Author's Note: So I'm not a big big watcher of TWD so excuse any glaring oversights. This is something i can only do in spare time so don't expect updates daily. Reviews fuel my will to write.

Nights were always the hardest. Sleep never came easily, her mind ever racing, replaying the day. For the past few years it's been this way. Running, fighting, hiding. Rinse and repeat. Breathless and awake she leaned up from the floor, sweat glistening her skin. The dreams used to be few and far between. Now she was lucky to escape them for more than a few nights, and it was beginning to take its toll. The mirror never lied to her, darkness ringing tired eyes, strands of sweat soaked hair framing her face from its small broken gaze. Snapping the weathered compact closed she pocketed the treasure, no matter how many times she looked the face remained the same, worn and ragged.

A small beam of moonlight peeked through a broken slat, illuminating her face through the lens of the scuffed black rimmed glasses, bringing her back to reality. Eyes flittered under heavy eyelashes as she shook off the cold. It was always the same dreams these days: death, destruction, never memories of the times before civilization collapsed, but ones that made you wish you never had to sleep again. Always darkness. Memories of her family, showers, eating cold leftover pizza on Saturday mornings and not having to look behind you at all times seemed reserved for her waking hours. At times she even spoke with herself, to her being alone was for the best. Friends, affection, was a weakness that could be exploited and used against you. Ties never lasted, one way or the other everyone would leave you, and you'd be all alone again.

Adjusting the old tattered blanket around her she moved out of the weak light. Thinking of what tomorrow would bring, hoping she could run across something worthwhile that would quiet the ever gnawing hunger in her belly. Sleep started to take hold again before the muffled sounds of branches snapping pulled her from the stupor. Alone a walker was manageable, but many together was dangerous. Quietly shaking off the blanket, hands came up to twist the long wavy brunette mane into a messy bun. The sharpened branch to her left, old, blackened and stained, weathered from use, was at the ready. As well as the .308 that sat next to it. Creeping towards the gaps in the wall, she peered through the slats seeing the outline of the rotten corpse slowly trudging through the undergrowth of the forest. The safest thing to do was allow it to continue on its path, the risk far outweighing the reward.

Out of nowhere something collided with the corpses head rendering it a heaping pile of remains. Falling backwards she huddled into the corner, within sight of the crevices of the wall she could see figures approaching the fallen creatures remains from the darkness.

"That's the last of that one, we should be heading back. You know we're not supposed to be out this late." A female voice whispered, breaking the silence. Approaching voices signaled more joining the duo.

"We haven't gotten nearly enough supplies to even call the trip worthwhile, you know he's going to be fucking pissed" a male voice interjected, anger lacing his tone. "..and since we can't magically shit them out, it's best we get fucking moving and keep looking instead of sitting here running our mouths". Looters, every place she had been was sacked of anything useful long ago, nothing ever remained. Their search was useless, they weren't going to find anything around here.

Whoever this 'he' was, he had these people terrified. Scared enough to risk braving the dead of night rather than turn up short of their quota and face him. That was the problem with this new world. There was always something bigger and stronger than you, and the dead weren't the ones to fear now...it was the living. Whatever law and order that had scarcely kept them in check before was now gone, it was now a free for all for anyone willing to risk everything to take it, and there were many that tried. Many that failed.

All she had to do was stay quietly hidden long enough for them to move on and she'd relocate for the night. This wasn't her first rodeo with scavengers, and god willing it wouldn't be her last.

"What about that building, you search it yet Laura?"

Shit

Sweat started beading up on her brow. If she ran, she would be shot, if she attacked them she would be shot, realistically there was likely no way out that didn't end in a bullet in her back. Slowing taking to her knees she reached for the rifle. Making a break for the back door was the only logical thing to do at this point. Elbows dampened the sound of the rifle on the wooden floor, if she could just make the tree line she would be safe.

"Do you really think there is anything of worth in that busted ass shack David?" Laura retorted. "It's standing on its last damn legs, a stiff breeze could bring it down. Anything that could have been useful to us is long gone I can guarantee you that"

The strangers were on the other side, muffled and preoccupied. Whoever Laura was, she wasn't going to find anything but some empty cans when they finally decided to quit squabbling and search the place.

"I guess we won't know until you get your ass in there and fucking check now will we?" David demanded, bowing up at Laura. He clearly outranked her and stepping back in line the female figure moved towards the structure.

The exit was within reach, a quick crawl to the tree line, only a few more feet stood between her and freedom.

'Click'

The cocking of a gun hammer preceded the feeling of cold steel against her head. Shit. It was insanely stupid to think they wouldn't have others watching the whole perimeter. Gritting her teeth, she shot the man a scowl. A simple slip up after all this time was how this story was going to end.

girl you're getting sloppy

She prayed to anything listening he was a man of words and not action.

"Don't fucking move or this floor is going to look like a goddamn Jackson Pollock painting"

This fucking joker had her dead to rights. Also he sounded at least somewhat educated if he knew who Jackson Pollock was, so maybe he wasn't a utter moron. Lowering the rifle, it thudded against the floor as she raised her hands up in surrender.

"Now back the fuck up" he nudged the gun twice for emphasis. Leaning back to rest on her rear, bringing her feet out from underneath in compliance. She wasn't dead yet, maybe there was still a chance to get out of this in one piece.

"I don't have anything of value but that gun" the .308 resting at his feet was the only thing keeping her alive but parting with it wasn't a hard choice if it meant living another day.

"You'd be surprised what people value these days" The creep said eyeing her up and down, taking in the full view before him. "I'm certain you could be of some use and where we're going you're not going to need it anymore"

Taking a two way from behind his back he called to the others. The smirk on his face creating a deep pit of dread within her. She knew the connotations he was hinting at. In this world a woman had many uses and not all of them pure and innocent, or consenting. She'd seen it firsthand in other settlements and promised herself she would do anything possible to avoid that fate.

"Laura, David, Pack it up were heading home. I'm having a feeling our quota isn't going to matter anymore"

Fuck