PARADOX ↦ ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE

40

It didn't rain that day. It was quiet and not as chilly as it had been the past few weeks.
The sun was hidden behind the numerous clouds, and the further she traveled, the more she could see a few remaining flowers.

Allura knew what she must do, but she had been dreading it throughout the whole ride there.

The horse's head hung low as it dragged its hooves across the hard and frozen ground. It knew. Somehow it knew.

Gea was laughing and pointing at the few things she saw as they rode up the trail, but her hand stayed to her side, the constant pain never stopping her smile from showing. She never would stop.

"Look! A squirrel!" Gea smiled, pointing in the direction of the small creature as it scurried up the tree. "It's getting cold! Shouldn't it be sleeping?" She asked Allura.

"Hmm?" Allura said while looking up at the tree where the creature had vanished. "Oh... maybe he will soon. They need to have food stored remember? It probably is gonna just search for a little more food."

"I hope it goes to sleep before it gets too cold. I don't want it to freeze or go hungry." Gea kept her eyes ahead, holding onto the horse's mane with one of her hands.

The little girl began to braid the thick hair between her fingers, trying to distract herself for the ride. She didn't know where they were going. She just knew that she trusted Allura. She always had.

She had arrived at Altea with her father, her mother and other family members had already been dead at that point. But when her father brought her to the camp, he was sweating, his skin discolored.

Gea was a toddler, and she had held onto his hand as he led her to the gates before he begged for them to open the doors. He had claimed she needed protection. He couldn't provide that for her much longer.

He never made it inside the gates. Yet Gea didn't cry as she was picked up and taken inside. She just waved with a smile.
She loved her father greatly. She still did.

Now she had been there through so much. Through the invasion and everything. Before that, a man named Rick had taken her in. He had a baby girl and had lost his wife to childbirth, but his son, Carl, and Allura were there to help them all.

Rick never made it out of Altea from the invasion. The baby died of the flu. Carl was bitten and buried next to his father and sister. He had chosen to take his own bullet rather than turn.

Now Gea remained, but not alone. She has Allura now. Allura never left her.

The ride continued at its pace as they made their way up the side of the mountain. It would be far from any danger and Allura knew what would be there for Gea.

They stopped a moment later, Allura sliding off the saddle and leading the horse to a stray tree, tying the reins to the side. She then went back to the horse and helped Gea down.

"Allura?" Gea asked as she was lifted and set to the ground. "Where did Shiro and Rover go again?" Her voice was soft and curious as she reached for Allura's hand, walking further uphill with her.

Allura smiled softly. "They went to look for some more supplies. They're safe though. They their friends."

"I like Rover." Gea smiles, looking from the young woman back to the horse. "I like dogs too. I wish we had more. I want a puppy someday."

Allura listened to her, hearing her speak of the dog and how much she adored playing with it. It was rather nice, but she knew the white lie would help Gea stay happy. If the girl knew of the danger, she would be fearful. Allura didn't want that. "I'll make sure you get a puppy someday. Maybe Rover can find another dog, maybe they can have puppies." She spoke in a slow tone, staying calm while they walked. It was better that way.

"Puppies!" The girl cheered happily, skipping slightly. "They would be so cute!"

"Yeah!" Allura laughed softly and held her hand while she laughed. "They really would."

They top of the hill was higher and when they arrived, Gea was mesmerized.

Not only was the view beautiful, but there were flowers. It was untouched by the frost, and they were scattered in a small area. There were others that were picked previously and laid on the ground, but it didn't matter to Gea.

"Look at all he pretty flowers!" She said and let go of Allura's hand, going to them. She was slow in her movements from the pain in her side, but she knelt down near them. The last flowers alive for the season. Allura found it just for her.

Allura didn't join her to the flowers, she just let the girl play with them. "They're for you Gea. I found as many as I could still alive. They were the last ones."

"They're pretty!" Gea laughed as she picked some, examining the petals of each while she knelt on the ground, her back to Allura.

It was the hardest thing she had done, but with glassy eyes, Allura reached to the holster in her side. "They're so pretty. Just like you, okay?"
Her words were forced through her dry throat and bit tongue.

Gea paid no attention to what was happening behind her, she was so focused on the yellow of each dandelion, the brightness and texture. "Can I take some home with us?"

Allura nodded. "You can pick as many as you want." She said. The tears started falling, but they were slow, gently trailing down her cheeks as she pulled the gun, bringing it up moments later. "Just look at the flowers Gea."

Allura felt her hand start to shake, hearing the mumbles of the girl, little comments that the others would have loved to hear.

"You think Shiro would like them?"

"I wanna put some in Rover's collar!"

" Hunk says yellow is his favorite color!"

Each word brought so much pain as she tried to stay focused. Her back shuddered as she forced herself to keep her aim. "Just look at the flowers." She whispered.

The gun went off, the pistol dropping from Allura's hands and hitting the ground the same time as the girl. Allura took shaky breaths, looking at her as she laid next to the flowers, the ones in her hand laying atop.

Allura covered her mouth as she stumbled, her heart shattering as she took a few steps toward the girl and collapsed on the ground next to her. Her hand weaves under the girl's coat as she lifted her up.

She traced her hands over the girl's eyelids, closing them as the blood trailed from her forehead. Allura reaches to the ground, placing a dandelion behind her ear.

"There... see? It doesn't hurt anymore..." Allura spoke in a shaky tone, tears streaking her face as she held the girl in her arms. "Now you can pick all the flowers you want."