Alexandria has FALLEN. It’s been days since they had to leave the safety of the community behind, after the walls fell and the community was overrun by walkers. The weather conditions are not on their side now. Persistent snow and freezing temperatures torment them on their trek towards a safer place and Wanda is insanely worried about the future. To be out in the open with baby, in temperatures that are below zero, is a dangerous thing, but the escalating situation gave them no other option.
Some members of the community have remained close to them, but they have been separated during an attack earlier that day. While Beck and Wanda have found a cabin in the woods for the night, she has no idea what has happened to their missing friends and maybe she doesn’t want to know. People disappear and you never see them again. That’s how the world works out here.
While Beck has gone out to find wood and probably something to eat, Wanda has remained inside the small wooden hut with Hope, who has picked up on their agitation, and been fussing all day, which is unlike her. With nothing left to drink, she decides to pack Hope up and go outside to collect some ice and snow they can melt over the fire and have clean water for the next part of their journey the next day. She would have left the child inside in the warmth, but doesn’t dare to leave her out of sight in the current conditions.
Bending down with a water bottle in hand, she scoops up snow to fill it, when she hears someone yell. Heart rate elevates immediately and she gets up, emerald eyes scanning the surrounding in an almost panic.
Her gaze falls on a young woman, who is approaching her, body obviously frozen and worn from the cold. She should be more careful, probably, but Wanda has never been one to forsake help, so she hurries over to assist the young woman, Hope safely buried under her jacket in a sling. “Hey, are you hurt? Come on, it’s warm in the cabin over there.” She points out the small construction in the distance and offers an arm to support the other, helping her all the way over to the hut. The inside is by farm COZY, but definitely far warmer than the outside world, as long as they keep the fire burning. “Here, sit. We don’t have much food either, sorry”, she apologizes, directing the woman to a dusty couch, before taking her jacket off, so Hope won’t get too hot. Searching through her backpack, she finds an apple and hands it over to the stranger. “I’m afraid that’s pretty much what we have left. But my friend is out hunting right now. Maybe he’ll bring back some food. I’m Wanda.”
It takes Carrie a good couple of minutes to register that the woman is ACTUALLY real && indeed talking to her . Glassy eyes search over the stranger’s face && for a second she feels as though she’s literally going to pass out from relief - but bites the inside of her cheek && FORCES herself to hold it together . Just a while longer now , You can pass out in the snow soon , just give this a go . Don’t let the last few days be in VAIN .
The words of the other female flood over her , none really SINKING in , but she gets the gist - that she’s asking about her wellbeing . Carrie sucks in another agonising breath && then whimpers , shaking her head with as much gusto as she can manage .
Now that she’s this close to safety ( she hopes anyway ) , every step seems TEN times as painful . There’s a searing agony each time her feet come down && at this point she’s scared to think about how much of it is blisters from the hike that will heal && how much is FROSTBITE which could cost her her life . So she doesn’t think about it , instead concentrates on putting one foot in front of the other && following the kind stranger into the warmth of the building that was hidden among the trees .
It feels ODD to walk on a floor not SHEETED with ice && she stumbles on the threshold before righting herself . She drops onto the couch , sniffling hard && trying hard not to burst into tears before she was sure she was safe . Who knew what kind of people were around in somewhere so BATTERED by the elements .
❝ th - thank you ❞ she breathes , voice SORE && hoarse from yelling . Her hand shakes as she takes the apple , so DESPERATE to bite into it && yet so scared to seem out of control . ❝ mmmf ❞ she nods , biting into the crisp fruit && immediately feeling terrible for taking it from her .
FREEZING, she does a double take as her brain thaws a little . ❝ is that a BABY ?? ❞
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