TAINTED YOUTH. orginal.
014   Memory lane
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THE LIGHTS, ALTHOUGH DIM — BURNED HALLIE'S EYES. Her head was pounding and the nauseous pit in her stomach was bound to result in her vomiting. Hallie's skin was clammy and pale, the fluorescent lights reflected off her skin.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" A voice spoke, causing Hallie to look up. "I heard you, killed one of my men."

Hallie inhaled shakily. Shane had taught her how to handle men like him when she was just a child. "Kill or be killed, mister" she stated, the rope burning her skin at every movement.

Jackson paled. He was stood by the door, gripping his rifle. The Governor glared ad Hallie, a harsh sound of skin to skin echoed the room as the man used the back of his hand to hit her. Hallie's head hung to the side for a moment before she spat blood on the floor.

"Prick" she muttered.

The Governor rubbed his hands together, as he began circling her like a hawk did to its prey. Jackson had to admit — the girl was tough as nails, but she'd crack.

Everyone did.

The man laughed. "You, some kid just comes and kills one of my men and then calls me the prick?"

Hallie scoffed. "I killed your man after he chased me from a town, basically felt me up and then your other little boys drugged and kidnapped me" she hissed, her eyes blurring back into focus.

"That's a bit far fetched" He drawled, coming to lean infront of her. The man reached out and brushed a strand of hair from her face before standing and looking at Jackson.

"Let her rot in her for a few days. No food or water, see how she likes it then" The Governor ordered, banging on the door and walking out when it was closed.

Jackson looked at Hallie with pity. He nodded his head at the girl before following him out and the metal door slammed shut. Hallie let her head fall back.

Shit.

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Lee looked at Beth with pleading eyes. "Beth, listen it's been seven days and she's not back — Maggie and Glenn are being held in some town and we need the extra hands, so please tell us where she is" the man begged, holding her hands tightly.

Beth squeezed his hand, and shook her head. "She said if she's not back by dark then I can tell you guys..."

"Beth our sister is missing!" Lee scoffed, his voice raising causing Beth to flinch.

"You don't think I know that! She's my sister too, your not the only one worried!" Beth exclaimed, coming to a stand.

Hershel cleared his throat, "you two need to calm down! They are out there getting Maggie and Glenn — you two fighting won't make it any quicker. Hallie said she'd be back tonight, if she isn't — we'll worry then. Lee say sorry to your sister, Beth say sorry to your brother."

"Sorry."

"Same"

Hershel let out an exasperated sigh but nonetheless shook his head. "Settled?" He asked.

"Settled" Lee nodded.

Hershel walked away and Beth sat down.

"Stars." She whispered. Lee raised his eyebrow. "She carved stars to let us know where she was going" Beth spoke, opening her hand and showing Lee.

The man nodded, kissing his sisters head before running from the cell.

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Jackson stood against the metal door, is head leant against the cold surface as his mind went a million miles per hour. He couldn't think. He couldn't eat. He couldn't breathe.

Was this his fault?

This kid is tied up in a chair after he told her to run. He couldn't comprehend how she was this unlucky.

Looking around he noticed all other soilders were either asleep or tasked at the gate. It was past dark, and with the curfew no one would be around.

His hand shook slightly as he opened the door.

Hallie looked up as the door creaked open. The light creeped into the dark room causing the girl to squint.

Shutting the door over, only leaving a crack — Jackson placed his gun against the wall.

"What the hell are you doing?" Hallie whispered, her eyes wide as he took his knife and began cutting through the duct tape.

Jackson looked up and grinned, "what does it look like? I'm getting you outta' here."

Pulling the tape for her ankles and wrists, Jackson pulled the girl from the chair. Quickly, Jackson pulled a bag from behind a crate. Hallie noticed it was hers. Jackson threw it at her and Hallie quickly unzipped it to find all her weapons and food still inside it.

"I hid it." Jackson informed, grasping his gun and leading her from the room.

Closing the door Jackson shook his arms. "You go up them stairs and out the back door, you'll reach a wall. Your gonna have to hop it." He instructed.

Hallie nodded, "come with me. We have a place — a safe haven" she asked, looking up at Jackson.

He shook his head. "I can't, I have a wife and it's too risky for all three of us to be gone."

Hallie nodded understanding . There was no point in arguing. If that was her or any of the group — they wouldn't leave each other behind. In some situations it's every man or woman for themselves but not with their group. They were family, and family never leaves another behind.

Jackson smiled slightly, before inhaling shallowly. "Okay, now hit me. A good shot over the head, make me bleed a little" Jackson ordered.

Hallies eyebrows shot up, "I think you need a therapist" she concluded.

"It'll make it look like you got away. Go do it!" He yelled quietly.

