Chapter 31

Rick and Shane were to take Randall 15 miles away from the farm and leave him. I did not like this plan. Mainly because Rick would be alone with Shane. That was why I asked Chris to go with them.

"Why?" he asked.

"I do not like the thought of Rick alone with Shane. Please Anthony. You know what Shane is like. I really do not wish to go into details, but Lori's pregnancy changed a lot of things. If you get what I am saying." I said.

His eyes widened and he looked over at Shane. When he looked back at me he nodded. I smiled and threw my arms around him.

"Thank you." I said.

"Don't mention it." He said.

"Promise me you will come back safe. I cannot lose you. I have almost lost Daryl if I lose you or anyone here…"

"I'm coming back! You won't lose me and you most definitely won't lose Daryl." He said.

I pulled back and nodded. He smiled and then he walked over to Rick and Shane. I saw Rick smile and nod and Shane looked directly over at me. I could not help but give him a smirk. Good! He knew I was sending Chris so he could not harm Rick. I gave him a little wave and then walked towards the house. Beth was awake. I walked upstairs and knocked on the door.

"Beth?" I asked.

Maggie opened the door. She let me in and I smiled at Beth.

"Good to see you awake." I said.

She didn't smile. She just looked at me and nodded.

"You know once you are cleared to get up and move around again I shall take you out and show you how to shoot more then one arrow. How's that sound?" I asked.

"Good." She said.

I smiled small and looked at Maggie. She smiled at me and nodded.

"Thank you." She mouthed.

I bowed my head and then left the room. On my way out the door I heard Anthony talking with Carol. I peered around the corner and saw him sitting down with Sophia asleep on him. I smiled and then left. As I walked outside I saw the tree I had stood in the night before. I smiled and walked towards it. Daryl met me halfway. I smiled and he walked with me. I jumped up into the tree and he followed. I was curious as to why but I did not question it. I climbed up to the top and pushed back the branches. Something was hanging off one of the smaller branches. My eyes widened and I gasped. Daryl hoisted himself up next to me. I looked at him and he smiled small.

"How did….."

"Andrea. T-dog came and told me what happened. What I said. Then she came and told me how she found ya up here. That ye liked it. Ain't good at asking questions like that." He said.

The object hanging from the tree branch was a ring. There was a small diamond in it. I did not wish to know where he got it, I was too lost in the moment. He took the ring and then he took my hand. I smiled and he put it on my finger.

"If you'll have me…..I wanna marry ya Prue. Never thought I'd be saying that to anyone. Ye changed me…..hell if I know why. I ain't complaining." He said.

I smiled and kissed him. I cared not that we were about 12 feet off the ground in a tree. That bit actually made it ten times more romantic.

"OI! IS THAT GROUND NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU TWO!?"

I pulled away and looked down. Anthony and Glenn were standing there. I gave them the finger and then pulled Daryl's lips back to mine. He smiled into the kiss and then we both climbed down. Anthony and Glenn were walking away. I narrowed my eyes and ran forward silently. I jumped forward and grabbed both of them and we fell to the ground.

"Next time stay out of my love life." I laughed.

They laughed at me and I stood up. Maggie came running over and jumped into Glenn's arms. He had only just stood up and now he was on the ground again. I ran off and found Dale near the RV.

"Dale!"

He turned and looked at me. I threw my arms around him and hugged him.

"Prue what's got you all excited?" he asked.

I pulled away and showed him my ring. He made a show of pretending to put on glasses and then whistled.

"Well now isn't that something." He said.

I smiled again and Carol came over. She saw my ring and I could have sworn I saw a little bit of anger in her eyes. She covered it with a smile and hugged me. I hugged her back but I was still trying to figure out why she would be upset with me. Sophia tackled me with a hug and Carl followed.

"Alright guys come on! Do not make me force you off!" I laughed.

"You're not that strong!" Carl said.

"Is that a challenge young master Grimes?"

I grabbed both of them around their waists and stood up.

"What was that you were saying?" I laughed.

I started to spin around and they shrieked with laughter. I put them down and then saw Daryl walking over. I ran to him and kissed him. I had never been so happy. I thought nothing could ruin it. That is until Rick and Shane came back. I could not see Chris. They got out and I ran over.

"Where the hell is Chris?!" I asked.

Rick looked at Shane. I slowly looked at him.

"YOU…..WHAT DID YOU DO?!" I shouted.

He didn't answer.

"He said that Chris was trapped in the bus when they walkers got him." Rick said.

I backed away slowly shaking my head.

"No…no…..NO!"

I kicked and hit everything in my reach. Then I turned on Shane.

"THIS IS YOUR FAULT! YOU SACRIFICED HIM TO SAVE YOUR OWN SORRY ASS! JUST LIKE YOU DID OTIS!"

I jumped for him but Rick grabbed me around the waist and we both fell forward. I was still trying to get at Shane. I knew he had done exactly what I said. I saw it in his eyes. I gave up and just lay there sobbing. I banged my fist on the ground and shouted.

"THE HELL DID YA DO TE MY WIFE SHANE!?" Daryl roared.

"Wife?!" Three voices asked in unison.

I cared not what they said. Chris was gone. My best friend and brother.

"YOU PROMISED ME! YOU PROMISED YOU WOULD COME BACK!" I cried.

A pair of strong arms picked me up and held me close. I clung to Daryl's shirt and sobbed.

"He promised he would come back….he..….he…"

"Shhh! I know! It's gonna be okay ya hear? I'm here and I ain't gonna go nowhere. Chris was a good guy." He said softly.

Though his words were kind…..the pain was too much. I fell to my knees and Daryl went down with me. I could hear Anthony and Brandon throwing punches at Shane and fighting but I could not find the will to do anything. I heard the crying of Sophia and the angry words that Andrea was throwing at Shane. Everything thing seemed to be crumbling beneath me. Trying so hard to find Chris again only to lose him. I knew not how much more I could take before this world destroyed me.