We told Gary that we knew Rick Grimes and said he would take us to where he and the others were staying. I got so excited when he said "others." Does that mean everyone else is okay, too? One can only hope.
I looked around as Gary drove. This place was huge! Everyone lived in trailers and other mobile homes. "Yeah, this place was around before the turn." Gary told us. "Me and some other guys that lived in the area thought it would be a perfect place. So, we put the walls up and shortly after people just started coming in different directions looking for shelter. We figured we might as well try to help people. I mean…why just have it be the few of us when we can create a community." Gray paused. "Don't you agree?"
"Yes, exactly." I smiled. Then, there was a brief pause.
"So, how do you know these people?" Gary asked us. "Did you know each other before?"
"We didn't know each other before." Daryl said. "We all met after."
"Well, that's nice. Hope you enjoy yourselves here." Gary said then pointed. "It's just up ahead. They're on…Apache. 305 Apache, I believe."
"Just drop us here." My brother said.
"Ya sure? I can take you right to their trailer?"
"No, that's fine. We'll walk."
Gary stopped the truck and Daryl looked back at me. "Come on, Le." We hopped out.
"Thanks fer the ride." I waved to Gary. We watched him drive away. I looked up at my brother. "What'd ya do that fer?"
"Cuz I wanted us to do this on our own."
"Oh, okay." I agreed. Daryl put his arm around me and walked down the street.
"Well, there it is." Daryl said. "305 Apache."
"Yeah." I said looking up at it. My brother took a step forward but I stopped him. "Wait." I grabbed his arm, he looked down at me. "I'm nervous."
"Me too." Daryl nodded and pushed my hair back. "But we gotta do it."
"I know." I said taking a deep breath.
"Ya ready?"
"Yeah." I nodded. My brother grabbed my hand and we walked up to the trailer. There was a ramp that led up to a screened in porch. We knocked on it and heard footsteps shortly after. I looked up at my brother and smiled in excitement. They are going to be so surprised when they see us.
My excitement faded when a tall man with red hair walked outside and up to the screen door. I gave Daryl a questioning look. "Can I help ya?" The man said when we didn't say anything.
"Uh…no, sorry. We must have the wrong place." Daryl said. "We're lookin' fer someone."
"But sorry to bother you." I chimed in. "We'll be outta yer way now." We turned to leave.
"Who'd ya say you were lookin' for?" The redheaded man said.
We stopped and turned back around. We shared a look before answering. "We didn't." Daryl said. "But his name's Rick Grimes."
"You know Rick?" The man said opening the door and stepped out.
"Yeah." I said. "Do you?"
"Yeah." He paused. "What are your names?"
"I'm Leann and this is Daryl."
He nodded. "I'm Abraham." He stopped and seemed like he was looking us over. "Rick lives across the street." He pointed with his chin.
We looked at the trailer behind us. "Oh, okay." I smiled. "Thank you."
"I can call him over if ya want?"
"Sure." My brother said.
Abraham pulled out his walkie and said into it, "ay, Rick? You're gonna wanna see this."
"What's that?" Rick said on the other end. I smiled up at my brother. So, it really is true!
"There's some people over here that claim they know you. They're names are Daryl and Leann. You know 'em?" Abraham finished. There was silence on the other end then we heard a noise behind us like a door swinging open. There stood Rick on the porch looking right over at us.
For a moment, it seemed as though time itself stopped as we just stared at each other. Then, we made our way over to each other. Rick had a look of pure shock on his face. Like he wanted to ask, "is it really you?"
Suddenly, Rick and my brother hugged! My brother never hugs anyone, except me of course. "My God." Rick said. Then, he smiled down at me. I hugged him tight around the neck and he lifted me off the ground a little and kissed my cheek. It was sweet. I giggled.
Carl and Michonne then emerged from the trailer as well. I looked up at my brother with excitement. Rick nodded. "Carol?" My brother asked Rick.
"Yes." He replied with a smile.
"Glenn and Maggie?" I asked. He nodded again. I couldn't believe it! They're all okay!
"How?" Rick asked us. We were in their trailer eating and drinking sodas. Rick had called the others over. We were now all reunited and even met some of the new people. We found out that most of the newer people we had at the prison didn't make it. Tyreese also did not.
We were having a cookout and a little celebration with everyone. "We just kept travelin' north." Daryl stated. We saw the signs fer this place and figured we'd check it out."
"It's a good thang we did." I said and smiled at my brother.
Daryl looked at me for a moment then said, "tried like hell to find a decent home. Everywhere was no good."
"Sounds like you had the same trip we did." Rick said.
"How is this place?" I asked wanting to change the subject.
Rick sighed. "It's good." He nodded. "It's good."
