Disclaimer: I don't own The Walking Dead. Bummer :P
The song in this chapter is called Lifeline by Katie Trotta, just thought I'd mention that...anyways hope you like this chapter.
Chapter 5: Let Go Of Your Lifeline
"Will you be ok?
Will you be alright?
I can stay here till morning, I can stay all night.
I can tell you, your world, no it ain't gonna end.
Tomorrows a new day you can start all over again!"
I sing softly to myself as is it in my room. I should be asleep, but sleep just won't come. Mom is downstairs I can hear he clearing dishes. Ed is gone on a "business" trip so it's just me and Mom. At least it should be. Mom is talking to someone, so it's not just us. A tear rolls down my cheek as I glance down at a bruise on my arm. This one isn't caused by Ed though; it's caused by someone else. School's not exactly fun for me.
I hear Mom laugh downstairs. I choke back more tears, but they come anyways. They come like a waterfall pouring down my face as I sob. I wipe them away, but just as I do more replace them. I feel like I can never stop crying.
"Did the world deceive you?
Has life been unkind?
Did time go to quickly leaving you lost and left behind?
Do you feel out of place even in your own skin?
Like every day is a battle and you're not sure if you can win."
One week I've been in Woodbury. One week I've missed my family. My group, my Mom, my friends. One week since I let go of my lifeline. One week since I've started drowning. Slowing and painfully sinking into a life I don't want to live…
Into darkness and depression. Into something worse than I've ever gone through. It's like being suffocated and just waiting for that moment when it will finally be over, when you can finally let go and be done with it all. Everyone has that time, but for me it will never come…this much I know.
I wake up slowly. My eyes gradually open and the sunlight coming in through the window greets them. My head clears from my memories and I sit up and rub the sleep out of my eyes. "You awake? Good." Michonne says and I look at her. "Here's some new clothes, put them on and we're gonna get outta here." She says quickly and I do as she says without argument.
Once I'm ready she unlocks the door and we step out to see the other group sitting in the tiny kitchen. "See, we didn't kill you in your sleep!" Sasha says with a smile at Michonne and me.
"I see that. Thanks." Michonne mutters and go over to the pantry and starts going through it. She takes out some food and throws it in her bag. "Left some for ya'll. Take it." She says and walks back over to me.
"Thank you, really." Tyreese says. Michonne nods.
"Consider us friends. If we ever see each other again, we'll stick with each other for the time being." Michonne says. Tyreese nods. "Bye." I say softly and we walk out the door.
"Friends?" I ask, confused considering last night she didn't want them anywhere near us.
"Yeah, we don't need them hating us now do we?" She says.
I shrug. "Point taken."
"You're a pretty restless sleeper." Michonne comments as we walk. The cabin disappears behind us. "I know. What happened?" I ask. "I don't know, it sounded like you were crying." Michonne glances at me. "I have a complicated past. I was probably dreaming about something." I mutter. "Oh, care to talk about it?" She asks.
"Well you know how I told you I think my Mom was having an affair?" I ask. Michonne nods. "Well one time…" I trial off, unable to explain the immense pain I felt that night. I gulp. "Never mind I can't put it into words." I sigh.
"S'ok. I understand." Michonne says.
"The hurt doesn't go away. I try to make it, but as far as it is in my past I just…I just can't stop thinking about it." I say sadly. "Don't break now Sophia, stop talking about it." Michonne's sympathetic face is gone and now she looks dead serious.
Soon we reach a small store. "We'll get supplies here. Then move on. I think there's a big building somewhere near here, but I can't be sure. I guess we'll find out." I smile slightly as we approach the store. Michonne pushes open the door and we step inside.
"What are we looking for?" I ask. "Anything useful, we need—" Michonne is cut off by the sound of a car. We freeze and look at each other. "Hide." She says. I nod and run to the front desk and crawl under it. I don't see where Michonne goes, but I trust her not to leave without me.
"There! What's wrong with that place?" A voice says from outside as the sound of the car stops. "Fine fine." A second voice says, that sounds familiar. "It's already open too; I thought you said it wasn't?" The first voice says. "I guess other people came by here." The second person says.
"Oh ok. Well let's check it out." I hear someone walk inside and I look under the desk to see a guy standing there, shining his flashlight around. I recognize him immediately. I try to stand up, but since I'm under a desk I just hit my head with a loud bang. "Shit!" I mutter.
"What was that?" The first voice says. I hear the click of someone turning the safety off a gun and see the second person walking towards the desk. I quickly come out. "No, no! Please don't shoot!" I exclaim and hold up my hands.
"Sophia?" Glenn asks, dropping his flashlight. I smile. "The one and only." I say, dropping my hands to my side. Glenn just stands there with his mouth wide open.
"Do you not know how to hide?" Michonne comes out. "It's okay, I know him." I say. Michonne looks at Glenn. "You part of her group?" She asks. Glenn nods. "Is everyone okay?" I ask quickly. "Somewhat. God Daryl's gonna be pissed off I found you." Glenn mutters. "Huh?" I ask, confused. Glenn shakes his head. "He went on this whole expedition to find you…he really wanted to be the one. I think he's got a little bit of a crush on your Mom." Glenn smirks. I make a face.
"Anyways. We need to get you back to the group!" Glenn exclaims and I step towards him. "Whoa whoa whoa!" Michonne stops me. "What?" I ask. "You're just gonna go with him?" She hisses. "This is my group! This is who I've wanted to find! Of course I am!" I say.
"We need to hurry this up." The girl with Glenn says. "You're just gonna leave me?" Michonne asks, and I can barely see the sadness in her eyes over the anger. "Come with us." I shrug. Michonne glances at Glenn. "I don't need a big group. I'm better on my own." Michonne shakes her head.
"So what are you gonna do? Just go off by yourself? You can't do that!" I yell. "I'm going to the coast, that's where I planned on going, and I'm sticking to that." She says.
"Why don't you come with us for the night?" The girl suggests. "Yeah. Then you can go off your own way, but at least come with us for now." Glenn says. Michonne grits her teeth. "Fine." She mutters and Glenn and the girl gather a few supplies and then we walk out of the store and get into their car.
"People change Sophia, remember that." Michonne whispers to me. "I know, I'm one of them." I say. She nods and looks straight ahead. Glenn starts the car and we drive away. I look out the back window and notice a figure standing at the tree line. At first I think it's just a walker, but walkers won't just stand there like that if they see a sign of life. I lean closer to the window and squint. Then I quickly turn around. "Michonne." I say quietly.
"What?"
"We were being followed." I hiss. She stares at me. Then she looks out the window herself. "Merle." We say at the same time. Great.
Sorry 'bout the cliffhanger! I'll have the next chapter up ASAP! Please review! :D
Oh! I know this is off the storyline of what acually happens, but it will get back on it eventually (without spoiling too much) but in a different sorta way.