𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬, 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 | TWD [Book 1]

LVI. The Way Life Goes

The people of Alexandria gather anxiously, the air thick with palpable tension as the growls of the relentless walkers reverberate beyond the walls. The haunting echoes serve as a chilling reminder of the perilous situation that has unfolded after Rick lost contact with his team. Determined to find Glenn and faced with unforeseen challenges, Rick's journey took a dark turn when he encountered a hostile stranger. In a gripping struggle for survival, Rick managed to gain the upper hand, but the RV succumbed to the strain, breaking down in the midst of the ominous wilderness.

Alone and surrounded by the relentless onslaught of walkers, Rick's only option was to run. He sprinted tirelessly, each step a desperate attempt to distance himself from the encroaching herd. The haunting growls of the undead echoed in his ears as he pushed his limits, driven by the primal instinct for survival. With each stride, the realization that the very fabric of safety was unraveling hung heavily in the air.

The relentless pursuit of the walkers became an unrelenting symphony of danger, a cacophony that mirrored the chaos within Rick's own mind. His thoughts raced alongside his pounding footsteps. The gates of Alexandria loomed ahead, a distant beacon of hope in the sea of impending doom. The once-familiar walls, now both a barrier and a haven, offered a glimpse of salvation as Rick sprinted towards the sanctuary that held the promise of safety.

As the citizens of Alexandria bear witness to the ominous sounds beyond their walls, unaware of the dire circumstances that led Rick to their doorstep, the air becomes charged with uncertainty. The very foundation of their secure haven teeters on the edge, and the growls of the walkers serve as a stark reminder that danger, relentless and unforgiving, encircles their once-peaceful enclave.

The air in Alexandria thickens with tension as Rick addresses the anxious crowd, his gaze sweeping across faces etched with worry, their eyes darting nervously between the towering walls that seem to close in on them.

"You can hear it. Some of you saw it. They got back here, half of them. Still enough to surround us 20 deep," Rick declares, his voice carrying the weight of the grim reality that looms outside the vulnerable walls. The people of Alexandria cast uneasy glances toward the imposing structure, as if questioning its ability to withstand the impending threat. "Look, I know you're scared. You haven't seen anything like this. You haven't been through anything like this. But we're safe for now."

Rick's reassurance attempts to quell the rising panic within the community. His eyes make a deliberate journey, locking with each person in the crowd, offering a silent promise. "The panel the truck hit seems intact. We reinforced it just in case. Either way, the wall's gonna hold together. Can you? The others, they're gonna be back."

Rosita, standing resolute beside Esperanza with her arms crossed, chimes in, "They're gonna be back."

"Daryl, Mads, Abraham, Sasha, they have vehicles," Rick continues, his voice steadying as he endeavors to convince himself as much as the community. "They're gonna lead 'em away, just like the others. And Glenn and Nicholas are gonna walk back through the front gate after."