face. Y/N fell to the floor again but still decided to speak up.

"You—you touch them, I'll kill you. I'll fucking kill you! And I'll do it slowly..."

Brian chuckled. "You hear that, Joe? Brother got some balls."

Y/N continued. "You're gonna wish for it to be quick...you'll be begging for it."

He was kicked again. Joe spoke to Rick as they watched his friends get beat up.

"Look, we're reasonable men. We can settle this." He said. "First, we're gonna beat Daryl and the wetback to death. Then we'll have the lady. Then the girl. Then the boy. Then we'll just shoot you and your friend and then we'll be square."

Joe laughed out loud afterward. Rick glanced to his left and saw Dan throw Carl to the floor and get on top of him. The boy writhed beneath him.

"Stop squirming." Dan said with a menacing smile, also taking off his jacket.

Nearby, Charlie pinned Mika to the side of the car. He gave her a menacing grin as he laughed, going for his belt buckle.

"Everything will be all right. Best to not move as much sweetie."

Rick glared ahead. Y/N could also hear Mika whimpering while he tried fighting the two Claimers, but they'd keep overpowering and striking him down.

"Let them go." Rick demanded through seethed teeth, then headbutted Joe behind him, causing the gun to go off.

BANG!

He was in a daze as his ears rang. Rick shook his head and spun around to punch Joe. He landed a hit but Joe countered with a harder one that sent Rick to the ground.

"I got him." Joe informed his men and kicked Rick in the stomach. "Oh, it's gonna be so much worse now!"

Daryl and Ramon were still getting beat up. Michonne tried to disarm the Claimer in front of her but was immediately slapped across the face. Y/N was still getting beat by Brian and his colleague.

"I got this piece of shit." Brian told the other Claimer. "Go get some licks in on the Mexican."

The man chuckled before going toward the downed Ramon and beating him too. It was now just Brian and a battered Y/N on the ground.

He kept kicking Y/N. The young man grunted as the Claimer started to taunt him.

"Look how things turned out..." Brian struck him again. "You're getting your shit kicked in while Charlie has his way with your little girl."

Y/N got kicked again but this time in the face. Suddenly, he could hear his father shout at him from the side of the road. It was the first time he'd appeared since yesterday.

"These men are going to rape those kids! What are you gonna do about it!?"

Brian kicked him again and continued. "Then afterward, Charlie and I are gonna switch. He's gonna beat you while I take my turn with her."

His father spoke again. "If you let that happen you're no better than me! In fact, you'll be worse. So much fucking worse!"

The young man was kicked again. Y/N coughed as Brian laughed. Then suddenly, he began to speak in unison with his father on the side.

"This is your fault..."
"This is your fault..."

Brian leaned over Y/N. The man glanced at the Claimer, seeing that his father had appeared right beside him...also leaning over.

"You should have killed me."
"You should have killed him."

Then suddenly...all Y/N could see was red.

(A/N: I put a track at the top of the chapter in the media if you want to listen. I've basically had it on repeat writing this chapter and I feel like it embodies Y/N's mental state when he finally snaps)

Meanwhile, Rick got up and stumbled toward Carl, but Joe was in his way.

"Get away from him before I—"

Joe got Rick in a bear hug and continued to taunt him.

"Right over here! What the hell are you gonna do now, sport?"

Immediately, Rick bit into the side of Joe's jugular, taking out a chunk of his neck.

SHRIIIP!

Blood spurted out of the wound and Joe gurgled. Rick spat the piece of flesh aside and let the leader's body fall to the floor.

Every single one of the Claimers looked on in shock. This gave Y/N a chance to act, lunging at Brian and landing a hard left hook across his face.

Afterward, Y/N grabbed his head...digging his two thumbs into his eyes. Brian yelled out as his nails stabbed deeper into the soft muscle of his eyeballs.

SUUUUULK!

Y/N kept going...and going...and going, all with a dark expression on his face. He let go of Brian, who laid on the floor still screaming in pain from his gouged-out eyes.

Michonne then took the chance to grab the Claimer's gun and forced him to shoot himself.

BANG!

Daryl quickly punched one of the Claimers across the face, then immediately stomped on his cranium. Michonne held the gun and shot two others in the head.

BANG!

BANG!

BANG!

She ended up shooting a third time in an attempt to kill the one over Ramon but hit the Claimer's shoulder instead. Despite that, Ramon picked up the knife from one of the dead Claimers and stabbed the man in the side.

SULK!

He groaned in pain. Ramon took the knife out and stabbed him again in the neck once he fell to his knees.

SULK!

Charlie just stood there. He was still holding Mika, looking on in shock at his dead colleagues. Y/N eyed him menacingly and started going up to him.

"Whoa!" Charlie let go of Mika and put his hands up. "I'm—"

Y/N didn't let him speak and punched him straight in the face. He then grabbed the back of his head and slammed him into the SUV's window.

CRACK!

The glass didn't break yet, but his nose surely did. He slammed his head against it again.

CRACK!

It still didn't break. Bones within his face did, though. Y/N tried again.

SCRASH!

The glass finally gave in. Charlie cried out in pain and Y/N let him fall to the floor by the car door.

But Y/N wasn't done yet. He opened the door and kicked Charlie in the stomach, forcing him to lean in. Without warning, Y/N slammed the door on his head.

THUD!

He did so again.

THUD!

And again.

THUD!

And again.

THUD!

He continued, now doing so rapidly.

THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD!

CRESH!

Before he knew it, Charlie was already decapitated. Y/N panted as he let the door close fully, looking down at the bloody mess on the leafy asphalt.

Nearby, Rick had already dealt with Dan, having disemboweled and stabbed him multiple times. Both he and Charlie got what was coming to them...since they were willing to commit heinous acts on the children.

Suddenly, Y/N heard groaning. He looked ahead at the road and saw a now-blind Brian trying to crawl away. He was all that was left...but Y/N wasn't going to leave him.

Not like how he did before.

He stepped up to the man on the side of the road. Y/N loomed over him for a moment, seeing that he was still profusely bleeding from his eye sockets.

"What are you going to do now?" His father spoke from aside.

With no response, Y/N stomped on Brian's head.

CRACK!

CRACK!

CRACK!

CRACK!

CRUNCH!

He kept doing so until his skull was practically exposed and there were chunks of crimson flesh on the floor. Y/N caught his breath and looked back, seeing the aftermath of their deeds.

The Claimers were dead. They were safe...at least for now.

Michonne was on her knees holding Carl close. Daryl and Ramon stood around, not saying a word. Rick still loomed over the mutilated body of Dan.

Then there was Mika. She was frozen stiff as she looked at Y/N. His hands were stained with blood. His shirt was painted red. His boot was covered in the crimson ooze too.

Y/N just looked back at her...and a part of him feared that she would be so afraid of him now. She had just witnessed him kill the men in such a brutal fashion.

"M—Mika." He stammered as he stepped forward, shaking his head. "I'm...I'm so so—"

The little girl immediately ran to him, embracing the young man. It wasn't long into she started wailing into his shirt, having been so scared of what the men were going to them.

Y/N was taken aback at first but reciprocated the embrace. He knelt to her level and continued hugging her, rubbing her back as he did.

"I did what I had to, honey. I had to. I said I would."

During the somber moment, he could sense his father standing nearby. He was content with what he saw, and like how he mentioned before...had a front-row seat through all of it. The man smirked.

"Attaboy. That's how it's done."