Silent strength//twd

The beginning

As I sat on my bedroom floor, playing with my dolls, I heard the muffled sound of the television in the living room. My dad had been watching the news a lot lately, but I didn't usually pay much attention to it. Today was different.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I abandoned my dolls to investigate. As I rounded the corner into the living room, I saw the TV screen flashing with urgent headlines: "Breaking News: Global Crisis Unfolding."
My heart skipped a beat as I listened to the reporter's frantic voice detailing the unfolding apocalypse. Images of chaos and destruction filled the screen—buildings on fire, people running in panic. It was terrifying.
I looked up at my dad, who sat on the edge of the couch, his face blank with no emotion. "Daddy, what's happening?" I asked, my voice trembling. "Go pack some shit we're leaving"

My stomach churned with fear. I didn't understand what was going on, but I knew it was serious. Gripping my favorite doll tightly, I looked up at my dad with wide eyes. "Are we going to be okay?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
"Didn't you hear what i just said" I simply nodded and trotted off to my room.

With my teddy bear nestled in the backpack alongside a change of clothes, I added a worn cowboy hat, Each item carried a story, a piece of my past that now accompanied me into an uncertain future.

As I clutched my dad's hand tightly, trying to ignore the sinking feeling in my stomach, I spotted my favorite cowboy boots by the door. They were scuffed and worn, but they were my source of comfort in times of distress.
With a hesitant glance, I reached for my boots, but before I could grab them, he snatched them up and tossed them into the car. "Hurry up and get in," he barked, his voice sharp and impatient.
I bit my lip, fighting back tears as I scrambled into the backseat. The car felt suffocating, the tension between us palpable. Dad slammed the door shut behind me, his expression cold.

I shrank back into my seat, With each passing mile, the silence between us grew thicker, suffocating me in its oppressive embrace.
As we drove on, I clung to the hope that maybe, just maybe, my cowboy boots would give me the strength to endure whatever lay ahead. But with Dad's cold demeanor looming over me, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was facing this apocalypse alone.

As we drove through the desolate landscape, I spotted a small cabin nestled among the trees. It looked like a haven, a place where we could find refuge from the chaos outside.
"Daddy, look!" I exclaimed, pointing eagerly towards the cabin. "Maybe we can stay there for a while, just until things calm down."
But instead of slowing down, Dad's expression darkened, his eyes flashing with anger. "We're not stopping," he growled, his voice low and menacing.
I bit my lip, the disappointment washing over me like a wave. Why was he always so mean, so unwilling to listen, to reason?
As we passed by the cabin, I couldn't shake the feeling of longing that tugged at my heartstrings. But with Dad's stubbornness standing in the way, I knew there was no point in arguing.
Hours later, as night fell and exhaustion threatened to consume us, Dad finally pulled over to the side of the road. "We'll rest here for the night," he grumbled, his tone begrudging.
I glanced up at the cabin in the distance, a glimmer of hope flickering in the darkness. But before I could voice my relief, Dad's hand lashed out, striking me across the cheek with a force that sent me reeling.
Tears welled up in my eyes.

As we approached the cabin, my heart pounded in my chest. The wood was weathered and the windows were boarded up, but it offered shelter from the biting wind. I clutched my teddy bear tightly, seeking comfort in its familiar presence. My father's rough hand gripped my shoulder, his presence looming over me like a dark cloud.

I hesitated, my eyes darting nervously around the desolate landscape. The cabin seemed like a refuge, yet I couldn't shake the feeling of dread gnawing at my insides. With a silent nod from my father, we pushed open the creaking door and stepped inside. The air was musty, the floorboards groaning under our weight.

I stayed close to my father, my eyes wide with fear. He moved with purpose, his footsteps echoing in the empty space. I knew better than to speak, to draw attention to myself.

As we settled in for the night, the cabin offered little solace. The walls felt like they were closing in on me, the darkness pressing in from all sides. I curled up in a corner, my teddy bear clutched tightly to my chest, and prayed for morning to come.

As the first light of dawn filtered through the cracks in the cabin walls, I stirred from a fitful sleep. The events of the previous day weighed heavily on my mind, but a glimmer of hope flickered within me as I remembered the sanctuary of the small cabin.
Careful not to wake my dad, who lay snoring on the makeshift bed, I tiptoed to the door and stepped outside, craving the solace of the morning air. But as I ventured into the clearing, a sudden movement caught my eye.
Before I could react, a grotesque figure lunged out from the shadows—a zombie, its rotting flesh twisted into a grotesque caricature of humanity. My heart pounded in terror as it advanced towards me, its milky eyes fixed on me with hunger.
With a scream, I stumbled backwards, my heart pounding in my chest. But before the zombie could reach me, my dad burst out of the cabin, his face twisted with rage.
"What thw fuck!" he roared, his voice echoing through the forest.
With a swift motion, he grabbed a nearby branch and swung it at the zombie, striking it with a ferocity that took my breath away. The creature staggered back,
Panic surged through me as I watched my dad grapple with the zombie, groans echoing in my ears. Without thinking, I lunged forward, grabbing the branch and striking the creature with all my might.
Finally, with a final blow, the zombie collapsed to the ground, lifeless once more. But as I turned to my dad, expecting relief and gratitude, I was met with something far worse.
His eyes blazed with fury as he glared at me. "You stupid girl," he spat, his voice dripping with contempt. "You could've gotten us both killed."
With a swift motion, he lashed out, striking me across the face with a force that sent me sprawling to the ground. Tears welled up in my eyes as I curled into a ball, the sting of his blows burning deep into my soul.
As I lay there, bruised and broken, I couldn't help but wonder—was there any hope left for us in this world, or were we doomed to destroy each other, one blow at a time?

                                        A/N
First chapter is done. This chapter is more to just help you understand paige a bit more

Hope you enjoy please comment it really inspires me to write more.