Little Grimes

thirty seven

I'm shocked when a random man approaches three women alone in the woods. I thought the creep behavior would end during the end of the world but i guess not.

The random guy is actually quite lovely even though my brother punched him in the face.

Aaron and his partner, Eric, find people to bring back to their community called Alexandria.

They brought us food and left the waters we found in the road before.

Rick has hesitations about coming to the community after what happened with Woodbury. Michonne convinced him, though. We need stability for Judith and Carl.

Maggie being pregnant only increased the need for stability. I want her baby to have safety.

After losing mine, all I want to do is protect Maggie and her baby. When she told me about it, I didn't know how to react. I'm still feeling a bit crushed that I won't be able to have what she has. I want to be supportive of her but holy shit is it hard.

Now we are standing in front of Alexandria and I hold onto Daryl's hand. I try to ignore the anxiety and fear running through me.

Aaron told Rick and I that there was someone here that was waiting for us. He recognized our names while he was listening to us (a bit creepy, yeah?).

I have no idea who he could be talking about. I'm pretty sure everyone from our past is dead.

The gate opens and we all hesitantly walk inside.

We are greeted by a woman named Deanna, her husband, and two sons. I learn that their names are Reg, Aidan, and Spencer.

There's a few more people that we are introduced to but it's going to take me awhile to remember their names. There are so many people here. Kids, pets, and married couples. There's old people.

It reminds me so much of Woodbury but they seem happier here. Deanna is saying she wants to talk to each of us separately and interview us. For what?

I hesitate when I'm the first to go, not wanting to leave Daryl's side.

"I'll come with you," Daryl says quietly to me.

I nod, thanking him silently.

We sit across from Deanna as she presses the record button on the camera.

"What are yours names?" She asks.

"Maeve Grimes."

"Daryl Dixon."

"What did you do before all of this?" She asks, writing notes.

"What does that matter?" Daryl snaps, rolling his eyes.

"I owned a coffee shop," I answer the question.

"It always matters who you were before this. What you did before this. What you do now," Deanna answers Daryl and smiles at me, "Coffee? Would you like some?"

My eyes widen at the mention, "you have some?"

"I'll have to get you some after this," she says, "Are you guys together?"

"Yes," we both answer quickly.

After Deanna's interview, she hands me a cup of coffee. I swear I'm in heaven when I take the first sip.

"Why the camera?" I finally ask.

"I think it's important to document everything. Alexandria is going to be big and make history, I can feel it," she explains.

"You've been inside these walls the entire time?" Daryl asks, almost in disbelief.

She nods, "my husband, Reg, helped created the first walls then the plans for the rest."

"Wow," I mumble, sipping my coffee.

"I'll have jobs for you soon. I just need more time to figure out Mr. Dixon."

I smirk at him, "good luck with that one."

He glares back at me and shoves my shoulder with his gently.

I follow Daryl out of Deanna's house once my cup is emptied. I stop in my tracks and feel like the wind just got knocked out of me.

How? Why? How??

Shane is standing next to Rick with a smile on his face. His hair is grown out like it was before all this mess. He's wearing a tight black shirt with jeans. His chain dangling from his neck.

He looks up to where I stand on the porch. His eyes. Chocolate brown and full of light. He's not dead like I thought he was. He's not laying on the ground with a gunshot wound in his head. What the fuck is happening around here?