Thank you for the reviews I have gotten and it made me happy to finally see some in my inbox! I'm glad to know that some people are reading the notes and leaving me there opinions. So today and tomorrow I'll probably be updating, but in Sunday there probably won't be a chapter because it's superbowl Sunday and my family are huge football fans so that is like a whole day affair and we do nothing but eat and watch football and commercials, so I'll try, but it might be hard to do. Then again, I'm me. And I've gotten chapters up almost every day during midterms week, so who knows?
So now the group is with this new group in a college, and they finally seemed to have found a safe haven from everything. But there are still people out there that are dangers, people that they still need to find, and new surprises that could be good and bad. Let get on with the show.
It had been a two weeks since the group had arrived at the college. Anna had found a place among the group at the college. She would do some woman work, such as cleaning and cooking, but her real place was being out in the forest. She would go and hunt with the others, mostly stay with Daryl of course. Half the time they went alone because they preferred it to be that way.
Anna would also stay up near the fences and make sure no walkers got in. Even in the short time span she realized that this place was the best for them in a while. It was better than the prison. One, it had power. Two, it had a working medical center. And three, it had hot water. You can't pass that up.
The kids, on the other hand, were always in the rec center with the others. Scarlett had found a little girl her age that shared her love for SpongeBob just like her and Hunter did. Anna would fine them playing whenever she went down there to pick up food for the apartment or to skin something she got in the forest.
Hunter had made himself useful with the boys. Since they had a working red center, he would usually be in the game room that they had got working. He would be playing all sorts of games, whether it was video games, board games, or just playing football. He loved being with boys his age that he could play with. But that didn't stop him from following Daryl around like a dog.
Then there was Aria. Anna had noticed that she and Lizzie had developed a small friendship. She would see the two talk all the time. Lizzie would help Aria with Judy and both would laugh at stuff they told each other. But Anna had also seen that Aria was kind of sad. Whenever she was alone she wouldn't even look happy at all. She would just gaze out the window or at the ground. Anna had walked over to her one day and found out exactly what she was sad about.
"Aria, can I talk to you for a moment?" Anna asks her daughter. Aria looks up and nods, giving the baby to Lizzie and walking over to her mother, her hands in her sweatshirt pockets.
"Yes?" she replies. Anna pulls her over to the side and starts to speak quietly.
"Why have you seemed so down lately?" Aria looks at her confused.
"I'm always laughing he-"
"When you're alone, you never seem to want to talk to anyone. You always just look down at the ground and look out the window. Why are you so sad?" Aria looks down, a sullen look on her face. "Aria, what's wrong?" her mother asks softly.
"I just-" she starts, then sighs and continues. "I just want to see some of the old people from the prison. I can't sleep well at night knowing that some of the people I've come to care about are still out there and facing the world when we're basically in paradise right now," she finishes, a few tears slipping down her face, but she wipes them away quickly. Anna looks closer.
"You miss Carl, don't you?" Anna asks knowingly. Her daughter looks up surprised but nods, sighing.
"Yeah, I do," she concludes pathetically. Anna chuckles and places her hand on her daughters shoulder, causing her to look up.
"I'm sure they're fine right now and surviving. And we will find them soon. Judith is there family, and I'm sure when they find out how well you've been taking care of her, they'll be mighty grateful. Might even get a kiss on the cheek from a certain younger Grimes." Aria glares at her mom, causing her to laugh. "Now go, you got a kid to feed," Anna says, hearing the babies cry. Aria nods and takes off.
Anna sighs and shakes her head. She didn't know if they were still out there, but they would find them. Somehow.
There was always a way.
Anna over the past weeks had also become closer with certain members of the group while she would work.
There was Layla, the woman who was with Drake when they brought them back to the campus. She had found out that Layla had been going to NYU and was visiting down south when shit hit the fan. She had found Drake at the group heading towards Atlanta and the two automatically clicked. They had been together ever since and surviving.
