"Sounds like y'all had an exciting year." Says Remi.
We'd met back up in Atlanta, where Beth was taken by a group.
We'd lost Lori in childbirth, T-dog and Andrea to walkers and Hershel in battle at the prison.
We were taken hostage by a group of cannibals and saved by Carol, who I'd banished from the prison.
It's been a long journey so far, with a lot of loss, heartache, and an extreme test of our will to live and our sanity.
Separated, we've been reunited once more, negotiating a hostage exchange for Carol and Beth.
The latter didn't make it, and losing it Darryl acted on impulse... A life for a life...
Hard enough to see her fall, even harder watching Maggie take another loss.
"We kept on the move, and to the woods, venturing out to scavenge, and then returning to the woods."
"Smart..."
"And safer than bedding down in one spot, or keeping to the towns where not only the dead, but the living are trying to kill you also."
Heading to Virginia, where there's a sanctuary, we've taken up residence in a country home.
On the balcony, the night air's chilling...
"It's simple when you only have yourself and another to look after."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to come off..."
"No, you didn't... It's just not easy, having to make decisions for people that trust you... decisions that could have devastating consequences."
She's quiet, watching the stars in the night sky.
"It's a tough role, but the fact that they're still trusting in you, and still following you after all this time, speaks volumes." She says, after a period.
"Well..." I reply, unsure. For some reason I'm having trouble expressing myself.
Her soft laughter's music to my ears. "I like this look... it says... I've been through some shit." She says, lightly fingering my untamed gray beard.
"Some...?" I state, with a chuckle.
"I was being nice, It sounded better than "It looks like a lifetime of shit"."
We both have a laugh at her humor, her smile's a welcome sight after all of the losses, tears and frowns. "I've missed your smile, and your laughter. You gave me a sample once before, and I've been hooked from then."
Her prolonged silence is unnerving, and its interrupted by her friend making an appearance.
"I've been looking for you, I'm about to turn in."
"Sure... I'll be in, in a minute."
Leaving us, another awkward silence ensues. "We're..."
"I get it... you two go way back, it was inevitable right?"
"Right."
The Virginia sanctuary was a waste of time, and we ended up taking a loss. Tyreese was bitten, and even after we hacked off his arm in an attempt to save his life, we lost him.
But we obtained what we were searching for, a safe haven... Alexandria.
A community of folks unaware and unconcerned, with what's happening outside of the walls that surrounds them. We could take this place if we wanted to, hell anyone could... these people are clueless and unprepared.
I think that Carol's missed her calling for the theater, taking on the role of dependent mother figure of the group, using the ol' "point left and go right" strategy. If they only knew...
Sasha's still trying to acclimate to what's considered a normal life, and Daryl's finally found his niche, recruiting.
We're all given jobs, with Michonne and I playing security guards.
Carol has commandeered weapons from them, while we attended the welcome party.
Everyone's in a good mood, happy...
"Rick, this is my husband Pete." Says, Jessie.
The pretty blonde, who I've grown a fondness for. After introductions are made, he excuses himself to get a refill.
Fighting an inner war of guilt, for judging Shane for his desire for Lori, and here I am doing the same thing, coveting another man's wife.
Bowing to my needs, I kiss her, a small kiss on the cheek as she's releasing Judith to me.
She doesn't say anything, just a smile before she leaves me.
Running into them again, as I make my rounds of the community, they greet me with a wave as they pass.
Watching them, I reach for my gun. Alarmed, I take a deep breath...
I'm letting lust cloud my judgement, being consumed by the madness that devoured Shane.
