This Is Our World Now -A Walking Dead Fanfiction

Chapter Eight- Gone

The caravan of trucks slow as we each one passes the sign. We then follow the road to the dropoff area, tucked between buildings and under walkways. I recognize the signs stating airlines such as "Alaska" and "American" and "Delta". We have all been here dozens of times in our past lives, but now the color seems to have washed out of the place, and the excitement preluding a vacation is not there. All I feel is my sweaty palms and pounding heart.

The trucks stop, one by one, and the adults who were able to escape, hop off the vehicles. They form small, tight groups and move around the vicinity cautiously, securing the area. No roamers appear yet, and this place is deemed safe for now.

It is twilight now. The sky is purple-blue, with streaks of pink. I estimate that it is around 7 in the evening. We are told that we are sleeping on the backs of the trucks for tonight, and in the morning we will attempt to enter the airport. Lights out is at nine, so until then, we ar allowed to hang out on the trucks quietly. Somebody brings out the food that was stored on each truck, in case of a situation like this.

I grab a couple granola bars, and then I set off to look for Nora and Danny. I jump off the truck bed and land softly on my feet. My muddied, worn-in Converse make my steps almost silent as I walk between the vehicles, peeking into every truck to see if my friends are there.

A few trucks in, maybe five, I hear a voice calling "Annie! Annie! Over here!" And I see Danny's golden-brown hair. He is hanging over the side of what I assume is his truck, waving at me. I grin and jog over.

Pulling myself up onto the wooden slats of the truck bed, I plop myself down next to Danny.

"Hey, Danny!"

"Hey, yourself. Where's your truck?"

I gesture in the general direction. He nods and I ask,

"Who else made it...?"

Danny looks away. I feel a pit growing in my stomach. I ask again,

"Who made it? Did Nora make it?"

Danny doesn't answer me and I yell,

"Goddamnit!"

He finally looks up at me with melancholy eyes, then slowly shakes his head from left to right. I hang my head, trying to keep the tears in as I process this news. It's okay, my mind reasons, she's just off getting something to eat.

It hits me like a train.

Nora is dead. My best friend. Gone, forever and ever.

The feelings from my brother's death, and my parents death flood my body again, numbing me and causing tears to drip down my cheeks. I look up blurrily at Danny. He is not crying, but the look on his face is just as bad. I

I tilt my head and rest it on his shoulder as I whisper one word:

"Gone."

Danny wraps his arms around me and whispers back,

"I know."