A New Reason (Shane Walsh Love Story)

Chapter 10: Silent Tears

Shane's POV

I was worried. Jaq hasn't spoken a single word for the past two days, her face would most of the time stay expressionless, and she would rarely eat anything.

Right now, it was midday and I was watching Jaq sit on the log, liking out over the tree line. She would do that all day, and I was concerned for her. She wasn't okay, she needed someone to talk to, but she won't say anything.

"How is she doing?"

I turned to see T-Dog. I shrugged. "Same." I sighed.

"You should go talk to her. She doesn't necessarily need to talk to someone, but I could tell that she needs a friend. You, Shane."

I nodded in agreement. Jaq and I haven't told anyone about our relationship, so I didn't correct him when he said friend. I then walked over to Jaq, which felt like a thousand mile walk. I was about three feet from her when I spoke.

"Jaq?"

No answer.

I sighed and sat down next to her. Jaq turned her head slightly away from me.

"Jaq, please. Say something. I need to know that you're... okay. I know that you feel terrified, but I promise you that I will protect you for as long as I live. Just please, say something."

My voice sounded croaky and I had a pained expression on my face. After what felt like hours, Jaq turned to face me. She had silent tears flowing down from her eyes and she whispered, "Shane."

I took her face in my hands and wiped her tears away. "I'm here, Jaq. I'll always be here."

She crashed her body into mine and sobbed her heart out. I only held her close and whispered soothing words to her.

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Jaq's POV

I lifted my head from Shane's chest. Sniffing, I said, "Thank you Shane. For being there."

Shane shook his head and wiped my eyes for me. "Ya don't have to thank me. Anything for my girl."

I smiled slightly, but it quickly disappeared. "Shane. There's something you need to know." Shane have me his full attention and I took a deep breath. "This isn't the first time this has happened."

Shane widened his eyes. "What? You telling me you were- Holy shit."

I nodded and sniffled. "It was my freshman year of college. I was walking back to my dorm after my shift was over. And this guy... jumped me and-and-"

Shane pulled me into him and shushed me quietly. "Shh, shh, shh. Don't talk about that. I don't want you talking about that, okay?"

Silent tears streamed down like waterfalls, I couldn't stop them. The pain I've felt for so long was resurfacing, and this time, I'm not sure if I can handle it.

But then I looked up into Shane's eyes. What I saw was someone who would always be there, someone who cared.

Shane wiped away the tears and I smiled. "Thank you Shane."

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Shane's POV

Jaq came back to the group with me for lunch. She didn't talk very much, but it was a start. I didn't want to push her past her limits.

I was happy that Jaq was improving, but I was disappointed in myself. How could I let Jaq go off on her own like that? I promised that I would keep her safe, and I failed her.

I felt a hand touch my shoulder. "You okay? You seem distracted." Jaq said.

"I'm fine. Really." I smiled to reassure her.

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Jaq's POV

I was walking with Dale towards the RV. He said he had a book that he thought I'd like to read.

"So I've noticed that you and Shane have been getting close." Dale started. "Very close."

I blushed. "Yeah. I guess we are getting close."

Dale narrowed his eyes. "Exactly how close, may I ask?"

I scratched my head. "Um, I don't know. I-" I looked at him and sighed. "Okay look, can you keep this between us?" Dale nodded. "Shane and I are dating, I guess you could say."

"So you're a couple?"

"Yeah."

"And do you love him?"

I froze. "Um I don't know. We've only been together for three days so it's a little early to say if I love him. I mean I do care for him."

Dale nodded in understanding. "Personally I don't like Shane, but I do wish you the best."

I smiled. "Thanks Dale."

Dale smiled back as we arrived at the RV. I waited for him to come back out and when he did he gave my the book.

I read the title. "Spirit of Faith. Sounds interesting." I looked back up to Dale. "Thanks Dale. I'll start it tonight."

"Not a problem." Dale then looked behind me and I could see his face pale. "Dear god."

I frowned and looked back, only to see Rick and Hershel leading two walkers that were tied to those dog catcher things. I turned to see the rest of the group running over to them and I ran as well. I heard Chance bark and follow me.

When I arrived, Shane was shooting at the female walker. "That's it's heart! It's lung! Whys it still coming?!"

I flinched when he shot it again. Chance was barking madly at the walkers and I had to hold his collar to keep him from charging.

"Shane! That's enough!" Rick shouted.

Shane walked towards the living corpse. "Yeah you're right man, that is enough." Shane then shot the walker's head and walked towards the barn. He turned to the group. "If you wanna live! If you wanna survive! You gotta fight for it! I'm talking fight! Right now!"

I watched with wide eyes as Shane ran to the doors of the barn and started using a pick axe to sever the chains holding the doors together. When the chains fell off of the doors, Shane ran back and got into position, ready for the walkers to step out.

After the first walker stepped out, it was game on. Shane started shooting at them, then Andrea, T-Dog, Daryl, and Glenn joined the fight. Chance whined because of the shooting and I kneeled down and hugged him to comfort him. One by one, walker by walker, they fell to the ground.

It felt like forever before the last one was killed. After that, it was silence. Shane looked back at me and froze when he saw the look I was giving him. It was a 'I can't believe you' look. He then seemed to look a bit ashamed of himself.

Suddenly we heard a groaning sound coming from the barn. Looks like it wasn't over yet. Shane turned and watched as another walker emerged from the barn. He raised his gun to finish the job, but froze when I whispered one word.

"Mom?"