Fallen Angel (Daryl Dixon)

The Camp

The group of men that had come through our neighborhood were from a camp outside of Atlanta. It was no longer safe to find supplies in the city, so they resorted to outside subdivisions. They were a strong group that could take out the dead, and whoever else tried to stop their supply runs. Mason was able to convince them to take us back to their camp by making sure they knew we would do whatever it took to earn our place.

I was relieved whenever they ushered us into one of their trucks. We finally took off after a few more houses were checked, including ours. As we pulled out of our cul-de-sac, I could feel anguish looking at our once happy home and how it had become our prison but yet our protector.

We drove in silence down the unlit streets. The neighborhood looked as though a bomb had gone off. The Thompson's house down from ours had burnt to the ground. I had wondered if they had gotten out in time or was this there final resting place. Lara Thompson was one of the first neighbors who had introduced her and her family to us when we moved to the street. I thought we would become those mom's that hung out drinking wine and go for long walks in the evenings as she would tell me everyone's life story on the block. Now she and her family were gone never to be seen again..funny how life doesn't turn out quite how you picture.

The drive was long, and I could see that the stress we had been through had taken over. Mason and Jackson had fallen asleep, but I needed to stay awake to make sure these people were legit. I knew that the danger was not over yet, and we had a long road ahead, but I was grateful to be out of our home. At least, we would have a fighting chance. As long as we stayed together, I could survive this new world of what ifs and who knows.

After what seemed to be hours, the caravan came to a stop on top of a hill. As I stepped out of the truck, I could only make out the tops of the buildings in the city. I felt like it was a good and safe distance from the herds. Mason jumped out after me and had sleepy Jackson in his arms. We looked out and could see rows and rows of tents and campers. It looked like a Woodstock convention.

One of the men came and told us where we could stay. A family that had decided to go off on their own had left an empty tent. I couldn't help but be suspicious of the situation. I looked at Mason, and he gave me that look as though he was thinking the same thing. We made our way over to our new home. It was small, but it was surrounded by others, so it felt safe. We kept quiet that night trying not to make our presents noticeable, just in case. I still couldn't sleep with the anxiety building in my mind. Mason put his arm around me, and that would usually help, but not tonight.

One question remained....Why would someone leave the safety of a camp to fend for themselves? It just didn't add up. The sun would be up soon, and it would be my mission to find out why.