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The rotted door broke with ease as the Smith son kicked it down. Not too far inside a walker slowly turned at the sound, locking eyes with the fresh sack of meat glaring it down.

The figure was covered head to toe in fabric to combat the late fall weather. Even with ski goggles covering his eyes the fierce glare didn't waver as the walker went to attack. The young man tightened his grip around his makeshift weapon and with a swish the walker's head was cut down.

It wasn't the most pretty looking creation either. A wooden pole from a pool skimmer carved into a spike on one end while the other had a blade from a broken axe attached to it. His mother didn't have much trust in the nineteen-year-old's weapon, but since it got the job done and kept him alive she really had no say.

As he stalked further inside his black docs edged one of the doors slightly open before three hungry walkers snarled. As they tried to attack he quickly took a step back before twirling his staff as if it were a lightsaber and slain the creature.

When Lincoln Smith was much younger he had been a big fan of the prequel Star Wars series. Him and his father would often mimic the scenes with their plastic toys. He found it rather funny that all his practice had a purpose now. Especially considering he had gotten that very toy taken away by his mother when he accidentally hit his dad in the junk.

Once the teenager was sure he was alone in the latest house he went to scrounge the rooms. Letting out an angered huff as he continuously opened empty shelves having nothing but cobwebs and inedible dust bunnies.

The boy's cracking lips smushed against his teeth as he held in another scream. Slamming the door shut he fixed his hold on his stupid weapon before stomping out of the house, kicking the mailbox down on his way out.

A bad mood was rather uncommon in this hungry teen, but you couldn't blame him for his reaction. It had been well over six weeks since he'd seen Negan or Louis and he was starting to lose hope.

Food was scarce and with his mother's worsening condition Lincoln had to travel further and further to find even a singular can of expired food.

After scrounging the last house on the block he noticed the dwindling light source and let out a walker-like snarl. Fixing his almost empty bag over his back he sulked the entire way home. He passed not a dead body as he made it to his front porch, even the walkers knew this town was barren.

Slowly getting inside he secured the door before making his way to the basement, knocking before entering, seeing his mother on the bed.

Lucille hastily packed up her papers and writing utensils as Lincoln entered the room, "Hey mom."

She hid her work under the bed as she smiled up at him, "How'd it go?"

He sighed as he threw his weapons and bag to the side, "That bad?" She frowned.

"It's fine. We have enough for at least a week or so," he joined her on the bed. "I'll just go out early tomorrow morning and go a bit further. No problem."

The boy smiled as he tried his best to comfort his slowly dwindling mother. His fingers wrapped themselves around her boney ones as he tried to cheer her up. The sudden stop of chemo had taken a major toll on the sick woman, both mentally as well as physically. Her face had also started to sink from lack of nutrients as the two remaining Smiths had to ration until the others returned.

Lucille let out a motherly sigh as she reached up and wiped the blood away from his cheek, "How many did you come across this time?"

"Not many," Lincoln played it off as he removed her hand from his face.

His mother gave him a look that made him sigh, "Okay I had to kill a few but I made it out alright. I'm getting better now."

"That's great. The more practice the better," she smiled. "When you go out on your own you'll need to be prepared to take on many more. I don't want you overwhelmed."

Her son caught those words and quickly corrected her, "When we get out of here we'll be fine," Lincoln reassured her as he stood up. "Dad and Lou will be back any day now, and once you finish your treatment we will all be out of here in no time."

"Lincoln-"

"So! What should we do for dinner?" He quickly changed the subject, "We can split a single serving can of beans or pig out on a protein bar?"

It wasn't the first time he had deflected from the elephant in the room and she knew it would definitely not be the last. Unlike Lucille, Lincoln was more positive on the return of his family, going so far to tally the days on the wall with a marker.

Well over thirty-five marks yet still no clue when or if they would ever come home.

So to keep her son happy Lucille didn't bother fighting the teen on the topic they fought well over a hundred times and pointed to the can of beans.

