By alexis dahlke (maya's past)

Dedication's

Mr Nistler for listening to my BS about this book,

and I am glad you listen. Even though you were messing with me

Because of the content, I still appreciate the suggestions for my novel.

Mrs. Wass for coming up with the title of this book of course

I had to give credit to my case manager for coming up with the idea and

Helping me that day when I was going through stuff.

Author page

Hi, my name is Lexi Dahlke. I became a writer my 5th grade year. I have been writing short stories, and short novelsnmy entire highschool career . This will be my first actual novel I will be writing. I have had many inspirational teachers throughout my years and I am thankful that I have had that for all this time. I wanted to become an author, because I love to write and I love my imagination. I grew up in Bagley Minnesota, with my brother and sister, my dad lives in mcintosh. My mother was not really around, so I didn't talk to her. I grew up in a toxic family, but I got through it. I live with my grandmother now. So, I am writing my senior year, because I never have time to write anymore. This helps me not be stressed about graduating 24/7. With my best friend Silena, she has been with me for about 8 years and she has dealt with my bs for so long. I have many friends, teachers and staff for the inspiration of my book series. I grew up writing, and I have loved it ever since. I was the only one in my family who didn't have anything. But, I had my imagination, so I started writing and it became a part of me. I will always be one with my stories!

With everything going on in my life, I don't write but now I am. It's who I am and nobodys changing that. I believe that it's what I was meant to do, because I wanted to just write and let myself go. My entire life, I thought I was a problem, I was barely noticed in my family. It was just my brother and sister, and there I was on the side. I am always on the side even at school. I was never liked, and I never will be but that does not change who I am. I learned to be myself, and who I am. But, nothing will be the same. I don't act or look my age. I get called a little kid, and I am bullied and even by kids younger than me. But, why do we have to listen to the negative actions of others? It's just being yourself is all that matters.

Characters

Maya,15 the main character, is strong, independent and smart but not too smart. She's not the leader of the group but she stays strong to help everyone else and even herself.

Ava, 21 she is Maya's sister who made it out with her, she has courage, bravery, and strong willingness. She helps the little kids, and she also teaches the younger children.

Luke, he is about 13 he is smart, very kind and gentle, and gets along with everyone quite well. He helps out with food, cleaning, and gardening.

Mr Owen, not much to say but, he is kind when he wants to be, brave, and he stands up for his community.

Mrs W, she is sometimes sarcastic, but very gentle, she is very strong, and independent. She helps all the kids, and even the adults. She runs most of the community and helps when she is always needed.

Emema, she is 9 years old, she is strong and always has her little sisters back whenever she needs it, she always wants to help every bit she can, has her mothers attitude but, very strong willed.

Riley, she is 6 years old, she helps along with her sister, she is the strongest little explorer we know, very smart and outgoing, and always curious.

Mr Owen's fiance- her and Ava teach the young children together, she is very smart, pretty, and outgoing. She's strong, and will do anything she can to protect the kids.

Principal, he stays on the side, helps when he wants to, and does not like that a little kid is taking leadership (Maya).

Max, who is 10 and also Maya's little cousin, comes later in the book. He is strong, and sometimes a jerk. But, always stands next to his cousins in every battle.

Kimila, she is 15 years old Maya's best friend. She helps in every way possible, but she stays on the side, and does her own thing.

Lucas, he is 16 years old. He is Maya's best friend, they hangout and work together. He is strong, very kind, and loves all the kids, he helps whenever somebody is in trouble.

Rhyme, she is 14, she lost her parents in a car crash, so she never had anyone she sits alone reading, and the kids are very fond of her.

Amy, she is 5 years old. She just joined the group because her sister who is 18 disappeared, and she was scared. But, She realized she had a new home.

Sofie and Jake, they are both 17 year old twins, they came here Rachel and marlio, their parents. They were happy that they had their family together.

Rachel, she has her kids and her husband very happy and she helps all the time. She loves kids, reading, and also writing. She's very inspirational.

marlio, he is smart, energetic, and very confident. He has an amazing family and is very intelligent.

Chris- mayas little brother he is 8 years old, he was finally found.

All of the characters in this book show a great deal, they have been part of the community since the beginning of the apocalypse.

Warning for the ones who don't like horror, or blood and gore. This book is kid friendly and if your kids ever want to read something not too dramatic this is the wrong book. But, I hope you all enjoy and give feedback.

Maya

She was 15 when the apocalypse happened. She did not expect that she would become a big part of the survival for her group. She took leadership at 15 when she went to the school. But, she did not think that everything would end. She spent two years helping her group and home. At 17, she was now the leader of over 50 people. She was scared, after her little brother disappeared she did not know what to do. But, she has Lucas, her teachers, girls, her sister, and now her brother made it home. She found her family. She would do anything to protect them, even if that meant sacrificing everything she has ever known. Things changed over the years but she stayed close to everyone. But, not for long.

After a while, she started losing connection with her friends, and started going her separate ways. Once she got older, she got married and now has two kids.

