★。＼｜／。★
｡☆✼★━━━━━━★✼☆｡
❝ are there still beautiful things? ❞
𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝖎

CARRIE BLAKE HAD her back pressed against a tree, and breath steady and her hands gripping the metal rod between her fingers. the ridged edges of broken bark of old worn wood dug in to the fabric of her hoodie that protected her from splinters.

Her head turned against the wind, sending orange to block her view, whips of curls tickling against her face as the wind pushed them to her.  One hand let go the the rod, quickly reaching to free her face from their confinement.

Blue met brown half way as the eyes of Maggie Greene stared back at her. The woman was in the same position as her, her back against and tree and a steel rod in her hands, and a look of anticipation plastered on her face.

Dead leaves of spring swam in the wind, past their feet against the forest dirt path that separated the two, with some leaves falling from above to join the pattern. 

A light breath pushed past her lips, but wasn't heard over the natural noises of the forest. They used the noise as their guide, ears peaked with interest to all the noises the tree covered plane held in store for them, eyes cutting through the air like a knife following after the sources of the noise. 

The far away sound of a branch snapping loudly was heard, causing their heads to in turn snap in each direction, the noise being too far to tell which direction it came from. The both of them held their breaths in hopes of hearing the noise once more, but instead of the soft crack of a branch snapping underfoot, a ear piercing shriek flung through the trees, sending birds flying skyward off the tree branches they once sat on.

Carrie winced from the loud sound, filling the quiet abruptly, head flinging towards Maggies form, which was running in the screams direction. Collecting herself, Carrie ran after her, hand clutching after the metal rod, one hand over her ears as another scream sounded, running on longer that the first, growing louder and louder with each step she ran.

The two stepped into a clearing, a large grey rock laying jaggedly in the middle of it, covered, and surrounded, by dead fallen leaves. The screams were louder than before, yet it wasn't on their side. Maggie began to circle her way around the rock, hands at the ready, rod high above her head, ready to swing the wire over a walkers neck.

The sight of a young girl caused her mouth to drop open, yet she didn't stop her approach. Seemingly sensing her approach, the walker let go of its screaming victim, allowing the girl to drop to the floor, clutching at her shoulder. The walker began limping towards Maggie, as Carrie entered the other side of the rock, gasping at the sight.

"Get the girl." Maggie said, before swing the rod down, wire wrapping around the undead things neck. At he command, Carrie leapt forward, towards the girl, angling away from the walker that was struggling trying to get forward. She leaned her rod aganst the rock and knelt down, the panicked girl looked up at her, eyes wide in fear, blood spilling through the cracks of the fingers held to her neck. 

"Help me." The girl whimpered out, tears spilling from her eyes, streaking down her dirt covered face. 

Carries eyes found the girls injured shoulder, and seeing the blood seeping from the wound, she tore a long, jagged, rectangle  from the bottom old white shirt she was wearing, ripping easily due to its worn out fabric.

"Can you move your hand for me?" Carrie gently asked, holding up the ripped piece of shirt, that would be the girls bandage for the time being. The girl removed her hand, showcasing a large chunk of her skin being missing, forming the shape of a bite mark.

Though in shock, Carrie held her composure, gently placing an end over the wound, gently lifting up the girls arm, earning a cry, beginning to wrap the makeshift bandage around the girls arm. She  finished and leaned back, letting out a heavy breath, before turning back to Maggie, who was already staring back at them, with worried eyes.

"What's your name?" Maggie softly questioned the girl.

The girl took pained breaths, lips parting, seemingly wanting to respond. After a round of gasping breaths, the girl finally responded, stuttering out her name, "S-Sophia." Her pants for breaths began to quicken, shortening with each, eyes going in and out of focus, eyelids fluttering, longing to close.

"No, no, no. Don't sleep, don't close your eyes." Carrie began, eyes flooding with worry, "Do you think you can stand?" The girl nodded in her sleepy haze, which caused, Carrie to carefully help the girl to her feet, wrapping her good arm around her shoulder, her own arm going around her waist, supporting her weak frame. "We got a farm, we can take you to it, just keep your eyes open."

Weight fell hard upon her shoulder, causing her to look over to the girl, bundles of blonde hair blocked her view from the girls face, but there was no doubt that the girl had passed out.

Maggie must've noticed as well as he voice sounded behind her, "Come on, lets get back before she turns." 

Carrie picked up her rod, from off the side of the rock it was leaning on, and off they went. Quickly following the leave covered path back towards the farm, haste in there step at the thought of the girl in Carries arm turning at any moment.

The girl looked to be no older than Carrie, must've been the same age. Carrie glanced over at the girl with eyes of sadness, at the fact that such horror could befall someone so young. But horror could befall anyone these days. Yet Carrie Blake still had hope, the thought of beautiful things keeping her going. If there were any beautiful things waiting for her. Were their still beautiful things?

A soft, ugly, growl from beside her shook her from beautiful thoughts.