.・゜-: ✧☾　☽✧ :-゜・.

𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀 𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐎 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐋. She hadn't spoken to Levi since, despite his many tries to talk to her. He would be the first one in her cell when she woke up screaming from a nightmare, but she refused to talk to him even then. The nightmares kept plaguing her nights leaving her in a long-lasting fear of falling back asleep. The girl's mind felt clouded, thoughts and memories swimming in a hazy fog caused by the lack of sleep.

Beth was the only one Stella would talk to. Mainly because the Greene girl was stubborn enough to not leave Stella's side even when Stella told her to go. But also because they both shared the grief of a family member's recent death. No one knew what happened to Ellie, but after three days of searching through the tombs without any luck, they assumed she died.

"You need to eat," Beth said. "You haven't eaten in days."

Stella looked up at the girl who stood in her doorway. Beth held the newborn in her arms as she sat down on a chair in Stella's cell. About an hour ago, Beth brought a bowl of what looked like oatmeal, only dryer and with a smell of old milk. The Grimes girl hadn't bothered to even touch it. Eating was the last thing on her mind.

"She's got Lori's eyes." Beth smiled as she stared at the little girl in her arms making Stella scoff. "She does. I swear."

"Do you wanna hold her?" Beth asked earning no response. The baby was several days old and had been held by everyone except for her older sister. Stella didn't hate or blame her for what happened. Without even holding her she loved her with all her heart, she just couldn't show it. She wasn't strong enough to look at the life that replaced her mother's.

"Stella," Beth repeated.

"Beth, I-" Stella sighed.

"You're her older sister. You should be the one holding her. Not me."

Stella stared at the blonde for a moment before swallowing hard. An accomplished smile spread across Beth's face before she walked over to Stella. She gently placed the young girl in Stella's arms.

The weight of her small body felt like a lost piece from a puzzle that had been found. She couldn't explain it. She was shocked by the amount of love she already had for this child.

The little girl was beautiful. She had beautiful dark, mossy green eyes which stared back at hers. She was perfect.

For a moment, time stopped and everything around them faded. The comfort she felt from this child. This child that was gonna grow up without her mother. At that moment, Stella promised herself to fill that void of not having a mom. To always protect this child, no matter what. To choose her happiness over her own.

Stella's vision blurred with tears and she let out a small laugh. She couldn't contain the excitement bubbling within her. her giggle was infectious as if happiness had unlocked a wellspring of childlike wonder.

"Hey there." A bright smile inhabited her face and a single tear rolled down her cheek.

She gently poked her small nose with her finger causing a smile to spread across the baby's face. The baby wrapped its fingers around Stella's and held her big sister. A single squeeze to convey the bond between the sisters. She held the baby closer, hugging her as if life depended on it. Stella's eyes misted over at the feeling of comfort like this baby was the only thing left of her mother.

She didn't even notice when Beth left the room, or when Carl peaked into the cell before sinking down on the bed next to her. It wasn't until the boy leaned his head against Stella's shoulder that she noticed his presence. She wrapped her free arm around her brother, holding her two siblings tightly, in a moment of peace.

"Are you sad?" Carl asked once they had unraveled from the hug.

"No, I'm happy." Stella smiled and brushed her thumb over Carl's cheek before they joined in another hug. This time, she could hear as Carl tried to suppress his sobs.

"Hey, hey, look at me, baby." Stella pulled away and stared deeply into Carl's glossy eyes.

"She's gone. I couldn't protect her and now she's gone." Carl sniffled, breaking Stella's heart into a million pieces. Suddenly she felt awful for hiding away in her own cell, leaving Carl to mourn alone. Since their father had disappeared into the tombs, Stella was the only family Carl had. And she had left him.

Stella shook her head as her eyes filled with tears once again. She tried to find the words to comfort the boy. Lori never had any problems with that. She always said the right thing to make her children feel better. Stella always admired that in her. Now she felt beaten as she pondered what to say.

"You couldn't have done anything. No one could've stopped what happened." Stella managed to say but it wasn't enough. No words could heal what Carl felt.

"Why her?" He sobbed, doing everything to not look Stella in the eye. "Why does everyone always die around me?"

"Carl.."

"First Sophia. Then Shane and now Mom."

"Listen. There was nothing you could've done to save them. I know it hurts but you'll heal. We all will." Stella tried to keep eye contact with the boy but he squirmed trying to hide the hurt in his eyes. "Look at me." She forced his head around to look at her. "Dad's still here. And now you have a little sister and I promise you, I'll always be here. I won't leave you. Never."

Stella wrapped her arms around her brother hoping to comfort him. She felt like the worst sister on the planet. How could she have let him go through this alone? She hadn't even spoken to him since Lori died because she was shying away, feeling sorry for herself. She started to think that maybe Levi was right and she hated it.

_____________________

Stella finally forced herself out of bed. The rising sun revealed that it was early in the morning. She along with Carl walked into the main cellblock where everyone sat gathered around the round tables, sharing a meal. Stella prayed and hoped that Levi wouldn't be there but she was wrong. The boy stood next to one of the tables, eagerly discussing something with Maggie and Daryl, holding what looked like a phone book.

