The extended sneak peek into "The Walking Dead" mid-season 8 finale strengthens rumors that one important character is dying. And now fans and critics believe it could be far more devastating than that of Glenn's (Steven Yeun) death.

Mid-season finales have always been explosive in the zombie series.

Season 8 began with Rick's (Andrew Lincoln) team unleashing hell on the Sanctuary, confining Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and the rest of his Saviors in a building surrounded by zombies.

But now that they are out, Negan is hell bent on payback. And it looks like Alexandria, supposed to be the safe zone for Rick's team, is his main target. It will be up to injured Michonne (Danai Gurira) and the eyepatch-bearing Carl (Chandler Riggs) to protect the children and other inhabitants of the village.

"All we need to do is survive the night," Carl is seen saying in the trailer for episode 8 "How It's Gonna Be."

It was earlier rumored that this will be Carl's last episode, as he would either die or leave for good following the mid-season finale. Those at The Spoiling Dead Fans said a bloody Carl was seen after filming the season's eighth episode, and added that this was the last time he was seen filming.

Independent UK, however, predicts that it would be Rick's young daughter Judith who will be saying good-bye. The leader of Alexandria earlier discovered a baby Gracie at the Sanctuary, and one theory believes that it is Gracie, not Judith, that Rick sees in his flash-forward dreams.

Speaking of Rick, he has his own fierce battle coming up on the next episode. He will be joined by his new shady ally, Jadis (Pollyanna McIntosh) and the untrustworthy Scavengers.

Maggie (Lauren Cohan) is seen in the car with Jesus (Tom Payne), in a relatively peaceful environment, until they reach a section in the road blocked by an upended tree. Jesus does not think much of it, but Maggie, who has encountered it in the past, knows just how much trouble they are in.

"The Walking Dead" mid-season finale airs Dec. 10, Sunday, 9 p.m. EDT on AMC.