Chapter 42

Eveleen and Anthony wanted to get married as soon as possible. Hershel allowed Eveleen to wear his wife's wedding dress and she looked stunning. Eveleen pulled me aside the day before the wedding.

"I want you to be my Maid of Honor." She said.

I smiled and hugged her.

"It would be my honor Eveleen." I said.

She hugged me tightly. When I pulled back I smiled at her.

*"Tugann Do sonas orm áthas." I said.

She smiled and then I went to Dale's grave. I stood before it and the wind blew around me.

"I am so sorry Dale. I was unable to save you and I will regret it for the rest of my life. But I can promise you that I will never forget your wisdom. I will always remember what you said. This group was broken….but we fixed it. We fixed it because of you Dale. There shall never be a day that passes by where I shall not think of you. One day we shall meet again." I said.

A few tears fell down my cheeks and I wiped them away.

"Prue?"

I turned and found Shane. I did not wish to see him or speak to him, however the regret and sadness in his eyes kept me from leaving.

"Prue I know you hate me. And you have every right. I know me saying I'm sorry won't fix it but I'll say it anyway. I'm sorry Prue. You are one of the greatest friends I ever had and I lost that friendship. All this is my fault…..that kiss and then everything after." He said.

I looked down. I knew he meant what he said, but I feared him. I feared that this was another illusion. I looked at him.

"Shane…I know that what you say is true…"

"But?"

My eyes filled with tears.

"But I cannot repair this friendship. Neither of us can. It is broken, shattered. I cannot trust you. You are no longer yourself and I cannot….I just….."

I found no more words to say. He nodded.

"I get it. Figured it was worth a shot. You're a good woman Prue. An honorable one. Don't let this world change that. No matter what happens. You stay as pure as you can and never forget who you are." He said.

He turned and walked away and I fell to my knees. My heart broke. I knew I had made the right choice, but it was one of the most difficult I had ever had to make.

"Prue?"

I looked over my shoulder at Carl. I swiftly wiped my tears and stood up.

"Carl I…..I apologize." I said.

"You don't have to." He said.

I looked at him. This world had already changed him, but I knew that he had realized it in time and now was attempting to fix it.

"I know you miss Dale. And I think you should know it's my fault." He said.

"Oh Carl you cannot….."

"I know that walker! I went out into the woods and found it stuck in the mud. I was throwing stuff at it and it came loose! It must have followed me or something!" He cried.

My eyes widened.

"I'm sorry Prue!" He said.

I dropped to my knees once more and hugged him.

"I do not blame you Carl. I blame this world. You found a walker and you wanted to be a grown up. I understand. I will never ever blame you for this. So do not blame yourself. Those monsters did this! Not you. You are good and brave. Just like your father. Never forget that." I said.

He pulled away and looked at me. I smiled and put my hands on his shoulders.

"You are strong Carl. Do not allow this world to change it." I whispered.

He nodded and hugged me again. I held him close. It was times like this that made me wish I could bear children. I knew I could not but I wished it. As I let Carl go he ran off and I watched him run to Sophia. They were the best of friends and I was glad. I saw Brandon and Chris throwing knives into a tree. I smiled at them. Being with this group caused me to wonder what could have happened to my blood family. That they had to give me up. Was it by choice? Or was it because they had to? I knew not and I know I never would, but it mattered not. I had a family. This group. I had a husband and 3 brothers and so much more. I was not alone anymore. I smiled and as the wind blew I ran against it. Running against the wind had always made me think I was flying like an eagle.

"PRUE!"

I stopped and turned to see Beth coming towards me.

"Beth are you well?" I asked.

She smiled a little and nodded.

"Maggie told me. She told me you saved me." She said.

I laughed a little.

"No young Beth. My sister did. Rachel." I said.

She looked confused and I smiled.

"If not for her I would not have known how to help you. She is your hero not I." I explained.

She touched my arm and I looked back at her.

"But you are the one who put them to use. And you're the one who broke the door down to get to me. That was all you." She said.

I smiled at her.

"Thank you Beth. That….means a lot to me." I said.

She smiled and gave me a quick hug before running off. I had to smile. She was so carefree and young. I was glad I had been able to save her. Looking up at the sky I realized she was right. It was me not my sister. And yet if she had not taught me so well…I did not want to imagine the outcome.

"Thank you my sister. I love you and I hope I have made you proud." I whispered.

I felt the wind blow and I figured it to be her way of an answer. I smiled and walked back to find Daryl.

*Your happiness gives me joy