"Good to know." Daryl said.
"I'll show you guys around tomorrow, if you want?" Rick offered. "It's kinda late now. This place is bigger than it looks."
"That's what I said." I said rolling my eyes. Everyone laughed.
"You two must be tired." Carol said. "The trailer next door is available. You can stay there."
"Thanks." My brother said. "But we don't know if we're stayin'."
"What?" I said and looked up at my brother with an incredulous look along with everyone else.
"Kiddin'." He held his hands. "I'm just kiddin'." I exhaled in relief and lightly smacked my brother's arm. Everyone laughed.
Our trailer had one small bedroom and a room in the back that had four bunk beds. It was a pretty nice little home, it was even nicer now that we were back with our people. I still couldn't believe it.
I was able to shower in the trailer. It was a very tight space, but I didn't care. I didn't want to have to go down to the public showers and shower with other people. Not after what happened last time.
Once I was done with my shower, I brushed my teeth for the longest time and then got into bed. I choose one of the bunk beds. I liked it because it was it's own little space. I could close the door for privacy and everything.
"Hey." My brother said walking into the room. "Ya all right?"
"Yeah." I smiled. "Sure am." He chuckled.
He paused and looked around. "Mind if I bunk in here with you tonight?"
"Of course not." I smiled. He sat down on the bed across from me.
"Cain't believe this."
"I know I'm still in shock." I put my hands behind my head. "I thank I like this place."
Daryl snorted. "We just got here."
"I know, but…I just gotta good feelin' about it."
He nodded. "Me too, Sissy. Me too." He leaned over and kissed my forehead, I smiled. "Get some sleep." He said getting into bed.
"Yeah, you too." I said. "No one has to keep watch fer once."
"Yeah." He chuckled.
Things quieted down after that. I repositioned myself and got comfortable. What I said to Daryl was the truth, I really do have a good feeling about this place. I think we finally found a home. And to think, I didn't even want to come here. I smiled to myself.
"Le?" I heard Daryl say.
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
"I love you, too." I smiled at him even though it was too dark for him to see me.
The next day, Rick showed us around on a golf cart. The look on my brother's face when he first told us was so funny! Everybody here has one apparently. It's our main transport for this community. It's way better than walking.
"Up here is the main bathrooms and showers. There's also the pool, courtyard and clubhouse." Rick said.
"There's a pool?" I asked excitedly.
"Yeah, why don't you and Carl come down later?" Rick said. "It's a warmer day today and it's gonna get cold soon so you might as well."
"All right!" I said happily. "Okay, Daryl?"
"I don't care." He said.
"That little place right there," Rick pointed, "they have concerts there every friday night, which is today."
I perked up a little. "Ya mean…like people sang here?"
"Yeah." Rick said. "I'm not sure how it works, though. I haven't gone to any yet." I got a little excited and looked down at the ground. Maybe I can sing one night? I didn't miss the smirk my brother gave me. He knows what I'm thinking. "Here's the beautiful lake." Rick showed us.
"Wow!" I said. "There's a fountain in it."
"Yeah." Rick chuckled. "This place is fancy." He rode us around some more. "That's pretty much all the main places. I'll show you around the neighborhood. Just so you can know the streets."
I realized my brother was being pretty quiet. "Daryl?" I said. "You okay? Ya been real quiet."
"…just a lot to take in."
"Yeah, it's kinda overwhelming." Rick said. "It was for me, too. But…you'll get used to it after a while." Rick paused and looked back at me. "How 'bout later on, I teach ya how to drive this. I taught Carl."
"Okay!" I got even more excited.
Rick chuckled. "As long as it's all right with Daryl."
"Won't catch me arguin'." Was all he said.
"Yes!" I said.
"First thang ya do is put the key in and start it." Rick said handing me the keys. I stuck it in the ignition and turned it to, "on." "Okay, now…see this little thang down here?" He pointed. "Right now, it's in neutral because we're parked, so you wanna put it to reverse."
I pressed it and heard a beeping sound. "Like that?"
"Yup. Now, just slowly back it up." He informed me. I put my foot on the gas and slowly backed up like he told me. Once we were in the road, I took my foot off.
"What do I do now?"
"Push this button and put it in forward, then you can drive." He said. I pushed the button then stepped on the gas again. We began moving forward. I looked at Rick and smiled. "Are you floored? Push all the way down on it." I had to scoot up on the edge of the seat because of how short I am and pushed the gas down hard. We began moving faster. "That's it." Rick said. "Now, when we get up to this stop sign up here, just stop a minute."
I did once we approached it. "I gotta teach you the turn signals now." He said. "When you wanna go left, which is the way we're going, you just stick your arm straight out so the other drivers can see." He showed me. "And if you're goin' right, you just hold your up like this and bend it."
