Black Beauty

Chapter three

Bittersweet

*** Two Months Ago***

"It's fucked up." Melanie stated with her arms crossed in front of her, looking out of Raeanne's childhood bedroom window the pair watched disheartened at the sight of Clementine's fresh grave. Rae's steely gaze shifted to her sister as she mumbled her agreement, "not just that." Melanie stated jutting her chin towards the window referring to the fresh grave. "This whole world now, the dead coming back to eat the living?" She asked as a humorless laugh left her lips, "Yeah, it's fucked up." She paused turning her blue eyes onto her older sister. "Did I tell you that dad saved us, Jackson and I. Tammy turned into one of those, things." Melanie stated causing Rae's stomach to drop at the realization that one of their friends was dead. "She was bit, she didn't even tell me." Melanie continued flatly, before meeting her sister's worried gaze.

"She turned, Jackson and I didn't know what to do..." She paused looking back out the window, "she was our friend, ya know? Anyway, dad came and put her down." Rae watched Melanie noting how uncharacteristic she was sounding.

"He didn't have to kill Clementine." Rae finally stated suppressing a shiver as the world left her mouth. She felt sick at the mention of what happened, her father had killed her best friend's mother he didn't even hesitate barely giving the shock stricken family time to recover from what happened. Before he did it. Like she was one of those things, he took her life away. Fresh tears pricked Raeanne's eyes as her arms tightened around her midsection.

"She would have turned," Melanie stated coldly, "she would have killed anyone she could get her hands on, she wouldn't have hesitated to kill you." She stated piercing her sister was an icy stare, again Rae suppressed a shiver.

"She was still Clementine." Rae finally mumbled as her mind reached back to the man she had killed in her upstairs hall way, this new world had turned her and her father into murders. "Have you killed anyone?" Rae finally asked after a brief silence passed.

"No, but next time when I get my chance, I will." Melanie's statement left Rae cold and motionless as she watched her younger sister turn and leave the bed room. This world was changing all of them, and she feared that it was only just beginning.


***Present day***

Rae didn't waste any time breezing her way into the apartment and heading for her two bags beside the end table, that for all intentional prepossess looked untouched by the group. Eyes locked on to her from what felt like every direction. Rick, who was hunched over a map sprawled out over the island standing in the kitchen, was in the midst of organizing a small run to gather food in the area. Glancing up Rae briefly met the men's stares, all five of them were looking at her with slightly different expressions the one most common she realized was curiosity.

Glancing back into her bag as she kept digging she chanced a look out of the corner of her eye to the couch where the mothers and their children sat, and sure enough they were huddled a little closer together since she had entered the room, they shifted their eyes from Rae to the men, an air of unease around them. They didn't know if she was dangerous, they were skeptical of her. 'Good, let them keep their distance that way it's easier for them to leave in the morning.' Rae couldn't see the blonde woman without turning around, but not wanting to look obvious she decided against it as she heard Dale walk in to the apartment. "Dale mentioned you were going on a run," Rae stated breaking the tense silence.

The look that shifted between Rae to Dale and finally on Rick was a reaction that most of the group had, "we're low on food." Rick answered honestly as he straightened a bit further, keeping his eyes on the girl that was finally looking in his direction instead of hiding her face in the duffle bag.

"I've ransacked every place within throwing distance to this one," she stated calmly in her a matter of fact way, "if you and yer man are going out, ya shouldn't do it on an empty stomach." Surprise was easily read on the faces she could see before her eyes flickered over to where Dale lingered just inside the door, a small smile firmly in place on his lips.

"Thank you. That's-that's very generous of you." Rick stated with a look in his eye that showed his gratitude, it was something Rae wasn't completely comfortable with as she shielded away from his gaze. All the thanks she was getting, helping these people it was dawning on her that they very well might be drawing the same conclusion that Dale had. That was something she would have to address if it was brought up again. Pulling a few bags of spaghetti noodles from her pack she set them beside her leg on the floor, as she searched for the sauce clenching her jaw as thoughts kept coming over her. Thoughts of the people that she had lost, of the ones that had hurt her, the dead, the last thing she needed was more people around to look out for.

