"how lucky are we? it's been a hell of a week." - zach bryan

we've been walking for hours, and the cave feels like it's closing in on us with every step. daryl's ahead, leading us through the tunnels, but the darkness makes everything blend. it's hard to tell if we're moving forward or just circling the same paths. the air's thick and heavy, making each breath feel like work. then, daryl stops, something catching his eye. a sliver of light shines through a narrow crack in the wall, barely noticeable, but enough to bring a flicker of hope.

"hey, there's something over here." he mutters, moving quickly toward it. we all follow him, like moths to a flame. he reaches the end of the crevice and starts pulling apart the wood and debris that's blocking the opening. with a grunt, he pulls it free, and the tunnel opens up into something larger. we move forward, but the walls start to press in again, rocks falling from above as if the cave itself is warning us to turn back.

"hang on," kelly says, her voice strained. "this place is gonna crumble if we step on the wrong piece." i glance around, watching dust and small rocks fall with each step we take. it's unnerving, but we keep moving. then carol spots something—a faint light coming from another section of the tunnel, blocked by more debris. she points toward it. "how about over there?"

daryl nods, eyes narrowing as he considers it. "all right, find something to dig with." we scatter, looking for anything we can use to clear the way. as we pull apart the rocks and logs, the sound of scraping metal and shifting debris fills the air. it's slow work, frustrating, but we're making progress. kelly picks up something, holding it up with a strange look on her face. "hey, check this out."

i glance over and see the dynamite in her hand. my stomach twists. "woah, be careful with that." i say, keeping my voice calm even though my pulse spikes. kelly's face splits into a grin, though there's nervousness in her eyes. "somebody left a whole box of it down here. looks old but... still dangerous." jerry tries to lighten the mood with a laugh. "yeah, that's cool and all, but maybe they left it here because it's insanely dangerous. that thing's sweatier than i am." "just put it back," aaron warns. "carefully."

kelly nods and sets the dynamite back down, covering the box with a blanket. but my mind starts racing, a reckless plan forming in the back of my head. that dynamite, if i could get close enough to the horde, i could take out half of them.

as we keep working, clearing the path, the temptation gnaws at me. the others are focused on the task at hand, clearing enough space for us to squeeze through the opening. kelly climbs through first, calling back that we need to make it bigger. the second her back is turned, i grab two sticks of dynamite and slip them into my bag. i don't think—i just move.

i sneak away, retracing our steps toward where the horde is. every footfall feels like it's echoing through the cave, but no one notices. my heart is racing, my breath coming in quick, shallow gasps as i climb over the rocks. when i finally reach the edge, i shine my light down. hundreds of bodies move below, their rotting forms swaying back and forth. they're trapped, but not for long. i open my bag and pull out the dynamite, trying to steady my shaking hands.

i strike a match, but my fingers are trembling too much. the light flickers as i bring it closer to the fuse, but before i can light it, my foot slips. i cry out, my hand scrambling for something to hold onto as i tumble forward. i manage to grab onto the ledge, but my legs dangle helplessly above the walkers below. my missing arm aches with a phantom pain, a cruel reminder of what i've lost. i try to pull myself up, but my grip is slipping. "fuck." i whisper, my voice shaking. i'm about to fall.

then, a strong hand grabs my arm, pulling me back onto the ledge with a sudden jolt, it's daryl. his eyes are blazing with anger and fear, and he pulls me close, his grip tight. "what the fuck were you thinking?" he growls, not letting go of me.

i can barely get the words out, my heart still pounding. "i can take out half her horde from here." i pant, the adrenaline making me lightheaded. "you're gonna get yourself killed." daryl snaps, but his voice softens, and i can see the concern etched in his features.

tears blur my vision, hot and relentless. i've tried to keep it together, but the weight of everything—of what she did—finally breaks me. "she killed my baby." i sob, the words choking me. daryl holds me tighter, and for a moment, everything else falls away. "i know," he says, his voice quieter now, filled with a sorrow that matches mine. "but you gotta come back with me. please. come on."

i nod, my body shaking as i try to pull myself together. i reach for the dynamite again, but it slips from my hands. my foot slips too, and i nearly fall again, but daryl grabs me just as the dynamite tumbles into the pit below. we both freeze, watching as it falls. then it explodes.

the blast is deafening, a flash of orange and yellow lighting up the cave. the ground shakes beneath us, and the cave begins to collapse. rocks and dust rain down, and before i can react, a sharp pain shoots through my face as a rock slams into me. blood drips down my cheek, mixing with the tears already there.

"shit, come on!" daryl shouts, grabbing my hand again. we start running, the cave rumbling around us, chunks of rock falling as we sprint through the narrow tunnels. my head is spinning, blood clouding my vision, but i keep going.

we reach connie and magna, their faces pale as they take in the destruction. "isa!" connie shouts, reaching for me. but everything's starting to blur. my head aches, my ears are ringing, and i can barely hear what anyone's saying.

jerry is holding up a log, keeping the exit open as the others scramble out. daryl grabs me, pulling me up through the opening. the moment we're out, the sunlight hits my face, blinding me for a second. it feels surreal after the darkness and chaos of the cave.

i collapse onto the ground, daryl kneeling beside me. his voice is muffled, like he's far away, even though he's right next to me. i can't focus. everything hurts. then the cave explodes behind us. dirt and rocks fly through the air, and daryl throws himself over me, shielding me from the blast. when the dust finally settles, i realize connie and magna are gone. kelly screams, her voice raw and filled with anguish. she collapses to the ground, sobbing, while daryl and aaron rush back to the cave entrance. but it's blocked, and filled with dirt and rubble. 

i sit up, my head spinning, watching the scene unfold. kelly's cries tear through me, but all i can feel is guilt. this is my fault. "say it," i whisper, the words barely audible. daryl doesn't hear me. "fucking say it!" i scream, tears streaming down my face. i grab at daryl's arm, pulling him toward me, desperate. "tell me it's my fault! i deserve it!" daryl's eyes are filled with something i can't read—anger, pain, fear. but he doesn't say a word. he just looks at me, his jaw tight, then turns away. "let's go home," he says to aaron, his voice cold. "tell the others we found the horde."

he walks away without looking back, and the others follow. kelly's still sobbing, jerry holding her as they make their way down the path. aaron casts a glance at me before turning to follow them, but no one says anything. i'm left alone, standing in the wreckage of what i've done, my body trembling as i stare at the mess i've made.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.