𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬, 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 | TWD [Book 1]

XII. The Promise of a New Foe

Grief hangs heavy in the air, a tangible presence that weighs down the hearts of each survivor. The loss of innocence, the price they paid for survival, lingers in their expressions and in the quiet, contemplative moments that follow the ordeal.

Carol's grief is palpable, and the whole group feels the weight of what they've had to do. Madeleine watches the chaos from a distance, her face contrasting the somber mood as the reality of their world sinks in once again.

Daryl tries to soothe Carol as he helps her stand up from the ground, but the women quickly gets off his grip and walks away from the group. Carol's grief-stricken figure disappears into the distance, seeking solace and solitude as she grapples with the harrowing events that have unfolded. The group watches her go, recognizing the profound loss she must bear.

The younger Greene sister rushes toward the heap of lifeless bodies, her heart-wrenching cries echoing in the chilling silence that now envelops the group. Her desperate pleas for her mother serve as a stark reminder of the brutal reality they face in this post-apocalyptic world.

In the chaos that ensues, the group swiftly springs into action to protect the young Greene sister from the attacking walker.

"Come on!"

"Pull her away, pull her away!"

As the skirmish unfolds, Shane and Rick hold Beth back as the rest of the group kicks at the walker before Andrea grabs a hoe and uses it to end the undead. Madeleine can't help but steal a glance at her brother, seeing the anguish in his eyes after losing his only friend.

The grieving family walks away, the group following them and Madeleine walks closer to her brother. Madeleine provides comfort to her younger brother, Carl, as he weeps for the loss of his friend and the traumatic events they just witnessed. She embraces him, offering the sibling support that they both desperately need in this harsh, unforgiving world.

"We've been out. We've been combing these woods looking for her and she was in there all along? You knew." Shane accuses, rushing after Hershel and his family, the poison dripping from his lips.

"Leave us alone." Maggie demands.

Glenn sigh, "Hey, Shane, just stop, man."

Rick attempts to hold Shane back, but the man slaps his hand off him, the Grimes women indicating for Lori to take Carl away as she joins the rest. "Get your hands off me. You knew and you kept it from us."

Hershel shakes his head, "I didn't know."

"That's bullshit. I think y'all knew." He points an accusing finger at each of them.

"We didn't know!" Maggie exclaims, glaring back at the man.

"Why was she there?!" Shane raises his voice, causing for Madeleine to roll her eyes at him.

"Your..." Hershel sniffles, shaking his head as he spins around to face the furious figure. "Otis put those people in the barn. Maybe he found her and put her in there before he was killed."