A hand lightly touching her shoulder had the blonde rearing back quickly with wide eyes to be met with a wide pair of brown orbs, "sorry..." the woman spoke softly taking in how she had startled the other woman. Taking in a slow breath in attempt the calm her racing pulse Rae shook her head, "I wanted to thank you, for opening your home to us." The still unknown woman spoke in a gentle tone.

Squinting her eyes up at the brunette she stated calmly, "it isn't my home."

"Oh," the woman stated straitening up, "I thought...they're pictures of you in the bedroom." It came out sounding unsure, like she was confused.

Rae's shoulders sunk as she recalled her first day here when she took down every picture frame and left them on the bed, not wanting to see the constant reminded of all she'd lost "it was my uncles place." she stated quietly so only the ones actually listening would hear her, "I'll move those for you, so you can sleep there." Rae stated picking up the jars and spaghetti packs piling them in her arms.

"No need," the woman stated "I put them in the closet already." Rae paused mid step as her mind reeled, the closet wasn't a place she had checked since being here. "I hope that wasn't too invasive?" the woman asked noticing Rae's tense reaction.

Shaking her head Rae met her gaze, "no, I told you to make yourselves at home." She stated shrugging a shoulder, obviously a walker hadn't been in there or she was sure she would have heard about it the moment she had entered the apartment. "I didn't catch your name." Rae stated starting to feel awkward under the woman's gaze as she shifted on her feet.

"Oh, I'm Rick's wife, Lori. This is our son Carl." She stated side stepping as Rae's eyes landed on the couch and the little boy sitting there, it was at that moment she realized what she had done when the other mother got up to greet and introduce herself and her daughter, Sophia.

Nodding she sent a small smile to the girl that shyly hid behind her mother's leg, "you can call me Rae, how about I get to making this food." She stated about to walk away when a thought occurred to her, it was probably stupid but seeing as how she couldn't eat it anyway... "Sophia and Carl, was it?" she asked catching the kid's attention, they looked at her with startled expressions. "I have a few chocolate bars floating around in that bag over there," her statement instantly started the kids to stir as Carl shifted wide eyes to his mother bagging for permission "feel free to help yourselves to them."

"Mom?" Carl and Sophia questioned at the same time turning to their mothers.

"Are you sure?" Lori asked eyeing Rae who spared a small smile and a shrug.

"I'm allergic, someone maze well eat them." She stated catching the surprised look of the mothers and the pleading ones from the kids.

"Kids, what do you say?" Carol asked shifting her eyes from her daughter to Carl.

"Thank you!" Both of the children beamed before heading to the bag in question before pausing, "we can just go through it?" Sophia asked softly chancing a glance at Rae. It was refreshing, seeing children act the way they would have before the end of the world set in, Rae nodded.

"Course, ain't nothing breakable or dangerous in there." She stated with a shrug before making her way around the island surrounded by the men, before dropping her supplies on the counter beside the stove top. She had two duffels, one filled with weapons and personal items like clothing and things from her past, the other was dedicated to food and drinks as well as anything she needed that went with it. Water bottles and can openers, silverware and bowls all of it was kept in the second bag.

Rae ducked down pulling out a deep pot then standing up turned to fill it with water from the tap, "the water's still running?" A voice asked pulling her attention away to see Glenn standing on the opposite side of the island beside Daryl.

"It's running low, no hot water sadly but baggers can't be choosers." She stated turning the tap off when enough water was in the pot, placing in on the stove she paused again when Glenn continued to question her.

"How're you going to cook that on the stove?" He asked again as her gaze met his, "it's just the last I checked the power grid was down unless this place has a living backup generator."