Contents



Part one

Chapter 1, the start of change

Chapter 2, meeting the enemy

Chapter 3, the attack on our base

Chapter 4. our home

Chapter 5, a new fault on us

Chapter 6, where it lies

Chapter 7, the new outsiders

Chapter 8, the new serum

Chapter 9, the death of a loved one

Chapter 10, lost but, not forgotten

Chapter 11, just the beginning

Part two

Chapter 12, the bombing

Chapter 13, the lost one

Chapter 14, where are we now

Chapter 15, what happened

Chapter 16, the new solution

Chapter 17, our new home

Chapter 18, the stranger

Chapter 19, new attack

Chapter 20, the new beginning

Chapter 21, what we lost

Chapter 22, how did we survive

Chapter 23, family

Chapter 24, the shooting

Chapter 25, a new virus

Chapter 26, the sickness

Chapter 27, secret of burned bodys

Chapter 28, the new attack

Part three

Chapter 29, the ones who escaped

Chapter 30, the misfit of the rival gang

Chapter 31, the great massacre

Chapter 32, our loved ones

Chapter 33, lost in the woods

Chapter 34, escaping the others

Chapter 35, lost and found

Chapter 36, finally home

Chapter 37, start of the new

Chapter 38, revealing a truth

Chapter 39, safe at last

Chapter 40, new rival is known

Chapter One

The Start Of Change

The spring was just ahead, we could hear the birds chirp, as the wind blew. On the small farm that we lived on about 7 miles outside of bagley. I was outside just playing with chris my little brother and my sister ava we were having alot of fun till we had to go inside for dinner. 1As the days go by, we hear the news of the disaster that filled our small town with only few left with what seemed to be the apocalypse never expecting that it would happen. We learned to survive on our own, soon enough We were able to make a small serum to help with the cattle, chickens, pigs, and most of the horses.

By the second week of the disaster we had about 5 people come to the farm to find shelter, a couple children by the third week. We have about 23 refugees including; children, teens and adults.

We decided that it's time to move on but we still stayed for a couple more nights. Kimmy was playing outside late at night. Nobody, awake, it was silent, and glim, just as dark as shadows creep upon the fields.

We are all in a deep slumber. By the time the sun starts to rise, a walker sneaks up, heading towards the child. A scream echoed through the deep dark woods, while shaking the farm house mildly, lights came on and some ran out.

As more walkers approach they start to ward the farm house and fields; only few survived, but some escaped. Many different groups got separated, 3 of us were still together. Me, Ava and Luke were the three who left together.

We came to the highschool which is still intact, our teacher Mr Owen's truck was in the parking lot.

So, we wondered if he was in the school, we still had a bit of service on our phones which charged to a minimum percent.

We took out our phones and emailed Mr Owen seeing if he was still alive. I got a notification about 10 minutes later that it was Mr Owen .

he replied saying; "it has come to my knowledge that you three are still surviving and that i am at the doors near my classroom i will let you in" we head over to the doors, and our teacher opens it, we all run inside, Mr Owen leads us to his classroom where their was 8 people inside, his fiance, and a couple of their classmates.

We all wondered what we were going to do, Mr Owen notified us that there was food and water still in the facility.

I left the classroom to go scavenge, there were about 10-15 more people in the building, all known. Mrs W was there along with her girls, Emema and Riley and her husband. She was only there to keep her family safe. As the youngest ran up to me and hugged me. I picked up Riley and walked over to the sped pod to find a shirt to wear since there were stains all over mine. I set Riley down and I found a shirt. I go to the staff bathroom to change, and we head over to my locker to grab my snacks and drinks I had in there. Me and Riley head back to Mr Owen's classroom.

I sit on the floor and wonder where my little brother chris is. Another familiar face was the principal, he started taking leadership telling everyone what to do.

I stood up and said, "Excuse me, you were the principal of this school, but you are not the leader of this group. All hell has broken loose, we are not playing silly games."So you have no right to say anything"

I say " I know it's tough, but we will all work together to help this community, with the rations and also what we are believe i know this is hard, but we have to keep eachother safe from what's outside"

As a month went by, finally to make the school a safer place, we started building walls to keep it more intact, walls surrounded the entire building along with the fairgrounds.

Kids were allowed to play outside, and we were able to find some animals, and the cattle at the fair grounds were still alive and healthy. We began planting seeds and we made a garden to plant everything we needed: corn, potatoes, green beans, cabbage and lots more veggies.

We got the water running. Everything was going well, our group contained about 50 survivors.

including; kids, adults and teens. We all learned each other's names, weaknesses and strengths pretty quickly. We became healthy and stronger every week, month and year. I am 17 now and for the past two years we have been at the school. Everyone helps out, and we all enjoyed everything and being ourselves.

Even though beyond the walls was the dark lurking and scavenging. Eventually we are starting to run out of food, they send marlio, luke, and I out to go find food, and drinks. We eventually make it outside of the walls, heading towards town. We know the stores aren't too far, so even though the walkers were lurking we still headed out. Getting to a couple houses to check for food, many of the doors and windows were busted so we scavenged in a couple different buildings not finding much. Soon enough we took a couple of the gas stations, first off we got to Orton's, the doors were barricaded and locked down.

Luke went to the back of the store and found a door to the back bathroom. Banging on it he finally pushes it open, not knowing what was inside.

He got jumped by a walker, fighting his way through it. He finally got to his feet and grabbed his knife, with his breathing slowing down, he finally killed the zombie that had attacked him. He finally pushes the other door open, everything destroyed. the smell of rotting food, it makes him sick. But, he let me and Evan in and we scavenged as much as we could. We eventually find enough supplies and we head back to the base. They let us back in and it's pretty late so we all go to bed except a couple of us. Lucas is getting Luke's room set up, who is also his little brother. Luke goes to bed and Lucas comes to my room to talk.

He smiles; he says, "aren't you supposed to be asleep"

I sit up, I say, " Yeah, but I wanted to sit with Riley for a bit".

He sits next to me and puts his arm around me. "I don't know what I would do without you," he says.

"I hug him as tight as I can, and say, "me too".

He looks at me, as he looks into my eyes. Smiling, he says, "are you okay?" As he hugs me, I feel safer in his arms knowing what was going on outside the walls.

"Lucas, I miss my little brother a lot, I wish I knew where he was."

He grabs my hand and says, "I know we will find him again."

I lay down on my bed. "Can you stay with me till I fall asleep?"

He says, "Of course."

