What Lies Ahead • the walking dead ¹

8 • Last day

Alexa snuck up behind Shane watching as he aimed his shotgun at Rick, who was walking in the distance. She could see the hungry look in his eye as he adjusted his finger on the trigger, his eye squinted like he was ready to kill. The girl pulled out her pistol, she despised the idea of maybe having to murder this man.

Shane lowered his shotgun as relief flooded over the girl. But Shane turned to face her and quickly her relief was replaced by dread.

"That was close." She commented, glancing at Rick, then at Shane's shotgun. Shane chuckled apprehensively as the pair locked eyes.
"I know." He grumbled, glimpsing in Rick's direction. "Gonna have to start wearing reflective vests out here." Again his eyes locked with Alexa's.

He could tell the girl wasn't convinced. "Seriously." He expressed. His eyes wandered back to Rick. "Come on, man." He called over.
"Come on, girl, let's go. Ain't nothing out here."
Shane adjusted his hat on his head before he started to leave. Together the trio left the woods in silence. Rick led the way as Shane and Alexa lagged further behind.

As they slipped out of the woods Alexa noticed everyone gathered around the fire pit. Lori sharpening a stick. Morales talking to his family. Dale, Glenn, a woman, and T-dog just watching the embers of the fire. The woman who was crying over her sister was now curled up in a folding chair. The short-haired woman Alexa had seen earlier was supervising Carl, Chase, and a little girl as they played with sticks. And Daryl who was stocking around the group, giving them all dirty looks.

It seems like everything calmed down now as Alexa ambled her way over to her little brother. But before she could get a word out Shane spoke up.
"I've been, uh-... I've been thinking about Rick's plan." He announced to the whole group.

Alexa's eyes widened as she had not heard of any 'plans' being made. Though she supposed they must have discussed this while they were burying their loved ones, and she was absent taking care of Jim.

"Now look, there are no- uh, no guarantees either way. I'll be the first one to admit that." Shane continued. "But I've known this man a long time." Shane glanced at Rick as he spoke. "I trust his instincts. I say the most important thing here is we need to stay together." Shane glanced around at the group. Lingering on Alexa for a moment before he continued. "So those of you that agree, we leave first thing in the morning."

The group was silent again before Rick spoke up.
"How much time does Jim have left?" His question was directed at Alexa and everybody knew it. Their eyes wavering over to her for an answer. She sighed as she uncomfortably responded.
"I... I don't think he'll last past tomorrow evening."

Alexa could feel the tension in the air climbs after her words. she felt everyone's eyes drift away from her and onto the ground. But the girl still felt a set of eyes on her. As she looked up she locked eyes with Daryl. He stood with an understanding look in his steel blue eyes before he looked away. Scratching his nose with the back of his hand.

Alexa looked away as well, her eyes landing on Chase. He looked at her with a helpless look in his one visible eye.
"Is there anything I can do?" He whispered. Alexa shook her head as she sat on the gravel next to him.
"I'm afraid not, kiddo."
Chase nodded in understanding as he crawled into his sister's arms. "I wish there was..."

One by one the group starts to disperse back to their respective tents, evening felling over those who still sat around the fire. The mood was somber as Chase slowly drifted to sleep in Alexa's arms. She sighed as she brushed her fingers through his matted hair. He slept so peacefully that Alexa couldn't help but admire the little boy.

It had been so long since she had gotten a decent rest. In truth, Alexa was afraid to fall asleep. She feared that if she did she wouldn't wake up. But right now with the dwindling embers of the fire and the starry night sky above her, she couldn't help but take after her brother and drift off to sleep. She couldn't help but let her body drift away. Finally at peace.

The feeling was short-lived, however, when someone tapped the girl on the shoulder. Her eyes sprang open to see the figure of Dale towering over her.
"Sorry I didn't mean to wake you. But I figured you might want to rest inside." The old man gestures to the RV.

Alexa flashed an appreciative nod as she stood, carrying her brother in her arms, and slumped toward the camper. No one was inside the trailer except Jim, who was barely asleep in the back bed. Dale came in after the siblings and sat down in the passenger seat, mumbling a "Good night'' before he fell asleep.

Alexa carefully placed her brother on the bench she was sleeping on earlier before tossing a crochet blanket over him. Hearing a dry cough from the back, Alexa realized it was due time she check on her patient. Shuffling to the back of the RV she found Jim spitting up blood into the pot she had placed there earlier.

He looked even worse. Pasty, pale sweat-covered skin and bulging red eyes. Jim tried to smile as best he could at Alexa, but she didn't return it. Instead, she shuffled over, grabbing the Advil she had left there earlier, she dumped out four and handed them to the man along with a nearby bottle of water.

She watched as he drank up the water and swallowed the painkillers before she spoke up.
"May I?" The girl motioned to Jim's stomach. He nodded in agreement, watching as Alexa stepped forward and carefully removed the bandages. Her face scrunched at the sight.

"How bad is it, doc?" Jim asked deliciously.
"Not good," she said quietly. "I'm sorry, but there's not a lot I can do for you," Alexa spoke sadly. She looked down at her hands, reattaching the bandage. "Those painkillers should kick in soon. Try and get some rest. I'll check on you tomorrow." She spoke wearily.

Jim could see the disappointment in the girl's eyes. He gave her a reassuring smile, which she did not return.
"Alexa?" He mumbled. Alexa hummed as she looked at Jim. "What would you do if it was your last day?" He questioned.

Alexa was taken aback by the question but she responded. "I'd spend it with Chase." She answered simply. Jim smiled, watching as the girl turned and returned to her brother.
"Alexa." He called
The girl turned around. "Thank you."
Alexa nodded, before sitting on the empty bench across from her brother.

Alexa crossed her arms as she mentally prepared herself for the day ahead.