The Light in my Storm

Lucky Charm (54)

It had been an hour, I still couldn't sleep. I was more than wide wake. I carefully stood up, Katie was sleeping peacefully on the couch. I stepped through the mess of bodies on the ground and walked out the door. I had my hands in my hoodie pocket. I strolled mindlessly down the street. We have lost so much, lost so many people to get here. It broke my heart.

So much has happened. Tears fell down my face silently. People were just taken from our lives so suddenly. One second, Hershel was talking to me about his tea that used to keep people alive. The next his head was tumbling. At least, that's what it felt like. Beth, we spent time together with the kids. She was young, and hopeful. Free spirited. She deserved more. Then that stupid bitch from the hospital took her from us...

I missed the farm, I missed the prison. I missed everyone we'd lost, because that's what our group was. Our group wa- is, our group is a family. Everyone loves each other. They are some of the greatest people I've ever met. We laughed together, we cried together, we lived together, we would all die for each other.

As I walked, dark thoughts running through my brain. Thinking about everything. How did time pass like this? How did we lose sooo many people? Why is the world like this? Why did it take good people away from us?

Where was Morales and his family? What if I had done something differently, would we still be at the prison? Would all the people we'd lost still be ali-

"You alright?" Someone asked behind me. I spun around. Daryl was standing there, just a foot or two away.

"How did you catch up so quietly?" I asked, wiping away tears quickly.

"What's wrong?" He asked, coming closer. I shook my head biting my lip, I couldn't hold the tears back. They spilled down my face. His arms wrapped around me. I cried into his chest feeling completely broken.

"I miss everyone we've lost. How did this even happen?" I asked as I sobbed.

"I know," He muttered, rubbing my back. My tears fell onto his jacket, he held onto me. Kissing the top of my head and holding me close. I don't know how long we stood there, but after a long time. I pulled away, wiping my tears.

"I love you," He said softly, looking me in the eyes.

"I love you, too," I smiled softly, my eyes were puffy. I could feel it, and probably red too. We walked back to the house, I eventually fell asleep curled up beside him. His warmth seeming to hug my body.

*

Daryl went out this morning with Rick and Carol. They were having some secret meeting. I'm the only other person that knew. I was going to go, but Riley wanted me to go outside the walls with him to learn the area. Daryl frowned when I told him.

Riley and I walked a few miles out. I got the general idea.

"I saw you out walking last night," Riley said as if trying to start conversation.

"Oh," Was all I replied with.

"It's a hard transition, from being out here and then being apart of a community. I struggled for about a month or two. It'll get easier."

"I hope so," I said.

"You and Daryl? Are you guys married?"

"No," I replied.

"Katie? Your kid?" He asked.

"Yes."

Riley stuck his arm out in front of me, he crouched down, I followed.

A 6 pointer deer stood in a field. Looking up every 20 to 30 seconds. Riley pulled his gun out. Taking aim.

"Actually, why don't you do it," Riley said softly, handing me the gun. I took my time aiming. I let out a slow steady breath before pulling the trigger. The deer fell to the ground with a thump.