Life Isn't Fair

37

I smiled and folded the paper into a neat little square, placing it under the pair of jeans on the far right side. I bit my lip, rubbed the side of my arm, and decided I would go. I scavenged through the stand-up dresser in the room, before choosing a light blue maxi dress that seemed fairly clean for the apocalypse, but I decided not to question it. I slipped some worn out wedges stashed in the corner of the closet, and looked at myself in the dirty mirror. I looked too good for the world to be over. I opened my door, walked down the stairs slowly as to not make myself dizzy and fall over, and once I was at the bottom of the stairs I had to hold onto the railing for support. I made a sound of desperation and pain, and clutched my side. No one was here though, maybe all on duty or just out. My head ached, but I stood up straight. This was NOT going to stop me from having fun. I slipped one of those oval pills into my mouth and drank water from a bottle that was just laying around, and the effects were instant. I sighed in relief. When I regained composure, I waltzed right up to the doors of this event, and knocked lightly. When Jerry opened the door to me, his goofy smile came instantly. "Hello, m'lady." I bowed, grinned, and stepped inside. Ezekiel noticed my presence and put his wine glass down, and walked right up to me in his kingdom-style. I chuckled when he took my hand and kissed the top of it, somehow not noticing how hot my face became. "No need to be this formal, Ezekiel." I smiled in his direction, and he returned it. "How can I not to a Queen like you?" His flirty behavior was definitely noticed by me, and I knew it might be because he was intoxicated. "Are you drunk?" I asked, laughing when he nodded his head. "By the way, your attire looks as good as you." And with that last compliment, he walked away with a smirk. I shook my head and went straight to Carol who had been visiting when I got here. "How are you? It's been a few days since we've last seen each other." She glances at me and when she noticed I was standing next to her she smiled warmly at me. Like a mom, only not. "I've been doing good, and I'm loving it here. Maybe I should just stay." She comments, and I look her dead in the face. "Really? Why not stay at Alexandria?" I question, genuinely curious. "Because I feel like I need a change. Plus, they need someone with a sharp eye while handling a rifle. I told Ezekiel how good I was- and showed him- So he asked me to be a guard. I told Rick and he said if this will get our communities together, to go for it. So I did, and here I am." I nodded, and said one last final goodbye. I started to feel dizzy, and I forgot to bring more pills with me, so I go all the way back to my room after saying my goodbyes to everyone else, then plopped on the bed. I fell asleep just like that on the soft bed, and the next morning I was on the floor. I was sore, and had aches throughout my body. "I'm so going home today." I sigh.
     The rest of the time I packed my stuff and got ready to leave. Jerry escorted me to the gates and lead a horse with him. He got on, and held his hand out to me. "You're riding with me, Skylar. Ezekiel can't trust that you'll make it safely home. So he sent me." I rolled my eyes and took his hand, instantly getting pulled up onto the back of the brown horse. "What's his name?" He cuts me off. "Her. And her name is Cookie." I giggle at his child like mind, and when the gates open he gallops out of them. It takes about half an hour before we stroll up to the gates of Alexandria. "This is my stop." I joke, and hop off the horse with my backpack strung on my shoulders. I wince in pain as my bad leg hits the ground, and a small whimper leaves my lips. "Be careful, okay? We don't need another person gone." And with that, he turns and trots away. The gates open simultaneously, and there stands a friendly face. "Aiden!" I run-limp into his arms, and he catches me happily. "Are you okay? I missed you." Aiden says, with a smile on his face. I nod and then hug tighter. What breaks me away from him is the reminder of why I came home. "Where is Dallas?" I ask. "He's at home. Michonne is there with him, she said she's happy to babysit any time." I nod and almost sprint my way home.  Painfully quickly I jog to my home, where my son waits. I burst through the door with Aiden on my trail, and the second I step in my home I come to a halt, remembering how warm and cozy it is. I forget that Aiden is behind me at the last second, and he bumps into me, almost knocking me over. He catches me by the waist and I laugh because I almost fell. He helps me up and and I look around for Dallas. "Mommy?" I hear the soft, sweet voice of my baby, and my eyes land on him resting on Michonne's hip. I literally run to him and pick him up, spinning him around and forgetting for a split second that I was in pain. I wince and tears come to my eyes but it doesn't matter now because I have my son back, alive and safe. I cry and tuck my face into his shoulder, so, so happy that my family is back together and whole. Even Simba nudges my leg with his snout and sits happily, tail wagging. "Thank you so much." I say to Michonne, who grins widely at the warm reunion. She nods and leaves, shutting the door behind her quietly. After an hour and a half of spending time with Dallas it becomes dark, and I realize it's time for him to go to bed. I put him in the room with my daughter and kiss their foreheads goodnight. I gently close the door and walk downstairs, going into the kitchen to grab a granola bar. My feet take me to my front porch, where I stand looking out into the community. It's night, the cold air brushes against my skin making me shiver. As I munch on my snack, a pair of arms wrap around my waist, similar to earlier. "Hey Aiden." I smile. He places his chin on my shoulder and breathes in, then says, "I'm glad your home." I turn to face him, giving him a full hug, his body encasing mine. "I am too. Trust me." I reach up on my tip toes and give him a loving kiss, finally letting myself go and telling myself not to be stressed. I grin and turn back around, moving his arms back around my waist. "I love my family." I smile. Rick comes up the steps, with a beautiful grin and his arms full with Judith. "She was asking about 'Aunt Skylar', and I had to bring her over." I nod and Aiden lets go of me, allowing me to grab Judith and bounce her on my hip. She giggles, and I gesture for Rick to come inside. "So, after that group almost took out the lot of us, we've agreed that no one is going out for a while. We'll grow food, heal, and stock up on all the ammo we need. People need to rest, including you. So please, please rest, Skylar. You need it. You deserve it." I nod and hug Judith tightly once more before I give her back to Rick. I wave as they go out of the door, joy filling my heart. "I'm going to bed." I gave Aiden one last kiss before leaving up to my room. I take a small shower and clothe myself, feeling warm and happy. I go to bed with one last thought. How did I get so lucky?