At dawn, I awoke, like clockwork. As soon as the sun peeked over the horizon my eyes shot open. I was so used to being on the run that as soon it was day my body was ready to go. I didn't get much sleep but I had gotten used to that fact at this point.

I sat up in my bed, stretched, and cracked my neck. The sound of Daryl's light snores filled the cellblock. I had gotten used to that too. After waking myself up more, I stood and found some clean work clothes I had folded underneath the bed. I put on a pair of jeans, a tank top, and boots. I threw on a jean jacket which I knew would be tied around my waist as soon as the sun rose higher in the sky.

I went quietly to the bathroom, trying not to wake anyone up, especially Judith. I washed my face and stared at the scar that ran through my right eyebrow and down part of my cheek. I almost forgot about it sometimes since I didn't see at my reflection much. But it was there. Another reminder of what I'd been through.

We never found out what happened with the people that had taken me. Some of my group went back to take the rest out or come up with a solution but they weren't there along with all of their stuff.

I brushed my teeth with cold water. I then tied my hair up in a ponytail before heading to an exit.

I began my day by hauling boiled water to the horses and pigs from the jugs in the courtyard. Hershel and Rick wanted to guarantee the animals were as healthy as they could be so we assigned more people to make clean water. I filled a couple of buckets up and lifted the heavy receptacles onto the four-wheeler. Using bungee cords, I secured the buckets as well as I could. I had to drive pretty slowly to make sure water wouldn't spill everywhere. When I got to the pens I poured the buckets into the animals' tanks. I did this a few more times to fill the tanks up all the way.

Halfway through my hauling, I noticed Rick leave through the fences with his own large bucket in hand. I was not sure what he was up to, but I always worried about him going out without his gun. Even though I knew he was capable of wielding a knife, the outside can be unpredictable. Especially when the governor was still out there somewhere.

I gave the horses their hay and spent some time brushing both Poe and Flame. Carl would come to care for the pigs with Rick when he woke up.

I noticed Rick come back through the fence. When he spotted me looking at him, he waved. I waved back with the brush in hand. I went back to my task as the man walked over to me.

"They look nice," he told me referring to the horses.

I ran my hand along Poe's dark back. "It won't last for long. Michonne is taking Flame out today. At least this guy will stay nice and purdy for a minute," I said.

Rick chuckled and shook his head at my use of the word purdy.

I motioned over to the bucket he had sat in the grass. "What you got there?"

Rick lifted the bucket and tipped the opening toward me. It was filled with pink, purple, and white cosmos. My eyes lit up.

"Where did you find those?" I asked.

"Just behind the prison there," he answered, pointing. "Figured you could do something with them. Make this place a little more purdy."

I smiled. "Cosmos are one of my favorites. You reading my mind, Grimes?"

Rick smiled back, exposing his teeth. "No. Just a good guess. Sometimes I wish I could though," he joked. "I'm glad you like 'em."

I bent down to the bucket and noticed he had dug them up by the roots before I said, "You thought of everything, huh?"

Rick bent down next to me. His beard was getting long and greying in spots. "Wanted to make sure you had options," he responded.

The man extended his muscular arm into the bucket and pulled out a white flower that had been snapped off at the stem. He then reached over and moved some hair that had gotten loose from my ponytail behind my ear. His fingertips lingered on my cheek for just a moment. I could feel my face starting to get red. Rick then placed the flower on my ear.

"There," he stated, admiring his work. "Now everyone will know what your job is for the day."

It was just an innocent gesture, but part of me didn't want it to be just that. As I looked at Rick,  the other part of me instantly took over and I pulled away from those thoughts. Getting too close to someone gets them killed. No matter how captivating their blue eyes are.

The both of us stood. Rick reached into his back pocket and handed me a trowel.

"I gotta get Judith up. I'm excited to see what you decide to do," he said.

"We'll see," I spoke quickly and unenthusiastically.

Rick furrowed his eyebrows at my sudden mood change but he didn't question it. All he did was respond with, "Well, I'll see you around."

As he walked off, I touched the flower on my ear, and the corners of my mouth couldn't help but go up slightly.

