I own nothing with The Walking Dead. Nothing but enjoyment is being received by writing these stories.

I sat by a stream to wash the bits and pieces of gore out of my hair. Taking down 3 undead on my own got me a little dirty. That's the nice way of putting it. I sat for a few seconds looking around once more before I started the wonderful task of cleaning off the rank blood.

My name is Alexa. My husband and I were in New York for a conference when the world as we knew it, ended. I am a doctor, well, I WAS a doctor. I haven't really practiced medicine much for the last couple of years. More like, I avoided people at all costs. Not that I am any good at that. My husband wanted to get away from the city. He knew that it was a death sentence to stay there. He was a firefighter. He was made to help people. So to hear him say he wanted to leave. To leave all the injured and sick, well I knew then that we were in some serious trouble.

So here I am, sitting next to some stream in fuck knows where, washing walking corpse matter - from my hair and body. I know that the disease sitting in this flesh is unthinkable. To my left is the water, to my right, just forest. Tons of it. I have no clue where I am.

I was lost in thought when I heard what I thought was voices. Sounded deep, like a man's voice.

"Shit! I have nowhere to hide" I thought.

Looking around frantically, I searched for somewhere to hide myself as much as possible. I was tired after defending myself from the undead. The voices came closer and I froze. Maybe the embankment of the stream would partially cover some of me.

"Lets just fill up the water and get back. I don't like leaving Carl for too long."

"Hold on." said a different voice.

Then it went quiet. I couldn't hear a thing. Not that I can hear that well to begin with.

Curious now, I started to creep up the small embankment to get a better view. Two men were standing there, looking down at me. Guns raised and pointed so steadily at my head.

"Who are you?" asked the guy that had mentioned getting water. His voice was deadly serious in just those 3 little words.

Glancing between the two men, I slowly started to stand up, hands raised slightly.

"I just want to be on my way. You are welcome to the little food that I have. Just, please, let me leave here and I won't look back."

"We aren't out to hurt you. Do you have more people around here?"

"I don't think there is any right answer for that. I'm just wanting to go. I want nothing from you guys."

They stood so still, just staring at me. The first one, the only one that has spoken so far, tilted his head to one side. Just that small gesture, one that would seem so insignificant, made me realize that he was someone that shouldn't be underestimated.

"Okay. I don't have anyone with me. Or waiting for me. I'm alone. And I just want to be on my way. Please." I said, realizing they weren't going to budge from their questions.

The one with all the questions, lowered his weapon. He seemed to be contemplating something. The silent one, grunted slightly, and shifted. I looked between the two, hands still raised and waited. Wishing they would just let me go, my eyes darted around hoping to find an escape route.

"How many walkers have you killed?" asked the first guy.

"What? Are you serious right now?...I don't know. Hundreds I guess. I don't keep track of that!"

"How many of people have you killed?"

"Seriously, this is insane. But seeing you have a fucking gun pointed at me….6. I've killed 6 people."

"Why?"

"..., 2 were self defense. And 4 were pity kills. They were bit, and dying. They asked me to." I replied looking down. The pain of talking about this just made me want to throw up.

"What is your name?"

"Alexa" I sighed. "My name is Alexa. And I am alone. And I would absolutely love it if you would just let me walk out of here. I won't cause you any problems at all. I swear."

"My name is Rick." said the first guy. "That's Daryl over there." Rick points at the man still holding the gun on me. "We have a place not that far from here. A community of sorts. We are headed back there now. You can join us, if you want to. See what it is all about. It's up to you. If not, you are more than welcome to just go off on your own."

Daryl lowered the gun and shifted again, squinting as he looked around. He seemed rather impatient to get going.

I just stood there thinking. Two strange men, offering me a place to go. They haven't made any move to actually hurt me. Just seemed super cautious, making sure I wasn't going to hurt them. I was tired, tired of being alone and trying to fend for myself. How long can one person actually last alone out here anyways?

I took a deep breath…"okay. I'll come with you if you are serious. If I don't like what I see when I get there though, I'm leaving."

"Fair enough" said Rick. "Let's get going. I was hoping to make it back before dark."

I walked past both of them to my pack, grabbed it, and turned to them.

"All right. I'm set, I'll follow you."

Daryl took the lead, Rick gestured for me to go next, and he took up the rear.

"What have I gotten myself into?" I thought. My heart was beating so fast I was sure that any undead, or walkers as these two called them, could hear it from a mile away.

I followed Daryl into the forest. I had absolutely no idea where he was going. We were completely bushwhacking, nothing even resembling trail anywhere I looked. He seemed sure of himself though, not even faltering in a step.

After walking for about 3 miles, we came to a road. Rick turned to me and said, "All right, about 4 more miles and we will be there."

Wiping my forehead, I looked at him. He was studying me intently, I'm sure judging what my reaction would be.

I stood up straight, and put on my big girl face and fake bravado, "Sounds good. I'm ready whenever you are."

Daryl was watching us talk and had the smallest hint of a smirk. He nodded his head and grunted "well let's move then. Wastin' time just standing here."

He started walking again and I fell in line. The last time I was around people, in a camp type setting, I lost everything. I followed warily, wondering what exactly was in store once we reached their destination.

Just as the sun starting setting, I saw it. Walls. Huge walls. I slowed down in my walking and stared.

Daryl, noticing I had slowed down, stopped and looked at Rick.

"Welcome to Alexandria" Rick said.