"Okay, I thank I got it." I said. "So, we're goin' left?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Hey, that's what my brother always say to me." I smiled. I held my arm out like he showed me and turned. "If there's no one there, do I still have to use turn signals?"
"Yes, you do." He said. "There are rules here just like before. If you get caught breaking them, then you lose your driving privileges."
"Just me?" I questioned.
"No, everyone. The owner of the place will confiscate your vehicle."
"What's that mean?"
"They'll take it away."
"Oh." I said. "Don't worry about me. I'll follow the rules." I said still driving around.
"Good to hear." Rick said. "Let's head back now. You and Carl can go down to the pool now if you want."
"Okay." I turned the cart around and headed back to the trailer.
Carl and walked up to the pool. We weren't allowed to take the cart for some reason. Rick said he didn't want us using it yet on our own. I was able to find a bathing suit up at the little shop near the main entrance of the camp. The people who go out on runs take everything to the shop and store it there. It's a pretty neat idea if you ask me.
"So, do you like this place?" I asked Carl.
"Yeah, I think it's all right." He said. "I want you to meet a few people. They're always up here so you should get to see them now."
"Oh okay."
We arrived at the pool and went inside. There was only a few people here. We sat our stuff down on the chairs and then sat for a minute before going in the water. "Oh here they come now." Carl pointed to the kids walking in. There were two boys and two girls. "Hey!" Carl called. "Over here." The kids walked over to us.
"Hey, Carl." One of the boys said.
"I want you guys to meet my friend Leann. We knew each other from the start but got split up. Her and her brother just showed up yesterday."
"Hi." I waved. They all said hi back.
"That's Caden and Travis. And that's Kylie and Lindsey." Carl stated. They all seemed pretty nice and friendly.
"So, what should we do today?" Travis asked.
"I don't know." Kylie replied. "I kinda just wanna swim."
"Let's all jump in together!" Lindsey said.
"We have to go two at a time, remember?" Carl said.
"Oh yeah." Lindsey said and crossed her arms. "Poo." I almost wanted to laugh.
"Let's play Dive or Cannonball!" Kylie said.
"How do ya play that?" I asked.
"It's real simple." Kylie said. "Two people line up over there and one dives and the other does cannonball. The rest of the people have to guess which one is doing which."
"Oh." I said. "That sounds fun."
"We'll do a practice so you can see how it's done." Caden said.
"Okay." I stayed back and watched them. Lindsey whispered something into Kylie's ear then they said they were ready.
"I say Kylie dives and Lindsey cannonballs." Caden said.
"I second that." Travis said.
"I think the opposite." Carl said.
"All right, we're ready!" Travis yelled.
"One, two, three!" The girls counted in unison then ran and jumped in. Turns out Carl was right. Lindsey dove in and Kylie did a cannonball.
"Who won?" Kylie asked once they emerged from the water.
"Carl." I said.
"You think you got the hang of it?" Travis asked me.
"Yeah, it's pretty simple." I said.
"Great." He said. "You can go with me."
"Okay." I shrugged.
Travis and I lined up on the orange line that was painted on the concrete. "I'll do a cannonball." I whispered to him.
"All right." He nodded. "We're ready!"
"Us too!" Carl called.
We counted to three in unison then jumped in. I laughed as soon as we came up from the water. "Who guessed right?"
"Lindsey and I were right." Caden called.
The six of us continued playing for a long time. Even though it was a simple game and sounded kind of dumb, it was actually really fun. I had a really good time. I liked these kids, they were different. I mean…Lindsey was kind of annoying, but the others were okay. There was no talk of parties, alcohol, drugs or sex. It was just…innocent. I liked it better that way. My brother is always calling me a kid and I realized today that I am one. I won't be soon so I should make the most of while I can. That's what Daryl has been trying to tell me all along.
"So, will you guys be at the concert tonight?" Kylie asked us when we were done swimming.
"Oh, I don't know." I said.
"We'll be there." Carl said. I gave him a look.
"Cool!" She said. "See ya then!"
"Yeah, bye." Carl called to them.
"Why'd ya do that?" I asked him as we were walking back home.
"'Cause, it's fun. You'll like it a lot."
"Maybe." I shrugged. I debated on whether to tell him the next part. "…so, I was thankin'…I might sang."
"Really? You can sing?" He asked me. I shyly nodded. "You should definitely do it then."
"I don't know." I let out a small laugh.
"We'll take a vote once we get back to the trailer."
"Who thinks Le should sing at the concert tonight?" Carl asked everyone. They all put their hands up. I looked shyly looked at the ground.