Sighing she leaned on the still turned off stove, "actually it does, but this is a gas stove. It will still work long after the power does go out, that-" she stated pointing at the small old television set in the corner of the living room. "Will turn on, play a few VHS tapes. Won't get no paper view since the worlds gone ta shit, but if you get bored feel free ta see if we got anything ya might like ta watch."

The men eyed her unable to tell if she was being sarcastic or actually telling them to go ahead and watch some old movies lying around. Sighing Rae turned back to the stove and turned it on, gas stoves weren't like electric ones they didn't need time to heat up, it was something her uncle had loved about them and something she was immensely grateful for now. Tuning out the idle chatter that was happening behind her, Rae focused on making the food. Once it was done and strained she mixed in the sauce and opened up the cupboard to pull out twelve bowls.


*** Two Months Ago***

"Uncle Bill?" Rae shouted forgetting to be quiet as she unlocked the front door of the restaurant to see it abandoned, it was a strange sight since it was dinner time and that 'Mabel's Diner' was always a busy place. "Bill where are you, we gatta go!" She shouted again looking around to only be scolded by her father by a shh-ing sound. The two exchanged irritated looks before moving on to go up stairs where Bill's apartment was. She was still angry with her father for his actions the day before; Rae only hoped that Uncle Bill would be able to reason with him.

"Bill?" Rae whispered again opening the door he never kept locked, the place was silent without any sign of Bill or anything else living or dead. Her heart sunk to the floor with the realization he wasn't here, which meant she had no idea where he was.

"He's not here," Charles stated voicing her thoughts with a sigh, "we've gatta go."

Rae's eyes widened as she spun to face her father, "but we can't leave him!" She stated sharply not liking the plan at all. He wouldn't make them leave…not without Bill, would he?

"We don't have a choice, you saw what happened with Clementine. We can't stay here." He stated causing Rae's face to fall, nodding she rubbed her arm before sending a look of anguish around the room and followed her father out. 'Saw what happened with Clementine' she silently mocked, 'no' Rae balled her hands into fists the only act of defiance she could do at the moment as she spitefully thought 'I saw what happened to Clementine.' Rae paused by the counter where Bill would normally take orders and grabbed for a pad of paper and a pen, "what are you doing?" Her father asked as he paused by the door looking back at his daughter.

"I'm leaving him a note," she stated glaring at the paper as she continued writing than straightened and turned to leave, "I wanted him to know we came for him." She paused turning her stare on her father, Rae wasn't sure what she was supposed to feel she was scared, terrified but mostly she was mad at him, at the world, at herself. "I wanted him to know that we're heading to Fort Benning, that we're not abandoning him and that we will meet him there."

She didn't wait for his response as she brushed by him and exited the diner, heading to the cars that were waiting for the pair.


***Present day***

Rae had started on the dishes the moment her bowl was empty, taking plates and thanks from most of the group. It had only taken Lori and Carol seconds to flank her and start pitching in with drying and putting the dishes away. Something that Rae couldn't help but feel was surreal. The last of the dishes were taken care of and the three women shared a small smile, "Rick, mind if I have a word?" Shane stated straightening up catching his friend's eye and Rae's attention, cocking an eyebrow Rick turned to Glenn and Daryl.

"You two good to get ready to head out?" He asked the two men who both made a sign that they were, nodding his head Rick went to follow Shane out of the apartment.

Rae moved away from the kitchen heading back towards her bags, and snatched up her hatchet slipping the hilt into a belt loop before picking up the small flash light that sat on the end table and shoved that into her back pocket.

"Going somewhere?" Dale asked causing the two men who were also readying their weapons to pause by the door and send a look over to where Dale was looking, at Rae.

Turning Rae shrugged a slim shoulder, "no point in wasting the daylight, I still have stuff I need ta get done." she stated calmly like it was no big deal and like she was talking about house hold chores.

"And you're going out there on your own?" Dale asked again concern lacing his words, as he watched her walk to the door where she could make out the faint voices of Rick and Shane.