Hallies face scrunched up before pulling her arm back and pushing her fist towards his temple. Jackson stumbled slightly, clasping his cheek as his eyes began to water. "God damn kid!" He hissed.

She shrugged. "You asked for it."

She could see Jackson nod from his hunched over position. "Yeah, yeah I did" he whispered. Looking up she could see the blotches of red covering the right side of his face. "Now get outta' here."

Hallie smiled slightly, almost moved by his morals.

Turning, she ran up the stairs before slowly manoeuvring through the narrow lanes attempting to find her way.

She picked up scattered bullets and weapons — stuffing them into her pockets and waistband before coming to the back door. Her heart was pounding in her chest, "now or never" she whispered.

Slowly she opened the creaking door, wincing at the sound the wood made. The wall was tall, but easy enough to climb over.

Hallie walked towards it, throwing her bad over first. Her hands gripped the metal at the top, grimacing at the feeling it indenting into her hands, almost drawing blood.

Pulling herself up, Hallie used the ridges to push herself up and over it. Her hands lost grip and her body slammed against the floor. She rolled to the side, holding her ribs as she attempted to fill her lungs with air. Hallie groaned as she pushed herself from the ground and grabbing her bag.

She looked around for walkers, but seeing none she headed for a car that seemed to me covered in a sheet.

She wiggled the handle and with a strong pull, the door flung open. She put her bag onto the passenger seat and slid in. Leaning down she pulled off the plastic panel and began to Hotwire the car. The engine ignited and she sat up and began to drive.

She could see the lights from the front of the community and the yells from its residents but she continued to drive as fast as she could.

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The sun had risen. Hallie had stopped off at the cabin she had found and collected everything she had found. She traveled backroads, knowing the highways would be littered with cars.

Her jaw was tender. A bruise had formed and her cheek was blotchy. As she drove the "WELCOME TO KINGS COUNTY" sign, she could feel a lump form in her throat.

Slowly, she drove to the centre of the town. Extravagant traps littered the area and walls were spray painted with warnings. Hallie sighed, and put the car into reverse.

Turning down a lane, she drove. The house was a yellow colour, and the door was an eggshell blue. Fencing surrounded the house and walkers were slumped against it. Climbing from the car, Hallie gripped her knife as she come to a walker. She slowly pushed the blade into into temple and watched the body fall to its side.

The gate was stained.

Pushing it open, Hallie trailed the overgrown garden — one she used to keep tame. Climbing up the porch, she lifted the plant pot at picked up the key.

The door unlocked with ease and the comforting smell of her home hit her. She stepped back and her hand flew to her mouth in attempt to stop the choked sob but failed as tears ran down her face. The walls were littered with pictures of her and her father. Some of them even had the grimes family in them. Hallie made the mental note to grab them when she left.

Walking up the stairs, Hallie noticed her bedroom door ajar. That night, they had left in such a rush. Her bed was still unmade and her clothes were littered around the room. Pictures were taped to the walls, a harsh reminder of those she had lost. Her lifeguard certificate was framed and placed upon her wardrobe. Despite the tears, it brought a smile to Hallie's face.

Leaning her body onto the floor, she winced at the pressure on her ribs but nonetheless she grabbed her duffel bag that she once used for swim practice.

Coming to her wardrobe, she pulled out clothes and shoes to stuff in the bag. Hallie grabbed things that would fit her, Maggie and Beth. Leaving the bag on the floor, Hallie climbed onto her bed and began plucking all the photos off the wall and grabbing a hair bobbin to keep them together.

Going into the bathroom, she grabbed menstrual and hygiene products along with condoms for the certain active members of their group.

Walking from the bathroom she stopped as she eyed the shut door. Her lip came between her teeth nervously before walking towards it. Pushing the door open with her foot Hallie was hit with the smell of Shane's aftershave.

"Oh god" she muttered, slowly venturing into the room. A photo of her, rick, Lori, Carl and Shane himself stood on his nightstand along with a iron cross. She plucked the two things up, placing the photo into her bag and pulling the chain over her head. She gripped the cross in her hand, feeling the cold sensation throughout her palm and closed her eyes basking in the comforting aroma of her father.

She let the tears slip down her face as she lifted her chin towards the ceiling. "Why did you leave me? It's so fucking hard without you, dad... I miss you so, so much. It hurts so fucking bad. I'm always angry, I can't even look at Rick... now Lori's gone, so is T' and we've lost so many more... I cannot do this without you" she cried, she let the cross slip from her hand and it's clashed against the dog tags she had around her neck.

Walking towards his dresser, she grabbed his aftershave and stuck it in her bag. Opening the drawers she picked up clothes that would fit the men, bringing a t-shirt to her face, she let the tears dampen it.

Placing it down, she walked from the room. Standing at the door she looked back once before shutting the door.

