𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗕𝗜𝗔- rick grimes

ONE

ONE

SPRINTING PAST LINES OF TREES, moving both feet as fast as she could, Aria Blake was running for her life. Her breath staggered, her legs burning in pain. Stray hairs flying in her vision making her almost trip over a fallen tree, thankfully her son caught her arm in time before she hit the ground. The bag strapped against her back weighed down and moved side to side in a swift motion at her fast pace making it hard to maintain balance in the woods.

A small hoard of the dead groaned not too far behind, Aria rolled her eyes at the sound that came out of nowhere. She couldn't hear the loud footsteps of the trio of people that began to hunt her and her son down moments before. The girl blew the hair out of her face, quickly ducking behind a tree. Watching as Greyson did the same with the tree next to hers.

Gripping the knife tightly in her hand, she tried to still her rapid breathing as she listened closely to the noises behind her. The groans of the dead became less and less, meaning whoever was following her came into contact with the hoard.

Aria leaned her head against the hollow tree, looking up towards the sky. She waited, anxiously, once everything went silent just for an ear piercing scream to erupt, followed by one more. The girl jumped at the sound, she understood what those two screams meant. Two out of three were being eaten alive by the dead.

That left one person still, who could be running for their lives right about now after witnessing their friends die or still wanting to finish the job from before. Whatever was the case, Aria wasn't going to wait and stick around.

The women stood up, "Let's go Grey." She whispered, gesturing for Grey to follow with. Aria's eyes went back and forth between the line of trees, studying every small detail in the line of her vision. Greyson stood up, following her eyes with a sigh.

"Mom," Grey's voice caught her attention, turning her gaze towards the boy next to her. "Come on."

Aria nodded, she readjusted the strap of her backpack that was on the verge of falling off her shoulder. Placing a head on the teens shoulder, she guided him to a fast paced walk. Continuing on their way through the woods, dodging falling branches and any lonesome dead on the ground.

Every second spent looking over her shoulder just in case she'd see the person from earlier. The sun slowly started to dim, letting them know the hours of walking they had been doing with still no luck of any form of protection for the night. No houses, sheds, or cars in sight for miles.

"Do you think we'll find a house or a car by tonight?" Greyson asked, partly wanting to rest his legs from the intense amount of running and walking they had done that day.

Aria turned her head to watch him as the walked, "I hope so. But if we don't then we'll make it work, okay?"

He nodded slowly, looking down at his dirty shoes. "Yeah, okay."

"Hey cheer up, kid." She slightly nudged his arm with her elbow. She smiled, trying to lighten the mood in any way to make him feel better. "It's gonna be okay. We always make it work."

Greyson trained his eyes forward again, taking a glance at his mom before returning back to his place. "I know but i'm just worried. I'm always worried about what's going to happen. I don't want to lose you too, mom."

Aria's lightheartedness dropped, her face solemn. She stopped in her tracks briefly making Greyson watch her. She extended her arms out dropping them on his shoulders dipping down to meet his eyes before standing straight once more. "Listen to me, Grey."

"You need to leave the worrying to me. You shouldn't have to be worrying about that type of thing." Aria's eyes glazed over, indicating wanting tears. "I'm right here, i'm not going anywhere. I'm not leaving you. Please don't think that anymore, okay?"

"I'm sorry." Grey replied, his gaze faltering towards the floor.

The women shook her head, "You have no reason to be sorry. Nothing is your fault."

"Come on, we got to keep walking." Aria wrapped her arm around his shoulder, pulling him into her side closer as they continued to walk.

Miles of walking with sore and aching legs they finally came across an empty road, thankfully void of any of the dead they had to kill while they ventured. Trees lining either side for as long as they could see. Aria remained cautious as they traveled down the paved road, only their footsteps being heard echoing through their ears.

The sun started to set by now, indicating there was much time before nightfall. Something they both were acutely aware of. Dread dawned on the mother and son, shoulders slumping as they watched the sky and then back in front of them.

Coming to the end of the road, the sun well set by now, a big light to the side caught the women's attention. The stars brightly lit the night sky above, constellations seen from the sliver of view from the tall trees. Aria stood still, reaching her hand out in front of Grey bringing him to an erupt stop.

"Do you think that could be others?" Grey whispered, intently watching the bright light at the end of the road where noise could be hear.

"I'm not sure." Aria said, her voice sturdy and calm. Without moving she weighed their options, about to make a move before three figures emerged from the bright light and were walking down the street in their direction.

"Run back into the woods, now." Aria told the boy beside her, her voice strong and unwavering. Grey went to protest, his face scrunching up. "Not without you."

"Go now." She repeated not looking at him but at the people who were almost close enough to make out their faces.

As Greyson went to move a stoic and familiar voice aired out. "Don't think about it kid. Get back with the girl and stay there, drop any weapons you have now."

The trio came to a stop in front of the two, Aria dropping her gun and knife to the ground with the boy following her actions. The girls posture tensed, her eyes hardening as she stepped slightly in front of Grey to block him from the three. Her eyes adjusted to the dark, scanning over their faces before one became all too familiar.

Her face dropped, "Philip?"

Upon hearing his real name he hadn't heard in awhile, his head titled to the side. Eyes going over her face and then towards the boy behind her. He held his hands up for the two men to lower their guns. "Its the Governor." One of the men striked out causing her to roll her eyes instinctively.

"Aria, Greyson, i'm surprised to see you." The man said, truth laced within his words. "Why don't we show them to Woodbury?"

authors note.
i hate writing first chapters. also i don't think i've written a daughter and son plot before so bear with me as i try to make it as believable as i can.
but hopefully you all like it so far!!