"Been going out on my own for a long time now Dale," she stated shooting him a forced smile "don't worry, I'll be back." With that she opened the door letting Shane's voice travel through the room loud and clear.

"Damnit man, what if she robs us blind?!" He had snapped just as the door opened, everyone seemed to freeze in place as a deathly silence followed. Rae's lips firmed as her stare hardened on the pair standing a few feet from the door, both staring back with wide surprised eyes. It was a moment that screamed the word 'Awkward' as everyone remained silent holding their breath for dear life almost afraid of what would come next.

A slow burning anger was starting to stir in the pit of Rae's stomach in the seconds everyone stood around without saying anything or moving, taking a deep breath in through her nose to help calm herself Rae started to move forward to continue on with her plan of action. Only pausing when she noticed Shane stiffen with each step she took. "Relax." She hissed out glaring at the man, "I ain't bout ta do nothin." she stated her Georgian accent coming out thick now that she was aggravated.

"Wait, where are you going?" Rick asked turning as she passed him with a look she didn't care to make out.

"Got shit ta do." she stated simply as she walked away, not standing around to hear the objections that were on the tip of his tongue.

"You're gunna fix that." Rick seethed taking a step closer to Shane pointing in the direction Rae had disappeared in, just as Glenn and Daryl stepped into the hall ready to go. "She is our host, Rae has been nothing but giving since we came here."

Rick's words hung heavy in the air as he locked eyes with his best friend, "Doesn't mean I trust er Rick, man you said so yourself this is the girl that held you at gun point. Something ain't right 'bout her." Shane stated eyes darting towards where he had last seen her, almost expecting her to still be there.

"She's been on her own," Rick stated with a sigh placing both his hands on his hips casting a brief glance around "who knows how long it has been since she was with people that weren't trying to hurt her. Give her time," he stated catching the confused look on Shane's face he stated "I'm going to ask her to join us." The word 'Again' hung in the air loud and clear but remained unspoken.


*** Two Months Ago***

The tension was palpable, even with the Garland's being in a different vehicle fallowing behind Rae's Sierra Hybrid in their beat up minivan she could still feel it, like ice water running through her veins as her grip tightened on the steering wheel.

Bo hadn't wanted to travel with the Taylor family, something Rae couldn't blame him for. But somehow in the big blow up between her father and Mr. Garland he had managed to convince at least Austin who in turn had swayed his father and sister into agreeing to join them. The world was still far from extinct as Rae drove out of what was supposed to be a safe haven, her eyes constantly sought out other life forms in the hours she had been driving. Some people, she couldn't decide if they were the lucky ones or what they were, she'd spot walking down a street as if the dead were in fact dead and not a threat. Other times she'd pass by other drivers, all of them coming into the city she noted but said nothing.

More than once she spotted someone running for their life, or losing their life that was the hardest thing to drive by but with her father in the front passenger seat constantly telling her to ignore it she didn't have much of a choice. Rae's stomach dropped as a woman ran towards the road waving her arms wildly, probably calling out for help she realized as the thing the woman had been running from sunk its teeth into her arm tarring bits of flesh off. Rae's stomach turned as she slammed onto her breaks, nearly causing the minivan behind them to slam into their back bumper. "Keep driving." Charles, her father stated without so much as glancing towards the screeching woman.

Rae's stomach turned as she clenched her jaw, she had already seen a family go down by several walkers but this was only one walker. Firming her lips Rae swung open the door and jumped down from her truck, catching the attention of the walker who let go of the pour woman's arm and snarled its blood covered mouth in Rae's direction. It reminded her of a wild animal laying claim to its food. Rae didn't hesitate as she pulled out her gun and flicked off the safety walking a few feet away from the truck, raising it as the dead stumbled towards her. "Go back to hell." Rae gritted out between her teeth before pulling the trigger.