He lies next to me. as tears dripped down my face. He has his arms around me, as i fall asleep' lucas says, 'don't ever leave me' '; as he falls asleep while i cuddle close to him". The next morning we hear yelling and chaos, I wake up and Lucas is still with me, he says "what's going on?" i get up, and i grab lucas hand and pull him up, but he falls into me "he grabs my waist before i fall down" he asks, are you okay. I say yeah, "I'm all good thanks". As he pulls me closer my face turns as red as a tomato" he kisses me, as our lips touch i could feel the tension between the feelings. As our lips leave one another, I smile and say "that was unexpected" we decided to go check out the noise, it's my sister yelling at the principal. "She says, HE IS MY LITTLE BROTHER I'M NOT KICKING HIM OUT HE JUST GOT HERE" i go over to my sister and right behind her my little brother.

I cry i say "chris, what where were you"

he cries, "sissy i got lost"

i hug him i say, " ur home now"

the principal starts screaming "WHAT IF HE IS BIT, WE SHOULD NOT ALLOW HIM"

I go up to him and smack him. I say "I SWEAR TO GOD, HE IS OUR BROTHER YOU CAN'T HE IS FINE".

As Chris see's lucas he runs up to him he says "lucas, i missed you"

As Lucas picks up my brother I smile, I walk over to them and I whisper in Lucas' ear ""you would be a great dad".

With my brother in one arm he pulls me closer, "I know maya" as he kisses me again"

I grab my brother and I hug him " I missed you buddy, I'm glad you're safe" he says "I missed you too sissy I love you"

I say, "I love you too bud".

Everything was complete. I have my brother, sister, and lucas. But, was it really complete, or did I just want to believe that?. I walk over to my locker to clean it out, I find a note.

"Meet me in the library, I have a surprise for you. L"

I wonder what it may be, I head over to the library and its lucas with roses, and a blanket on the floor. He had a picnic ready for us.

I ask, "what is this?" As I walk over to him, he grabs my hand.

"I thought with everything going on you would like a date. Says lucas"

I smile, "I say, thanks Lucas, I need this".

He plugs in his phone and puts on some music. He starts to spin me around and he asks "would you like to dance?"

i say "of course'''.

As he takes my hand we just dance. He grabs my waist,

He says "I am glad I met you when we were little, I don't know what I would do without you. You're my whole world and I love you with all I am".

As he pulls me closer, I feel the happiest just with him! He puts his arm around me as I hug him close. We sit on the blanket, he has all my favorite food and snacks. As we eat, he grabs me and we fall behind and start laughing our asses off.

Chapter Two

Meeting the enemy

With everything that happened it was all complete, we had our home, our family everything. It was all going well, I had Lucas and my siblings. It's been a couple years, Mr and Mrs Owen got married the year after it started and it was a great year. We are all together but something happened that not many of us want to talk about. We lost Luke at 15, he went out beyond the walls and he got bit. We did not know how to take it, because it was hard on Lucas, because Luke was the only family he had left. We all tried to forget it, but we could never.

I sat with Lucas in his room, "hey you okay?"

He starts crying, "I am so sorry for you seeing me like this".

I say, "hey, hey it's okay".

I put my arm over him, as we fall back on his bed I just hold him, as he cries.

He says, "I love you"

I kiss him on the forehead "i love you too".

He says, "Luke, my brother, he's gone, why, why is he gone.."

I say, "he's not gone, he's up in heaven watching you now, try to be strong for your little brother".

He says, "how, how can i be strong when my only family is dead"

I get up and I grab his hands. I get him up and I hug him tight."

I say, "it'll be okay i promise you have me".

As days went by, we still fought to survive until we got a visit from Jamie Rockwell. He is the leader of the other group, from clearbrook. He tried to come up with terms to all live together, but he wanted to be the leader. My job is to protect my community, and my people.

So, I rejected his request and all he said was "karmas coming your way".

But, we did not let it get in our way, our life is great and everyones happy. A month later after Mr Rockwell came he came back and started making demands. Everyone caves in and we start listening to him just to keep everyone safe. But, it backfired Chris who is now 13 he came and discussed the issues with Rockwell. I knew he was right, but we had too or something may happen to everyone we love. It was perfect, everything was but not long after it happened. Rockwell came back and we had nothing for him.

Chapter Three 2024

Attack on our base

Suddenly everything went downhill, we dident know what to do and Rockwell attacked us. We lost everything, even our home. We had to move on. Nobody knew where to go, but we heard about a place in north dakota that was safe. So, we packed up with Riley, and Chris close to me. we go to find our new home. Mr and Mrs Owen were expecting a little one, so we did not know how we were going to get there in time. We were hoping to make it there before Mrs Owen had her baby. We made it close to crookston minnesota luckily we had three buses available to drive everyone to north dakota. We were hoping to make it there before nightfall, but we did not make it in time. One of the buses broke down half an hour out of crookston. We were 45 minutes outside of Thief River Falls, so we did not know what to do because there was no more room on the other two buses unless people squeezed together to make more room. We needed to get to the new place ASAP. But, we could not. Eventually we found a small church in the middle of the woods. We heard a yell for help not far in, we ran to go see who it was. We don't recognize who it is, he mentions that his name is eristin. He is 32, and was left all alone. He just had his baby priala who was 5 months old so it was hard to take care of her. We headed through the woods and he guided us to the church. We stayed there for a couple of nights just so Mrs Owen could stay off her feet and rest. We were all just hoping to survive. 3 days later we set off to get to north dakota. But, it started pouring so we found shelter in a small barn but Mrs Owen was ready to have her baby.

So, we were all scared something might happen to her. Eventually she had her baby and they were both healthy and safe. Now, Mr and Mrs Owen were a family with their little one. They named her Taliea. I suggested the name because it was lucas mothers name before she got bit. We slept in the barn, Mrs Owen still awake to keep an eye on Taliea to make sure she was safe because she was scared something might happen to her little girl. Mr Owen could tell she was worried I was still awake, so I told her to go to bed and I would stay up and watch taliea.

Mr Owen came over to talk. He tried to explain the situation because I understood what was going on.

He said, "I explained to her that she needs to sleep".

