Escaping Death (TWD Fanfic book 3)

Chapter 19~Life is good now

**Two weeks later**   

"Jade, you up for another game of basketball?" Sam comes running into my house, "Yeah. I'll be out in a bit" I say and wake up stretching. I roll over and look at Aura softly sleeping next to me. I kiss her forehead before getting out of my bed, I go to the bathroom and clean up before going to the kitchen and making breakfast. I hear her scream and start crying, I grab a kitchen knife and jump the counter before running upstairs. She's curled up under the blankets, I lay the knife on the night stand and walk over to her, "Come here baby" I say extending my arms. I pick her up and cradle her against me, "Another nightmare?" I ask, "Yeah. Daddy again" she sobs. "It's ok baby. I won't let them get you" I say rubbing her back. I look around the room at my photos that are scattered about, I smile. We finally have a home...  "Alright kiddo, what do you want to wear to school today?" I ask. "A dress" she says. "Ok, what about this one?" I ask pulling out a white and blue dress. "Yes" she squeals. I pin her hair up and we put her shoes on.  (pic above)

      I throw on some sweats and a tank top before grabbing Aura's bag and walking her to the school building. Carol waits for her, "There she is" Carol says smiling. "Take care of her for me" I say and squat down to hug Aura. She hugs me tightly, "I love you mum" she says. "Love you too baby. Be good for miss Carol ok" I say and stand up before walking away. I jog to the square as everyone is shooting hoops, "Alright, shoot for teams" I say smiling. Daryl sits on his porch watching us. We get our teams and the game starts. "Carl, go back" I yell and he throws me the ball. I score a 3 and Malia marks it down. Jake goes up to shoot and it bounces off the rim, I jump up and catch it, "Rebound" I say and smile as I dribble through everyone, I go back and shoot another 3. "Oh come on, this isn't even fair" Mark complains, "Man up" I tease him and pass the ball to Carl who shoots and misses, I jump up and catch the rebound before passing it back to Carl, "Come on, you can do it. Remember what I taught you. Arch and flick the wrist" I say, he smiles and checks his stance before shooting again. It goes in, "Swish" I say and run over to him.

      I give Carl a high five and we continue with the game. I pass the ball to Smith, "Come on, put it up" I say laughing. He runs and does a layup. "Nice" I say and take the ball back to the 3 point to check it up with Carl. "Ready to score the winning point?" I ask him, "Hell yeah" he says. I smile, "That's my boy" I say and pass him the ball. He runs up and throws it into the hoop. I jump in the air, "NICE!" I yell excited. I wipe the beads off sweat off my face. "Ok, break time" I say and head over to Daryl, "Are you gonna be a couch potato all day?" I ask him, he groans. "Daryl, can we talk? Inside?" I ask. He stands up and I walk inside.

       "Look I get that you don't trust this place but you can at least enjoy yourself, you never know what will happen until you try. Who knows, we could actually make this home" I say smiling, "I just don't want another Terminus" he scowls, "Daryl, I know how you feel because we all feel that way but you're still alive and that means something" I say. "Come outside and live a little" I say, he looks at the floor. I think I'm gonna go on a run instead" he says. "Make sure you take someone with you. Deanna's rules" I say and smirk at him. He brushes it off and heads outside.