A New Reason (Shane Walsh Love Story)

Part 2: Chapter 1: Searching For Hope

8 Months Later...

Jaq's POV

"Come on Sofia. Just a little further."

Sofia and I trudged our way up a rocky hillside. The humidity was relentless, making it difficult to breathe. Poor Sofia kept falling behind.

"Jaq, I'm so hungry."

"I know sweetie. We'll cook up the soup when we get at the top."

I heard Sofia groan but keep pushing on. She was a very brave little girl. I swore that I would get her back to her mom.

Thinking about the group always had my mind go to Shane. I was worried about him. Is he safe? Did he manage to get out? Was he with the rest?

I also thought of Chance. I missed my big puppy. He was my best friend.

We finally reached the top of the hill. Sofia plopped on the ground with a groan. I chuckled at her and pulled my bag around me to open it up.

Inside there was only one water bottle, two twinkies, an old granola bar, and a few apples from an apple tree we past back yesterday. I picked up the twinkie and handed it over to Sofia, who smiled gratefully.

"Thank you." She said.

I nodded. "You're welcome. Because you worked so hard."

Sofia smiled and started to dig in. I decided not to eat. I knew we needed to save up our resources.

I sat down with my gun in my lap as I took in the sight before me. I could see for miles. It was beautiful.

It also made my wonder where Shane was. I missed him.

Was he looking for me too? Did he think about me often?

I would ask myself those questions over and over again throughout the days. To be honest, I felt that I would never find him.

No!

I shook my head. I will find him and Chance. I'm not going to give up. I will search forever if I have to.

I won't lose hope.

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"Alright Sofia." I said stopping at a crossroad. "Which way do you think?"

Sofia looked left and right, trying to decide. Then she pointed to the right. "That way. I think I see more tracks going that way."

I nodded. "Good job. Let's go."

I knew which way to go to begin with, but I was teaching Sofia to spot tracks. It was a test to see if she was learning.

As we walked down the road, I could hear faint sounds of twigs cracking. I stopped, making Sofia look at me in confusion, but I only lifted my finger to my mouth and took out my gun.

The sounds were coming from my left, so I aimed my gun there at the treeline. My heart started to bumped wildly in my chest as I stood in front of Sofia.

Then... the figure jumped out.

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Shane's POV

Eight months. Eight fucking months, and there was still no sign of Jaq or Sofia. We weren't even close to finding them. At times I would think that we'd have a lead, but then it would all go to waste.

It's killing me, not being able to see Jaq's face, listen to her voice, run my fingers through her hair. Every second of the day without her was like a lifetime.

I just want her back.

I need her back.

"Shane."

I looked over to see Rick standing there with a sympathetic look.

"What?" I sighed.

He sat down next to me. "I'm worried about you. You've been distant with us lately. You're... not yourself."

I huffed. "You're point is?"

Rick shook his head. "Listen, I know you miss Jaq. We all do. But... how should I say this... we've been searching for months and haven't gotten even the slightest clue as to where she-"

"Are you saying that we should just give up!" I jumped to my feet. All I felt was anger.

Rick raised his hands and also came to his feet. "No! No! I'm saying that maybe..." He paused. "Look, Shane-"

"I don't want to hear it." I then walked away.

How dare he say that! Jaq's alive. I know it. I feel it. She's out there somewhere, and I won't stop until I find her. Even if I search for decades, I'll find her.

I'll find my Jaq.