-Walking Dead Apocalypse-

-Prologue-

November eleventh. We all witnessed Rick Grime's death. Eight years ago to this day, we watched him fall. Carl, Maggie, Glenn, Daryl, Carol, Beth, Andrea, Michonne, Tyreese and Hershel. Even Judith and the boys, Shawn and Hershel junior. We were scouting the perimeter of whatever was left over of Woodbury after the fire. Rick had seen the lone gunner before any of us had, running to grab Carl and tackle him to the ground. The bullet struck home and Rick was dead in seconds. Carl had killed the man with his bare hands. I was stuck cleaning blood out of his clothes for weeks.

Rick's death struck us all with grief. For months we were in tatters, barely able to keep things together at all. We lost so many the day the prison became overrun. My mother Carol and Hershel . . .

We were forced to move. But the only places left were miles of woodland and the ruins of the once evil Woodbury. It wasn't a hard choice between the two, but what came after was. Apparently, a bunch of the Woodbury survivors had joined together and during the fight for Woodbury, Maggie, Andrea and Tyreese were lost. When we won the finale battle, victory had never tasted so bitter. Glenn didn't speak for weeks. Michonne left for months. There was just the eleven of us left, consisting mostly of children aside from Daryl, Glenn, Carl and Beth. Times were worse than horrible. You were lucky to get cold water at all and walkers were absolutely everywhere. The reconstruction of Woodbury took nearly four years and even then, things were hardly any better. With each year that passed, Daryl, our newly assigned leader, got colder and colder. Until he barely spoke at all, spending most of his time at Mom's grave.

The construction was slow and long. Of course, over the years, we had found other survivors. A medic even. And many others. But time only brought up a recurring question. Was Daryl fit to be the leader anymore?

Carl assumed the role shortly thereafter and I watched him struggle with it for years. Even now, I can still see the torment in his eyes. He shares both his father's compassion and determination to be strong even when it's alright to feel scared. In all my years by his side, I have never seen him cry. Ever since the day of Rick's death. Ever sense everything went to hell and back. Ever since the world got just a bit darker.

My name is Sophia Peleteir and I have no idea how this group will age or grow. We're stronger now than we were before, but maybe it isn't all that great. I sometimes worry that we're losing our humanity. Maybe I'm crazy. Maybe I worry too much. Who knows? Sometimes I just feel that maybe Rick Grimes wasn't the only one we lost on November eleventh. Sometimes I believe that we all lost ourselves.

Author's note: Hello, everyone! This is the prologue to the new story I am going to be writing called, the Walking Dead Apocalypse. It's the first Walking Dead FanFic I have ever written, so bear with me, people! If I make any mistakes or screw something up, please feel free to say! I've been trying to do as much extra research on the characters as possible and re-watch episodes if necessary. And to clear something up, this is loosely based off the TV show and the comics, so for example, Andrea lived a little longer (XD) and gave birth to (the evil bastard's) the Governor's son. Tyreese hooked up with Michonne. Sophia is alive . . . you get the gist. :)

Okay, so, so far, this story takes place fifteen years after the other three seasons took place (not counting the fourth as I haven't seen it. But excited as hell!). The main characters are Sophia Peletier (using Carol's last name and not her real father's) and Carl Grimes. Of course, there are many others, including Beth Greene, Judith Grimes, Maggie and Glenn's two twin boys Shawn and Hershel Rhee, Shenae AKA Michonne and Tyreese's daughter, Bennie Dixon AKA Carol and Daryl's daughter and even Forrest Blake AKA Andrea and Philip Blake's (the Governor's) son. Along with many new characters! Hopefully you'll enjoy!

I love reviews and comments as well as constructive criticism! It'd mean the world to me if you commented. I'm also open to ideas and plot schemes. Tell me what you think! Also, if you've ever seen Supernatural or enjoy Norse Mythology, I have written two other FanFic's about each! Supernaturally and Blaze of Fire. And visit me on FictionPress to view my original work! Wow, I'm a busy writin' bee!

Anyway, thanks again for reading and I'll be posting the first chapter ASAP. Love you all! *blows kiss* ;)