western nights ( shane walsh )

1.09 ; unknown static

Cassie strolled alongside Natalie as they made their way back from the clothesline, where they had just finished hanging up laundry with Amy. The group had split, with half heading into town. Shane, ever protective, had prohibited Natalie from going, but Glenn stepped forward, offering to fetch whatever she needed from the city—a gesture that elicited gratitude from her.

A flicker of frustration simmered within her, a silent rebellion against Shane's decision to keep their connection under wraps. Unfazed by the prohibition, Natalie clutched the gun Dale had given her, a tangible reminder of her newfound self-reliance. Engaging in a casual conversation about berries with Cassie, she couldn't help but let slip a different revelation.

"I think I might be in love," she blurted out, the words carrying a girlish tone that drew Cassie's curious gaze. The immediate assumption led Cassie to inquire about Ethan, but Natalie swiftly corrected the misunderstanding.

"No, wait," Natalie chuckled, shaking her head to dispel any confusion, and the two friends laughed together. Engaging in a conversation from their shared childhood, Natalie couldn't deny the undeniable warmth such talks brought.

Hushed voices maintained privacy as Natalie divulged more, leaning into the friendship's trust. "Shane?" Cassie ventured, naming the last person Natalie was close to. The unspoken dynamics between them resonated through the subtle exchange of glances. Natalie held her silence, letting Cassie's enthusiastic squeal fill the air.

Caught in the moment, they paused as Andrew, Cassie's father, checked in on them. Cassie reassured him with a thumbs-up, and the conversation resumed, delving into the nuances of Natalie's connection with Shane.

"He's old... almost my dad's age," Natalie confessed with a casual shrug, attempting to downplay the age difference. As Cassie expressed confusion, Natalie delved into the complexities of their situation, weaving a narrative of legality and comfort. Urging Cassie into secrecy, she explained the need to keep their relationship concealed.

"Why? Wouldn't it not matter?" Cassie questioned, her head tilted in confusion.

Natalie, caught in the uncertainty of Shane's motives, turned away, avoiding Cassie's scrutinizing gaze. "I don't know."

𓇻

Returning to the site, an eerie emptiness permeated the air, casting a gloomier shadow than usual. The once-bustling spaces now echoed with a haunting silence, the absence of familiar faces creating a void. The usually vibrant surroundings seemed dulled, with fewer people dotting the landscape, leaving only the children and two other women meandering about.

Among them, Lori's figure stood out, strolling through the desolate site, a palpable sense of solitude enveloping the once lively location. "Half of them in this bag are safe; Blue ones can be used for medication" Andrew informed Lori handing the woman the bag.

"Thank you, we could use the most medication that we can get right now." Lori held onto the bag and looked inside of it eyeing the food berries compared to the ones that can be used to save someone who had gotten hurt. "Is everything okay?" She had checked up on her daughter.

Strolling over to her mom; watching Cassie go towards the lake with her father ruffling her hair. Everything inside of her would always be jealous when she saw things like this missing it. "Yeah, I'm fine" Slowly retorting her eyes away from this. "You don't think we can use some of those berries for breakfast now?"

"We're going to have to look" Placing the bag on the table outside of the RV. "You can help Coral do it if you want, she should be back from her bathroom break in a minute." Lori continued to eye, Natalie causing the young woman to become uncomfortable turning and looking at her mom with a fake smile knowing that the energy was off. Picking up that there was something that wasn't being said to her.