Sooner or later they found the rest of the group that was in the group. They had been going from house to house for three months and then found the campus. Slowly, they started to build a life there, and accept more people. Engineers, doctors, nurses, hunters, mechanics, anyone that had a use in the world was at the college.
They had fixed it up and made it look good. Now they had working food halls, rec centor, medical center, residence halls and apartments people lived in. They had truly turned it into a safe place that would be good.
The two youngsters lived together in one of the apartments, and Anna had asked since they had been together for a year was any specific question going to pop into the world.
"So…you've been together for more than a year and a half….had he 'popped the question' yet?" Anna asks one day as they were cleaning the kitchen they prepared the food in. Layla laughs.
"No, not yet, but I feel like he's giving hints every day that he might. But having a wedding in this world would be hard. There's not really anywhere to get a dress or a ring." Anna chuckles.
"Didn't stop Daryl," she says. Layla looks at her, basically telling her to go on. "We didn't have a wedding or anything. He just asked me one day to be his wife in his own Dixon way and I said yes. And we've been like this ever since." Layla rolls her eyes.
"Yeah, but you tow had been friends since you were ten. He helped you raise a kid, moved in as your roommate, comforted you when you almost got touched again, THEN had a KID together, then were together for three years-" Anna puts up her hand to stop her and Layla chuckles. "He just felt comfortable doing that because he knows you. I don't know about Drake though. By the way, Scarlett looks exactly like you two. It's crazy." Anna chuckles.
"Yeah, she does. But I'm sure Drake is going to ask. From the looks I've seen him give you, he's head over heels in love. So don't be surprised if you hear wedding bells in the future." Layla laughs and shakes her head.
"Whatever you say Anna," she snickers, scrubbing down the tabletop.
Anna had also been around Maggie more often as well as Joey. She noticed that those two got along very well, shared the same interests. And they were also very good at annoying the hell out of Anna. But she had to say that she loved them like they were her own siblings.
Anna had asked what had happened to Glenn, and Maggie simply replied she didn't know. She didn't have a clue to where he was. She just hoped that she would find him.
And then she started to cry.
Anna was there to comfort her. She felt the pain that she felt. She didn't know what she would do if Daryl wasn't by her throughout this. She already nearly lost her mind because she couldn't find her kids those first few days. She wanted to find Glenn and Rick and Carl and everyone.
But she knew she couldn't find everyone.
Now she was getting ready to go out with Layla to the local department store to pick up some supplies, and she was going out on a little secret mission of her own. She wasn't worried, well, at lest she didn't show it.
Her period had been late.
So she was freaking out just a little.
But she would handle this like she did with Scarlett. With dignity and hopefully now freaking out like she did with Aria. She would be an adult and be ok if she really was what she thought she was.
Jesus she would have four kids.
Hunter was now officially part of the family. They had taken him in a while ago, and he was very grateful. His words were exactly 'so I'll have a mommy and daddy who'll love me?' Which had almost made Anna cry.
There was something about this kids past. Something happened and she had to find out exactly. This kid was her responsibility now, her son. She needed to know.
But now was not the time to be doing that. She needed to get the food and supplies, and then get her test. She needed to find out.
"Layla, hand me the wrench, I gotta fix this quickly," Anna says, pointing to the car. Layla nods and throws the wrench that Anna quickly catches. She tightens up one of the bolts in the engines and nods. "Start up the car. Let's see if it works." She turns the key and the engine burst to life, causing a grin to spread across Anna's face.
"It's working!" Layla says, stepping out. "I'm gonna go say a quick goodbye to Drake, ok? I'll be back in a minute." Anna nods and watches her run off to him. 'Oh, I remember when I did that. Still do,' she thinks, chuckling to herself. She turns back to the car to head in but not before she surprised by the man behind her.
She jumps practically five feet in the air and holds a hand to her heart, glaring at the person. "Don't fucking do that, Daryl!" she growls. He chuckles and places a kiss on her lips.
"Sorry, couldn't help myself with that." She rolls her eyes and pulls back.
