A/N: So my husband thought it would be a good idea to wake me up, and after almost four years together he STILL hasn't learned that sometimes it just isn't a good idea. I am glad he woke me though, because I realized I had two reviews, my first ones! Shoutout to la346 and Squishy97 for being my first reviewers! The encouraging words really make me want to update as often as I can. I do have one concern, I hope I'm not making Aubri too badass...like I want her to stand out and be awesome, but considering she's been in Alexandria and only really left with true survivors I don't want to overdo it. Anyways, enjoy!
Aubri looked around the group in surprise at the number of them all. There was even a toddler who sat in the arms of a young boy, "Look at them, surviviors, real surivivors." Dominic glanced around curiously as the groups attention was brought onto them, "Everyone! Let's quiet down please, as you all know our runners got back last night, I thought we should all be introduced-" Deanna hollered with a smile as she grabbed everyone's attention, gesturing for Aubri to step over, "This is Aubri, she moved here long before the world changed. Her father was one of the founding fathers, built our walls and helped in any way, shape, and form to make the community safe for us-" Aubri eyed the large group closely, noticing they were giving Deanna wary glances. There was no doubt they felt the way she and her group did.
Deanna walked over and tapped Dominic's shoulder, "This is Dominic, Aaron, Tallie and Aubri found him somewhere close to Charlotte a few months ago." Dominic gave the large group a nod and Aubri half smiled from the soft blush that appeared on his cheeks. "-and this-" She came around and put both of her hands on Tallie's arms, making Tallie scrunch her nose, "-is Tallie, she was the first one they found when they went scouting." Tallie gave a small wave and looked up at Jasin who eyed the group with dark eyes, "This is Jasin, he was the last one to join."
Rick stood from the bench and moved to stand in front of the group as he looked at each one before turning and pointing to his group, introducing them one by one.
He still sat in the chair, flipping through the pages of the little notepad. The groups were being introduced down at the courtyard, but he had asked Rick to keep his name out of it. Since he was alone he let the silent tears fall freely as he read one of the entries;
Tallie nearly got bit today, I didn't realize I'd come to care about my little group so much. Maybe it's because they're true survivors...they know what it's like out there, whereas Dee is still throwing dinner parties with heels and dresses galore. I'd like to know what she's thinking, my daddy didn't help build these walls to throw cocktail parties, he did it to give us safety but a wall only goes so far.
She hasn't been out there, a real leader would lead their people and ready them for anything and everything. That's why my group and I always have pistols tucked in our boots or jeans, you just never know. I wish you were here, I miss the days of sitting back to back at the lake, no talking...no prodding...things were just so simple.
Now it's been well over a decade and I still write, I'm surprised my hand hasn't fallen off yet. I remember coming home to an empty mailbox and call log every day, sometimes I almost hate you for that...I remember still being in my graduation gown, speeding all the way to our old neighborhood. The lady that lived next door to you told me your daddy died and you took off with your brother. I sure hope you got the money I sent, but there will always be that question that makes me angry and sad; why didn't you write? Call?
Perhaps I'll find out in the next life, because living like this is torturous. I have to go, we're heading to another town.
-Nellie
Nellie. Nellie. Nellie. Faded memories of their friendship flashed in his mind, he remembered the first time she'd seen him bloodied by his father. Angry, silent tears had dripped down her face as she bandaged the cuts, they were no more than ten years old at the time.
How was he supposed to act? Was he supposed to go running to her? What did she mean by she still writes? He never got a letter from her, ever. She had gone to his house? When? There were so many questions...but how would he approach her!?
He slung the notebook across room and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and growling angrily. His life had been flipped around so many times, here it was doing it again.
