SURVIVE.
❝ Let the end of the world be
inside you, then you don't
need to fear the end
of the world out there. ❞
THE WALKING DEAD.
DARYL DIXON.
BOOK ONE of the LANCASTER SAGA.
[ SEASONS 1 - 3 ]
******
I do not own The Walking Dead or any of its...
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[ xiii. you don't know ]
october 26th, 2010
➸➸➸
ASTRID STOOD IN ASTOUNDED silence, her heart pounding like a war drum as she looked upon the now open doors of the CDC. At the sound of the shutters flying up, the cacophony of screams and cries had entirely ceased and was replaced by a joint gasp of relief—and shock. The blinding light from the open doorway made Astrid squint beneath her shielded hands as she tried to make out what could possibly be inside.
Suddenly, the menacing growls of walkers shattered the incredulous moment, and Astrid was torn back to her harsh reality. However, before she could resume her fight, her gun nearly raised and poised to fire once more, she was forcefully overpowered and shoved into the open building by her group members. Daryl, standing steadfast at the back, brandished his crossbow to keep the undead at bay until they were all safely inside. The double doors slammed shut behind them.
Barely a step indoors, Astrid felt a small hand slipping into hers, and she looked down to see Carl Grimes at her side. He barely reached her waist in height. She gave the boy a small, reassuring smile, and he bravely returned the gesture.
"Are we okay?" The small boy asked her.
"We're going to be just fine," Astrid soothed, squeezing his tiny hand, even as her own fear still gnawed at her.
"Where the hell is everyone?" Daryl's voice echoed somewhere behind her as they all continued to scan the surroundings. The dark room was massive and empty.
"Maybe they're further in?" Andrea offered.
As far as Astrid and the others could tell, they were alone in this forsaken place. There were no supplies or weapons, no signs of life or death, leaving them to wonder if this place really had been completely abandoned. But then again—perhaps Andrea was right. Maybe survivors had moved deeper into the complex. It would be smart to stay away from the gigantic windows and doors that backed them.
"There has to be someone here," Astrid insisted. "How else could we have gotten in?"
Rick's face was twisted with a timid carefulness as he kept his shotgun raised, ready to face any threat that might emerge. "Stay on your guard," He ordered. "Check for walkers."
Astrid took a tentative step forward, her gun clutched tightly between two strong hands, as she searched for anything useful within her sight. She found that she did not have to look very far. This place paralleled the lifeless world outside. There was nothing at all to help them here. She loosened a trembling breath, and the mere sound of her own life seemed to ring profoundly in the large open room. Choosing to take another daring step forward, Astrid froze as the chilling click of a bullet sliding into its chamber sounded abruptly from behind her.
