My eyes sparkled at the sight of Alexandria's community. It looks normal. Peaceful. And safe. The three words that haven't been spoken of in a very long time. The smell of fresh air filled my lungs with tenderness and pain both at the same time. Two words I never would've paired up before; although I was used to one my entire life.

I walked around scanning the sightings of the large houses in front of us, visioning the future for both Daryl and I, hoping it would last. The trees and the nature of it all brought me back to memories of home. It seemed so surreal; we've been waiting for an opportunity like this for a long time and it just came unexpectedly.

''Annora, you're last'' Aaron peered making me snap out of my imagination. Deanna, the person who runs Alexandria wanted to interview all the members of the group, answer the questions that we had.

I took a step forward, following Aaron, taking a look back at Daryl and Rick, both of them giving me a nod of comfort. I'm not keen on meeting new people, I never was. The look Aaron gave me back in the barn gave me the nerves, meeting Deanna wasn't calming my anxiety either.

The wood beneath me creaked as I stepped foot into the house, myself following Aaron as he led me to a washed up door giving me a short smile before leaving ''We'll waiting for you outside after you're done''

My gaze shifted from Aaron to the door handle as I breathed in, twistingthe knob handle . I slowly flung the door open, my eyes lighting up at the decorative room, confused at how perfect all this seemed to be.

''You must be Annora, come on in, don't be shy'' A voice spoke out. I glanced at the woman in front of me. This much be Deanna, blonde hair, of old age with a soft welcoming smile of her face that was filled with hope.

I slowly roamed around the room for a while, looking at shelves of books, intriguing me, and what looked like a camera setup. She sat down on the couch instructing me to sit down on the soft cushioned armchair in front of her. As I sat down, it made me sink in. I shifted uncomfortably, both at the feeling beneath me and the camera recording me ''what is this?''

''Sustainability, the start of the future. You don't mind if I film this right?'' She asked, myself shrugging. It's not like it would matter five to ten years from now.

''Let me start with this if you don't mind. What's your relationship with Daryl? Married?'' She smiled, the only thing she seems to do, making my heart skip a beat, shaking my head making her smile, again ''He cares about you. A lot. Very protective I must say. Which is understandable seeing how close you two are. How long have you been out there?''

''Since it started'' My voice was shaky, having difficulty making direct eye contact with her. I couldn't take my eyes off of my surroundings.

''Is that how you met the group? and Daryl?'' She wondered making me shake my head again.

''No. Met Rick and Glenn first, then the group'' I gave her a short answer, my eyes now shifting to my thighs as I played with my fingers, couldn't shake away the feeling I felt beforehand.

''What about your heart condition? Were you sick before it started?'' I froze, my ears ringing from the sudden shock and confusion, trying to process what she was asking. I squinted my eyebrows looking up at her, my eyes slowly hardening as I felt overwhelmed and confused at the same time.

''What do you mean? How do you know?'' My voice sharp, as I felt my body trembling, trying to ease myself down.

''That's no important matter at the moment. We have doctor who can help treat you before it worsens than it already is. It'll give you a higher chance to live than the chances you have right now and you know that. We'll find you an easier job till it gets better if you decide to stay. But your heart is dying if you don't allow us to help treat it''

-

Night has taken over as the members of the group all decided to stay at the same house; just for safety caution. I sat on the bench beside Daryl, going over the conversation Deanna and I had. The idea of dying didn't seem to phase me much before but hearing it out loud from someone you barely know was shocking, even for me, and it's coming from someone who's been told that they'll die every second of their entire life. But now it just seemed like a high possibility.

I clenched onto Daryl's arm leaning into him, laying my head on his shoulder. Being around him takes away all of my fears and problems. Alexandria seemed like this perfect community where him and I could possibly build a future. But now the idea of it became painful knowing it probably wouldn't happen. I choked back the tears, trying my best to calm myself down. He peaked on my forehead, drawing circles on the upper of my hand, sensing that something was wrong, but I didn't want to break him more than he already is.

We jumped up at the sound of knocking, Deanna coming into the house, standing at edge of the front door ''Listen I don't mean to interrupt. I wanted to stop by and see how you were all settling''

She made her way through, a shocked expression on her face as she look at us all from different parts of the room ''Staying together. Smart''

''No one said we couldn't'' Rick mumbled making her smile.