"Whatever you say, redneck," she mumbles, going to the car. But he snakes his arm around her waist and pulls her back to him. She screams gleefully as he turns her around and places her up against the hood of the car, kissing her deeply. She replies just as deep. When he pulls back, he palces his forehead against hers.
"Ya better get your ass back here safe," he says, kissing her again.
"Oh trust me, I will. Nothing can keep me away," she says when she pulls back. "God, that sounded cheesy," she laughs. He shrugs his shoulders.
"As long as you're ok I don't care if life turns into the Notebook. I just want ya ok." She burst out laughing, shaking her head.
"You would care if it turned into that. You hated that movie!" He rolls his eyes.
"You're missing the point, woman," he growls, taking her lips again. She chuckles and pulls back.
"I get it. Don't worry. I'll be fine. Layla's coming back, so just calm yourself and gently let me off the hood." He snickers and takes her off while Layla jos up to them.
"Daryl, Drake wants to head out to get another deer. The one we have is slowly going. Would you be ok heading out?" Daryl nods.
"I'm good with that, just keep her safe," he says to Layla while pointing and Anna and walking towards the main building. Anna rolls her eyes and watches him go. Layla turns to Anna and smiles.
"He must really love you, huh?" she says. Anna nods.
"Yeah, he does." 'And he will be there if the worst comes.' She walks to the car. "Let's get out of here and get that supplies."
Daryl had gone off into the woods with Drake later that day. To be true, the kid was a good hunter, but half the time he was never quiet. He always talked and talked and talked when they went out. Daryl never liked to talk when he was out hunting. He preferred the quiet, needed quiet. The only person he ever talked to when he was out hunting was Anna, and that's because he just couldn't not talk to her.
But in the end, they usually ended up bringing a deer back to the campus. Even if the kid was annoying when they went out.
"Hey Daryl? Can I ask you something?" Drake asks him later that day. Daryl glances and him and nods. Drake takes a deep breath and looks down at the ground for a second, then look back up. "How did you ask Anna to marry you?"
Daryl looks at him surprised, but realized the kid was asking for advice.
"I didn't really ask her like how ya see in movies or books. I kind of just asked her in my own way and she said yeah. It wasn't all romantic and shit." Drake nods and looks out in front of him.
"Were you nervous or anything?" he asks. Daryl looks down for a moment and nods slightly.
"Kid, I made a stupid decision a few years ago, and to tell the truth I was wonderin' if she would say yes or not. So my nerves were a little on high. But it was worth it," he finishes. He looks at him. "Why? Are ya going to ask Layla?" Drake bites his bottom lip and nods.
"Yeah, I am. Man, I've been with her for almost a year and half now, and I've never been more happier in my life. And I'm positive I want to spend the rest of my life. But my nerves are practically as nervous as a race horse in its first race. They're all over the place. And there's this small part of me that feels like she might say no but then there's this part of me that thinks she might say yes but then there's also another part that thinks should I ask and save the humiliation or-"
"Ok, slow down Road Runner," Daryl says, stopping him from walking by placing a hand out in front of him. Drake realized he had been pacing faster and faster every second. He looks at Daryl. "First, calm the fuck down. Your screaming will scare off every piece of meat within' a mile." Drake looks down embarrassed. "Second, just ask her and get it over with. This world, ya don't have time for thinkin'. Just do it and get it over with. If she says yes, she says yes. She says no, you'll work it out. But ya don't know if ya and her will get a tomorrow, so just go and ask. And I'm pretty sure she'll say yes. I see the way that woman looks at ya."
"You have?" Drake asks, glancing up. Daryl nods.
"Yeah, and the attractions mutual. So just shut the fuck up and let's get some meat," he ends, pushing Drake further in front. The younger man chuckles and nods, walking forward, but turns his head towards him.
"Thanks, man," he says. Daryl nods.
"No problem," he replies. Drake looks forward.
"But I think there's something you should know as well," Drake says, stopping in his tracks. Daryl looks at him.
"What?"