___

I ended up planting the cosmos around the graves in the field. It was such a depressing area, and I thought if I could put at least a little beauty here, maybe people would feel better about visiting their loved ones. I paid extra attention to Lori's grave. She had brought such wonderful children into this world so the least I could do was make her final resting place filled with flowers, even if she wasn't in it. I knew Rick and Carl would appreciate it too.

I wiped the sweat from my forehead after finishing planting the last flower. The smell of cooking venison wafted through the air. As soon as it hit my nostrils my stomach growled. I followed the scent to the food serving area we had set up.

Many people from Woodbury, and others Rick and Daryl had saved, had already been served. I noticed Beth trying to hold Judith and feed herself.

"Let me take her," I offered, holding out my hands.

"Please," she responded, exasperated.

Beth set down her plate and handed the growing child to me. I bounced her around which caused her to giggle and smile.

"You like that Judy?" I said.

Judith reached for the flower behind my ear. I grabbed it and showed it to her. If I handed it to her she'd try putting it in her mouth like she did with everything now.

"You like it? Your daddy gave it to me. And your mommy has some now too." I put the flower behind her ear. "Pretty girl."

Judith smiled up at me and grabbed onto my shirt. She leaned her head against my chest. I brushed through the little hair she had with my fingers. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, imagining what could have been if all of this hadn't happened.

I opened my eyes to see Rick coming up through the courtyard. Carl was walking next to him. Based on Carl's lack of hat, I knew they had just finished with the pigs. The two were talking and laughing with each other. My heart warmed at the sight.

Judith saw her dad and instantly reached for him. Rick noticed this and chuckled to himself before pointing Carl over to us. Father and son walked over.

"Did Jo give you a little gift?" Rick asked his child. He looked up at me. "I saw what you did with the flowers. Thank you."

"It was really beautiful. Mom would have loved it," Carl added.

"Of course," I said. "Even though I never met her, I wanted to do something meaningful for her."

"Go grab something, Carl. You've worked hard already today," Rick said.

"Yeah, okay," answered the kid before making his way over.

Judith continued reaching for Rick. Her father took her in his arms. Rick observed the scene around him, taking it all in.

"How have you been doing lately?" Rick asked, suddenly.

"Fine," I responded. "Why?"

"Just feel like I haven't asked you for a minute." Rick paused and adjusted Judith in his hip. "Can you meet me later, in the guard tower by the gate?"

"Yeah, I think so, what do you need?"

"Need someone in case we need to use the rifle. I've been put on watch and the council is trying to convince me to use a gun again, but I'm not ready for that. I'll be there at dusk. See you then." Rick bobbed his head and joined his son at a table.

I went over to Carol who was handling the food. Daryl walked up next to me.

"You're good with her," he told me. "Real mommy material."

He winked at me with a sly smile on his face.

I punched his bare, grimy arm. "Yeah, whatever."

Daryl punched me back.

"Ow!" I exaggerated.

"You're tough, you can handle it. You still coming on the run later?"

I nodded. "As long as I'm not needed elsewhere I'll be there."

We both grabbed a plate as multiple people greeted Daryl.

"Smells good," Daryl told Carol.

"Just so you know, I liked you first," Carol said with a sly smile.

"Stop." Daryl stuffed a piece of meat in his mouth. "You know, Rick brought in a lot of them, too."

"Not recently. Give a stranger sanctuary, keeping people fed, you're gonna have to learn to live with the love."

I elbowed the man. "She's right. You're one of the most popular guys here."

"Yeah, right," he mumbled.

"I need you to see something," Carol told the archer. "Patrick, you want to take over?"

"Yes, ma'am," Patrick said eagerly. He grabbed the spatula. "Mr. Dixon. I just wanted to thank you for bringing that deer back. It's a real treat, sir. And I'd be honored to shake your hand."

Patrick reached out his hand. Daryl then licked all of his fingers before shaking it.

"You're so gross," I laughed.

Daryl shrugged before walking off with Carol. I reached out my plate and let Patrick serve me.

"You keeping up with your reading, Pat?" I asked him.