''You said you're a family. That's what you said. Absolutely amazing to me how different people with completely different backgrounds and nothing in common can become that. Don't you think?'' Deanna explained making me smile a little, in happiness and sadness, never thinking of it like that before.

''Everyone said you gave them jobs'' Almost everyone I'm pretty much useless.

''You didn't give me one'' Rick said, smiling a bit after Deanna cracked joke following his statement, trying to make us all feel welcomed.

''I have. I just haven't told you yet. Same with Michonne. I'm closing in on something for Sasha'' Deanna said making her way through the people around the room.

''And I'm still trying to figure Mr. and Ms. Dixon out but I will'' My cheeks rose up as Daryl stared out of the window,I shifted uncomfortably, her obviously teasing, myself avoiding people's glances as I looked down on my feet, not wanting to look up at her.

I watched as they turned the light off, whilst they laid down for bed, dozing off immediately. My eyes turned towards Daryl watching him shift around in the farthest corner he set up, away from the rest of the group. He clearly is unhappy with the way things are going. I grabbed my bag, popping in my nightly pills, washing them down with the little water I had. I took off my boots, walking silently not wanting to wake anyone up. I crawled next to Daryl, wrapping my arm around his waist whilst my other hand brushed the hair out of his face.

''You don't like it here, don't you?'' I whispered, him sighing, warm air escaping his lips.

''Seems too good to be true. Not used to shit like this'' He mumbled making me nod understandably. I get where he's coming from. The way he grew up and everything he went through. It isn't easy for him to get comfortable around stuff like this immediately; I don't blame him.

-

It's been two days since we were welcomed in Alexandria. I can't tell you much about this community as I kept to myself for the past few days, locked up in the house. Mainly the reasoning behind it is that, I'm afraid of what the outcome is going to look like. Not just for my sake but for Daryl's. The last thing I want to do is hurt him with the truth.

I stepped inside the shower for the first time in a long time, feeling the warm water running down my skin, erasing any trace of dirt on my body. I picked up the razor, shaving away my leg. I peered open the shower door, water still showering me down from my head to my toes as I searched for the small counter to place the razor on, instead dropping it on the ground. I rubbed my face in with both my hands, removing excess water away from my vision. I leaned down to grab it only to feel a sharp pain thundering my heart, making me widen my eyes at how strong the pain was, tripping over my feet, razor cutting my smoothed skin, my body hitting the cold floor.

I coughed heavily, little amount of blood coming out of my mouth, fingertips turning into a tint of blue. My attempt at crawling towards the counter to pick myself up, failed in misery as my vision blurred, fainting away into darkness.

-

I woke up to the sound of water running and shivers running down my spine. I gripped on the toilet seat beside me, my palm pushing down it's slippery surface as I stood up, walking weakly towards the countertop peaking at the reflection the mirror. My pale skin was sickly, with purple and blue veins visible to the eye. The skin around my eyes were reddening like never before and my rosy lips were fading out into pale nothingness. I groaned as a sharp strike caused a headache, gripping the side of my head with my swollen tinted fingertips.

I walked towards the shower sloppily. With weak hands, I pulled down on the shower handle turning the shower off as the same time, it took all of my energy. I leaned on the door in exhaustion, closing my eyes for a while. Sluggishly, I dressed myself which took forever and more, that counting would be impossible. I walking out of the bathroom, coughing, wheezing noises coming out of my chest as I held onto it, clenching onto my heart, wanting the pain to stop.

Stumbling, I pushed the front door open, the bright sun blinding me. I made my way down the steps tripping over my feet. My body leaned over the stairs railing, putting my full weight onto it, gasping for air. I looked up coughing more and more, spotting the group in the distance with Deanna. I put my feet forward trying to balance it with the other foot, only losing balance, falling down on my knees coughing up more blood; only this time, it got worse.

I forcefully pushed myself up, taking big step at a time, leaning on everything I could find to help me reach them. I reached to a point where their reach became ten steps away and I couldn't take handle it any longer. I coughed, spitting out buckets of blood, catching their attention. I took a step forward, my legs caving in, their worried callings and yelling became indistinguishable once my hearing got clouded. I fell into strong set of arms, my eyes rolling back as they laid my body inside theirs, my condition worsening by the second.

''Help me''