She watched as the third walker she had killed went down before her gaze shifted to the sobbing woman who was cradling her arm while she sat on the cold earth. 'She can't be any older than Melanie.' Rae thought of her sister who was only twenty two who was so close and yet far away, sighing Rae closed her eyes before the sound of a gun going off had her eyes snapped open. "No!" Rae yelled as her eyes widened out of fear, her mind reeled taking in the scene of her younger sister standing beside the back end of her truck gun raised, one she had no doubt gotten from their father, pointed at the sobbing girl.

'She missed. She missed.' The thought had propelled Rae forward to stand between Melanie and the unknown girl who was now hysterical, causing everyone else to slowly make their way out of the vehicles. "No, we don't do this." Rae stated shaking her head as tears pricked at her eyes, her gun long forgotten hung limply in her hand.

"Get out of the way." Melanie snapped as her hands shock slightly.

"No." Rae chocked out as her father called her name, "no, we don't do this. We don't kill the living." She stated as her eyes darted between everyone that had come to bear witness, the moment her eyes landed on Savannah the younger woman started to sob as memories of her mother being shot came flooding back to her. If only Rae had been able to step in then, if she had known what her father would do she could have protected her as well. Rae watched as her throat tightened as Savannah and Bo retreated back to their Minivan deciding not to take part in the outcome. Austin stood rigid Rae noticed as she silently bagged him for help, "we don't kill the living." She repeated as her voice broke. She could never apologize enough for what happened to his mother and she knew just because they were travelling to fort Benning together didn't mean he'd ever forgive her.

"She's infected now." Her father stated as he made a move towards her, instantly Rae's gun was raised and drawn on him causing a stir among the group as he paused mid step. Rae stomach twisted as she realized what she was doing. She knew she wouldn't be able to do it, he was her father and Melanie was her younger sister there was no way that Rae would be able to shoot them even to protect someone…she knew she couldn't, they were her family her only living family left. And they had to know it to, she realized as her hand shook and she wondered what they would do now.

Taking in a steadying breath through her nose Rae attempted to steal her nerves before she spoke "I won't let you." She stated holding the gun tighter, "I won't go with you," she continued shaking her head sadly before wetting her lips "if you kill her, if you kill anyone else that isn't already one of the dead then you'll have to kill me too."

"Raeanne," her father breathed with disappointment lacing his words as he crossed his arms, "get back in the truck." He stated before lifting his gaze to Melanie, Jackson and Austin, who all stood watching the display "all of you, now." The order was firm leaving his lips but still Rae stood frozen unsure what this would mean.

Rae watched as both Jackson and Austin hesitated but finally obliged and got back in to their vehicles, while Melanie and Charles stood at opposite ends of her truck. "So what, we're just going to leave her to turn into one of them?" Melanie spat turning accusing eyes on their father, stiff was the only word Rae could use to describe her current body language, tense with anticipation and rigid with fear.

Charles eyes were cool, and Rae wondered what her father had to of seen to make him look so uncaring. "That's what your sister wants," he stated as Rae flinched she didn't 'want' the girl to turn, she just didn't want to see anyone else die. Her father turned his steal like gaze on her like he sensed her thoughts, "some things you have to learn on your own." He stated before beckoning Melanie back to the car one final time, Rae's gun was lowered once again as the sobs of the woman seemed to echo around her as she stared blankly at the place her father had been standing in moments ago.


***Present day***

The trip from the restaurant to the police station went by faster than Rae had anticipated anger did that though, she had only taken out four walkers on the way and was honestly looking to take out more. She knew she was over reacting, after all Rae would have worried about the same thing if the roles were reversed. Hell now that she was almost at the station she was starting to worry they would make off with her stuff. After all she was better of then they were at the moment, and most people wouldn't have hesitated to do so.

With apprehension that she might lose half her stash and irritation at being nearly accused of stealing theirs, Rae's steps were quick as she checked the front door of the station.

Locked.

