Broken strings---➤ Daryl Dixon

5

I take a moment to breathe.

2 months ago-

I shut my apartment door after my night shift at work. Without even bothering to change I crawl into bed and pass out. My phone buzzes and my eyes shoot open. As I glance around I realise it's morning now, I feel around for my phone and see that Glenn is calling.

"Glenn, don't you know I sleep during the day." I whine to my brother.

"J, turn on the news, now." his voice being laced with concern sends panic through my body. Glenn never watches the news.

Reports of dead people coming back and biting the living all across America is the only thing being reported. On every channel I flick through.

"Am I still asleep?" I say aloud over the phone.

"No, pack your stuff, I'll come pick you up." I hear Glenn over the phone before the line goes dead.

Our group stands there before this tall man, who's pointing a gun at us, he asks if anyone is infected. We shake our heads, but honestly, I'm still in disbelief the doors even opened.

The man tells us we must all complete a blood test if we want to enter, and that if we have stuff we have to get it now.

"Once this door is closed, it stays closed." He warns us. We then learn that his name is Dr Edwin Jenner. As he tours us around the building we learn that it's only him left. I'm not a fan of strange men taking my blood but I allow it so he doesn't kick us out.

As we get settled, Dr Jenner tells us he will make some dinner. Which honestly sounds amazing after the day we've all had. I sit next to Glenn and we make conversation and laugh with the rest of the group as if the outside world was normal. Even Daryl seems chatty but I'm certain it's from the bottle of wine he is holding. I don't even like wine but I drink a glass anyway. We all laugh with Carl who is disgusted by the taste.

"He wants to learn to shoot a bow." I explain to Rick and Lori. I watch Carl's face light up.

"Definitely not." Lori shakes her head, but Rick doesn't answer. For the first time in a long time, we properly enjoy each other's company as a group.

"Steady on there Glenn." I say as my brother pours his third glass. However, Daryl encourages him to keep going.

Shane kills the mood by asking about what went on here and why Jenner is alone. Although I suppose it is the reason why we came in the first place. I yawn, feeling exhausted.

Jenner sighs, but he begins to explain that most people left to go be with their families. Then the military arrived so the rest left, there was also a spike in mass suicide. The mention of the outbreak forces the day's memory to flood my mind.

After packing some clothes, essentials and some food into a bag, I scan my apartment. I almost hit myself over practically forgetting, I swing open my spare room door and strung up on the wall is my bow.

"If the word has really gone to hell, I'm going to need you." I strap the quiver to me and secure everything. When Glenn arrives the poor boy looks stressed.

"The streets are crowded, everyone's out there panicking. We have to get out of the city."

"Where will we even go?"

He shrugs. I pick up my phone and think about some of my friends who live outside the city. I try calling all of them but my phone doesn't even ring, it's as if the line is dead.

We rush into the street to find Glenn's car, hearing the sounds of sirens and gunfire in the distance. As we make our way towards the car, I see a man in the distance.