I remember like it was yesterday… the deafening emergency signal over my parent’s TV interrupting their Jeopardy game show. Pops wasn’t too happy, but he had quieted down the moment the news began the video of people running through the streets, and then….lunging at others to tear into their flesh. His words, “Darlin’ get my shotgun.” My Pops first thought? His shottie. My first thought? Elias.

We were supposed to get married a week after he returned home from deployment. I had my dress picked out, modified my Momma’s actually, a beautiful thing of old lace and satin. We were going to marry in the little Church both our parent’s had been married in, almost as if it were destined we follow in their footsteps. Our parents had introduced us a couple year prior in fact! Like they had it all planned out it would seem. But like it or not, Elias stole my heart the moment we met.

He finally came home to me. A year later. I thought he was dead all that time until I heard him calling out my name from the yard of the house. I think I nearly flew out that door and into his arms crying about I never wanted to let him ago ever again. And then a year later….I nearly lost him.

The horde had finally reached the farm. All we could do was pack up and run and watch as the Walkers destroyed everything, trampled the crops and garden….ate my horse even. We just ran. It was all we could do… (tbc)