Stella's entrance didn't go unnoticed as the door creaked open when she walked inside, still carrying her little sister. Everyone's heads spun around in her direction - some faces looking happy about her presence while others stared at her with worry painted across their faces.

The room fell silent as Stella dragged herself over to an empty seat next to Glenn who placed a comforting arm on her back. Stella hated the awkward silence. She hated feeling everyone's eyes on her.

"Are you okay?" Glenn asked, earning a quick nod from the girl.

"Dad... Is he still..?" Stella asked Glenn as she handed her little sister to Beth.

"He's clearing out some bodies in the tombs. He should probably be back soon." The man gave Stella a reassuring smile.

Stella's gaze met Levi's but she quickly looked away. She could still feel him staring at her like he wanted to say something but it wasn't the time. Not in front of everyone. She hated him. She hated the way he made her feel weak the other day. She hated him for shouting at her when she needed him the most. She hated the way he seemed to have moved on. But most of all, she hated the fact that everything he told her the other day was true.

"We're running low on ammo. I'm planning on heading out to find some supplies." Glenn informed the group as he stood up.

"I'll go with you." Maggie stood up but Stella stopped her.

"I can go." As much as she wanted to rot away in her cell she couldn't stand reading that name again. She couldn't stand the silence. She wanted out and away from everyone. She needed fresh air. Plus, Glenn was pretty good at reading the room and knew when Stella wanted to talk or just simply sit in silence.

Everyone stared at her like she was a lunatic asking to go shopping.

Glenn stammered something for a moment before Maggie interrupted him. "It's fine. Go ahead." She smiled.

______________________

Half an hour later Stella packed her things into the red truck parked in front of the prison. Daryl stood next to her and spoke about arrows that he was hoping Stella would find. He told her a bunch of numbers and measures which she knew she would forget as soon as they started the car. Still, she acted like she understood every word and nodded along.

Stella then sat down in the passenger seat as she waited for Glenn. She fidgeted anxiously with her mother's wedding ring. There had been moments when she wanted to run to the closest lake and dump it in there like the day in the boiler room with Levi. Sometimes it felt like it was suffocating her.

The car door flew open and someone jumped inside. Except it wasn't Glenn.

"Buckle up," Levi said calmly like it was the most casual thing in the world. She hated the way he said it, almost like what happened in the boiler room didn't mean anything. Like it was the easiest thing to move past.

"Where's Glenn?" Stella questioned.

"He's looking out for your dad," Levi replied.

"Dad can take care of himself," Stella said firmly even though they both knew that wasn't true.

"Not right now. Neither can you so I'm going." Levi said, starting the car before driving off. Stella wasn't sure what to do or say so she just stared at him before slowly sinking into her seat. She hated him for the way he was acting.

Her gaze was fixated on the passing trees on the side of the road, trying everything to not look at him.

An awkward car ride later they parked the car in front of a store they had found in a phone book. Stella hurried out of the car and slammed the door behind her.

"Shhh!" Levi hushed her. "Do you want to attract every walker in the area?!"

Stella ignored him before approaching the store with her gun aimed in front of her. Their surroundings were quiet. But not quiet like in her cell. More still. The only thing she could hear was the wind, blowing through the trees and some birds in the distance. The sun warmed the bare skin on her arms and with every breath, she could feel as the fresh spring air filled her nostrils. If it was any other day this would be a beautiful day.

Stella used her bultsax to cut open the door that had been locked with metal chains tangled around the handle. As she opened the door, Levi quickly slipped inside before her. She rolled her eyes and watched as Levi acted like a hero and protector. The girl scanned the other side of the store making sure there weren't any walkers around before the two began to grab what they needed.

"Stella," Levi said after several moments of silence and the girl immediately understood what he was about to say, but she didn't want to hear it. She wasn't ready to forgive him.

"I'm so sorry for what I said back in that room. I feel like shit. I can't sleep, I can barely eat."
Stella saw the struggle in his eyes. She didn't talk. Instead, she waited for him to find the words.

"If there was anything I could do to take it back, I would. I'd do anything to switch places with you right now. I wish I could. Stella, just know that I don't think you're insane. I understand you." The boy sank down in an armchair, keeping his gaze away from Stella who stood leaning against a shelf and listened carefully. "I never told you much about my family or how they died." He began to explain. "My dad was an ass. I wouldn't even call him dad. He was bit on the day of the outbreak, along with my mom. My mom was the sweetest person. I loved her more than life. I would've probably given up if it weren't for Astrid."

Stella froze when she heard the name. The same name that Levi had mentioned the day they found Sophia in the barn. She had tried to ask him about it but he always changed the subject. She could see the suppressed grief in his eyes as he spoke about her.

"Astrid was my little sister. We escaped together. If it weren't for her I would've given up, or opted out" He quoted Dr Jenner. "She was my best friend. I loved her with every part of my soul. When we escaped from our town I swore to protect her but instead, I failed her. We had been walking for ages when the dead appeared out of nowhere." Stella watched as Levi's head tilted down slightly as he tried to hide his pooled eyes. "She was only six when she died. I was so scared... I didn't know what to do. I just left her in a house. I couldn't kill her." Levi's voice broke. "I failed her. Just like I failed Sophia. Just like I failed you."

