The Undead Secret (A Walking Dead Fan Fiction)

Chupacabra

Jaime had crashed downstairs in Hershel's living room, waking up after long after everybody else. She would be lying if she said she didn't lie on the sofa for half an hour after waking up just staring at the ceiling. By the time she actually got up and dragged herself into the kitchen to pour herself a bowl of cereal and a glass of water, everybody had eaten and cleaned up.

"Good morning princess, enjoy getting to sleep in?" Shane sat at the kitchen table, drinking what had to have been his third or fourth glass of Scotch, judging by his appearance and the half empty bottle next to him. She ignored his antics, pouring herself a bowl of cereal. "See, the rest of us ain't got time to sleep in. We got shit to do 'round here."

Jaime slammed the cereal box back onto the counter turning around as she cussed Shane out. "Seriously? What's your fucking problem?" "I don't have a problem, maybe you do, Princess." "I'm not your Princess, get a fucking girlfriend to call Princess you fucking freak!"

Jaime took her bowl of cereal, and glass of water out to the front porch.

"You ain't never gonna make it in the world with an attitude like that!"

"Go to hell, Shane. Piss right the fuck off!" Jaime screamed at him, slamming the front door closed behind her as she sat down on the steps. Her hands were shaking. "Fucking prick." She mumbled.

"Trouble in paradise?"

Jaime turned her head to see Topanga leaning against the porch railing, puffing away on a cigarette. "You ain't said hi to me in days." "Shut up. I got better things to deal with"

"Ahh, you gotta crush on that Carl boy? He's awful young." "Shut up," Jaime groaned, laying down on the wood porch as she covered her face with her hands, "I don't like him like that, I'm just worried about him." "You mad at me?" "For what?" "Beating you up." Topanga mumbled, "I didn't mean to. I was just outta it." "Damage has been done. Whatever." Jaime shrugged.

"You want a cigarette?"

Jaime held her hand out, Topanga placing a cigarette and a lighter in her palm.

She sat up, sticking the cigarette in her mouth as she lit it up. It tasted like shit, as usual but she didn't care right now.

"Gimme one."

Jaime looked up as Daryl walked over to the two of them, and took a cigarette from Topanga. "Always was the one stealing my cigarettes, now weren't you?" "You took mine, too."

"They're doing some fancy dinner shit, tonight. Thank Hershel and his family for their hospitality or some shit." Daryl coughed.

Jaime puffed on hers, coughing loudly as she spoke. "I hate that idea. Never liked big gatherings." She stood up, stretching as she snuffed the cigarette out under her boots. "See y'all at the fancy dinner shit."

She pushed the screen door open again, walking down the hallway to Carls room.

Jaime hesitated at the door, her hand hovering just above the doorknob. She could hear someone talking. Maybe Shane and Rick? She knocked on the door before opening it and peeking her head in. Carl was lying on his back, propped up by a few pillows. Despite how terrible he looked, he managed to give Jaime a smile as she walked in.

"Hi," Carl lit up, his voice quiet. Jaime felt a wave of guilt for not visiting earlier, but she quickly masked it with a smile. "Hi," she replied, stepping inside. "Is it cool if I sit and give Carl some company?" Rick barely got a word out, as Shane shook his head. "We're having a conversation in here." "No we're not. Jaime, you stay. Please. We'll go elsewhere." Rick cut Shane off, practically dragging him outside. "I brought you some crayons and paper. Thought they might cheer you up."

She set the box of crayons down and a couple pieces of paper down on the table, grabbing a piece for herself and a couple crayons.

"Hershel had a box full of art supplies in the attic. He bought some down for you." Jaime sat next to him, drawing a cloud and a rainbow.

They sat for a few hours, talking and coloring, Jaime even falling asleep for an hour or so as he continued coloring.

The door opened quietly as Carol popped her head in. "She's sleeping." Carl whispered, pointing to Jaime who was laying down next to him.

"I'm awake." She mumbled.

"Dinners ready. Carl, your mom will bring you a plate soon, okay?"

Carl nodded, as Jaime sat up and hugged him again as she followed Carol out the door. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, why?"

"You look like you're in pain."

She smiled softly, "Just the usual." She nodded, following Carol to the dining room.
"Jaime, feel free to sit across from your mother." Hershel welcomed her, passing a plate of food down to her. "Thank you."

She sat down across from Topanga, practically dying inside as she realized she was seated next to Shane. Hershel and some of the others had prepared some meat, asparagus and potatos, still steaming hot. "This looks incredible." Jaime spoke quietly, picking up her fork and dropping it just as Topanga swatted her hand. "Everything okay?" Hershel asked.

"Jaime has to wait till everyone else is done." Topanga cleared her throat, taking a bite of the meat.

"Topanga, we have enough to go around for everyone to have seconds. Please dig in, Jaime." Carol pointed to Jaime's plate as Topanga shook her head. "That's just the rule at our house, she's used to it."

"Topanga,-"

"Carol, it's fine. Really. I'm used to waiting."

Jaime set her fork down, leaning back in her seat as she watched the others eat quietly. The entire table was silent, and it was awkward as all hell. Nobody even made eye contact.

"Does anybody know how to play guitar?" Glenn interrupted the silence, earning strange looks from the table as he continued. "Dale found a pretty cool one. Somebody's got to know how to play."

"I used to-"

"Shut up, Jaime." Topanga spoke.

"Otis did." Patricia said quietly, picking at her food.

"Yes, and he was very good too." Hershel nodded.

The dinner table was even more awkward now, as Otis's death was now on everybody's mind.

Jaime looked around at everybody's plates, and most of them were less than halfway done. She had a feeling it would be awhile until she could eat.

She sat up quickly as she felt a hand on her inner thigh and she slammed her knee into the underside of the table and everyone's heads turned towards her. "S-Sorry. Muscle cramp." She cleared her throat awkwardly.

It was nearly another hour before she had the chance to start eating, and by that time her plate was cold. She still finished it and quickly after decided to go out walking.