Living in Before

Tell It To The Frogs

The car alarm echoed as we sped, bouncing off the road and triggering other car alarms.

I shouted over the noise. "If I wasn't so happy, I'd be so annoyed right now."

The windows were rolled down, making my hair flail. Glenn winced when he looked at me and said I was bleeding. Through the side mirror, I saw dry blood crusting the right side of my forehead. And a black spot on my cheek, from the walker. I frantically wiped at the blemish before it disappeared. Relieved it was only a surface grime, I shut my eyes. My eyelashes stuck together a little longer than they should have, but I convinced myself to deal with it later. In the moment, I only adored the fact I wasn't left behind. Glenn told me he and Rick helped me into the car after I disoriented myself.

That's how we ended up driving down the freeway. I waved at my friend in the driver's seat of the loading van as we passed. Departing with a salute, Glenn drove the trails and dirt roads towards the outskirts of the city. As the alarm disturbed the trees, I knew any walkers nearby would hear it. My hand grazed something stuck between my seat and the middle console. Distracted, my face lit up as I stuffed the wrapped sweet in my pocket. Glenn made a sharp turn and we parked in a huge camp where people gathered around the window tinted Challenger. As Glenn scrambled out of the car, an old man scolded him. He wore khakis, a tank shirt, and a tropical vacation button up. His fisherman's hat suited him well. I also noticed a woman who I thought was a younger and prettier version of Andrea, Amy. I didn't have a chance to take in the man approaching the car. The hood blocked his face when it popped.

"I'm not arguing. I'm just saying," the old man's soft spoken voice advised. "It wouldn't hurt you to think things through a little more carefully next time, would it?"

"Sorry," Glenn replied, guilty once again. "But I got a cool car and a cool chick."

I timidly exited the vehicle, stalling to face the group. I prayed my mom was there, my step-dad. I prayed Lori and Carl were too. Never had my head turned so violently upon hearing my name. It wasn't my family, but someone I knew. Someone who protected me on occasion. He knew who and what I was, but he never held it against me. He left me unpunished because of her.

"Shane?" He was close enough to hug, but I still surprised the taller man clad in military-like attire. He almost dropped his shotgun in shock as I collided into him. He easily towered over me, being the same height as Rick. Shane failed to return the gesture, but his hand touched my bandage. "You were there," I confirmed, letting him go. His dark brown eyes were confused. "The car crash and the hospital. You saved my life."

"I tried," Shane replied, his accent thick, "How'd you get here? How'd y'all get outta Atlanta?"

"Couple of new guys," Glenn answered, pointing at me.

"New guys?" Shane emphasized the plural.

"Yeah," Morales laughed, "Crazy vatos just got into town. Hey, helicopter boy! Be like trigger happy over here and come say hello."

I chuckled, scanning the small group of survivors. I did a double take as a skinny woman comforted a young boy. She held my astonished stare and, before thinking, I approached Rick, who fiddled with his watch. He muttered something unintelligible at me as I blocked his view of the group, keeping his vibrantly blue eyes on me as I jokingly asked him not to forget me.

"The guy's a cop like you," Morales toldShane, "and I'm guessing you know her."

"Hey, Shane," I called, seeing Rick tense in fear of me being wrong. "Lori, Carl!" His eyes watered before I stepped away to Andrea and Amy. The look on the Grimes' family faces gave me pure joy.

"Oh, my God," Rick croaked.

Carl's mouth hung open in shock before the corners of his lips lifted, creating the brightest smile. "Dad," his high pitched voice rang, "Dad!" The little boy, in his cargo shorts and t-shirt, ran to his father. The man I had come to know as a friend accepted his son's jump into his arms. Rick picked up Carl with a sob and carried him as he greeted his wife. Lori's stunned look morphed into happiness as she grabbed Rick and embraced him, squishing Carl in between. I followed her gaze to Shane's shy smile. Rick looked back at Shane too, nodding in respect.