A New Beginning

Ten years have passed by and Alexandria is stronger than before. They have policemen and men with military experience patrolling every minute of the day. Some Army soldiers are placed on road areas to bring strangers back to Alexandria to make the community stronger. Alexandria now has pets and guard dogs. AJ walks the street that is close to his house as people smile and wave at him. He smiles and waves back. "Good thing you found us when you did." A police man says to AJ, standing in front of him. His hands are on his belt and he stands with proper posture. AJ smiles. "Thank you for making us stronger, Sergeant Johnson." AJ holds his hand out. Sergeant Johnson accepts and they shake hands as he pats AJ on the shoulder when they part. AJ now begins heading to the graves of his loved ones. He places flowers on the graves and stands up, smiling. "I hope you're in a better place." He says to the graves. AJ then turns around and begins walking. After five minutes pass, AJ approaches his house and walks up the stairs, entering inside and grabbing the picture on the dresser in the living room. He exits the house and sits on his chair on the front porch, setting the picture next to him and smiling. "Thank you." He says to the picture. Tyler approaches the stairs. "Hey!" He says with a smile. Tyler is now 17 and AJ is 37. Tyler walks up the stairs and sets himself in the chair across from AJ. "Beautiful day, isn't it?" Tyler asks. "It is." AJ says while looking up at the blue sky, smiling as he admires it. "Who are they?" Tyler asks while pointing at the picture. AJ glances down and looks at the picture. "This is my family. The man and woman? That's my mother and father. They taught me everything I needed to know in order to survive. They taught me how to be a leader. Everything I do is for them." AJ answers. "Where are they now?" Tyler asks. "They're up there." He says pointing at the sky. "Watching over me just like your grandfather is watching over you." AJ replies. They both smile. AJ stands up. "Come here." He says. Tyler stands up and approaches him. AJ pulls his Python out of his holster and holds it out. "Take it." He says. Tyler stares at the gun then at AJ. "It's yours now." Tyler nods and grabs the gun. "It first belonged to a man named Rick Grimes. He made this community become stronger. I was only six when I crossed paths with him, but he was a good man." AJ pauses and takes a breath. "Then it was my fathers. He used it when it was necessary. That beautiful revolver has been in the family for years, and now, it belongs to you." AJ says with a smile. Tyler looks up at AJ and smiles with appreciation. "Thank you." He answers. They hug and Tyler sets it in his holster. "I'm going on a run today." Tyler says to break the silence. "Best be going then, son." AJ responds. Tyler nods and walks off the stairs, heading to the front gate. AJ smiles and raises his head to look up at the blue sky. From up above, Jeremiah, Clementine, and Derek watch him, smiling knowing AJ has grown up. Clementine places her hand on his chest as Jeremiah wraps his arm around her. Derek wraps his arm around Jeremiah and they nod together, knowing they're brothers forever. A figure then slowly appears next to them. It was Tyler with his wife, Alexis. "Thank you." Jeremiah says as he places his hand on Tyler's shoulder. Tyler nods and Jeremiah wraps his arm around Clementine once more and they remain up in Heaven to watch over their son as he continues to be the leader they made him to be.