Together by Apocalypse (Daryl Dixon)

Chapter 1

I sat on the couch nervously biting my nails while Thea looked outside our apartment window. From the twenty-seventh floor it was very hard to see most of the chaos happening below. The city looked as beautiful as it always does but I could still hear the tanks and the explosions in the distance. The national guard had to take matters into their own hands, people were eating people, shooting people, stealing. It was just mass chaos. I couldn't decide what to do. Leave Atlanta or stay and wait it out. We were advised to stay indoors, yesterday, however nothing came on the tv today.

The words apocalypse and zombie were stuck in my head. I haven't even heard those words since before Thea was born. Me and my boyfriend of two years would constantly joke about the zombie apocalypse. It couldn't actually happen though, right? As hurtful memories of my previous relationship flooded my brain, I decided we had to leave the city. It's been almost 5 years since he had left me, and I'm still not over it. Thea looks exactly like him, for crying out loud! I was used to it, but I was NOT over it. Thea's tiny voice interrupted my thoughts.

Thea: mommy? When can we go outside?

Thea still looked out the window, in hopes of going outside. She loved to be outside, just like her father, he basically lived outside. I wanted to leave the city, at least until it was safe. However, I don't have my own vehicle. My close friend, Aubrey, lives across the hall, and she does have a vehicle. I wouldn't doubt that she would want to leave too. Thea was unaware of most of the stuff happening, I didn't want her scared.

Danielle: Thea baby we are gonna go on a trip.

I watched as Thea excitedly ran over to me from the window. Her bright blue eyes sparkled as she grinned, ear to ear, from excitement. She had her fathers eyes. I could never forget those gorgeous, icy blues.

Thea: yay!!!

Thea jumped on the couch now, bouncing up in down in excitement. I giggled, even though the situation was NOT ok, just having her made everything better.

Danielle: Thea.. I need you to get your backpack and put your clothes in it ok?

Thea: ok mommy. Where you going?

Danielle: mommy's gonna run across the hall real quick. I love you

Thea: I love you mommy.

Thea ran into her room to pack her things. I opened my closet to get my backpack and there at the top. memories flooded back. There was the pink crossbow Thea's father had given me. When he gave it to me he said "kick some zombie ass" in a joking way of course. It was originally for us to hunt together. I decided to grab it after all this cannibal talk.

Danielle: I'll be back Thea!

I opened my apartment door and walked across the hall to apartment "587" which was Aubrey's. I knocked. Of course she didn't answer. I knocked again. No answer again. I jiggled the door knob to find it unlocked. I smiled and opened it, only to find her apartment destroyed.

Danielle: Aubrey?

I walked into her living room. It looked like a tornado ran through it.

Danielle: Aubrey?

Male Voice: who is there!!

I looked towards the hallway to see a man in a big puffy blue suit. It almost looked like a space suit but I think it was more of a protection suit. The head part had a gas mask on it and he was carrying a big gun.

Danielle: I'm from across the hall.. Danielle.

Blue Suit: were you bitten?

Danielle: bitten??

Blue Suit: were you!

Danielle: no?

Blue suit: why are you in here?

Danielle: to see my friend...

Blue suit: she's dead.. She was bitten!

Danielle: bitten??

Blue suit: get out of here kid! Out of the city!

Danielle: but--

Blue suit: are you alone?

Danielle: I have a daughter..

Blue suit: take her and go.. Now

Danielle: ok.. I need her keys

I walked past the man and into the kitchen. There they were on the key hook. I grabbed them and ran back to the living room.

Blue suit: now go!

Danielle: thank you

Blue suit: good luck out there

I walked back into my apartment. My crossbow slung on my back and keys in my hand.

Thea: where's miss Aubrey?

Thea had her little monster high back pack on her back.

Danielle: miss Aubrey wants to stay but she gave us her car.

I lied to Thea, I didn't want to scare her. Thea smiled at me and I went into my room to pack a few things in my backpack. I grabbed a few shirts, shorts and pants. I hurried to the kitchen and grabbed cans of food, and a can opener. I ran to the closet and grabbed two blankets and me and Thea's pillows.

Thea: mommy why are you running?

Danielle: ok baby grab your pillow and blanket.

Thea just did as I said without question. Which was good because I didn't have an answer. I had no idea what was going on or where we were going. Thea and I carried our stuff to the elevator.

Thea: the star one right??

Danielle: good job baby

Thea loved pressing the elevator button. She smiled as she hugged her little stuffed bear, that her father had given me. Memories. The elevator stopped and we were on the ground floor. I opened the elevator and I couldn't believe my eyes. There were bodies all over the floor in the lobby. Not just one or two. At least 20 dead bodies across the floor.

Thea: mommy!

Danielle: Thea Marie... Stay close and calm. It'll be ok.

We got to Aubrey's car parked right in the front of the building and threw all of our stuff in the backseat. I let Thea sit in the front. I wanted her close to me. I started the car quickly and began driving. Avoiding the chaos.

Thea: mommy what's happening!!

Danielle: baby I want you to close your eyes for mommy.

Thea: but mommy--

I was driving slowly and right as I said that someone jammed their face against the window with a thump and viscously growled. Thea screamed and I sped up the road. Thea squeezed her teddy bear and closed her eyes as I finally got out of the chaos mess of the city right now. Once we were out of the city officially, I pulled of to the side of the road, more in the woods and looked back. Helicopters were dropping bombs. It was explosion after explosion. I looked back at Thea. She was crying. I pulled further into the woods and shut the car off.

Danielle: Thea come here.

Thea came and sat on my lap. I wiped the tears off her cheeks.

Thea: I'm scared

Danielle: I know baby.. We are gonna go to sleep ok.

I leaned my seat back and put a pillow under my head. Then pulled a blanket overtop of me and Thea. I held her tight and waited for her to fall asleep. There's nothin I hate more in the world than not being able to tell my baby girl, that everything is going to be ok.