𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬, 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 | TWD [Book 1]

LVI. The Way Life Goes

Maggie with a glimmer of hope in her eyes, steps forward slightly, acknowledging Rick's words. "They know what they're doing, and we know what we need to do." Rick pauses, the weight of the moment bearing down on him. "We keep noise to a minimum. Pull our blinds at night. Even better, keep the lights out. We'll try to make this place as quiet as a graveyard, see if they move on."

"This place is a graveyard," Francine retorts, her voice cutting through the uneasy silence as the continuous growls and bangs outside intensify.

Esperanza steps forward, her gaze locking onto Rick with a knowing look as she directs her words toward Francine. "The quarry broke open, and those walkers were heading this way. All of them. The plan that Rick put into place stopped that from happening. He got half of them away."

A weighted silence envelops the group, the unspoken tension lingering in the air. Aaron, burdened by guilt, takes a hesitant step forward, his conscience haunted by the repercussions of their ill-fated expedition.

"I was out there recruiting with Daryl and Mads. I wanted to try to get into a cannery and scavenge, and they wanted to keep looking for people. We did what I wanted... and we wound up in a trap set by those people. And I lost my pack." Aaron's admission is accompanied by a heavy gaze fixed on the ground, shame etched across his features. "They must've followed our tracks. Those people who attacked us... they found their way back here because of me."

Deanna, unable to meet anyone's eyes, quietly retreats, grappling with the weight of the revelation. Rick, understanding the complexities of the situation, redirects the focus away from Aaron. "There'll be more to talk about," he points out, offering a semblance of reassurance in the midst of the confessions unfolding.

Tobin's call pierces the tense atmosphere, drawing everyone's attention as Deanna strides away, each step seemingly an attempt to escape the overwhelming burden of responsibility. "Deanna? Deanna?"

Rick sighs as he approaches his daughter with a furrowed brow, concern etched in his features as he studies her with a scrutinizing gaze. "Who attacked you?"

"The Ws. I nearly died, a-a friend saved me." Esperanza mumbles, her voice soft, carrying the weight of the trauma she endured.

Rick seemingly overwhelmed with concern, envelops her in a tight embrace. She reciprocates the hug, feeling the warmth of his protective presence, while tears threaten to spill from the corners of her eyes.

Rick's murmurs brush against Esperanza's hair as they embrace, a shared sorrow palpable in the air. "I'm sorry, Esperanza," he says, pulling away to meet her eyes. His hand tenderly cups her cheek, wiping away the tears that trace her face. "I should've been here."

Esperanza shakes her head, a reassurance for both herself and Rick. She understands the weight of his responsibilities and the difficult choices he faces in the outside world. "Carl and Judith are safe; I made sure of it. Is Mads safe?"

"She will be back," Rick reassures her with a conviction that brings a semblance of solace. Esperanza nods in agreement, finding comfort in the belief that, if anyone can navigate the perilous world beyond, it's her sister. "She knows what to do. She always knows what to do."

Esperanza's gaze holds a flicker of pride for her sister's resilience, even in the face of adversity. "She was right," she asserts, acknowledging Madeleine's words.

Rick sighs, his expression a mixture of weariness and acknowledgment. He places a hand on his hip, absorbing Esperanza's words. "Yeah, she was."

☠︎☠︎☠︎☠︎☠︎☠︎☠︎☠︎☠︎☠︎☠︎

In the distance, Esperanza's keen eyes spot Maggie near the pantry, her attention drawn by a woman solemnly inscribing Glenn's name on the wall of the fallen. A surge of anger bubbles within Esperanza, yet she restrains the emotion, choosing to keep it buried beneath a stoic exterior. Determined, she silently follows Maggie, their footsteps echoing through the somber surroundings.