A New Reason (Shane Walsh Love Story)

Chapter 13: Running for Hope

Shane's POV

I sat in the passenger seat and watched the trees pass by. Rick and I had a good run today, but right now I just wanted to be back with Jaq. I smiled at the thought of having her in my arms.

"Thinking about Jaq?" Rick asked.

I looked at him with a raised brow. "How did you know?"

He chuckled. "You get this look in your eyes."

I smirked. "What look?"

He shrugged. "You lighten up, like it's Christmas or something."

"Huh." I paused in thought. "You think that, I deserve Jaq?"

Rick whipped his head to face me. "What? Why are you asking that?"

I sighed. "Jaq is just, incredible. I sometimes feel like she's too good for me. I'm the screw up after all."

"Shane." His time serious. "You are my best friend, and I know for a fact that Jaq loves you for who you are. No question about it. You both deserve each other."

I smiled. "Thanks man."

As we pulled up to the gate to the farm, we see fucking Daryl and Carol in his bike speeding away. Daryl shouted as he passed us. "Walkers!"

I looked forward and my eyes bulged. There was an enormous herd of walkers surrounding the farm, some of which were heading this way.

"Drive Rick!"

Rick slammed his foot on the gas and followed Daryl.

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At day break, the whole group was back together in a small clearing.

"What the hell happened?!" Rick demanded to know.

Glenn spoke. "A herd of walkers came out of the forest. There were too many. Jaq was the first one to see them."

I felt the color leave my face. "Where is she?!"

T-dog stepped up. "I saw her run through the woods with Sofia. I couldn't get to them."

I covered my mouth to hold back a scream that threatened to come out.

"What about Otis? Patricia?" Rick asked.

Hershel sighed. "They went down."

I shook my head. This couldn't be happening! I leaned against the car and I could feel all eyes on me. Through frustration, I punched the car multiple times, causing everyone to flinch.

"You mean to tell me, that Jaq is missing." My voice was low, dangerously low.

"Y-yeah." Glenn answered.

I shook my head. "No. She- she can't be."

Daryl stepped forward. "Listen. Jaq may be missing but that doesn't mean she's dead. She's a tough girl, and she'll protect Sofia too."

I couldn't speak, couldn't do anything. The shock coursed through my body and I felt numb. Everyone could see the mixed expressions on my face. Anger, worry, and fear.

Suddenly the sound of a twig snapping made us freeze where we stood. I raised my shotgun towards the tree line and waited for whatever that was out there to burst out of the trees.

"Bark!"

Chance hopped over a log and sprinted over to me. I sighed in relief and kneeled down to greet him. He licked my chin.

"Hey Chance."

At least I had one part of Jaq here with me.

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Jaq's POV

"Keep running Sofia! Don't look back!"

Sofia and I sprinted away from the walkers. We've been running nonstop for almost an hour. I could see Sofia getting tired and knew that we had to lose them soon. But I also knew that if I fired a shot more walkers would come, and I couldn't use my knife on that many walkers.

We just had to keep running and hope for the best.