I said, "yeah, she needs rest so i am staying up to keep Taliea safe". We were 10 minutes outside of north dakota. We hear a knock on the door. Mr Owen answers it, and it's a kid about mid teens.

he says "i have come from camp brightlin and they asked me to bring you to our camp".

I asked, "and why would we do that if we do not know you".

He replies, "you guys have kids, and a baby you need a safe place i promise come with me"

He eventually takes us to brightlin, and lets us stay there, it was our new foundation. Taliea had a home, Chris and riley. Kids could play and have lots of fun. It was a new beginning, a new start for our community.

4 years later 2028

Taliea is 4 years old now, Chris is 17 and Riley is about 14 or so now. Taliea has grown up so much since we came to brightlin and she is beautiful and amazing. She said her first words at 2 years old, and started walking. She is growing up and I helped raise her and take care of her. Mr Owen still picks on me like he did in school but that's nothing new. I started hanging out with Camilio who is 32. I am 20 years old now. Lucas starts hanging out with isla, who is 23 and lucas is 22 now. I started to think, what happened. My bestfriend doesnt hangout with me anymore because he chose a different girl over me.

I head over to the small coffee shop near my house, riley is outside with chris, i say "hey kids, what are you two up too?".

Riley says, "just waiting for emema, she should be coming".

Chris says "yeah she should be back soon she went to get tailea to bring her to the park".

Mrs Owen and Emema come around the corner and she says, "be careful kids, remember taliea has to be home before 5 pm".

Chris says, "yes Mrs Owen, we promise". As they head out, I head into my house and I go upstairs to read my book. But, I hear noises up in the attic so I go and I check it out. I head upstairs, and a kid about my age is sitting in a bean bag reading a comic, I go over to him.

I say, "Hey who are you?"

He starts to stutter, "I, um i'm e-eric". I go over i grab his novel, I ask,

"You like to read marvel also".

He says, "um yeah i do".

I sat next to him, and I said "That's cool, mind if I read with you?".

He says, "no not at all, you can join me". As we sit in the attic we read together, and get to know each other more. I hear somebody calling my name. "Maya, Maya where are you?" I say, "I'll talk to you later bye".

I walk, down stairs "oh hey lucas, whats up"

He says,"look I'm sorry ive been distant". I turn away, because I don't want to talk to him.

He says, "please maya".

I turn to him, i say "lucas you chose another girl over me for 2 years, why did you do that"

He sighs, "i am sorry maya i still love you"

I say, "you stopped talking to me, i was there with you when your brother died, you were their when my little brother was found, i loved you"

"You're nothing to me anymore, I don't love you anymore."

He says, "b..but"

I say, "no please leave"

As I walk back to the attic, tears drip from my face. "Damn it, why did he come here why, why, why"

Eric says, "hey are you okay?" As I shake my head, he walks over to me and hugs me.

All i could do was cry, because i lost my best friend. "I am sorry, you don't have to do this".

He says, "yeah but you needed a hug, want to tell me what happened?".

We sit down and I tell him everything about Lucas and my past. Even though it was hard for me to tell somebody I just met all of that information.

He says, "everyday, i'm here at 4:00 pm after school, you should join me".

I say, "yeah, that would be nice" as he leaves through the rooftop, i relize i have a friend who i can talk to. Everyday we would meet in my attic and hangout. We got to know each other more and more as the days went by. But, 3 weeks later I went up on a sunday at 4 pm and he was not there, I wondered where he went. I see paper on the floor next to a spiderman comic, it says, "look, Maya I am sorry but I had to join the patrol group to be more on the outside of the walls. My dads request, I would love to continue our hangout sessions but, I'm sorry I won't be able to. I will see you around, I already miss you. E''. as I sit on the bean bag, looking at the letter as tears drip from the side of my face. I leave the attic, and I go grab my book and I go back upstairs and I read, I fall asleep on the bean bag. I woke up about 3 hours later because I heard rustling.

Eric says, "sorry M i was just getting some of my stuff". As I look at him, he has blood on his face, and he has his hand on the side of his stomach.

I ask, "Eric, are you okay? you look hurt". He smiles, he falls to his feet.

"Ow" I walk over to him, and I look under his shirt.

"What happened?". As I grab my medical stuff.

He says, "I fell and scratched myself on a tree branch when I was fighting off some walkers, don't worry I did not get bit". As I patch him up, I hug him.

I say, "I am glad you're safe".

He says, "thanks, M it feels a bit better now, just a little sore".

I ask, "hey why is ur dad making you do patrol?".

He says, "well, it's what he does and he wants me to be just like him but I still want to have fun and be a kid". I sit next to him, as I put my head on his shoulder and my hand on his heart. I say, "ur brave to me, and I hope you stay safe". He smiles and looks at me, he moves my hair out of my face. He says, "I am glad we met. I don't know what I would do without you".

"I don't know what i would do without you" i think about when lucas said that to me, when we were talking that night. I smile, without thinking i do something i never thought i would do, I closed my eyes and i went for it. I kissed him, as he put his hand in my hair, I could feel it. This was meant to be. I pulled away, "I am sorry, I don't know what that was' '. As he grabs my hand.

He says, "It's okay, I have been wanting to do that for a while. Hey, do you want to goto the cafe tomorrow with me and have lunch?"

I say "of course i would love to meet at 10 am'.

I get up and I grab his hand. I ask, "can I get one more hug before I go to bed?"

As I put my arms around his neck, he puts his arms around my waist and we stand there hugging for 5 minutes. I finally let go, I start heading down stairs, I turn around, 'seeya tomorrow evan" as i am smiling. I see Riley, she says "maya why are you smiling you were up in the attic for awhile".

