A/N: So this one is super short because like I said in my author's note for Chapter Fourteen, it is only a chapter on Madelyn's back story. It has a little bit of useful information so you might not want to skip it. In response to a guest review for my last chapter, you are completely right. Maggie has not been kind to Beth, and their relationship will never be the same. Also, I will let you know that this is a one time thing, I won't be writing any more chapters about Madelyn. I wrote this "Chapter" a little differently, as though you were reading her diary entries.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Yours Truly
Sometime in November, 2012
Hello there, my name is Madelyn Hale. I found this diary, along with a couple of mechanical pencils, inside of an abandoned home several months ago, contemplating on writing my every day experiences in it. When I looked into the first few pages, it had become apparent that this book once belonged to a woman named Angela Stevenson. Though she must have passed away long before now, I'm sure she wouldn't have minded me having possession of it. She seemed like a kind lady, and it is strange to think that she exists now only inside the first part of this diary.
It wasn't until now that I decided to pick up a pencil and write, right as my life is coming to a swift end. I can only hope that when it does, someone will find this diary and remember and appreciate me as I did for Angela. Perhaps that is asking for too much, but I suppose that all depends on the next person who finds it. Or maybe it'll get lost like many other personal possessions, never to be picked up by another again.
I am alone now, besides having a pistol, a spear point knife, and this diary, and I have been for a couple of days. The walkers…they ambushed me and my group where we were living—at a place called Hilltop. It wasn't just happenstance; the dead were led there by another group, a group who call themselves The Takers. The people from Hilltop…they were my family. I was the lucky one to escape, but now I wonder if I was so lucky? Walking down an empty road in the middle of nowhere covered with leaves and abandoned vehicles, surrounded by trees on all sides of me, I am secluded. Everything is quiet, but my thoughts are loud and ongoing, occupied with the knowledge that everyone who once kept me protected and safe…is gone. It's one of the saddest, most frightening situations I have ever had to overcome.
My stomach is growling. I've barely eaten since after what happened…and not due to depression. Food is scarce, and I am not a hunter. I have attempted at catching a rabbit yesterday, but it was no use. I haven't even seen another animal since then. Even if I had of caught it, I would have absolutely no idea how to skin and clean one myself. I am useless on my own. I feel I might die of starvation before I died at the hands of a walker or another person.
Speaking of which, I spotted a few walkers today, trudging senselessly to who knows where. Seeing their dreadful, deforming faces is a sight I can never get used to. Fortunately, I was able to remain undetected. If there was anything good I could say about myself in terms of survival, I would say I am light on my feet. It was a skill I used quite often before the turn. Well…that's another story. For now, I have to find some place to sleep before it gets dark. I promise I will write tomorrow. Hopefully by then I will have had a better time at finding food to calm the angry groans of my stomach. Until then, wish me luck, will you?
Yours truly, Madelyn.
Sometime in November, 2012 (The next day)
Well, here I am again. Still alive, but my hunger is still not sated. I had decided to stay the night inside the back seat of a sedan which I highly regretted, as I have been suffering from sore legs and a kink in my neck for most of the day. I'm not pleased that the weather has turned out miserable today, it's just been pouring with rain! I wouldn't have minded so much if I had the proper gear for this kind of weather, but unfortunately I had little time to prepare. I kept myself in the car all morning, hoping to wait it out, but my stomach wasn't agreeing with me. I felt nauseous with hunger, so I accepted the fact that finding something to eat was much more important than staying dry.
It was not only wet, but it was cold. By the time I found a corner store, my cloths had been soaked through and I was freezing straight to the bone! I entered the store cautiously, but thankfully there were no walkers in here. To no surprise, a lot of the shelves were empty, except for some old containers of transmission fluid, windshield cleaners, batteries and a couple of flashlights. A flashlight would have been a great idea to grab, if only the hydroxide hadn't leaked out of the batteries. When I searched further, I was able to purge a lone can of tuna, but I didn't leave any leftovers. Something I'd probably regret later.
Right now as I write this, I am still inside the corner store, sitting atop the counter beside an empty cash register. I've been inside here for what seems like a couple hours, and my clothes are still damp. I've already cried a few times just thinking about my group and the predicament I was now in. If it wasn't for this diary keeping me busy, I would be extremely bored. Writing has given me a strange sense of comfort, as if I am writing a letter to someone who I know will read it.
