Hello again I'm here with another chapter! I have one week off school so I decided that I would make the most of it… so here I am.

Thanks to ShortNinja13 for reviewing this story.

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It makes me more motivated to write so thank you.

Corpse = Walkers

DISCLAIMER: I don't own the Walking Dead just my characters

Author's note over.


"Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything."

- George Bernard Shaw

3.

Before

"We can't exactly go back to London now can we! Everything will be fine, we're not even on the bloody interstate! We'll - stay away from everyone else if it makes you feel better until we get

there."

Karma had been trying to reason her mother for the past hour, not entirely sure if she believed what she was saying herself; she had to calm Mary Nielsen down not make her even more hysterical than she already was.

"You said yourself someone got attacked! What if it's contagious?" Mary retorted unconvinced. "Even the military's started to take people in! They wouldn't do that unless there was a real threat from whatever cursed disease is spreading! I just wish you guys were still in London...It's not safe here!"

Karma quietened at once - it wasn't that serious.

Was it?

Before she left London there had been talks of some type of a 'psychological disorder', 'flu' or 'disease' that made people act recklessly and endanger other people. More specifically - attack anyone who stood in their path. Even if meant eating other people. No one knew what the hell it was but it was popping up in America first so she couldn't research it thoroughly; she just went about her normal duties with this crisis in the back of her mind. She only knew a limited amount.

Maybe she was just so used to crazy stories she ignored them and joked about them with Melody and proceeded to watch Shaun Of The Dead just for a laugh.

'Drugs make people do crazy shit' Karma promptly remembered telling Melody. But it was true. She couldn't count many people had strolled through the doors of the hospital high on something before she joined The Royal Army Medical Corps.

Yet as she drove to her parent's new home in silence, she realised her ignorance on the magnitude of the situation.

"Look mum -" Karma paused to let out an exasperated sigh and ran her hand through her thick head of black curls, keeping her eyes on the road. "Melody and I are ten minutes away. We'll be together. You. Me. Melody. Steven. Safe. If this really is the end of the goddamn world at least we're together. I'll do my utmost best to stay alive and keep Melody alive until we get to you." Karma took a peek behind her where the redhead was sleeping soundly. Completely unaware of the dangers outside.

"I know you will. I'm so proud of you sweetie, -" Karma could just barely hear her mother take in a shaky deep breath in away from the phone. But she quickly composed herself and returned to the phone. "Look after Melody okay? She...she isn't as...she hasn't gone through stuff like you have. You're the level-headed one and she's all bubbles and backflips." A nervous laugh escaped from the older woman. "In fact you both need each other. You two have always been complete opposites. Protect and look after each other, promise me?"

"Don't talk as if you're already dead mum...everything will be fine. We'll meet you there and we'll work something out. Maybe even go to Fort Benning if they're still taking people in -"

"Promise me Karma!" The older woman spouted off rather urgently, interrupting Karma. "Put a old girl's mind at ease."

" I promise. I love you mum. Everything will be fine."

"I love you Karmy, be -" Her mother's voice suddenly stopped and was replaced by panicked whispering.

"Karma darling get here as soon as possible… Steven's starting to worry.'

Her foot automatically pressed harder on the gas.

"On it."

"Love beats life Karma, okay?"

"Love beats life Mum...I know"

After

"Go fish!"

Karma jerked awake, sitting up on the uncomfortable wooden pew as heavy breaths flew past her parted lips. Her light grey eyes quickly darted around the room, heart pounding and a fleeting moment of hope surfaced leading her to believe her mother was still alive. But it dissipated as soon as she realised she was in the church.

As soon as she had returned from the woods, she had fallen asleep almost immediately inside the church. The only sounds her ears could pick up were the quiet murmurings of Melody and Sophia's conversation, her own laboured breaths and the omnipresent ambiance sound of the wind behind the intimidating church doors. The lingering light that had been in the sky previous was now completely consumed by the now jet black sky.

She closed her eyes preparing to return to her slumber when she heard it again - laughter from behind the mahogany church doors.

Sighing, Karma promptly wiped away beads of sweat that graced her forehead, attempting to look at least a bit more presentable before she headed out to greet her fellow survivors.

She stood up tucking tendrils of jet hair behind her ear, making her way to the back of the church whilst rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. She pulled open one door to reveal Melody and Sophia playing cards on the church steps.

"Look what the cat dragged in." Melody playfully declared.

"I'm guessing you wouldn't like to look at your own reflection."

"Good sleep?" Melody replied smoothly, not acknowledging Karma's previous statement.

"Speaking of sleep, it's bed time for you young adolescents."

"See what I told you Sophia? She's no fun at all!" Soon after the two older women's gaze turned to Sophia. The juvenile squirmed under the attention of two sets of eyes resting on her; wishing she could hide behind her mum especially from the set of unfamiliar grey set of eyes.

"I - I am tired."

Karma snorted. "I was kidding but if you are tired..."

"No I really am." The little girl stammered. "I wanna find my mom tomorrow."

"And we will okay? We just couldn't go today." Melody interjected, not liking the frown settling on the young survivors face.

Karma let out another heavy sigh and crouched down to Sophia's level. "I promise you we will take you back to the highway as soon as we're not stumbling in the dark." She looked right into the girl's eyes to endure her speech hit deep.

"I believe you." Karma nearly over from shock. She purposely had been keeping their interactions at a bare minimum so she couldn't get attached; because if she did she would be snatched right out of her hands just like Mary and Stephen. She was already terrified of losing Melody to the corpses without throwing Sophia into the equation. That was her biggest wasn't it: losing everyone she loved and cared about. And here this girl was, so trustworthy and innocent. Unlike her.

Melody eyed the situation carefully deciding to intervene before something broke the light atmosphere she had created. She swiftly stood, lightly slapping Karma on the shoulder, snapping her out of whatever trance she seemed to be in.

"Right kiddo pack up the cards it's time for bed." She turned to Karma. "I presume you'll be keeping first watch?"

"Yes. I've already gone to snoresville." Karma said surveying the treeline over Melody's head avoiding her gaze.

"What do we do with Sophia?" Melody questioned.

"Get her back to her family if they're still on the highway, then we'll be on our way.' Karma replied.

Melody nodded slightly disheartened. She had taken a real liking to Sophia in the short time they had been together. She was the only friendly human being they had seen in weeks. Unlike Karma, she was a total socialite and got energy from being around and interacting with others. As much as she loved Karma she couldn't help but feel suffocated with her protectiveness and introversion. They had completely divergent mindsets. On the rare occasion Melody got Karma to come out of her shell she would run right back if they hit a sensitive topic.

"I'm going to bed then. Good night doc."

"Good night Mel."


Hope you enjoyed!

Anyone else loving the new season of TWD? Glenn will be missed dearly. Poor Maggie :(

Review if you wanna? It helps!