Survivor (A Glenn Rhee fanfiction)

Strangers

Chapter 54: Strangers
Kadyn's POV

Smoke billows above the pines into the clear Georgia sky as we leave the destroyed Terminus behind. The air is hot and the afternoon sun shines through the trees onto our shoulders as we walk down the wooded path.

I am finally reunited with the people I call family. Rick leads the way with Judith in his arms and Carl tagging along beside him.

"Let's stop here for a while. Take a break." Rick suggests, and the group lets out a collective sigh of gratitude.

I feel a warm, calloused hand slip into my own, fingers lacing with mine and squeezing softly. Glenn pulls me closer to him and I gratefully accept the invitation. I let my free hand rest on his hip, laying my head on his collar bone.

Moments like these are the ones I never want to lose. Over the past few months, I feel as if these moments keep slipping away like sand in open palms. I can't let that happen. I can't lose Glenn, not again. Those few days without him may have been the worst time of my life.

I tilt my head up, nuzzling Glenn's jaw with my nose. Glenn smiles, one that shows his teeth and the crinkles by his eyes. And of course, it's contagious; I feel my own lips turn up in a smile as I curl my fingers around the belt loops of his jeans.

Glenn pulls back slightly to look at me. I watch his eyes flicker over my face, over every scratch and every freckle. The smile never leaves his lips and he grins that stupid grin as gazes at me lovingly, reminding me of all the times back at the farm, and even at the camp in Atlanta. That same dumb grin that helped me through countless nights, the one that never fails to cheer me up.

"You're beautiful, Kadyn." Glenn breathes in a voice barely over a whisper, low and clear, just for me to hear. "I'm in love with you."

My smile widens and I lift my arms to wrap around Glenn's neck, kissing his cheek softly before whispering an "I love you," into his ear. His black hair tickles my cheek and I feel him press his nose against my neck, leaving small kisses on my skin.

Glenn pulls away slowly and gently kisses the corner of my lips. I let my fingers play with the ends of his hair, gingerly twisting the dark strands around my fingers. He squeezes my hip lightly before we turn our attention back to Rick, who had stood up.

We continue as a group through the woods, staying close together. Fortunately, we only ran into two walkers, which caused little trouble and were taken out quickly.

At sunset we stop again and set up a camp.

"There's a creek nearby. We can get some water." I tell Rick, and he nods.

"Be careful. Stay close." Rick replies, handing me a few empty bottles from his bag.

A few minutes later, Glenn and I head to the stream. I didn't ask anyone else to come with us, but we didn't really need anyone else. Two was enough for a quick water run only a few yards away.

Glenn kneels beside the water and starts to fill the bottles up. I do the same, squatting beside him while keeping an eye on our surroundings.

"Hey," Glenn reaches out and touches my hand for a brief moment. "How are you?"

I look down at the flowing water. "I'm alive." I reply softly, screwing the cap onto the first bottle.

"Kadyn," Glenn reaches for my hand now and this time holds it. "Really, how are you?"

His voice is gentle and sweet, and warm brown eyes watch me carefully.

"I.." I look up at Glenn, and feel emotions starting to surface. Emotions that I pushed back months ago; sadness, anger, guilt, regret.