A/N:. It's Jacqui's turn. Then Andrea, then Glen, then Morales…you get the picture. This will be a very long set of drabbles, as I plan to leave no stone unturned in the process. Atlanta group is first and nearly finished.
chapter 13: all alone, Jacqui
She is all alone.
She's used to this, she should be used to it. She works in the sewers, for god's sake.
It's not exactly the most pleasant or edifying job you could ask for, but work is work.
It helps pay the bills and keep the lights on, so hey, that's something, right?
She is…lonely.
Jacqui has always been very introverted, but she had one close friend.
Maybe…he's more than a friend.
Theodore is such a kind gentleman.
She could never imagine seeing him as more than a friend, though.
Then the apocalypse happens, and…life goes on, surprisingly.
She doesn't have her job anymore.
She doesn't get to be clean or have fresh clothes anymore.
But that's all right.
She's with a new group of people.
A new group that doesn't know her secret.
She has depression, and more than once, she has tried to die.
She will hide it for the sake of the group.
Jim has died. She cannot believe it.
The man before her has offered them a choice. They can die peacefully in a fifty second explosion, or they can become those walker things.
She hesitates, glancing over at Dr. Jenner.
He's alone.
He doesn't need to die alone. She can tell how much he loved his wife.
"I'm stayin."
T-Dog looks at her as though she is insane. "That's crazy talk!"
"I'm stayin, sweetie…" She trails off.
He still seems to doubt her, but she sends him off with a smile.
He doesn't need to see her like this.
None of them do. They will all survive, and she will not.
She turns to the doctor, who is watching her in confusion.
His mouth forms one word: why?
Because you didn't need to be alone.
Because you reminded me there's kindness in death.
She smiles at him and reaches out her hand to clasp his hand.
They're in this together, as two new friends.
Two comrades, greeting death on their own terms.
The clock hits zero seconds.
All she can feel is the warmth of his hand as it all ends.