Shit, she mentally cursed glaring at the door before glancing around to make sure she still had no unwanted visitors. Seeing the cost still clear she started making her way around the building to look for another door that might possibly be unlocked. Clenching her jaw she made the decision that if no door was left open for her she would simply take her chances and make one by smashing in a window. Yes it was a stupid decision, one that could cost her life. But she was nearly out of ammo, so she would just have to take that chance if it came down to it.

Spotting a door around back she paused to again look around before making her way over to it, licking her bottom lip when she noticed it sat slightly ajar she paused just behind it. Opened doors were a welcome wagon for walkers, and locked ones were normally best left locked. This building had one of each. "Fuck'n dandy." Rae mumbled eyeing the door with distaste. Taking a steadying breath she pulled the door open further, thankful when it moved silently. She wasn't going back without trying to get to the ammo, she wouldn't survive without it and seeing how many people were back at her place locked and loaded it left her feeling naked in comparison. Despite the appearance she tried to convey Rae knew they could easily take her for everything she had.

She waited a few moments keeping her eyes peeled for movement as they darted in all directions around her, waiting for anything to stumble out of the building but nothing came. Pulling the flash light out of her butt pocket she flicked in on, assuming that it would be dark in the station. Taking a step inside she flashed it around ahead of her illuminating the hallway she had just walked in to, with a sigh she reached behind her and closed the door firmly not wanting any strays to wonder in and take her by surprise. Rae moved quietly keeping the light low to the ground as she flicked it from wall to wall, not wanting to get caught off guard.

The hallway was lined with doors each one she checked by twisting the door knob and attempting to open them each one was locked much to her relief, seeing that the hallway was coming to an end Rae couldn't help but feel tense with this whole thing so far it was too easy which only meant one thing. That it was too good to be true. Wetting her lower lip Rae froze as she entered the main lobby of the station, hearing what must have been several moans she held her hatchet high as she sent the yellow light around the room seeing two prisoners in the two cells that were meant for temporary holding, standing inside groaning as they shook their bars desperately trying to get out.

A relieved sigh left her lips knowing that they weren't a threat to her she shined her light around the room again making sure she hadn't missed any walkers. She didn't spot any but the carnage that littered the floor told her that somewhere in here was most likely a walker wondering around.

Her movements paused seeing the light switches, it was a gamble but one that she was willing to take just to be out of the dark. Walking across the small lobby area she crossed over the hungry imprisoned walkers and flipped the switches, blinking at the sudden flood of light she smiled. "Thank god for silver linings." She whispered before boney fingers wrapped around her ankle, her eyes went wide as they snapped down to the ground seeing half a corpse of a cop dragging its body towards her, mouth hanging open as it made a grotesque gurgling noise.

Wrenching her booted ankle free of its grip she stumbled back a step, before sending a hard kick to the side of its head. Besides the sickening sound of the crack of having its head booted to the side, possibly fracturing its neck it turned back snarling. Rae's eyes narrowed in to a glair, as she kicked it again and again letting out some pent up frustrations. Killing walkers was the one thing she found enjoyable since she lost everything, the slight high it gave her afterwards as she forgot all her troubles was like a drug itself.

With one final stomp of her heel blood splattered up her boot and pooled around her feet but it didn't move or make a sound, the other two walkers however had riled up quite a bit as they watched. Sending a short sharp glair their way she sighed and glanced around for anything useful.

Spotting a map on the far wall she moved towards it to see if it would have the location of the armory on it, sadly the word didn't appear on the map but the locker rooms did and when she thought about it that those would be the rooms they padded up it made sense that the guns would be there too or at least nearby. She hoped anyway.

Turning she sent a last glance towards the now dead man, her eyes stopping at his holster. His gun was missing, probably lost it where he went down, she thought but the keys clipped on to his waist had a small smile forming on her lips before she moved to swipe them. Grimacing as she pushed back the thoughts of robbing a corpse, it was what the world had come to now, it was what she had to do to survive why she always had to remind herself of it was beyond her. Her eyes stalled on what remained of his lower half, both lags were missing leaving only bone and bloody tissue above where his knees had once been. Grimacing Rae stood and wiped her hands off on her pants not wanting to think of how many walkers might still be in here.