"Well, earlier today I heard Layla and Anna talking in the rec center and she told her something I think you should know. She was going to tell you when she got back from the raid but I think you shoul-"
"Drake, spit it out," Daryl says, crossing his arms. Drake looks down, rubbing the back of his neck.
"She said that she might be pregnant." Daryl's eye widen and he nearly drops his crossbow onto the ground. Anna might be pregnant?
"Are ya sure that's what she said?" he asks, his eyes narrowed. While on the inside he was freaking out. Drake nods.
"She said that while she was out today she was going to get a test to make sure. But she wanted to make sure she was before she told you. But I guess I beat her to it." Daryl nods and looks down. How would they keep it safe? Jesus, another kid.
"Thanks for telling me," he says quietly, looking down. Drake walks up to him.
"Hey, you're great with the kids you already have, and I've seen you with Judith. If she is pregnant, I'm sure the baby and she will be fine." Daryl nods, looking back up.
"I'm good…just freaked me out for a second." He straightens himself out. "Let's get the food. Gotta get back to the people." Drake nods and walks forward.
"You'll be fine, man. So calm the fuck down," he teases, using Daryl's words. Daryl glares at him and pushes his shoulder.
"Just get going asshole," Daryl says, walking through the forest. Drake chuckles and follows him. 'Oh lord, another,' Daryl thinks. 'This will be interesting.'
Scarlett was in the rec center with Hunter later that day and both of them were using building blocks. When Scarlett had been told that Hunter would be her brother, she was ok with it. The boy was really nice and played with her when they were in their apartment. But the one thing she hadn't shown him was her powers.
"Hey Hunter, want me to show you something?" Scarlett asks. Hunter looks over from where he was building and shrugs.
"Sure," he says. She crawls over his side and points her hands at the blocks. Around it, pieces of rock started to build itself on top of the blocks, creating a taller building. Hunter looks on in amazement. She turns to him. "How can you do that?" he asks amazed. She shrugs.
"I was born with it. Mommy and Aria have powers too." Hunter raises an eyebrow.
"You all have powers?" he asks. She nods. "What about Daddy?" Scarlett shakes her head.
"He doesn't have any, but he's like superman to me, though. His power is being strong. I couldn't life the crossbow if I tried." He smiles and looks at her hands.
"So you can control the earth? Can the others do that?" She shakes her head.
"No. Aria can control ice, and mommy can control fire. They're awesome. And guess what else I can do!" Hunter leans in closer.
"What?" he asks. She leans over and whispers in his ear.
"I can see the dead and talk to them." He pulls back suddenly and looks at her with wide eyes again. She giggles and goes back to her blocks.
"REALLY?" he asks. She nods.
"I can see my aunt Lily who was killed a while ago. She talks to me every once and a while. I also had a friend named Elsa that's 270 years old! She has the same powers as Aria!" Hunter leans back against the wall.
"Is she here right now?" A soft gust of wind blow through the area and Scarlett smiles.
"That was her. She's always around. She's been my best friend for the past few months and helped me with my powers. Also with Aria's powers. She's been doing really well." Hunter nods.
"I wonder if I'll end up getting powers." Scarlett shrugs.
"You never know. Maybe. Somehow. But right now all I want to do is continue building-Aria! Where are you going?" she asks her sister who was currently heading out the door. Aria turns to her two siblings and sighs.
"I'm just heading out into the forest for a few minutes. I think I saw something and I want to check it out." Scarlett nods.
"Where's Judy?"
"With Lizzie," she replies.
"Do you have your gun?" Hunter asks. Aria nods.
"Got gun and knives. I'll be fine, guys. Just go back to building." Both nod and turn back while Aria goes outside the building and takes a deep breath of fresh air.
Time to head to the forest.
Aria had always been a green girl. She loved the color green and the color blue. Most of her wardrobe back in NYC had been green and blue. She loved to walk around in Central Park without her shoes on and just listen to the sounds in the trees. Hearing the kids play. Maybe climbing on the rocks with a bunch of her old friend. She missed doing that.
