twd: the last silence

Chapter 99 – "The Gate"

The gates of Alexandria stood tall in the distance, still and silent under the morning sun. The community behind them bustled with life—normal life, at least as normal as it could be.

And then Axel appeared on the horizon.

"Alright, that's enough walking," he said suddenly, before scooping Maggie into his arms without asking.

"Axel—what the hell—"

"Shh, Maggie girl. Let me have my moment." He grinned like a lunatic, then took off running, wind whipping through his hair as he bolted down the road.

"God dammit, we made it!" he howled. "Maggie girl, I told you—nobody kills me! I do the killing!"

Maggie couldn't help but hold on, part from pain, part from confusion, and part… from the terrifying joy she saw in his face.

Because in that moment—

As Axel sprinted toward the gate like a devil unchained—

She saw a smirk.

Not the usual one. Not the teasing boyish grin she'd grown weirdly used to.

No.

This one was wrong.

It was darker. Sharper. Like a predator showing its teeth before it struck. A shadow in daylight.

And just like that, it was gone.

The gate creaked open.

And Axel burst through like thunder.

"Daddy's back, baby!" he yelled with pure chaos in his voice.

People turned, startled—weapons half-raised. Rick. Daryl. Rosita. Michonne. All staring as Axel slowed to a stop, Maggie still in his arms.

"Well? Nobody missed me?" he asked, panting, eyes wild with adrenaline. "Cold as ice, like always, huh? No fun with you guys!"

Rick blinked.

"You're bleeding," he said.

"She's worse," Axel replied, motioning to Maggie. "But don't worry—I kept her breathing. Like a damn hero."

He gently lowered Maggie to the ground near the infirmary, finally letting someone else step in.

But even as he stood there, joking and smiling, Maggie kept her eyes on him.

Because behind all that charm…

She had seen it.

For a second, just one.

The demon was smiling too.

---

The meeting room in Alexandria was full. Rick stood at the front—arms crossed, jaw tight. Around the table were Daryl, Michonne, Rosita, Father Gabriel, Aaron… and now, Axel.

He sat sideways in the chair, legs kicked up, a plate of food in one hand and a lit cigarette hanging from his lips. He looked like a man in three different worlds—eating, smoking, and somehow sleeping with his eyes half-closed.

Whispers passed between the others.

"Is he... sleeping?"

"He's smoking indoors?"

"Is he seriously eating during this?"

Maggie sighed. She sat near him, her wound freshly bandaged.

"It's been two days," she said quietly, but her voice cut through the room. "He gave me every bite of food he had. Didn't touch a cigarette because I hated the smell. And he didn't sleep... not once. Because he was keeping watch. For me."

The room fell silent.

Even Rosita gave a small smile.

Daryl let out a low grunt that might've been approval.

Michonne, leaning against the wall, just nodded.

Rick looked down, then back up at Axel. His expression unreadable.

"We need to talk about Alpha," Rick finally said. "She sent scouts. Claimed to have killed Axel and Maggie. We know now it was a lie. But she's testing us. And next time, it won't be a warning. It'll be war."

A long silence followed.

Then Axel opened his eyes—completely.

Fully awake now.

He leaned forward, cigarette burning down to the filter, and dropped it to the floor, crushing it with his boot.

"Okay, guys. Here's the deal," Axel said, his voice suddenly cold and clear. "I'm going to kill that bitch."

Everyone turned to him.

"One of her mutts almost put a blade through Maggie girl. That doesn't sit right with me. So when the fight starts?" He smiled, slow and sharp. "I'll be there. And I'll kill every last one of them. Because I don't lose."

Rick didn't argue. Nobody did.

Because deep down… they believed him.

And even deeper down—they were a little afraid he might enjoy it.

---

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