My Sunshine(discontinued)

8

I jerked myself awake from where I had fallen asleep at the sound of a gunshot. I started to panic, my breathing coming out in ragged breaths. Gentle hands touched my face and someone appeared in front of me. 

"Keith... Hey. Keith breathe. In and out. Can you that with me? Deep breaths. In... and out.." I let in a long breath and let it out and repeated the process as the unknown lady stroked my cheeks soothingly. my vision cleared and I took in the slightly tanned skin, slightly hollowed cheeks, muddy green eyes, and the long brown hair that framed her face. She smiled, revealing two rows of straight white teeth. "Good to see you breathing properly."

"Thanks. I guess that gunshot kinda spooked me." I winced at my own words. Lance said spooked a lot. The woman removed her hands from my face. 

"So you're Keith, huh?"

"Y-yeah. That's me." I stuttered.

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Lori, Rick's wife." We shook hands and she helped me up, handing me the cane.

"Thank you." I mumbled. She looked me up and down and I shrunk in on myself.

"How did you save Rick?" She asked.

"Excuse me?" I was surprised at the condescending tone in her voice.

"You look weak. And feminine. Are you actually a guy?" I flinched. Was she actually asking me this?

"Y-yes... I- I am a guy..." She scoffed and turned away, heading back inside. Leaving me to stand there in shock, trying to get my breathing under control again. Once I did, I realized there was someone sitting on the steps. I went over and leaned on the railing. The blonde woman looked up at me. 

"Are you that Keith guy?" She asked with a slightly tired tone.

"Um... Yeah. That's me..." She smiled.

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Andrea. How old are you?"

"Seventeen."

"Really?" She seemed shocked. "You look like you're fifteen!" 

My face warmed up and I looked away. Andrea snorted. "You're bright red, kid." The screen door opened and an older man walked out. Andrea's head snapped around. "How's he doing?" She asked him.

"He'll be fine." He answered her. "What about you?" Andrea sighed as the old man sat next to her. 

"I shot Daryl..."

"...Don't be too hard on yourself." He said seriously, then his voice changed to a lighter tone. "We've all wanted to shoot Daryl." They smiled at each other for a moment before Andrea pointed her thumb towards me. 

"This is the famous 'Keith' by the way. Keith, this is Dale."

"Hi." I muttered. Dale smiled at me. 

"I think you might want to go see Daryl. Maybe go take him his dinner. Be sure to thank him. He was the one who found you."

I didn't know what to say. So instead, I nodded and made my way inside to the kitchen where a young short haired brunette, a blonde my age, an older woman with long blonde hair, and a woman with really short grey hair were making dinner. I almost let out a sigh of relief when I didn't see Lori. The girl my age looked up and smiled. 

"Hi! You're Keith, right? I'm Beth."

"Hi." I said quietly. "I wanted to take Daryl some food." Beth nodded enthusiastically and prepared a tray, handing it to me. She paused when I reached out to take it. Her eyes glanced down at the cane.

"Are you sure?" She asked with slight concern. 

"Don't worry, I have great balance." She nodded and gave me the tray.