Turning Rae made her way down another hallway, this one was short only having bathrooms and change rooms marked on it, turning towards the change rooms Rae again grimaced. Both of the doors, the men's and women's were wide open. But there nestled between the two was a cabinet holding what she had come for, only thing standing between her and the ammo and guns she would no doubt take back with her, was a lock.

Sending another wary eye at the doors that flanked the cabinet she only hesitated a moment longer before moving forward and starting to try out the keys on the ring she had taken off the dead man. She stood fiddling with the lock as she tried key after key, when the sound of the lock clicking open sounded, her relief was short lived when the sound of shuffling feet caught her attention. Cursing to herself she glanced around but couldn't spot the walker, pulling the bag off her back she started grabbing the ammo first than moved on to the small hand guns and pulled down a single rifle and slung both of them across her back.

Groaning under the weight of it she stepped back satisfied that the trip hadn't been a waste, the sound of an answering groan had her turning as her eyes finally landed on the walker a good six feet away. He had been a cop, probably a desk cop since he looked like a staple donut eater.

Rae raised her hatchet as the dead rotting corpse charged her with hungry outstretched hands, he was more than three times her size and noticing how the bag was weighing her down gave her a disadvantage a wave of fear rushed over her.

Everything seemed to speed up as he charged her, Rae took a step forward and readied herself when he was within two feet she swung her hatchet but as he towered over her she connected with its cheek instead of the temple where she had intended to hit.

"Shit," she cursed out as blood splattered across her face and top as well as ran down her hand and dripped off her arm as she tried to dislodge her weapon. The walker snarled snapping his teeth giving her not only a nasty inhale of its rotting breath but also a view that would be sure to give her nightmares.

The walker attempted to lunge forward again causing her back to collide hard with the cabinet behind her, taking in a sharp intake of air as she kept a hand on its chest trying to keep it back far enough so it couldn't bite her. Her mind started to race, this was it, there was no way out of this one. She had all those guns, all that ammo and her only weapon she could get her hands on was stuck in the bastards joint that held its jaw in place.

She would die here, alone.

Her eyes widened as panic took over as she tried to push the walker back and pull out the hatchet all at the same time. How she hadn't heard him closing in on her was terrifying, she had let her guard down and would now be eaten alive. Her body went rigid as the walkers entire weight came down on her. Rae's eyes snapped closed knowing that nothing she could do would stop what was about to happen, her breathing became labored as she waited...and waited. The pain never came.

"Ya alive?" A gruff voice asked causing her eyes to snap open as the bittersweet realization hit her.

Daryl had just saved her ass.


No more dreaming of the dead as if death itself was undone

No more calling like a crow for a boy, for a body in the garden

No more dreaming like a girl so in love, so in love

No more dreaming like a girl so in love, so in love

No more dreaming like a girl so in love with the wrong world

"Blinding" -Florence + The Machine

Big thanks to everyone that has followed/Favorited!

Yay my first review! :) Thank you Dark-n-Twisty! Rae is(in my eyes) a strong independent woman who has experienced a lot in both the world before the dead and after, so I'm trying to show that like anyone she has her 'battle scares' that make her the way she is but also keep her relatable which is why I went with this ending for the chapter. Hopefully I balanced it out well.

Oh what do you guys think of me showing bits and pieces of Rae's past to break up the chapter?

I thought that it was a nice contrast to my other WD fanfic because in that one the character is shrouded in mystery where in this one you get to learn bits and pieces about Rae and how she handled everything. I don't indent on writing any real 'back flashes' from before the dead started walking, though some might appear so if there is anything you want to know about Rae feel free to ask and I'll attempt to shine some light on it in the next few chapters.