"Does she want to?" Maggie asked.
"I don't know." I answered.
"Oh, come on!" Glenn yelled. "You can do it!"
"Yeah, do it!" Sasha yelled.
"Yeah, but…"
"Don't worry. She's gonna do it." My brother said.
"Daryl!"
"Come on, baby." He said. "Do it fer me."
"But, Daryl…
"I want you to." He whispered to me. "It's okay. You can do it."
I thought for a minute. It wasn't that I was nervous, it was just that…the last time I sang in front of a crowd was before all this. The only person who's heard me sing now is my brother. I should change that. "Okay." I nodded. "I'll do it."
I stood in the crowd and listened to the other bands play. They were pretty good. Not professionally good, but they were good. "All right." A man said into the mic after the current band was done playing. "Let's get some more people here so we can have a fun night! Who else wants to sing? It can be solo, duet, with the band, whatever you want."
"Go on." My brother gave me a nudge forward. I looked back at him, he gave me a gesture to go up then I slowly walked up to the man.
"Well, hello there." The man said. "Are going to sing for us?"
"Yeah." I said nervously.
"And what song are you going to sing?"
"Um…Learn to Fly by Foo Fighters."
"All right." He let out a small laugh. He yelled something to the band then turned back to me. "And what is your name?"
"Leann, but please call me Le."
"Okay." He turned to the crowd. "This Le." He said into the mic. "She's going to sing Learn to Fly by Foo Fighters for us!"
"Yeah! Woohoo!" I heard my people yell. I had to smile.
"Whenever you're ready." He said.
I took a deep breath." All right." I said. The music started playing for me and I waited for my cue.
"Run and tell all of the angels
This could take all night
Think I need a devil to help me
Get things right"
I looked down at the crowd, I saw my brother smiling at me and smiled back. Suddenly, all nervousness was gone. I continued singing.
"'Cause this one is a lie
We sat around laughing
And watch the last one die
I'm looking to the sky to save me
Looking for a sign of life
Looking for something to help me burn out bright"
The crowd cheered loudly for me, which boosted my confidence even more. I was brought back to the first time I sang at that karaoke night. Things were bad back then with my home life and everything. Bad things still happened after, too. It was like Daryl and I couldn't escape it. But they're better now.
"I'm looking for a complication
Looking 'cause I'm tired of trying
Make my way back home
When I learn to fly (high)
Think I'm done nursing the patience
I can wait one night
I'd give it all away
If you give me one last try
We live happily ever trapped
If you just save my life
Run and tell the angels
That everything is all right
I'm looking to the sky to save me
Looking for a sign of life
Looking for something to help me burn out bright
I'm looking for a complication
Looking 'cause I'm tired of trying
Make my way back home
When I learn to fly (high)
Fly along with me
I can't quite make it alone
Try to make this life my own
Fly along with me
I can't quite make it alone
Try to make this life my own
I'm looking to the sky to save me
Looking for a sign of life
Looking for something to help me burn out bright
I'm looking for a complication
Looking 'cause I'm tired of trying
Make my way back home
When I learn to fly (high)"
Make my way back home
When I learn to fly
Make my way back home
When I learn to…"
I finished the song and everyone in the crowd cheered loudly for me. The only thing I could do was laugh. "Wow!" The man said back up on stage. "That was amazing, wasn't it?" The crowd answered his questioned by cheering.
"Thanks, everyone." I waved. They cheered some more as I hopped down off the stage. I immediately ran to my brother who hugged me tightly and lifted me. I giggled. The others patted me on the back and gave me compliments.
"That was so good, Sissy!" Daryl said. I just smiled shyly back.
I thought for a minute. "Ya know somethin', Daryl?"
"What?"
"We belong here." I smiled. He smiled back at me.
"I wanna hear an encore from that girl!" The man said making me look back up. "Who's with me?" The crowd cheered. I gave my brother a confused look.
"They want ya to do another song, baby." He told me.
"Fer real?"
"Yeah! Go!" He lifted me back onto the stage.
"You guys really want me to sing again?" I asked. The crowd continued to cheer loudly. "Well…all right." I shrugged. I adjusted the mic and cleared my throat. "This is called Run by Foo Fighters."
I'm looking to the sky to save me
Looking for a sign of life
Looking for something to help me burn out bright"
I'm looking for a complication
Looking 'cause I'm tired of trying
Make my way back home
When I learn to fly (high)
The End
PLEASE READ:
Hello everyone! That's it! That's the end! I ended it how I ended the first one, which is actually how it started! I hope you liked it! BUT, WAIT...it's not completely over yet! There's still an epilogue! So, stay tuned for that! :D However, please give me a review and tell me what you thought of this story! :D Thanks!