I say, "just cleaning the attic it's fine". As I head to my room I change into my pajamas and go to bed. I woke up at about 9:30. I get up and I get ready for my date. I head out, and I'm outside of the cafe and Eric shows up, he hugs me, he says "ready?"

i say, "yep let's go" as he grabs my hand we walk inside, I see Mr and Mrs Owen and taliea, she runs up to me as i hug her, i say "hi taliea, how's your morning"

she says, "good, i'm with mommy and daddy" i wave to Mr and Mrs Owen. as Mr Owen is eating his cheeseburger he sets it down and waves back. We sat at the booth, and I ordered grilled cheese and tomato soup. As me and evan are talking i see lucas walk in holding islas hand. I go silent for a minute.

Eric says, "hey what's wrong?".

I say, "oh it's um nothing just my ex best friend" he grabs my hand, he says, "its okay, you have me". As I smile, our food and drinks come.

I say "thanks E". we eat our food, taliea comes over.

She says "maya, can i get another hug before we leave".

I laugh, and say "of course sweetie". I get up and I pick her up as she hugs me, I see Eric smiling. I say, "Mr Owen, are you happy you finally got your cheeseburger?"

He says, "yep and it was amazing". I laugh, i set taliea down as she gives me one last hug she says, " i love you maya". I smile,

I say, "I love you too, Taliea".

As we head out, Eric says, "want to go to my friend's house?"

I say, "yeah sure", we head to his friend's house.

We headed inside, and I saw what I never thought I would see, and it was Sarah, my best friend from highschool. I say, "Wait, sarah?"

She hugs me, "Maya, it's been forever".

As we talk about what happened, Eric sits next to me.

Chapter four

Our home

It was thursday night, everyone came over to have a BBQ night. Priala, tailieu, riley, and chris were playing outside. Everyone was partying, and laughing. I am glad my family has a home. I walk out to the patio well, everyones in the backyard. Eric walks over and sits with me.

He says, "how's it going?".

I say, "my family is happy, and i am happy to be at our new home".

He grabs my hand, and he smiles.

He says, "ever since you and your community came to brightlin you made us all complete, i am so happy i met you". As we sat on the swing I knew everything was complete. Days go by, and me and Eric get closer and closer. I met him in the park, with my friends and family around. He gets on one knee and says, "Maya, you're my everything and I want to be with you forever, will you marry me?".

I start to cry, I say "yes, of course I will marry you". As he puts the ring on my finger he hugs me. It was everything I ever dreamed of.

3 months later

We had our wedding with everyone we know, it was amazing. Now, Eric was my husband and we were a family. We finally moved in together, and a few weeks later I found out I'm pregnant with a little boy. As the months go by, me and Eric are both excited to welcome our baby to the family. I finally have my baby boy and his name is josh. My family was complete, we all knew that it was the start of something new.

It's about 7 years later now, josh is 7 years old, he has grown up so much. Eric comes to me in the kitchen while Josh is playing outside. I could tell something was wrong.

He says, "um maya, i love you okay but i have to leave for patrol tonight".

I say, "why? What about me and Josh? What if something happens to you?".

He holds my hand and puts his hand on the side of my face, "i'll be okay i promise" he kisses me, and goes to hug our son. As he leaves, my heart starts to break. I stayed up for three days straight hoping he would come back. I got a knock on my door.

It's eristen, he says "Maya, Eric is MIA" I start to cry.

"Wait, how did that happen?".

He says, "I don't know he just got lost in a group of walkers and we could not find him"

Josh comes out of his room and says "mommy, where's daddy?".

I hugged him, "I don't know baby, he will be home soon I hope".

I get very sick, and i eventually check to see and i'm pregnant with baby #2 but, without my husband. I tell Josh he is going to be a big brother. 9 years later, my remy is 8 years old, and josh is 16 now. Josh, comes to me he says, "mom, i'm gonna go out and find dad".

I say, "wait josh no you can't you'll get hurt" as i hug him.

He says, "mom i have to do this, i have to find dad just keep remy safe".

As he packs up, he hugs me and kisses Remy on the forehead. He says, "bye little sis I'll be back soon with daddy".

As my son leaves to go find his father, I have high hopes in him finding his dad.

Josh's perspective

As I headed beyond the walls, I could hear my mom crying. I knew this was the right thing to do, I have to find dad and bring him home to her. I go beyond town fighting my way through the walkers. Nothing is going to stop me from finding him, I soon enough reach a mall. I bust through to get inside. I walk around and I find some food. Not long after, I hear a girl running from a walker, I help her out.

She says, "thanks, for saving me".

I say, "yeah no problem, hey have you seen a male about almost early 40s, looks like me alot".

She says, "Wait, are you talking about eric."

I say, "yeah that's him, he's my father he left when i was seven for patrol and went missing."

She says, "hold on, HEY ERIC COME OUT HERE".

As the guy walks out of the gift shop limping with bandages and a wound on the side of his stomach. He comes out.

I say, "dad, dad is that you'' he starts crying as i run up to him i hug him as tight as i could. "I missed you so much dad, why dident you come home?".

He says, "son i tried but I got shot and I could not get back. I got held captive. I escaped a couple weeks ago and I came to this mall where Lilly was and she helped me out".

I say, "let's get you home"

He says, "patrol is out right now for the people who held me captive, we will leave in two days".

I say, "alright dad, but i have to tell you something before we get home it's about mom"

He says, "What about her, is she okay?"

I say, "ever since you left she's barely been eating or sleeping and i had to take care of remy for the past years while mom got better"

He says, "Wait, who's remy?".

I say, "dad before you left mom was pregnant, after a couple days when you dident come home she was really sick and she found out she was pregnant she was scared to do it all alone".

"Dad, mom needs you, she's not doing so well, we need you, Remy needs her daddy".

He says, "I know I really tried to get back for you and your mom".

I get up, "i'm gonna go find a bathroom, i need to wash off my face".

Lilly says "i'll show you where the bathroom is' ' as we talk, she says "i only stayed because of my little sister she's five months old, our brother disappeared his name is camilio' '.

