The Walking Dead: What Rests Ahead

Chapter 10:

Now, the opening of a door may not be terrifying to you, but it certainly was to me. As I hung from that ceiling, I couldn't tell who it was approaching me. The room was dark and my vision blurred in and out due to the light-headedness of being upside down for so long. The door opened with a loud creak and it ever so slowly swung forward. It was like something out of a prison. The gray, sturdy door had no handle on my side. I could assume there was one on the outside or else no one would be entering now. My breath caught in my throat, my head swirled. I felt my bones tremble even with my trapped situation. God, I wished I could be free from these chains. A small twinge of panic clawed at my stomach, causing me to clench my sweaty fists into balls around the chains that enclosed me. I was not going down without a fight. I was not dying today.

The room was deadly silent. I held my breath, afraid to make a noise. The door was obscuring my view of whoever was in here. Why were they taking so long? If a Terminus resident were going to kill me, why were they taking their sweet time? Or was it someone intent on saving me? The suspense built inside me until it was almost unbearable. Finally, a small foot stepped outside of the entrance and the sound echoed in the tiny room.

"Hannah?"

I sighed almost too loudly as Carl's figure appeared in front of me. Just behind him, Rick stood with a gun in his hands. The redneck had his crossbow aimed at my face. The other group members must have been outside the doorway.

Carl rushed over to me and tugged on the chains without another word. At this, Rick held him back with a grunt. "Stop, Carl." He said in a low, gruff tone that made me shudder internally with fear.

"We're saving her," the young boy responded definitely like there wasn't any doubt in his mind that he shouldn't get me down.

A soft sigh escaped Rick's lips."Carl, we have to leave now." He put emphasis on the word 'now' as if danger was lurking into the room as he spoke.

"No." Ignoring his father, Carl grabbed a knife and tried to saw at my chains with no success. The knife didn't even leave a scratch.

Suddenly, Rick grabbed Carl and lifted him up to carry him away. With all his might, Carl kicked but his father was strong and determined.

"No!" I yelled, seeing my only escape leave me. "Please!"

My pleads echoed as the door began to shut, my hopes plummeting quickly.

Maybe I was going to die today.