It had been a few weeks since Carl and I started dating. And...things had been pretty perfect. But then...everything changed. I walked along the road beside my boyfriend before making a sharp turn left. Petals fell off the roses as I walked, landing around my feet in a cloud. A cool breeze blew through the trees, blowing my dark hair behind my shoulders.

I breathed it in, grateful for the fresh air and the feel of Carl's warm hand in mine. But the sadness was eating away at me...and it had been ever since I found out. Making sure not to step on anything, I wound my way across the green grass. Each step brought me closer and each step broke my heart even more. The last ties I had to my beginning here at Alexandria was gone. But not only that...a dear friend, too.

Nothing would be the same here now. I stopped then by a patch of freshly dug dirt and looked up, tears clouding my vision. My eyes scanned across the words on the cross but it still didn't feel real to me. How could it?

Denise Cloyd

1985 - 2016

Gingerly, I sat down in the grass and leaning over, ran my fingers across the letters on the wood before setting the bouquet of flowers down on her grave. It didn't seem right that she was gone. She was so young...and she'd been my first friend I had here. The first person to ever even give me a chance. She didn't just look at me and make assumptions about who I was or why I was there with the Wolves. She saw me for who I really was. And for that? I'd always be thankful.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there..." I choked out, a sob bubbling up from my throat, "But thank you, Denise...for everything. You were..."

Carl stood over me as I shook my head, the words getting stuck in my throat. Clamping a hand over my mouth, I squeezed my eyes shut briefly before lifting them to the heavens.

"You were an amazing friend...and I'll never forget you... I promise..." I said into the sky, the wind carrying my words up to her.

Suddenly, there was a slight scuffle of boots on the grass behind me and I glanced up with tear-filled eyes. And there stood Daryl, the sun outlining his figure. I bit my lip and on wobbly legs, stood up to embrace him. Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around me, holding me close as I cried. Carl's hand went to my back as he stood close by, comforting me.

"It's not fair...she was too young...I-I should have been there, dad," I told him hoarsely but he just shushed me.

"Nah, it wasn't your fault. It was mine. I shoulda done something and I didn't," he said bitterly and I shook my head, glancing up at my father.

"No...it wasn't anybody's fault..." I told him honestly.

Slowly, he released me and took a step back, his gaze briefly flitting down the road and back to me.

"You ready?" he asked and I titled my head in confusion.

"For what?" I answered his question with a question, wiping the tears away with the back of my hand.

He heaved the crossbow he wore higher up on his shoulder and shrugged, "To kill the one who did it. He won't get away with this."

I nodded, my eyes hardening at the mention of her killer.

"Let's get him, dad." I replied, my tone cold.

"Wait, you can't just go out there-" Carl started but I put a finger to his lips briefly to shush him as he wrapped his arms around me.

"I can and I will, Grimes," I countered, arching an eyebrow.

Slowly, he let out a sigh and his hands slid to my swollen stomach.

"And what about this little one? You can't just go tromping off to who knows where as pregnant as you are. This baby could come any day now," he shot back and I rolled my eyes.

"I won't let anything happen to her," Daryl spoke up, blue eyes meeting Carl's.

He nodded then and glanced back down at me, "Fine but be careful out there, understand?"

I rolled my eyes again, this time playfully and smiled up at him before placing a chaste kiss on his soft lips.

"I will. I promise."