Hallie grabbed the photos from the walls on her way out. She made sure to lock the doors and brought the key with her. She prayed her home would stay preserved so that she could come back home whenever the world became too much.

Getting into the car, she looked at the house once more. "Night, Dad" she whispered.

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The gates of the prison haunted her. This was the place she felt the most alone. It was taunting as she pulled up to the gate and pressed the horn, watching as Carl jumped from his slumped position and ran to open it.

Pulling in slowly Hallie braced herself for the repercussions of her actions. Carl sprinted to the car whilst yelling for the rest of the group. Hallie opened the door gingerly and leant against the car. Once Carl reached her, she flung his body against hers — his arms wrapped tightly around her. "Never leave again" he whispered.

Hallie chuckled and took the hat off his head and ruffled his hair before placing it back down. "I'll take you with me next time, kid" she winked, before sitting back in the car. "Want a ride up the hill?" She asked, watching as Carl nodded and ran around to the passenger seat.

As they came into the courtyard Hallie noticed the group coming from the cell blocks. They were followed by a beaten glenn and a woman she didn't know.

Hallies eyes raked the crowd but there was no sight of Daryl. Beth hugged her first, her hands wrapped around Hallie's neck as she laughed in joy.

Pulling away Hallie looked at Glenn, "jeez dude, you piss off Maggie?" She joked, watching as the group winced.

"It's good to have you home again, Hallie. We got into it with this community. The took Maggie and Glenn." Hershel informed the girl.

Hallie shuddered. "Creepy guy in some town?" She asked, watching as the group looked at her.

She lifted a finger and pointed it towards her jaw. "How'd you think I got this? Not like I walked into a pole."

Roman came to the girl and gently grasped her chin, inspecting the bruise. Hallie slapped his hand away, and patted his shoulder.

Lee nodded at her.

Rick was last after hugs from the rest of the group, he walked towards the girl and opened his mouth but hallie swung her fist into his temple and watched the man tumble to the ground. "You ever speak to me like that again, I'll kill you." She threatened, almost snarling.

Those who knew shane could see the resemblance but this was the first time Hallie had acted exactly like him. Crouching down Hallie looked Rick dead in the eye. "I am my fathers daughter, aren't I, Rick" she snapped.

Standing up Hallie popped the trunk, "found a lot of food, should last us a good while with some rationing" she told the group, watching as their eyes widened at the buffet of canned options.

Opening the back door she motioned for Carl to come over, reaching into the bag she pulled out a few framed photos of them both and some with the two family's. The boy smiled sadly as his finger brushed over his mothers face.

"Thanks, Halls" he muttered.

Pulling out another bag Hallie through them ontop of the car. "Clothes in there for us all, also some formula for —" Hallie stopped, the group knew why so no one bothered speaking up.

Grasping the rest of her bags Hallie quickly walked into the cell block and into her 'room'. It was cold and the air was still. Emptying her bags on her bed she slowly began to personalise the cell. She thought for so long that they'd be up and moving after a week, but the longer they stayed — the more those thoughts diminished.

The pictures decorated the walls, and her dads aftershave made the cell more comforting.

"Hey" Lee muttered, making himself known from his place at the entrance.

"Hello" Hallie responded.

Lee scratched his neck before coming to sit on the floor across from her. "I went looking you know. Last night, Beth finally let up and I tried to find all those shitty stars but they just got further apart and I am no Daryl Dixon when it comes to tracking" Lee chuckled awkwardly, adjusting his position to become more comfortable.

"I appreciate it, but I was fine — am fine" Hallie nodded, smiling slightly.

Lee shoved his hand in his pocket and plucked an old can of coke from it and tossed it towards her. "I remember you drank my last one on the farm, said it was your favourite."

Hallie smiled, really smiled. "Thank you, Lee. Really, thank you."

"Don't mention it" he shrugged, letting his eyes wander the cell before settling on her. The bruise had turned a yellow colour and her hair was frizzy from the humidity. Blood was splattered on her face and she had deep, hollow bags under her eyes yet she looked — pretty. Lee couldn't even begin to care that he was staring.

"Stop looking at me like that" she whispered, feeling her neck become warm at his consistent stare.

Lee's head tilted as he smirked but continued to stare, "Like what, hall's?" He teased.

Shaking her head Hallie let her body fall against the bed as she picked up a book.

"Read to me?" He asked softly.

Hallie's eyes wandered to the boy with a confused look but nonetheless she nodded.

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in posses- sion of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife" She began, and soon enough Lee had moved to the bed and the two became enthralled in the book and when the sun set they were both sound asleep with Pride and Prejudice sprawled open on the floor.

—————RIN SPEAKS

A hell of a lot to unpack for this chapter. Anyways COMMENT DUDES

MANY EASTER EGGS FOR LATER SEASONS IN THIS???!!!

Thanks T for motivating me to write this! 🍌