I say, "wait camilio phillipa madrigal"

She says, "yeah that's my brother how do you know him".

I say, "he's at brightlin he's dating my aunt they have a baby named lilly"

She says, "wait he is still alive" as we continue walking i start to think.

I say, "yeah he is doing well".

We leave the next day, hoping to get home before nightfall. We finally get to the gates of brightlin. I say, "Dad ready to see mom again?".

Hey says, "yeah it's been awhile i've missed her so much" i see remy she runs up to me, she says "bubba i missed you"

I hug her, I say "I missed you too little sis, I want you to meet someone, this is ur daddy".

She says, "you found dad".

I say, "yes of course i did" we walk to the house, and dad stops. I ask, "Dad, what's wrong?".

He says,"what if your mom is mad at me?"

I say, "she won't be i promise" i walk inside "mom".

She says, "Josh, is that you?".

I say, "yeah i'm home" she comes out, and she hugs me but, she pauses and starts crying. "Eric, is that really you?".

Dad smiles, "yeah i'm home and i am so sorry" she hugs him, "I missed you so much" as i realized our family was finally complete again. Lilly comes in, she says, "hey can you show me where camilios house is?".

I say "yeah sure come on lilly". We head over to Cam's house. I knock on the door, and aunt Ava answers. I say, "hi auntie is camilio here i have someone who wants to say hi".

She says, "yeah, hey babe". He walks to the door, he stops in his tracks.

While, Lilly holds her little sister lucy. He says, "lilly is that you?".

I say, "hey lilly i'll talk to you later, ima go catch up with my dad"

As I head back to my house, dad is there talking to mom. I say "hey, dad do you mind if we hang out tomorrow with remy"

He says, "of course buddy I wouldn't love anything more" as I walk up stairs to my room, Remy is lying on my bed and she says, "Hey Josh".

I say, "hey remy what are you doing?".

She says, " why did dad leave?".

I say, "because he had to". As i grab remy i put her on my lap, i say

"Dads, home now so we don't have to worry".

She turns around and hugs me, as i hug her she says "josh"

I say, "yeah, remy".

She says, "I'm glad you're my big brother".

I say, "me too sis".

As I turn on my TV, we sit there and watch spongebob. Mom calls us down, so me and Remy walk downstairs while mom is talking to dad.

I ask, "hey mom whats up?".

She says, "while I was wondering if any of you want to goto the cafe for dinner?".

Remy says, "Can I get tenders?".

She says, "of course"

I say, "yeah sounds fun"

Dad says, "alright be ready in a half an hour we will leave soon".

As we head to the cafe I see Lucas and Isla with their daughter rosa. Lilly is with Ava, Camilio and their daughter lilliana.

I say, "hey lilly" as she waves back, she comes over

She says, "hey josh what are you guys up too".

I say, "we are just heading to the cafe do you all want to join us?".

She says, "yeah, sure come on".

We get to the cafe, Taliea, Riley, Mrs W, Mr W, Mr Owen, Mrs Owen, and everyone is there. We all get together and hangout what we used to have. We finally got back.

Chapter five

A new fault on us

Rockwell finally caught up to us, we did not think he would follow us this far. Eventually he came to the gates, banging on it as we all wondered whom it may be. Eventually Josh went up to look,

he yelled back saying "mom, it's an old guy who is hurt".

I open the gate and i relize whom it was.

He said, "I am rockwell.

I say "get away from my home you drove us off our last one".

He says, "you disobeyed me so if you disobey again, everyone in your family is dead".

I say, "No leave". As he bursts through he takes remy.

He says "if you try and take her back, I will kill her and he leaves with Remy".

As I fell to my knees "no, no, no, no remy please".

Eric hugs me, "we will get her back i promise".

Josh walks away, while tears drip down his face, "I will find you little sis". Lilly runs up to Josh, "where are you going?".

He says, "to save my little sister",

Josh's perspective

As I head back to my house, I start packing. I want to save my sister, as soon as possible.

Lilly grabs my hand, "i will go with you".

I say, "lilly no it's too dangerous i don't want you to get hurt"

She says, "but we have to try".

Mom comes back to the house while I go downstairs with packed bags.

She says, "Josh please don't tell me you're going out there again?"

I say, "I have to mom, i have to save remy"

She hugs me, "please, stay safe i don't want to lose my little boy"

I say, "I promise mom, you won't lose me or remy"

Lilly walks out with me and she hugs me, "come back please".

I hug her, "I will" Chris, Mr Owen, and Lucas come over.

Mr Owen says, "we are coming with you"

As we all head out, taliea runs to her dad "please stay safe dad, come back home".

He says, "I will come home and tell mom not to worry".

We leave, we head to the mini bus and we go. Lilly jumps onto the bus and gets in. i say, "lilly no, stay home"

She says, "I am not letting you save your sister alone'.

I say, "fine but you're staying in the bus"

As we all sit on the bus, we make a plan to save remy. I say, "i brought my dad home"

"I am definitely bringing my sister home".

As I sit in a corner I sigh, "I really hope I can bring her home".

Lilly sits next to me "hey Josh, I know you're scared but we will find her".

We finally get there, but I pause "what if we can't save her, what if something happens, I'm scared".

Lilly grabs my hand, she puts her head on my shoulder "we got this, we will save her". As we approach the door, I really just hope we can save her, I knock on the door. Rockwell, answers he says, "well, well, come to save the little princess".

As I feel a sudden hurtful hit, I blackout. Everything just goes pure black. Me and Lilly, wake up in a cell. No windows, one door that was locked. Eventually the door opens, and they throw Remy in. as she's crying, she runs up to me, she says "brother, i'm scared".

As I hold my little sister, I say "I know, I know it's okay". As we sit there, Remy falls asleep on the bed. Lilly, sits next to me while I'm by my sister.

She says, "at least Remy is safe",

as I wonder why this is happening but, I promised mom I would bring my little sister home. As we try to escape we wonder how we are going to get out of this cell. As Lilly sits next to me, she says "hey josh?".

