The End Of My World

Chapter 47

Chapter 47

It has been months of training these Alexandrians and making these people capable of sustaining themselves. It's hard work, but not as hard as finding food for both us and the people called saviors. The early morning sun filtered through the dense, bare branches of the forest, casting a pale golden light on the dew-slick leaves beneath our boots. Winter was finally loosening its icy grip, and though the air still bit with lingering cold, hints of spring were beginning to creep into the world. Birds chirped hesitantly from the treetops, their songs a fragile reminder of the life that used to be everywhere, but now was sparse and fleeting.
We moved through the woods with practiced efficiency, eyes sharp and weapons ready. The forest had always been treacherous, and after everything we'd survived, we'd learned to never let our guard down. I walked near the middle of the group, my daggers secure at my sides, ready to be drawn at a moment's notice. Daryl took point, his crossbow aimed and loaded, while Glenn followed closely behind, his own gun cradled in tense hands.
Rick led us deeper into the trees, his steps steady but cautious. Beside him, Michonne walked with her katana drawn, her eyes scanning the underbrush for any sign of trouble. The woods were full of quiet whispers and creaks, the kind of sounds that made the hair on the back of your neck stand up. But even with all the danger, we had a purpose: to find more food and supplies for Alexandria.
"We're running low," Rick had said that morning as we gathered near the gates, his voice rough and weary from lack of sleep. "If we don't stock up, we won't make it another month. We wont make our payment to the saviors in time, we all know what will happen if we don't. We have to push further out, take risks."
We were used to risks, but that didn't make them any easier to face. Our last few supply runs had yielded little, and the pressure to keep our community going weighed on us all.
As we trekked deeper into the woods, the wind picked up, rustling the branches overhead. Carol walked beside me, her face expressionless but her eyes always alert. She was silent, like she'd been for weeks now, but I could tell her mind was churning, her thoughts heavy with worry.
Ahead, Daryl suddenly raised a fist, signaling us to stop. We froze in place, every muscle coiled, and I strained to hear whatever he'd picked up on. The forest was still, too still, and the silence was thick enough to make my heart pound.
"What is it?" Rick whispered, his hand already hovering over his revolver.
Daryl tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing. "Footsteps," he murmured. "Coming this way."
We spread out, moving with silent precision into the cover of the trees. I pressed myself against the rough bark of a trunk, my breath shallow, my fingers tightening around the hilt of a dagger. Beside me, Glenn crouched, his eyes darting between the shadows.
The footsteps grew louder, crunching over fallen leaves, and then a figure emerged from the woods. Michonne, "You scared the hell out of me" I voice
"Can you takes these back to the community?" Rick asks Michonne, holding out a handful of squirrels and white rabbits. "Glen can you take the deer back please" Glen nodded in response.