midnight memories

intro

I had been on the road for what seemed like forever, but I couldn't stop. I had nowhere to go, everyone I knew, everyone I loved was all behind me. Part of me feels like I shouldn't have left them in the first place. They were my family, even before the world went to shit.

I had to leave though, I could no longer be there overwhelmed by the memories who tore apart the girl I once was. All I have left is the little will to live and to keep moving forward.

I stopped keeping track of time after the first month on my own, there was no point to it. It was the same everyday. Kill a few of the infected, scavenge for food, hide from enemies and start my journey into the unknown future.

These past few days however have been the worst that I've been through. I haven't had anything to eat, every place I'd find was empty and I started to believe that there was no more food left in the world.

The past few days turned into a week. Still no sign of food and I could feel the lack of energy consume me. The leaves crunching beneath my feet began to get louder and louder. My breath became heavier and my vision began to tunnel. This is it. My time has finally come. I'm not ready to go yet though, I feel that there's something else for me to do.

But if I were to go right now, I'd get to see him again.  The one person I've ever truly loved. I want nothing more to be wrapped in his arms again, him telling me that he loves, and waking up next to him in the morning. The way his smile lit up any room, and when he was upset I'd find a way to make that smile come out again. I just want him back, see him one more time but I'm never going to. He was the last person that kept my old self from completely leaving. I did every thing that I could to save him but then again there was only so much I could do.

The tears escape my eyes and my breath hitches, I drop down to my knees. Why did he have to leave me? We could've made it through this together. I can't control it anymore, I'm in the middle of the woods, sobbing and completely vulnerable. My vision begins to fade and everything goes dark.

"Daryl, hang on! Holy shit, she's still alive."

I hear a man talking over me.  My eyes flutter slightly but I'm still very weak. He's got brown hair that slicked back a little. He has a full beard and has his magnum set in his holder.

"Hey, what's your name?" He says. Another man appears. He's got long black hair, and he's wearing a sleeveless button up. He moves his crossbow to his back and reaches down. I try to get up to run but nothing was responding. I felt paralyzed. The two men can sense my uncomfortableness.

"We're not gonna hurt you. We just want to help. My name's Rick. Do you think you can tell me yours?"

I felt the darkness begin to overwhelm me again but before I completely go unconscious. I manage to whisper my name.

Ariana

****

"She was severely dehydrated Rick and she looks like she hasn't had a decent meal for a while."

"Well she was already almost unconscious by the time Daryl and I found her. She's so young, Hershel. Hard to believe she was out there all by herself. We couldn't just leave her ."

"I wouldn't have been able to either."

"She said her name was Ariana but that's all we know so far, hopefully we can talk to her more when she wakes up."

****
I could feel the warmth of the sun against my face, I slowly opened my eyes and the light immediately caused me to shut them again. I sat up and looked around at my surroundings. The walls were cement with a toilet on the other side. It was a prison cell. I looked around for my bag but it wasn't here.

All I could remember was being on the brink of passing out and two men finding me. They must have brought me back to their place. I need to get out of here. I don't know who they are and what they're capable of. I try to open the gate but it wouldn't budged. I tried again a little harder but there was no use, the gate was locked. I heard another gate open and footsteps. I look around the room for something to be used as a weapon but couldn't find anything.

"Hey, you're finally up." A woman says. She has short brown hair, and is wearing a green tank top with jeans.

"My name's Maggie."

I just stare at her debating whether or not to talk.

"We're not gonna hurt you, Ariana."

"How do you know my name?"

"Rick told me. He's the one who brought you here, well him and Daryl."

"Where are we?"

"We're in a prison. It was overrun by walkers but we managed to take it over."

"Just the three of you?"

"No, there's a few more of us but you can meet them later. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions now?"

"Uhh sure."

"How long were you out there on your own?"

"I'm not too sure. I stopped keeping track."

"Was there anyone else with you?"

"There used to be."

"What happened to them?"

"It's kind of a long story."