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.・゜-: ✧☾ ☽✧ :-゜・.
The warmth of the sun had faded, replaced by the cold glow of the moon casting long shadows over the group gathered around the fire. Stella and Ellie had returned after hours in the forest, and now, the younger girl lay with her head in Stella's lap as fingers combed gently through her hair. The camp was quiet and still with only the sound of the fire cracking and the crickets chipping to fill the air.
The rest of the group had returned with the news of Tyreeses death. A walker had gotten him and left him to bleed out. The group had tried to save him but there had been no time and he took his last breath in the car on their way back. Stella barely had any tears left, her eyes sore and dry. She was eternally grateful for Tyreese and all he'd done for Judith after the fall of the prison but she hadn't had the chance to thank him after everything that had happened.
Some members of the group had made two makeshift crosses and placed them in a secluded but beautiful area by their camp and they were going to hold a proper funeral the next day. Stella didn't think it was fair for them to bury Beth and Tyreese there, in the middle of nowhere, where they'd never come back to.
She glanced over her shoulder at the two crosses protruding from the earth. Tyreese's beanie hung from one, while the other was adorned with delicate daisies. Even in death, Beth's presence somehow illuminated the darkness.
A tear slipped down Stella's cheek before she even realized it. Surrounded by so many people, she had never felt lonelier. There was only one person who could give her the comfort she needed. One person who was gone, buried.
A shadow fell over her. She looked up to see Levi standing before her, offering a faint, knowing smile. Without a word, he settled onto the log beside her, angling himself so that his broad shoulders blocked Beth's grave from Stella's view. He knew she was torturing herself by staring.
He slid his thumb under her eyes, wiping off the tears that rolled down her cheeks before wrapping his hand over hers. The simple gesture gave more comfort than a million words. Stella let a brief smile brush over her lips.
She leaned her head against the boy's shoulder, his scent wrapping around her like a warm blanket, allowing her to feel at ease, even if just for a moment.
The group had put up makeshift tents and sleeping arrangements around the area even though everyone knew that they weren't going to get a single moment of peace during the night. Most of them had already gotten into bed, desperately clinging onto fragments of sleep. Stella was beyond exhausted, her body sore and aching from the events of the day.
"Wanna sleep in my tent?" She leaned down and whispered in Ellie's ear. The girl looked up and nodded. The two of them rose from the log, and Levi followed closely behind.
Suddenly, Ellie tore herself from Stella's arms as a series of loud coughs clawed from her chest. Stella stopped in her steps. Ellie's legs gave way, caving under her small frame sending the girl to crash to the ground. Both Stella and Levi scurried up to her, kneeling beside her as the violent coughs continued to erupt from her, the girl doubling forward.
