Alone

Epilogue

Dear reader,

My name's Ali Walsh. I am a mother of two and happily dating a handsome man called Rick Grimes. I was part of an amazing group and we all were surviving in cell block C of a prison, south of here.

Sadly, this is where my bad luck begins. A few days ago, the prison got over run by walkers and with disease killing our people and food running out, we didn't have the effort to kill them all. So...doing the only thing we thought best, we decided to begin leaving - head for somewhere better.

The first bus left carrying Maggie Greene, Glenn Rhee and a mix of both healthy and unhealthy people. They were given a map, a walkie-talkie and the orders: "Don't turn around, don't stop. Inform us where you are every hour".

Unfortunately, before the rest of us could safely pack up and leave, the walkers finally broke through our last defences. I stood watching as people grabbed whatever they could and ran to try and get a spot on the few vehicles we had. I watched as people grabbed family members and simply sprinted to the tree line before disappearing from sight. I watched as people were torn apart by the undead, their eyes full of fear and their screams searing a never-ending nightmare in my mind.

I only had enough time to grab a few things myself before I was joining those sprinting through the forest; my beautiful little girl, Judith; my baseball bat which had blood still coated on it from my earlier hunting sessions; and a backpack which I filled with as much food as it could carry and as many photos as I could find.

We're heading north currently; I hope we find someone else or one of our cars. Actually, scratch that. I pray that we find Rick and Carl (my son). It keeps me up every single night that I couldn't get to them, I couldn't find them in the mess which was our home.

I'm going to have to finish this soon as I can hear something rustling nearby.

If you find this letter, there is a possibility that I didn't find our group and I failed at protecting my daughter. I know this is morbid but we could be...walkers. If we are, please put us down and make sure we are buried together. If you ever find my husband and son, tell them where we are buried and make sure they know about this letter.

I have left two photographs with this letter so you know what my husband, son and daughter look like. They're more important than me...

Thank you and I wish you all the luck in the world,

Ali Walsh.

-----

Ali placed the letter softly against the burnt out fire, a small smile on her face. Taking one last look at the two pictures, she placed a kiss to each before placing them down too.

Behind her, Judith babbled away, playing with the straps of the backpack. Ali smiled as she walked over and picked her up, using one hand to sling the backpack over her shoulder.

"You ready?" Ali sighed, picking up her bat, swinging it around in her hand. Judith softly rested her head against Ali's chest as she began walking. "Let's try and find the others."

The forest was silent with the exception of Ali's soft foot steps on the ground. There were no birds, no animals, no life anywhere to be seen. The gentle breeze ghosted over her skin leaving goosebumps in its wake.

It would have been the perfect moment but Ali knew deep down that there was still danger present. Walkers and people alike posed a threat to her and Judith. Maybe they were hiding in the shadows. Maybe they were watching the pair right now. Wherever they were, Ali knew they would soon appear.

Hugging Judith that little bit tighter, Ali picked up her pace. The rustling she had heard earlier, made another appearance. This time it was much closer.

Blue eyes frantically scanned the surrounding area but sadly found nothing. As if she had picked up on the sudden tension, Judith let out a whimper as she pressed her head further into Ali's shoulder.

"It's okay." Ali whispered, half trying to convince herself. "It's probably just the wind. We'll soon be out of here and-"

Her sentence died when she felt the familiar feeling of metal pressed against her temple.

Immediately, her heart sped up to alarming speeds in her chest as the click of the gun echoed through the air. "Don't move or I'll shoot."

To Be Continued...