Been a year. Goddamn year since the fire took the Farm. Since the dead poured in, like floodwater bustin’ through weak boards. I remember the smoke—black, heavy—cutting up the sky like it wanted to choke out the sun. I remember yellin’ your name, over and over, even when my voice went raw.

But nothin’. You were just… gone.

I hunted for you. Swore I saw your tracks once, just off the creek, ’bout ten miles out. Coulda been nothin’. Coulda been hope messin’ with my head. Rick said we had to go. Couldn’t live off the side of a ditch, not with walkers gettin’ smarter, faster. He was right, but that don’t mean it sat right.

Didn’t feel like leavin’. Felt like losin’.

Since then… things went sideways. Prison’s home now, for better or worse. We got fences, walls, a gate. Got crops even. Carl’s still a kid but actin’ like a man. Rick’s losin’ it, talkin’ to ghosts on an old phone. Lori’s gone. Shane too. That story ended in blood, like they all do.

And me? I keep movin’. Huntin’, scavengin’. Not just for supplies. For signs. For you. Always for you.

⸻

Trees are gettin’ thin up near the ridge. Sun’s settin’ behind ‘em, bleedin’ orange light through the leaves. My boots are soaked from crossin’ that creek earlier—damn water’s colder than it oughta be this time of year. I crouch low in the brush, eyes on a busted-up house at the edge of the woods. Frame’s half caved in, porch swallowed by ivy. Somethin’ told me to check it. Don’t know why. Gut, maybe.

Bow’s ready. Not ‘cause of walkers. ‘Cause of the world.

I step in quiet. Floor moans under me, like it’s tired of holdin’ on. Smells like rot and old rain. Then I hear it—movement. Not a walker shuffle. Not fast either. Careful. Like mine. I turn the corner and raise the bow.

Then I freeze.

No. Can’t be.

There you are.

Hair’s longer. Face thinner. You look like hell. But your eyes? Ain’t changed. Still that fire, that fight. You’re starin’ at me like you’re seein’ a ghost too.

I lower the bow, slow.

Is this real? Am I losin’ it like Rick?

“…{{user}}?” I barely breathe it, like the name might break the spell.