The Optimist and the Pessimist

Chapter 1: Coda (Prolouge)

Beth had her hands gripping the handles of Carol's wheelchair tightly as she waited to see a warm, familiar face in the hospital hallway. She felt like it had been way too long since she was with her group. Her family. She finally had to toughen up and learn how to fight for herself, and for that she was grateful. But she wasn't grateful for the hardships she endured and for being separated from the people who mattered the most to her.

She kept her chin held high and tried not to show much emotion as she heard the light footsteps from across the hall. She felt Carol reach a hand up to place over hers and she took a deep breath. They were here. They actually came for her. Who was still alive? Who would she see? Would Maggie be there? Would Glenn? She knew Daryl would be. She knew Rick would be too. Dawn had mentioned their names and all she wanted to do was to revert back into a child again for a minute and be held by one of them. To be told it would all be okay. That her surviving yet another hell was worth something.

Suddenly, bodies filed into the room and Beth took it all in. There was Rick, Tyrese, Daryl, Noah...She saw no sign of Glenn or Maggie and still didn't know if they were alive. Her eyes met Daryl's from across the room, only letting him slightly see her inner turmoil. She was scared, uncertain.

Everything seemed to go smoothly until Dawn decided to get greedy and demand they hand over Noah. Her group already had Carol in their grasp now, and before Beth could get to anyone she turned around. She was so angry she saw red. Noah only wanted to be free. To find his family. To move on. This wasn't fair. Beth slowly approached Dawn and reached into her pocket subtly. "I get it now." She spoke, voice wavering, as she took out a pair of scissors and stabbed it into Dawn's temple. She watched as she fell to the ground, surprised she had that much bravery and strength inside her before looking up to see the hospital group now drawing their guns.

Rick began to talk them out of doing something stupid, but Beth couldn't hear what he was saying as she turned around and hugged the closest person to her, letting herself cry for just a moment. She immediately knew who it was when she felt strong arms wrap around her and she squeezed tightly, glad it was all over.