When The Camellia Wilts | The Walking Dead Fanfiction

The Quartz

"You're elegance in a misunderstood form. Crystal quartz in a world of platinum. Oh, my dizzy boy, there's a fire in you that I use to warm my hands on chilly mornings." 

- Taylor Rhodes

"HERSHEL!" 

Glenn's desperate cry for help echoed throughout the whole cell block. His shoulder bobbing up and down as he performed CPR on Aliya's immobile body. "Come on!" he grunted, desperately encouraging Aliya to show any signs of life. Breathe, Aliya. He pumped for a whole minute, his heartbeat beating faster with each pump. 

Aliya was on her knees in an unfamiliar yet seemingly familiar surrounding. Camellia petals danced in the wind as the smell of smoke infiltrated her nose. She blinked rapidly as blurry shadows started appearing from the bushes. Her hands shot up to shield her eyes as grey lights brightened, pointing at her. 

"Welcome home." 

She could feel her breath get knocked out of her chest as Cecil's face appeared in front of her, a gentle smile on her face. Tears wet her cheeks as her throat constricted. Cecil looked....alive. Her cheeks were rosy and her eyes bright. A longing sob escaped Aliya's mouth, "Mama..." she hoarsely whispered, longing for her own mother became more apparent. 

Her hand reached out for Cecil only to be blinded by another bright light. This time, she was back home. She looked around her old room, her bookcase was still full of worlds, full of adventures that she would pay to experience once more. A knock on the door made her stop in her tracks, her hand shakily reaching for the knob. 

"Mama!" 

Aliya cried out for her mom. I miss you. Her mom gave her a gentle and comforting smile as she opened her arms out for her. "Aliya ko." her mom endearingly called for her. She threw herself onto her mom, almost squeezing the life out of her. Her mom chuckled, "I missed you too, Aliya." Aliya closed her eyes and inhaled the scent of her mom. 

But then her mom's embrace started to become painful. She paused, her forehead creasing, "Mama? You're hurting me." she whispered lowly, trying to back away. Her mom continued to squeeze her painfully until black spots danced around her eyes. 

She woke up with a startle, her hand shooting up to her chest. A figure immediately ran towards her and put their arm around her to help her calm down, "Breathe, Aliya." he soothed, his hand running up and down her back. Her heart dropped and her eyes widened. She looked to her side and saw Arden's face.