Surviving the Impossible

Chapter 18: Fire In My Heart

Anna's P.O.V.

We were in the car for about 2 hours until we pulled up to Alexandria's gates. Glenn rolled down the windows as I heard Michonne yell, "They made it Back!" As someone started to open the gates. Glenn pulled the car inside the walls as someone shut the gate behind us. We all got out of the car as people started to gather around us and yell our names. Rick Walked up to Arden and gave her a hug as Carl ran up and she jumped into his arms. I guess him and Enid didn't work out, and I guess I don't have to worry about Arden with Iris. Man, that reminds me of the time when... never mind, I don't need to remember. That needs to go in the vault. I saw Brad standing in the crowd as he ran up to me and gave me a hug. "Glad you're alive Anna, haven't seen you since them damn walls fell." We laughed and smiled. "Hey, where are Mackenzie and Avery? Is she having some mother-daughter bonding time? I haven't seen them in forever!" I asked as Brad's face fell to a frown. He looked down at his feet. "Umm, yeah.... they're bonding in heaven..." He said as he was trying to hold back tears. I've never seen him cry, and this must've been a bad time for him to almost be crying. "Brad...I'm so-" "It's fine Anna, really. They're better off as angels than to be stuck in this shitty mess." I gave him one last hug and smiled. I started to walk to my house, but Enid ran over to me and gave me a huge hug, scaring me half-to-death. "OMG OMG YOU'RE ALIVE ANNA!!" She screamed as I hugged her tightly. "YES, I AM YES I AM!" I said laughing. She laughed too and talked to me for a bit until she said goodbye and went to her house. I walked over to Iris, and I gave her a hug. "Thank you for all you've done, I appreciate it." I said as we pulled out of our hug. "Anytime." She said as she stared into my eyes. Oh no here we go again. I thought as I stared into her eyes, like I was unable to look away. She leaned in, and her lips touched mine. It felt like a million fireworks exploded inside of me, once again a fire in my heart.

 But soon as Iris and I pulled back from the kiss, I ran. I didn't know where I was going, I just wanted to get away to think. I ran as Iris yelled after me, not looking back. Passing houses and people staring at me as I ran, making my way to the guard post on the East side of Alexandria. I grabbed onto the ladder and climbed up quickly. Hand after hand, foot after foot, I climbed until I made it to the top of the post. As soon as I made it up, I rolled onto my back and cried. I heard people yelling my name, but I just ignored it. "ANNA PLEASE I DIDN'T MEAN TO!" Iris yelled as her voice grew louder. I felt tears run down my face as footsteps grew closer and stopped near the bottom of the post. "Anna, I'm sorry I didn't mean..." I interrupted her as more tears fell down my face. "I'm....sorry....it's my fault." I looked up at the sky. "I don't know I just, ran." I said crying in between every word. "Anna, you're fine. I shouldn't have rushed it at all." She said as her voice started to sound like she was about to cry. "No, it's me. I'm the complete mess. I mess everything up I touch or love. I don't get why you want me." I said sitting up leaning over to look at her. As I looked down at Iris, she smiled lightly. "May I come up?" She said motioning to the ladder and looking up at my tear-stained face. "I suppose so." I smiled lightly as she climbed up the ladder and sat beside me. "Oh, Anna if only you knew." Iris said as she lied down on her back, looking up at me. She smiled at me and folded her arms behind her head. "Knew what?" I said as I lied down next to her, looking into her eyes. "How much you mean to me. I remember the first time I saw you in Alexandria. It was just in passing, but man you left a mark on my brain. Also, who isn't a mess? We're young and in an apocalypse." I let out a slight laugh and shared a smile with her. "You are beautiful, and I hope you can see that someday like how I see it in you." She smiled again at me, but I looked to the sky. "Iris, I..." I said as she grabbed my hand. "I know, I know Anna. It's fine that you aren't ready. But I will wait as long as I need to for you." I smiled as a tear rolled down my cheek and she wiped it away. Iris sat up and looked at me and moved towards the ladder. "Wait," I said as she looked at me while I sat up. "Thank you." She smiled and climbed down the ladder as I lied back down on the floor of the guard post. Another tear fell from my eye as I realized, maybe everything does happen for a reason.