A Fresh Start

Chapter 23

I was at the foot of the stairs and headed into the kitchen. I took out a gallon of water and refilled the two water bottles I had with me. There was no way in hell I was going to stay here and wait for whoever lived here to come back. Psychos more than likely. I then looked at my ankle and out the window. The sun was just about to set. My ankle couldn't handle another endless amount of walking. I sighed. Maybe just staying the night would be fine. I'd stay on guard and at the same time, my ankle would get much needed rest.

"Damn it," I said.

I didn't like the idea of losing yet another day but again, I had to be smart about this. I finished filling up my water bottles and stashed them away. I grabbed a jar of pig's feet and organized the cabinets just as I had found them. No reason for the people who lived here to notice something wasn't right, as soon as they got here. I walked around the first floor in search of something that would be enough for me to get some rest. There were some sliding doors at the far right of the hallway I was currently in. I went over and slid them open. Right across from me, there was a piano. The room was used for services. There was an empty coffin to the right. Chairs creating rows for the guests that would never come. I went over to the piano and automatically thought of how much Beth would like this. I imagined her sitting down and singing something that would be fitting for the moment as she always did. I missed her along with the rest of my family. They were all okay. All still alive. And I would see them all again some time real soon. I tapped a few keys and listened as the tones filled the room. I went over to the coffin and saw the pillow that rested on one side. I placed my backpack and boot right next to the coffin. I climbed on into the coffin and rested my ankle on the pillow. I needed to keep it elevated. The faster I went to sleep, the faster I could get back on my way. I rested my head on my hands and looked up at the white ceiling. Just like the rest of the place, it looked spotless. I closed my eyes and waited for sleep to comfort me. Not taking long, it did just that.

"I love ya," Daryl said.

"I love you too. You know I don't think I could ever get tired of saying that. How about you?" I asked him.

He shrugged his shoulders. I smacked one of his shoulders. A half smirk revealing itself and making it that much harder to be bitter with his answer. He grabbed a hold of my arm and pulled me closer. Pressing our foreheads together, he leaned in and kissed me.

"Wish it could be like this all the time," he said once we parted.

"It's like this now. That's enough for me," I retorted.

I hugged him close to me. Getting the feel of every inch of him. Not wanting this moment to end.

"Come on down you two. Don't make me come up there," Hershel yelled.

It was then that I noticed that Daryl and I were up in one of the guard towers. I looked at Hershel, smiling up at me.

"All right. We'll be right down, old man," I yelled back.

"We better get going. Wouldn't want him climbing all those steps by himself," I said.

"Yeah. All right," Daryl said.

We made our way down the guard tower and reached Hershel within minutes. I went up and hugged him tightly. I kissed him on the cheek after we parted.

"Everyone recovering, okay?" Daryl asked.

Hershel nodded.

"Everyone in there is beyond grateful to you all for bringing back the meds when you did. I think with a few more days they'll be able to go back to their old cell blocks. Everything's going back to the way it was," he said.

Daryl nodded.

"I'm so glad to hear that. Glenn doing any better?" I asked.

"Yeah. He's strong that one. Maggie hasn't left his side once," he replied.

"I'll get her something to eat. I've been meaning to pop in and see Glenn anyway. Maybe I'll keep him company while she takes a break. I'm sure she needs it. Speaking of which, have you eaten today?" I asked him.

"Don't start that now. I'll eat soon enough. How about you Daryl have you eaten anything?" Hershel asked wanting to take the attention away from himself.

"Nah. But Amelia and I were just about to get something. Come with?" Daryl replied.

I looked back at Hershel.

"Well, would you look at that? It's soon enough," I said.

Hershel started laughing.

"All right fine. Come on then," he said.

He went on ahead of us.

"Nice one," I whispered to Daryl as we followed.

He kissed my cheek and grabbed hold of my hand. The scene suddenly changed. I was in C block again.

"Carl. Carl come here will you," I said.

He came jogging along the cell block until he reached me.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Bam!" I exclaimed pulling out the two chocolate bars I had behind my back.

"No way! Big Cats? These are my favorites. Where did you get them?" he replied.

"Back at the gas station I spotted them. Thought you'd like them. Wish I had brought some more," I said.

"This is just perfect. Thank you, Amelia," he said wrapping his arms around me.

I hugged him back but a little tighter.

"You want to split one?" he asked after our hug.

"No. You go ahead and enjoy those. You deserve it," I replied.

"Thanks, Amelia. I'll eat one right now and save the other for later. Or maybe I'll share some with dad," he said.

Rick came and joined us soon after.

"Hey dad. Wanna split this Big Cat with me?" Carl asked breaking off a piece and handing it to Rick.

"Where'd you find a Big Cat?" Rick asked taking the piece and chewing it.

"Amelia got it for me," Carl replied.

"You remember that he likes these?" Rick asked.

"Well, he did constantly talk about how much he craved one for the longest time," I said rolling my eyes.

They both laughed.

"Everything okay?" I asked Rick.

He nodded.

"Yup. Even more so with the two of you safe. Glad everyone's back," he said.

I went over and hugged him tightly.

"Glad we are all here. Together," I said.

Everything suddenly went black. There was gunfire and screams that were heard. Still pitch black.

"Hershel! No!" I heard myself scream.