Natalia Lowery stood with her back against her kitchen counter, tapping her nails, staring into space. Her husband, Shawn, practically skipped down the stairs into the kitchen. "Good morning", he said, greeting her happily with a kiss.

"Oh, my God, is that Shawn Evans, senior executive assistant in my kitchen right now?"

"It sure is. So, what do you think? Do I look the part?"

"Well, you look handsome. I know that much"

"I'm gonna be sitting in on a huge lunch meeting today. This is the start of something big"

"I'm so proud of you"

He smiled and then looked to their one-year-old daughter, Ruth, who was silently and messily spooning porridge into her mouth.

The toast popped up behind Natalia and she speedily put the slices onto a plate. She placed it on the breakfast bar and put her hand on the back of her husband's head before sitting down.

"Broadcasting on emergency channel", a voice could be heard through the walkie-talkie. "Will be approaching Atlanta on Highway 85. Anybody reads, please respond. Hello. Hello. Can anybody hear my voice? Anybody out there? Anybody hears me, please respond. Hello, can you hear my voice? Hello. Hello. Can anybody hear my voice?" Dale whipped around from where he was sitting. He started to rush over but Natalia got there first. She grabbed the walkie-talkie. "Hey. Hello", she said.

"Can you hear my voice?"

"Yes, I can hear you. You're coming through. Over?"

"If anybody reads, please respond. Broadcasting on emergency channel. Will be approaching Atlanta on Highway 85. If anybody reads, please respond"

"We're just outside the city"

The radio crackled.

"Damn it. Hello? Hello? He couldn't hear me. I couldn't warn him"

"Try to raise him again", Dale urged. "Come on, son, you know best how to work this thing". Shane came over and took the walkie from Natalia. "Hello, hello. Is the person who called still on the air?" he said. "This is officer Shane Walsh broadcasting to person unknown. Please respond". The radio still simply crackled.

"He's gone"

"There are others. It's not just us", Shawn pointed out.

"We knew there would be, right? That's why we left the CB on"

"A lot of good it's been doing", Lori commented.

"Okay"

"And I've been saying for a week we ought to put signs up on 85 to warn people away from the city"

"Folks got no idea what they're getting into", Amy agreed. "Well, we haven't had time", Shane argued. "I think we need to make time," Lori said.

"Yeah, that... That's a luxury we can't afford. We are surviving here. We are day to day"

"And who the hell would you propose we send?" Dale asked. "I'll go. Give me a vehicle", Lori offered. "Nobody goes anywhere alone. You know that", Shane said.

"Yes, sir". She walked off.

Carl started to go after her but Shane stopped him. "Hey, hey, hey. Go on, take a seat, bud. You're alright. Go on. You're alright". He went after her.

Natalia stood up, looking at her husband. "There they go again, acting we're all goddamn stupid", she stated, rolling her eyes. Shawn laughed lightly. "Come on, Carol picked some daisies", he said. "She's gonna help Ruth make flower crowns". 

hope you enjoyed! comment your opinions! sorry this one is so short, there's not a lot of content for my ocs in episode one but i'll make up for it next chapter!