Lost Too Much 【REDONE】 ║ Daryl/OC or Shane/OC

Chapter 112: I'm so proud of you, Darlin'.

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(13-088 AV --- 4,833 AV) I thought I had caught up on the letters during my last entry. I learned only minutes later that we were about to lose another. Rosita had been bitten rescuing her daughter. She didn't tell anyone until she was out of time. She's only been gone for two days, but I need to write her letter. I can't put it off like I did for so many others.

Dear Rosita,

I don't know where to start. You were one of the strongest people I ever met. You reminded me a lot of myself sometimes. You didn't let people under your skin, and I'm a little jealous of that.

You said it yourself the other day. We were never really close. We just weren't part of the same circle when you first joined us, and then I was gone for so long. After the Commonwealth, I heard you and Daryl stuck together a lot and I think you and me would've been good friends if you had more time. I had regretted that with Abraham, too, not using the time while I had it.

You're so incredibly strong, and brave. You got Coco out of there. You went down fighting, didn't let it slow you down even for a second. I didn't even notice you were sick until it was over. It's enviable, really. I wish I had spent more time getting to know you. I know Eugene valued you a lot and Gabriel is doing his best. You're missed so much by all of us.

Rest in peace, Rosita Espinosa.

-CW
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"This day, one year ago, marked the change the Commonwealth has been looking for," I called out. The crowd in front of me wasn't enormous, but it was still more than I was used to. "We'll continue to honor those who helped create this better future. We will celebrate this day to remind ourselves that things can always get better. I, and your Lieutenant Governor, Michael Mercer-"

I paused when Princess cheered out, hollering for her boyfriend. He smiled at her.

"We promise to always work on making this world a better place. There is no end. There will always be improvements to make, and we will work together to see that each and every need is fulfilled," I continued. With the crowd still watching, I finished my speech. "We will keep this place honorable --- a community to be proud of. We will keep it safe so that we can continue to expand and allow others to join us. We are all equal here, after all, and we will keep it that way. Every last one of you should feel valued and appreciated. You deserve it."

That felt like a good place to end it, so I clasped my hands together as a sort of signal that I was done. With that, the audience cheered out like I had just single-handedly saved the day. I had to be honest with myself --- it wasn't my best speech.

Mercer and I walked off of the stage, wearing our suits as it had become a regular occurrence. Even though clothing didn't make a person more or less trustworthy, I was better off keeping up impressions.

I had hardly hit the concrete of the road, my heels a little wobbly despite having a year to get used to them, when Lance approached me from the side. He was back in his suits, too, all cleaned up after everything that had happened.

"Cory, you wanted me to remind you about your meeting later," he said quickly. It only took a split-second to remember what he was referring to.

"Yes. Thanks," I said in return.

He hadn't gone back to his old job. No, I had asked Mercer to take that position. Lance was valuable, however, and I couldn't deny that. I also wouldn't pretend he didn't play a major role in some of the choices I made. He knew how to manage this many people. I didn't. I made him my assistant for that reason alone. He still seemed grateful for it. In a way, we ended up becoming a team like he had suggested when we met.