I do not own the Walking Dead or Linkin Park
Radiance
Chapter 3: Forgotten
First POV (Lauren)
July 17, 2025
For the past five weeks, we couldn't stop thinking about Tyler. And he's still pissed off at us for leaving him. We didn't do that. There were other people in the group that chose to leave him. They said he was the weak link and that he would slow us down. Andrew, Mickia, and I didn't want to leave him. He's a good friend. My thoughts were soon interrupted when we heard Tyler's voice on the radio. We rushed over to our radio, which had a microphone like his as well.
"Ken? Mickia? Andrew? Lauren?" I grabbed the microphone and pressed the button on the side with my thumb.
"Yes, Tyler?" It was silent for a few moments before he spoke again.
"You all want to know who Abigail was?"
"It would be nice to know." No answer. "Tyler?" A few minutes later, Tyler entered on his motorcycle. He pulled off his helmet and walked over to us.
I still couldn't believe that this person was my old middle school friend. Slightly tan skin, black fingerless gloves, silver bracer on his left forearm and a Velcro strap on his right wrist, dark brown jeans with dark grey wrapping on both legs, thin grey knee guards, a black belt with a silver buckle, a dark grey collared jacket with one long sleeve on his right arm and a short sleeve on the other, a navy blue shirt underneath, a black beanie winter hat, hazel green eyes with a scar over his right eye, a bow strapped to his back by the string, a gun strapped to his back as well, brown eyebrows, and a small brown goatee on his chin. He looked around and grabbed some wood. He put them in a pile and grabbed a match out of his pocket. He threw it onto the wood and started a fire. He sat down and took off his hat to reveal his short, dark brown hair. He looked at us before he spoke.
"Hey, it may be summer, but the nights are still cold."
"So, who's Abigail?" Mickia asked curiously as we all sat around the fire. I sat right next to Tyler.
"Like I said, she was someone who never left me." Tyler glared at all of us except for Ken.
"Tyler, we didn't choose to leave you. There were other people in the group and they wanted to leave you. Not us." I explained defensively.
"They said you were the weak link and you would slow us down. We didn't want to leave you. You're our friend, Tyler, and you always will be." Andrew said.
"Alright, you're forgiven." We all smiled except for Tyler. "After I was left behind, I ran into Abigail, my friend from karate class. Her parents committed suicide and I never knew what happened to my family. We hid in the forest for a year and a half. During our time there, I found my father…as one of them. We then left and went to my house. I had to see what happened to my family. I found…their graves." He paused for a moment before continuing. "There was a message as well. It was from Ken, saying that he was here at the train station. I had made a grave for my father then. Anyway, a few days later, I went on a run…alone. I was so mad that I slaughtered a whole horde. I brought back a few supplies including a shotgun. I killed a man that day…for three reasons. One: I was angry. Two: He could have killed us or taken our supplies. Three…" He stopped for a second. "I was protecting Abigail. I couldn't lose her because I lost everything and she was the only family I had. And that day was the greatest day of my life because we loved each other. For almost two years, we lived there. One night, I turn into this demon and I don't know why. This demon is known as the Spirit of Darkness. Used to be the Spirit of Light, but was corrupted by Satan and now haunts the mortal world. Every 100 years, the spirit chooses a new host and is stuck in that host until they die. But anyway, back to the main story. 2016 was the worst year of my life 'cause that's when all hell broke loose. On this exact night, nine years ago, was the worst day of my life. I was scarred physically and mentally. I can still see out of my right eye. But I will never forget the pain much worse than this measly scar. A man put a bullet in her head…right in front of me. I let the demon out and I didn't hold back. I dug my claws into his face. Later that night, I buried Abigail and gathered my belongings. I left the house and locked the gates, making sure that no one would use my former home as shelter. I went back to the forest hideout and it became my home. I scavenged for anything to use. I found this silver bracer and had to rip the sleeve off of my jacket. I found various weapon parts for my blaster gun, which I worked on for a few years. And that's the whole story." Tyler then stood up and started walking away. I ran after him until I eventually caught up.
"Tyler, wait!" He looked at me as he put his hat back on. "Why don't you stay with us? You can bring your stuff here in the morning. Besides, we have a lot to catch up on."
"I'll get my stuff now and be back within a few minutes." He replied, smiling slightly. I smiled as I wrapped my arms around him. He returned the embrace before getting on his motorcycle and putting on his helmet. He drove away and within a few minutes, he returned with all of his belongings. He took off his helmet and hat before he set his gun and bow to the side.
"Supper's ready." Ken said as he handed food out to everyone. "Noodles tonight."
"What type are they?" Tyler asked as Ken handed him one of the bowls.
"Ramen beef flavored. Don't you like this kind?" Ken curiously asked.
"Are you kidding? I love this kind." Tyler answered as he sat down by the fire. I sat down right next to him. Everyone ate a normal pace while Tyler ate quickly. He looked at us.
"You alright, Tyler?" Mickia asked.
"You're eating as if you just got out of prison." Drew stated as he continued eating.
"I ate once a week. You don't I'm hungry as hell?" He did have a point.
Later
After we finished eating, we went to bed. Tyler went up to the roof and I followed him. I found him overlooking the city of Detroit in the distance. He was quietly singing to himself, but I could still hear him.
From the top to the bottom
Bottom to top I stop
At the core I've forgotten
In the middle of my thoughts
Taken far from my safety
The picture is there
The memory won't escape me
But why should I care
There's a place so dark you can't see the end
Skies cock back and shock that which can't defend
The rain then sends dripping / an acidic question
Forcefully, the power of suggestion
Then with the eyes shut / looking thought the rust and rot
And dust / a small spot of light floods the floor
And pours over the rusted world of pretend
The eyes ease open and it's dark again
From the top to the bottom
Bottom to top I stop
At the core I've forgotten
In the middle of my thoughts
Taken far from my safety
The picture is there
The memory won't escape me
But why should I care
In the memory you'll find me
Eyes burning up
The darkness holding me tightly
Until the sun rises up
Moving all around / screaming of the ups and downs
Pollution manifested in perpetual sound
The wheels go round and the sunset creeps behind
Street lamps, chain-link and concrete
A little piece of paper with a picture drawn floats
On down the street till the wind is gone
The memory now is like the picture was then
When the paper's crumpled up it can't be perfect again
From the top to the bottom
Bottom to top I stop
At the core I've forgotten
In the middle of my thoughts
Taken far from my safety
The picture is there
The memory won't escape me
But why should I care
In the memory you'll find me
Eyes burning up
The darkness holding me tightly
Until the sun rises up
Now you got me caught in the act
You bring the thought back
I'm telling you that
I see it right through you
In the memory you'll find me
Eyes burning up
The darkness holding me tightly
Until the sun rises up
"You alright?" Tyler turned around to see me as I walked over to him and stood right next to him.
"I'm fine. Thanks for asking, Lauren." I noticed as Tyler pulled out a picture of him with a girl.
"Is that Abigail?" I curiously asked.
"Yeah, it is."
"I'm sorry for loses."
"Thank you." Tyler just walked away and went to sleep.