Stella made her way over to the boy and sat on her knees in front of him. She knew that Levi's family was dead but she never knew how or when it happened. She never knew about his little sister or the fact that he lost his family in less than a day.

"Hey, look at me."

The boy tilted his head up, revealing his glossy eyes.

"You can't blame yourself for what happened to them." Stella tried to gain eye contact with him. "You did all you could. Astrid would've been so proud of her older brother. You've come far. You survived alone, longer than any of us could have. You haven't failed me, okay?"

"What I said to you that day. I can never forgive myself for that." A tear rolled down Levi's cheek.

"I'm not sure if I can forgive you either. Not yet. But I will." Stella said.

_________________

A few moments later, Stella stood by the car and packed their stuff into it. Levi remained inside, stuffing his bag with all sorts of toys and baby products.

"We just hit the powdered formula jackpot." A big accomplished smile spread across the boy's face. "I also got beans, batteries, corn, and many mustards. It's a straight shot back to the prison from here. We'll probably make it back home in time for dinner." Levi said as he placed his findings in the car.

"It feels weird. Having something to call home." Stella smiled.

"And where is it ya'll good people call home?" A familiar voice shouted causing the two teens to hastily spin around. Stella knew who the voice belonged to before she saw his face. She was still hit with shock when she saw him appear from behind a car with his gun pointed at the teen's faces. Merle Dixon.

She never thought that she would meet him ever again. When she last met him, she hated his guts. He was always awful to everyone in the group. Something told her that he would be nicer now after they left him to die.

"Merle?"

The man lowered his gun and chuckled as he realized who the familiar girl standing in front of him was. The man raised his arms in surrender, revealing the big metal prosthetic, there to replace his old one. His face was stained with blood, running from his nose.

"Wow!" He chuckled as he moved closer to the two.

"Hey! Back the hell up!" Levi took a step forward. "You know this guy?"

"He's Daryl's brother," Stella said shortly.

"Can you tell me, is he alive?" Merle asked.

Stella remained silent for a moment as she pondered on what to say.

"Is he alive?" Merle repeated.

"Yeah." Stella's answer caused Merle to chuckle once again.

"Hey, you two take me to him and we'll call it even on everything that happened up there in Atlanta. No hard feelings, huh?"

Fear ran through Stella's body. She knew that she couldn't trust Merle. She also knew that he would do anything to see his brother, maybe even harming two innocent teenagers. His prosthetic arm had a sharp blade attached to it, something Stella didn't want to get near. Merle noticed the way the girl stared at his arm causing him to smile and lift it up slightly.

"You like that? Yeah. Well, I found myself a medical supply warehouse. Fixed it up myself. Pretty cool, huh?"

"We'll tell Daryl you're here and he'll come out and meet you," Levi said firmly, not impressed by the man's arm at all.

"Hold on. Just hold on." The man took a sharp step toward the boy.

"Back off." Stella stepped between the two with her gun aimed at the man's head.

"Woah, Hold up." Merle froze. "The fact that we found each other is a miracle. Come on now, you can trust me. We're old buddies. Right, Stella?" He almost pleaded.

"You trust us and you stay here," Stella said.

Merle took a deep breath and the Grimes girl could see how angry her words made him. Despite the fear she felt she remained tall and firm. The man's gaze shifted between the two teenagers. A small smile appeared on his face and for a moment Stella thought that he was gonna listen to her orders. But she was wrong. The Dixon man's hand was quickly wrapped around a spare gun in his holster before he lifted it at the two teens. Stella jumped to the side of the trunk as the man fired a shot at the back window causing glass to scatter over her. Before she had time to react she felt someone grab hold of her. She kicked and tried to fight against the strong arms wrapped around her until she felt the end of a gun attach to her temple. She froze instantly.

Levi appeared from the other side of the car with his gun in front of him. Fear was painted across his face as he stared at Stella, held at gunpoint by the man.

"Woah, hold on there, pretty boy." Merle grinned, pressing the gun harder against Stella's face.

"Let go of her. Let go of her!" Levi shouted hoping to scare the man.

"Put that gun in the car right now. Put it in the car son." Merle ordered.

Levi's face scrunched up before he slowly obeyed and placed his gun in the car. His eyes narrowed as he stared at the man, in pure anger.

"There you go. Now, do you know how to drive?" Merle asked but earned no response. "Never mind, you'll figure it out. We're gonna go for a little ride." Merle gave Levi a triumphant smile.

"I'm not taking you back to our camp," Levi said firmly.

"No, we're going somewhere else." The Dixon man said. "Get in the car, pretty boy. You're driving."

_____ ˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚ _____
𝟑𝟐𝟕𝟗 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬
_____ ˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚ _____

𝐀/𝐍

this chapter is kinda rushed and I'm sorry for that. Might be some misspellings bcs I didn't proof read this sorry. I had no time since I've had a lot of exams I hope u can understand