I do not own the Walking Dead or Linkin Park
Radiance
Chapter 11: Pictures
First POV (Skyler)
We all got into the car and followed the black tire tracks on the road as it started to storm. It was strange. The tracks didn't lead back to the forest. They lead back to a house. It was a two-story home with sand colored bricks and a dark brown roof. The whole place was surrounded by walls. Ken opened the gate and we entered. He opened the white door.
It was a nice home. Why didn't we just live here instead of the train station? I walked around and found something unusual. I saw empty picture frames. Who would take pictures?
"Tyler!" We constantly searched the house for our troubled friend. I decided to search the backyard as I opened the sliding door. I found Tyler…in front of eight graves. I observed the wooden signs and saw a picture under each name. Now, that explains why the frames were empty. The pictures were pinned and were also taped to the signs. Tyler knelt in front of the last one on the left as he started quietly singing.
I break down, pain is sinking in
The cold comes, racing through my skin
Searching for a way to get to you
Through the storm you...
Go, giving up your home
Go, leaving all you've known
You are all alone
With arms up stretched into the sky
With eyes like stars in the night
Fighting now the hell that you've been through
Silent one, you...
Go, giving up your home
Go, leaving all you've known
You go, giving up your home
Go, leaving all you've known
You are all alone
You go, giving up your home
Go, leaving all you've known
You go, giving up your home
Go, you are now unknown
You are all alone
You are now unknown
You are all alone
I walked over to him as he put up the final picture under its matching name: Abigail. I knelt down right next to him as he looked at me. I noticed that his goatee was gone. He then looked back towards the grave in front of him. He then spoke.
"Leave me alone."
"Are you going to come back?" I curiously asked, concerned. I want him to come back. He didn't answer.
"That depends, will you all stop treating me like I'm one of them?"
"You're no different than the rest of us, Ty." I said.
"No, I'm not." He replied, looking at his grey hand and claws. "I lost everything to those things and I'm the odd man out of the group." He paused before continuing. "Starting out, I was the weak link. Then, I lose my family. Next, I turn into a demonic freak. Finally…I lost the one I love…Abigail."
"Ty, please come back with us." I pleaded.
"I just want to be by myself, Skyler."
"Please…" I was startled as Tyler turned into the demon, yelling in a loud tone.
"No!" I fell back, terrified. I looked into his dark eyes and saw nothing. He held his claws at my throat before whispering something into my ear. The raspy voice echoed in my mind. It frightened me, more than anything else. My worst nightmare was nothing compared to this.
"You and the rest of the team can rot for all I care. Now, for the last time, leave me alone."
Reverting back to normal, he turned away. I stood up and went back inside, tears streaming down my face. The others stared at me. I looked down at myself and obviously, I was wet from the rain.
"Skyler, are you alright?" Ken asked.
"I'm not sure." I replied.
"Is Ty coming back?" Lauren asked, concerned. I shook my head while Lauren turned away. Suddenly, the door opened and Tyler walked past us.
"You all need to get out…now." We all started walking towards the door until Ken spoke up.
"You can't defeat all of them." He explained.
"Just watch me. In a few days, after the gunshots cease, you'll try to find me." Ty replied. "By the time the dust settles, I'll be gone." I was the last to leave. I started singing quietly to myself.
Like shining oil, this night is dripping down
Stars are slipping down, glistening
And I'm trying not to think what I'm leaving now
No deceiving now, it's time you let me know
Let me know
When the lights go out and we open our eyes,
Out there in the silence, I'll be gone, I'll be gone
Let the sun fade out and another one rise
Climbing through tomorrow, I'll be gone, I'll be gone
This air between us is getting thinner now
Into winter now, bittersweet
And 'cross that horizon this sun is setting down
You're forgetting now, it's time you let me go, let me go
When the lights go out and we open our eyes,
Out there in the silence, I'll be gone, I'll be gone
Let the sun fade out and another one rise
Climbing through tomorrow, I'll be gone, I'll be gone
And tell them I couldn't tell myself
And tell them I was alone
Oh, tell me I am the only one
And there's nothing that can stop me
When the lights go out and we open our eyes,
Out there in the silence, I'll be gone, I'll be gone
Let the sun fade out and another one rise
Climbing through tomorrow, I'll be gone, I'll be gone
I'll be gone
Driving back to the train station, I couldn't stop thinking about Tyler. He's maybe one of the greatest friends I've ever had. I sure hope he returns.