Shit, I think I just heard something...
(…a while later)
So the whole time I was in this corner store, there had been a walker right in the back room! It scared the shit out of me. I guess it knocked something over which is what I heard earlier. I killed it with my knife since I have little bullets left. The thing put up quite the fight, but I eventually was able to pierce it in the temple. I'm exhausted, and it's still pouring with rain. Probably for the best as I don't think I can go anywhere else today. On top of that, I can feel myself getting quite thirsty. I think I'm going to find something in here that I can put outside to collect the rain.
Also, from now on, I am going to put dates down on my entries. I don't know exactly what day it is, but at least I'll know (or anyone who reads this knows) how many days I've been writing in this diary.
November 20th, 2012
I'm still exhausted…I barely had any sleep last night. At least my clothes are now completely dry, but they smell like wet dog. I drank some rain water that had been collecting overnight, so I'm glad that my thirst has been quenched…for now. As far as the weather goes, it's cloudy out there, but it's not raining. I guess I should probably head out, though it seems pointless. I'm drowning myself into a disheartening mess, uncertain about why I keep going. My life is over. I have no one, no food, no supplies…nothing. All I have is Angela's diary.
(Later that day…)
I had decided to keep following down the road that I started on two days ago, but that plan had quickly changed…sorry, I'm a little shaky right now as I write this. I ended up reaching a herd of walkers that roamed around aimlessly in the middle of the road, so I had to go another route. I went inside the treeline, and eventually I got lost. Not like I wasn't lost to begin with as I never had a destination or knew where I was going, but now I am REALLY lost. I didn't comprehend how easy it would be to get turned around and lose my way inside of a wooded area.
I'm scared, I'm sad, I'm hungry, and I'm cold and damp. Worst of all, it feels like I'm being followed. I'm on edge as I have constantly heard twigs breaking in the distance every now and again. Perhaps I am just really paranoid, but how can I not be? I am trapped in the woods with the idea that walkers could dart out at me at any given moment. I tried back tracking, but it seems that I have a bad sense of direction. Sometimes I recognized familiar trees, but when I continued to go further I still didn't reach the road.
I've accepted my fate. If I am to die today, tomorrow, or a week from now, then so be it. No one should ever have to go through this. This might be my last entry. If so, then I guess this is goodbye.
November 21st, 2012
I think I am luckier than I thought. It turns out that I was being followed yesterday, but not by anything life threatening…I hope. I met two people today, sometime in the afternoon. Their names are Aaron and Daryl. I was frightened at first…but I think I can trust them. It's evening now, and we are nestled on some chairs in front of a cozy wood fireplace inside an abandoned shack. The two men were kind enough to fill me up with some food they had and shared the water from their canteens. Aaron told me they came from a place called Alexandria, and I was more than welcome to go back with them. Of course I said yes, I had nothing to lose.
Aaron seemed very kind as he explained everything about their lifestyle, and even had Polaroid pictures of the little neighborhood. The houses they lived in where beautifully kept up, and a 15-foot-wall towers around the community to protect them from the outside world. It is all too good to be true. Aaron eventually asked me where I came from, and if I knew anyone else who would want to tag along with me. That conversation was a little too hard to bear, and I felt embarrassed as tears began to sting my eyes as I explained my story. He was more than understanding, thankfully. I didn't tell them about The Takers...at least not yet.
Daryl, on the other hand, was quieter and not as open to conversation. He is far more intimidating than his former, but his demeanor also intrigues me. And…I would be lying if I said he wasn't attractive. I caught his eyes a few times, but he averted them quickly. I don't think he trusts me as he has been studying me constantly. Not like I blame him since my feelings are mutual. I didn't want to judge him by his looks, but it was difficult not to. He definitely seems like the type that has been through the mill and back, unlike Aaron who has obviously been kept safely bubbled inside of his community since all this mess started.
By tomorrow afternoon, we will reach Alexandria, or so I'm told. I find myself more excited than worried, only because like I said before, I have nothing else to lose. I have a good feeling about all of this, and I hope that these people will one day eventually feel like family. My life no longer feels pointless. I can't wait to see what's in store for me.
Yours truly, Madelyn.