She wondered if there were any rocks to climb in this forest. She had been wondering for the past half hour, and she was pretty sure she was at least a mile away from the prison. She needed to get away for a while and let out some steam.
She remembered how her mother had always sang when she was angry, so Aria had left to let out a few of her own notes. Her memories had come back from the beginning of freshman year. She had made the horrible mistake of dating a bad guy. And let's just say whenever her memories popped up, she had to let out some anger.
'I left a note, on my bedpost
Said not to repeat, yesterdays mistake.
What I tend to do, when it comes to you,
I see only the good, selective memory.'
She walks forward and sees something in the distance. She walks forward slightly, still singing quietly.
'Oh, ohohohoh, ohohohoh,
I can't remember to forget you.
Ohohohoh, ohohohoh.
I keep forgetting I should let you go.
But when you look at me, the only memory,
Is us kissing in the moonlight.
Oh, ohohohoh, ohohohoh,
I can't remember to forget you.'
She had found a giant rock. She smiles and starts to climb. She did not think this would be here, but it was. She climbs higher and higher until she reaches the top, still humming her song under her breath. When she sees how much she can see from up there, she laughs. It was just like the rock in Central Park. She knew where she would be going for now on during the day.
She sits down on the rock and takes a deep breath, starting to listen to the sounds around her. She closes her eyes and places her hands on the rock, leaning a little closer to the edge to hear a bit better. It was so peaceful.
Until she heard her name being called.
"Aria?!" she hears from behind her. She nearly jumps off the cliff and looks around her, her eyes narrowing in the sunlight shining down on her. But when she sees who's there, she nearly cries in joy and jumps up and down in glee.
It was Carl.
"Jesus, you're ok!" she yells, her arms going around him. She feels him laugh and his arms go around her. All the stress she had been having seemed to be let out with that one hug that she just got. She pulls back and smiles. "My God, you're ok-wait, where is your dad?" she says, peeking around him.
"Still trying to climb the rock," he says, chuckling a little. "Where have you been? We've been looking for everyone for the past two weeks." Aria smiles wider.
"We've been staying at this campus that's a mile back. It has food and electricity and medicine and-oh, we have Judith! My mom and I have been taking care of her for the past few weeks. She's healthy and-oh you have to come back!"
"Judith?!" she hears from behind Carl. She looks around and see's Rick. He looked like a mess. How much had these two been through.
"Yes!" she says, walking up to him. "She's ok, Rick. She's alive! And so are my parents and Lizzie and Mika and Tyreese. Maggie and Joey are ok! There are so many people there. God, we had been looking for you for the past few weeks!" She looks back to Carl and takes a deep breath, happy she had finally found them. "We have to go, now!" she says, taking their hands and staring to go down the rock.
"I just got up here," Rick chuckles. Aria turns to him amused.
"Do you want to see your daughter or not, Grimes?" she chuckles. He laughs and gestures his hand to the open forest in front of them. Laughing, she pulls them alone near the way she had come from. Carl comes a little closer to her and leans in to whisper something.
"Have you really been taking care of Judith for the past few weeks," he whispers. She nods, smiling at him.
"And she's healthy. I can't wait for you to see her."
"My dad has been going crazy over the fact that she could have been dead, and now we know she's alive." He squeezes her hand thankfully. "Thank you," he says, smiling a rare grin at her. She smiles back.
"You're welcome, but now we have to go. Oh this is going to be great!"
Rick and Carl are back in the picture! So this chapter took me longer but I have to say I'm happy how it turned out. Again, thanks to the few people who read the note and reviewed : ) I'm quite grateful for that. So they have made a home at the campus, and both of them had been making friend, Anna has one in Layla, and Daryl kind of has one in Drake. Now we have the idea of Anna being pregnant. This should be interesting.
And now Carl is back! I plan to have more moments between them : ) Just like the one in this. I feel like Carl had like no one his age on the show that he can get along with, so Aria is that solution to that. And now Hunter knows about the powers. And he doesn't seem fazed. Maybe his life hasn't been that normal either….
Like or hate? Lol Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed! Review!