The car ride was silent. Well, I was silent. I lost all hope in the world. I looked out the dusty window and I heard something about a trip. My attention turned towards Lori who was giggling to herself.

"Just thinkin' about our trip to the Grand Canyon with Carl." Lori laughed. I got interested in the conversation.

"Please go on." I said.

"I don't remember that." Carl said confused. "Because you were just a baby." Lori smiled.

"Besides, we never made it past Fort Worth."

"No you got sick. I never knew a baby could throw up so much." Rick laughed looking back at his son. "Ew!" I said shaking my head.

"But, the doctor in Texas said you'd live, so we turned around and went back home."

"Can we go see it? The Grand Canyon?" Carl said.

"Maybe one day." Lori nodded.

"Me too?" Sophia asked. "Can we go?"

"We wouldn't leave with out you and you're mom." Rick said. I turned around and looked out the window. "We wouldn't leave you either Ellie." Lori smiled at me.

I smiled back, though I know she only said that so I wouldn't feel left out.

We drove a little longer until we heard another honk. We stopped. We came across high way full of cars. Daryl led us through as far as he could. Soon the RV made weird noises.

It came to a stop.

I ran towards my mom as she searched for stuff that would be useful. "So can I have an exact answer?" I said. "On what?" She said. "My dad." I walked next to her. "Ellie not now." she shook her head. I crossed my arms as I came to a stop.

"I just want to know. It's not like it matters much anymore!" I said. My mom sighed. "He's dead! I found out after he left. Now go away!" She rolled her eyes as her voice raised slightly.

"What? Why didn't you tell me? You'd think that would be a discussion we'd have!" My eyes grew wide in anger and confusion. "Ellie, I was going to tell you, it just never felt like the right time." My mom tried to explain. "We can talk more about it later. I'll answer any questions you have but, please go annoy someone else."

"Annoy?" I was shocked by my mothers words. "Gladly! I want to get away from you anyways!" I stomped off.

As I was walking along cars I saw everyone hide. A whole herd of walkers were heading towards us. I ran towards the woods, thinking that was a good option to hide. As I was running, I tripped and fell over a log. I looked down at my foot as it stung in pain. I pulled off my boot and saw it was already swelling.

I slowly began to stand up and as I put my weight on the hurt foot, I fell back down in pain. I held back the yelp threatening to escape.

I stood up again, grabbed my boot and began limping towards where I thought the road was.

I walked or should I safe limped along the forest clutching my knife. Everything looked the same and I couldn't remember where I've already been and what was new. I came across a man. He held a gun and pointed it at me. "You're just a child?" He lowered his gun and looked down at my ankle.

"Are you bit?" He asked, slowly raising the gun back up. I shook my head quickly.

He looked at my foot again.

"What happened?" I looked down. "I fell, I think it's broken." I explained. "Is it just you?"

I thought for a moment. What if he's bad? I probably shouldn't tell him where the group at.

"Yeah, it's just me. I was separated from my group. There probably gone by now." I sighed.

He nodded.

"My name is Otis." He introduced. "Ellie." I stuck out my hand. "Nice to meet you." He shook my hand.

"Let me take you to Hershel." Otis said helping me walk.

"Hershel?" I scrunched my eyebrows. "He'll fix you right up." He assured me as he picked me up to walk faster.

We arrived and a blonde girl was walking inside a giant white house. "Alexis!" Otis called out. She turned around, "Otis?" She questioned.

"Yeah, Alexis it's me!"

She ran towards us and help Otis. Her blue eyes met mine and she smiled. I took note of her nice clothing. Alexis looked around my age. She had a goofy smile plastered on her face at all times. I never understand how people could be so happy.

"Otis, you didn't introduce me to your new friend." Alexis said, nodding her head at me. "This is Ellie, she got separated from her group. And her ankle looks broke to me." Otis explained. "I'll go get daddy." Alexis ran further ahead.

Once we got inside the house Otis dropped me on the couch. "I'm gonna go find Alexis and Hershel. Try not to move on that foot til I get back." Otis said before exiting to room. I was sitting on a couch when a short-haired brunette walked by.

"Beth? Alexis? Who is this?" Her accent rung through my ears. "I'm Ellie." I answered her question. The girl turned back towards me. "I can speak just fine so if you have any more questions, direct them at me." I rolled my eyes.

"Well, nice to meet you then, Ellie. I'm Maggie. Is there something you need?" Maggie asked, very unsure of me. "I'm waiting for Hershel, apparently." I sighed leaning back.

A man with a white beard entered the room. "I'm Hershel." He looked at my foot. "Well, good news is it's not broken. Bad news its sprained." He looked up at me.

I nodded.

"So stay off it for a few days." He smiled at me. I nodded. "You can lay in the guest room."

"Beth will you get her some water. She looks dehydrated." Hershel called. I was brought to a room and laid down.

Beth got me some water and I took a long sip.

"It comes from the well." She said. "Is there a difference?" I asked. "Not really but I feel like it's sweeter." She nodded.

I closed my eyes suddenly feeling tired. "You get some sleep. I'll check on you in the morning." Beth hugged me.

I closed my eyes fell asleep.

~

The next morning my nose caught the smell of freshly cooked eggs, bacon, and pancakes!

My eyes snapped open.

Maggie walked in with a tray. "Good, you're up. I thought you'd be hungry." She sat the food in front of me.

I took a bite of my food.

"So what about your group?" Maggie asked. I shrugged. "Not much to say." I took another bite.

"Well, if you survived this long." She said.

I nodded and looked around for my bag. "It's in the living room." Maggie said as if she read my mind. "Can you go get it?" I asked. She nodded and left the room.

She handed it to me and I picked up my book.

"I'll leave you alone. Call if you need something." She walked out the room.

I began to read.

Alexis came in for a few minutes and talked to me. She's about my age and goes to the same school as me. I guess we never met.

I read all day and the sun was now setting. I got up sitting on a window seat. I looked out on the horizon.

I smiled to myself.

I found my safe place. I looked out and saw 3 men running towards the house.

I made out one of them to be Otis. I looked and saw a hat.

Rick?

I saw a boy in his arms.

Carl?

A man pushing Otis.

Shane?

Maggie ran in yelling dad. I was confused until Rick ran in with Carl in his arms. Blood was everywhere.

Rick looked at me. "Oh my god!" He hugged me and I hugged back. "I didn't think we would find you." He whispered.

I looked over at Carl.

The hole in his body. "What happened?" I questioned.