"Oh, yes ma'am!" he exclaimed. "I'm almost finished."

"You've been doing great on all your quizzes. I'm sure you'll tie Carl this time on the test."

Patrick took in a deep breath. "I sure hope so. I think I'll be ready to take it tomorrow."

I raised an eyebrow. "You sure? You still have to finish reading."

"I've been studying as I've been going along. I want to keep my confidence up so I want to take it as soon as I can."

I smiled at the boy. "Okay. You can take it tomorrow. You're a smart kid, Pat. I believe you can do it."

"Thank you Miss Hawk," Patrick said with a grin.

"Have a good day, mister."

I waved to Patrick as I walked off eating my food. I ate while getting ready for the run.

___

The group of us walked through store, searching for anything that could be useful. I grabbed a a few dented cans of green beans that rolled under the shelves. I stuffed these cans in my bag. As I walked through the aisles I saw Glenn holding a camera and staring at a display with babies on it.

"You good?" I asked him.

Glenn jumped a little at my voice. "Yeah, yeah. I'm fine."

I squinted at the man. "Glenn."

He sighed and patted the camera box. "Maggie might be pregnant," he whispered.

I felt the blood drain from my face but I tried not to show my worry. I wasn't necessarily surprised that he told me this secret. Maggie and him were my closest friends here besides Rick. Although I felt like a third wheel at times, I trusted the two lovers with everything.

I grabbed him Glenn's arm. "Are you sure?"

He shrugged, his riot gear shifting. "We don't know for sure yet. I don't know what to do."

"We'll figure it out. You're not alone in this," I told him, looking him in the eyes.

"I know. Just after Lori... I don't know if I could handle it."

"Let's not think about that right now. We need to get through this run first. One thing at a time. It'll be okay, I promise. I'll make sure of it."

Glenn nodded. "Yeah, okay."

Suddenly, something crashed down and glass shattered on the ground. Both of our heads turned quickly to the source of the sound.

"What happened?" Glenn yelled.

"Everyone's all right," Zack announced. "We're over in wine and beer."

Then, out of nowhere, the walker fell through the ceiling. It hung from the beams from its own intestines. Glenn and I ran over and stared up at the site.

"Yeah, we should probably go now," stammered Glenn.

My eyes darted around. "I agree."

"Bob's still stuck," Daryl said. "Get him out of there."

"We'll get the others," Michonne added.

More and more walkers began plummeting through the tiled ceiling. Water had leaked in from the outside, making the it soft enough for them to bust through.

"Shit!" I shouted.

A walker fell down on top of Glenn and I. It knocked us both to the ground but landed on the man. On my left a walker growled in my ear. It began crawling toward me, trying to grab at me. I didn't have time to grab my knife so I quickly unholstered my revolver and sent a bullet through its skull. As I got to my feet I saw Glenn bashing the walker's head in that was on him. When it was dead, I reached out my hand and helped him up.

"Are you okay?" I questioned.

"Yeah, you?"

"I think so."

More walkers came at us. Glenn and I put our backs up against each other. I shot two of them in the head while Glenn did the same behind me. When it was clear, we went to cover the rest of the group. I shot at a walker that was lunging for Tyreese.

The ceiling began falling in completely. Daryl got Bob out from the shelf but a walker grabbed Zack's leg and bit into it. The boy screamed out in pain.

"Zack!" Glenn yelled.

We all watched helplessly for a moment. The walker bit into his neck. Blood was everywhere. The boy was already gone and the building was about to collapse.

"Go!" Daryl commanded with a wave.

Michonne, Tyreese, Sasha, Daryl, Bob, Glenn, and I ran out as everything fell behind us. We all got clear of the wreckage. The store was now just a pile of rubble.

"We got to get out of here before the sound draws more in," I said.

"There's already more heading this way," Sasha stated. "Let's get to the cars, quickly."

We all drove off in silence. We thought it would be a simple run with all of us going. But nothing is ever simple, is it? I got too comfortable. Maybe I could have prevented Zack's death if I had been more vigilant. But that's never helped me before, has it?

Everyone always dies.

At least I made the graveyard pretty.