I say, "yeah what's wrong" as she turns to me, i can't help it the tension gets stronger and i kiss her.

As our lips are apart, she says "while, that was different".

I say, "I am so sorry I didn't mean to do that".

She kisses me again, "that was to make you stop talking".

As Remy sleeps, we go over to the other bed. As we stand there, I grab Lilly's waist, I start kissing her as we make out, we go on the bed just kissing, I start to unbutton her blouse.

I stop i say, "um lilly are we sure we are ready for this"

She says, "it's up to you".

We start going at it, about 10 minutes later we stop, and get dressed. Lilly kisses me she says, "that was fun".

I say, "yeah it was"

Remy wakes up, she asks, "Brother, what are you doing?". I pick her up,

I say, "I am trying to get us home". As we hear an explosion, the door gets busted open, I look out and it's Chris, Mr Owen, and Lucas running trying to get to cover. We eventually catch up to them, and we bust out and find the bus with Remy in my arms, we get onto the bus and we eventually get it started.

We are back on the road, but we do not know how far we will get before they catch up to us. About an hour and a half later, we are almost to brightlin about 30 mins away, we just want to get back home.

We finally get back to brightlin, we drive into the gates.

As Remy gets off the bus, she runs off and goes straight to mom.

Chapter 6

Where it lies

everything that has happened, we think about the changes beyond the walls. patrol got sent out, to scavenge for more food. but, they came across something new. We thought it was just a coincidence. But, we came across a house with three bedrooms. but, there was a baby room. They thought nothing was there, but in a little cradle in the living room was a 5 month old baby still breathing, and giggling. Chris picked up the baby and cradled her in his arms. There was a painting, saying her name was rhyme. So, we brought her back to brightlin. I came out of my house to see my little brother, while he was holding the baby.

I ask, "where did she come from".

Chris says, "we found her all alone in a house she's 5 months old, her name is rhyme".

I say, "who's gonna take care of her? You?"

Chris says, "yeah i am going to take care of her as my own"

As Chris takes her to his house, he feeds her and changes her. He finally had a family, but he had no clue how to take care of a kid, because he was the youngest in the family. I go over to help Chris with Rhyme, he still does not know what he is doing.

18 years later, rhyme is 18 years old now. She grew up with Chris, and he treated her as his own.

Now, the backstory on Chris

the reason he disappeared?

Chris decided to go to a friend's house for a couple of nights in Bagley, but when it all happened he and Ryker were playing on the trampoline. There was screaming, explosives, gun shots. They were both scared and ran inside to rykers room. Hiding in the closet Chris tried to call home. But, he forgot to charge his phone that night. Rykers mom Mrs Alria came in and said, ryker, chris. Stay here, we will get somewhere safe. I have to go help your dad ryker. But, she never came back about a couple months later, they found food and water. Years go back, and ryker got really sick he died. So, Chris escaped and heard from somebody on the streets that there was a refuge at the highschool so, he went there and that's when he met up with lies, kira, and isabel. So he went to the front gate and Ava let him in. When she realized it was her brother, she knew he was home.

Present

All the years that passed, we have gone through conflicts, fights, and alot more. But remy, mom, dad, and lilly i have everyone i love i am 27 now and remy is 18, mom and dad are getting older so they are not gonna be around much longer. Mom had a baby boy who is 5 years old now his name is marc.

As days go by mom is getting really sick, we don't know if she will make it out of this one. I have sat by moms bed for two weeks hoping she would get better but all it does is get worse. Marc and Remy would come to her room every chance they got, dad was crying while at moms bed side. She says "my babies i will miss each one of you, make me proud and don't forget about everything you have done for this community". The next day, dad came to my room to give me the news that mom was gone, he had to put her down and we buried her.

Knowing mom was gone, I had to take care of my little brother and help my dad with everything. It was the biggest loss the community has ever faced. I sat in my room, with Marc while he sat there crying.

I kept telling him "its okay, mommys in heaven with the angels"

I hear a knock on the door, its Lilly she hugs me,

She says, "I am so sorry that you lost your mom. If you need anything I am always here". As I kiss her.

I hug her and say, "thanks lil i needed this". We walk over to the living room, as Remy comes out with her eyes beat red and mascara everywhere. She says "omg lilly, i missed you" as they hug,

lilly says "i missed you too but i have to talk to your brother for a minute you wanna hear the news"

Remy says, "yes i wanna know"

Lilly says, "a couple weeks ago remember the BBQ that we had for your mom and we were in the bedroom".

I say, "um yeah, wait a second are you?"

She says, "I am pregnant and you're the father".

I say, "I am going to be a dad, that is amazing, I love you so much".

As they kiss, Remy starts getting excited "ima be an auntie yayy".

Dad walks in and says "what's going on".

as i get nervous I say, "um dad you are going to be a grandpa".

He says, "wait really son, i am so happy for you both"

As 9 months go by, Lilly is in her room and she goes into labor. I called the doctor and in 3 hours we finally had our baby girl. As I hold her, I remember when Remy was born, mom in the bed, dad not around. She was beautiful. We named her April, because she is born in April and the spring. Lilly had our daughter on my mothers birthday so I knew it was a sign.

As I hold my little girl I say "I will protect you with my life, I love you April".

Cam and camilio come in with lilliana and ava, cam who is 15 camilla's brother he says, "aww my little niece is so cute".

Holding my daughter while sitting next to lilly, i kiss her on the forehead she says, "we are parents i am so glad i met you"

Chapter 7 1/2

Cam and Camilio, lilly and lucy

The story on the madrigal family was different then some, but when the apocalypse started cam was not born yet, but after their dad disappeared he had another kid and that was about 15 years ago so that would make cam 15, in another note their dad was at brightlin before them that's the reason that camilio was their because of their dad. Anyways, Lily and their mom looked everywhere for camilio and could not find him. Their mom was pretty young when they had Camilio. She was only 15 also. Dad stayed until he found out his wife was pregnant with lucy. Then he left, and he took camilio with him, that's why lily and lucy were all alone cause mom died. Then their dad got a girl knocked up and they had Cam. But, she died in birth and their dad was a deadbeat and wanted nothing to do with his second son. So, camilio took care of his little brother along with his daughter lilliana.

