Unexpected

Chapter 1: Norman's Lament

It ended.

Just like that.

A single word on a script.

Dead.

How was it that easy to take someone's whole life away from them. Because that's what the writers of AMC's The Walking Dead did to Emily Kinney. They killed her off, they took her whole career basically- how could they do that with just one word?

It pains me to think of the spritely young woman being gone from my life just like that. I truly had hope for her character and mine. For once, things didn't look too bad for Daryl, and now? Now things are looking worse for me.

I woke up this morning feeling worse than ever. I felt as though the world was decaying around me- all because some silly character got killed off my tv show... But it wasn't the character so much as the person.

Emily.

I've gotten so close to her that losing her that night- all those months ago in filming... I feel.

Dead.

I've lost other friends on shows before her, but this feels like my lungs were doused in gasoline and my cigarette lit the bomb in my chest. I've never cried so much as I have these last few months. Why is this so inportant to me? Why does it feel like I lost a part of my heart? Because it's her. It's her and that's all there is to it.

"Dad? Are you okay?" Mingus. He has been more concerned about me than anyone else.

"Yeah...just getting dressed. You all packed?" He's staying with Helena while I'm at Comic Con. For it being June, I sure am cold- but maybe that's because I'm half dressed, crying, and in air conditioning.

"Yeah. I'm gonna feed Eyes in the Dark and make sure his liter doesn't need changed." I hear him walk off and stoop back into my position on my bed.

I gotta get over her being gone. I haven't seen her in a long time- we barely text any more- she's not hung up on me or remotely thinking about me. So just stand up, get yer shit and let's go.

*** Comic Con***

Standing behind his table, Norman happily greets fans as usual. These conventions are always the same for him. Empty though full, boring though chalk full of things to do, and lonesome though his friends and fans surround him. Emily hasn't been to one in a long time- leaving Norman slightly-no- fully saddened by the absence of his dear and lovely friend. All he can look forward to is getting out of here when the clock hits 4:00.

"Hi! I'm Brittney! I'm yer biggest fan- I made this for you!" Biggest fan- for Norman that's everyone who ever meets him. They always give him things, deman pictures, and act like they know him, but no one truly does.

"Wow. This is..." Her face pressed to his. Beth kissing Daryl sweetly- the pain pulls at his heart strings as he tries to feel her presence, but she's not there. She's never there. "This is beautifully done. Yer very talented."

"Thank you, Norman. Cam I get a picture with you?"

"Of course." Having one of the security gaurds take their picture, Norman is thankful he's wearing sunglasses so the camera doesn't catch him staring at the painting of Emily kissing him.

I'd love to feel her lips on mine...

"Mr. Reedus- there's someone wanting to see you behind yer curtain." A security guard informz him and he appologies before leaving his fans. Stepping behind his curtain, his heart sinks when he sees her standing there smiling that perfect smile at him in her red and white stripped shirt that exposes her stomach and her black yoga pants.