Growing up, while taking care of my siblings and my daughter while dad tries his best to take care of two kids. Remy helps every time she gets it. The most reliable thing is that it's what I love about my family, it has been hard since mom passed but we are getting through it. Remy, and Lily both work at the grocery store. So, we don't need money, we just wait for a new delivery of food.

Everyone goes out except the kids, to scavenge.

Everyone has tried to move on but taking care of my daughter and my brother has been hard. I try not to go on patrol as much so I can spend time with april.

4 years later, April is 4 and Marc is 8, we all walk over to rileys diner for a gathering. It's moms and April's birthday but, all I think about is mom not being able to meet her granddaughter. I sit outside on the steps, just looking at the stars lilly walks out and sits next to me, she puts her hand on my knee and she says "hey, josh you okay?"

I say, "its my moms birthday i wish she was here"

She says, "I know but she's looking down on her oldest son, and his daughter'

I kiss her on the cheek, "I love you".

She says, "I love you too" as she places her hand on my heart and head on my shoulder. I feel calmer with the love of my life by my side. April comes out excited, "mommy, daddy I'm four years old".

As April jumps onto her moms lap, we all just sit on the porch. Smiling with my daughter and my girlfriend, lily starts getting dizzy and she goes to throw up as I hold her hair back I did not know what was going on but she smiles, and she says "I might as well tell you something, I did not know how to say this since we have April but I am pregnant with a boy". I hug her I say "omg that's amazing, I love you so much" as I kneel down I kiss her belly and I said "I love you my son". April comes over and hugs her mom she says " mommy I'm gonna be a big sissy". She smiles and picks April up and says "you're gonna be a great big sister"

As i hold lillys hand with april in my arms, my family was everything I have ever loved and wanted. I say "I'm gonna go home I'm tired I'll see you guys in the morning" as I walk home I lye in my bed crying I say " mom, I miss you so much April is four years old today, and your gonna have another grand baby. I wish you were here I don't want you to be gone, I love you so much mom forever and ever"

As Lilly comes into my room she can tell somethings wrong she lies next to me and she says "hey I heard what you said, I love you and your mom is so proud of you " as I kiss lilly she falls asleep next to me and I whisper "I love you mom". I fall asleep, the next morning I hear screams I get up and run out April's gone, theirs blood in her crib. Remy comes out she says "brother where's april" I say "i-i I don't k-know?" lilly comes out crying as I hug her, remy says I am going to find her I see a note on the door it says "josh, this is revenge for coming to grab remy ur baby girl is mine now you will never see her again and when your son is born I am going to kill him, James Rockwell"

Lilly cries in my arms, "my baby girl no no no?" I say, I'm going to find her " remy comes with me, and camilio, cam, Mr Owen, and lucas. Everyone comes as I leave lilly. It's been 10 months since we have been home we have been lookin for so long and my baby boy has been born, I can't give up as I hear crying I head out to the woods, it's a little girl but I can't tell who it is, I go over to a log where I heard the crying and I look in I start crying out of joy and sacredness I say, "April baby come here" as she crawls out she hugs her daddy "Dad I missed you I was so scared" I say "I know baby let's get you home to mommy" as we head home lilly is standing on the porch with our baby boy, she starts crying and walks off the porch she hugs me and says "baby I missed you so much" as April walks out from behind me, she says "mommy and runs up to her and Hugs her" as I kiss her she says "I'm glad my babies are home" I say "me to love, me too" as we all go inside we get April cleaned up and we all sit in the bed and watch TV after lilly puts Erin to bed, she lies next to me with her head on my chest and April right beside me sleeping I smile ", my family is safe". I hope?

Lilly wakes up crying, I sit next to her "hey baby what's wrong..?" She says, I had a dream that they took april again"

I say, baby they are not gonna take april I promise.."

As she lies next to me, I hold her tight. As I hear Erin crying I get up to go check on him. As I hold Erin in my arms, I say "it's OK my little man, your okay".

As I sit in my chair with Erin in my hands I fall asleep I start dreaming it's my mom, I start crying "mom, mom is that you" as she walks over to me she hugs me, she says don't worry ill be with you soon, not now but Goodluck war is coming keep your babies and your girlfriend safe"

I say, mom mom what do you mean as I wake up, bombs go off and theirs screaming and yelling, with walkers and killers everywhere?its Rockwell, I grab Erin, lilly and april and my little brother we all go hide in the sewer I cry as I kiss lilly I say, "baby keep them safe I have to go help" as tears drip from my lovers face, she hugs me tight "come back to me please, I need you".

As I head up tears drip down my face, as Rockwell speaks h says "well, well, ain't it josh hart Smith, the one they call the leader after your mother died"

I say, "don't you dare mention my mother, keep her name out of your mouth" as April runs out, she yells "daddy, it's mommy she can't breathe"

I start panicking as I pick april up I place her back in the sewer as Mr Owen and lucas put gasoline in the river and around Rockwell hey start it and it goes off but Rockwell shoots and gets me in my chest. It's the next morning as I'm getting patched up lilly in the room next to me I go and check on her, "I sit next to her as she is asleep" I grab her hand, hey baby you awake, i wanted to make sure you were okay " as April comes in she says "mommys awake".

Chapter 7

The new outsiders

April is 17 and Erin is 14 now, we were at the park for a picnic until April walked over and seen a kid her age sitting by a tree.

APRILS PERSPECTIVE

As I walk over to the kid, I say "I have never seen you here before".