Lincoln let out a smile as he quickly heated up the contents and split it into two small bowls, spreading it around to make it appear as if there were more.

The two ate together in silence as the changing wind blew outside. Lincoln could see the leaves blowing off the trees from their small window making him smack his lips apart, "It's getting colder out there. I'll make sure to pick up some more wood for our fireplace as well tomorrow."

Lucille frowned, "You're going out again?"

He nodded, "It's gonna snow soon. Better get ahead of it."

"You've gone out every day this week. Could you take a day or two of rest?"

"No," Lincoln shook his head. "I don't think I should. Winter is almost here and when they return with your treatment we're robably gonna have to wait for you to get your strength back up. It's best to be prepared before the first storm," he happily explained.

Lucille played with her food as she glanced up at the window, "I guess you're right... but you need to get your strength up as well," she placed a hand on his cheek. "Could you please take a day off? You're working too hard. Have you slept at all this past week?"

"I'm okay, mom," he tried to play it off.

"No you're not. Those bags under your eyes are telling me something else," she shook her head.

"Mom," he took her hand off his cheek. "I'm fine. I'll be fine."

Her brows lowered as she saw straight through his lies, something he was never good at doing, "Lincoln."

"Mom-" he went to speak but her glare made him shut up. "I guess one day wouldn't hurt..." he trailed off, making Lucille smile in victory.

"Thank you," she kissed his forehead before pulling him in for a hug. "It'll be good for you."

He sighed in defeat as he held her deteriorating finger, "Yeah... sure."
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Lincoln felt uncomfortable. He knew he shouldn't have, but he couldn't help it. In the span of a month Lincoln Smith went from being on his own, to being in a group of three, then to a group of seven, then five, then suddenly a group of over fifteen. A lone wolf to in a pack. It would have been strange if he wasn't uncomfortable.

So he kept to him. Staying near the back of the pack, watching his friends chatting with their reunited friends and family. Not that he minded of course. Part of staring at Nadia laughing made it all worth it.

At least she had some more family left.

Silently watching as she laughed, cried and chatted with the others. Spending hours apologizing to people for how she acted at the prison and such.

Lincoln also gave his other friends some space. Tyreese was now with his little sister, Sasha, and her own boyfriend, Bob. Allowing their group to have some time together.

As well as Carol. Lincoln even found himself snicker at how the gruffest looking man, he learned was actually the hunter Nadia never shut up about, Daryl, seemed to be latched onto the older woman.

Lincoln understood the importance of family. He'd give anything to be with his own, so he saw himself almost living through them in a way. His fellow survivors' joy could infect him with the feeling as well.

Still, even if he liked to give people space, Lincoln liked to talk. No. Loved to talk. His crush on Nadia wasn't the only reason he never shut up on the tracks after all. So as he looked for a potential target he locked his eyes on the youngest male in the pack. Nadia's little brother, the infamous Carl Grimes.

Of course the boy hadn't been that open recently. Giving judgmental looks and outright ignoring the teenager for the entire two days they have known each other; but in Carl's defence, he thought Nadia and Judith were both dead. It's no wonder why he was so disinterested with the new member of the group, he had to make up for lost time with his sisters. Latching onto the girls every chance he could.

If Louis was alive, Lincoln would have that boy connected to him for the rest of their days.

Carl was also a Grimes. From what Lincoln had learned with both Nadia and Judith, the family was rather thick skinned and not that social. Not at first.

So, being the bright and awkward boy that he was, Lincoln went up to properly introduce himself.

"Hey!" Lincoln sprinted to the middle of the walking line and joined the younger teen. Bright smile and hand extended as they walked, "I don't think we properly meet yet. I'm Lincoln."

The boy in the worn-out sheriff's hat glanced at the Smith's hand. Not taking it, muttering, "Hi."

"So..." Lincoln dropped his arm, quickly trying to save himself by scratching his head, "I've heard a lot about you over the last few weeks. Naddie never stopped talking about you actually."

The teen glanced at his sister's new boyfriend, his brow slightly raised as a smirk formed, "Really?"

"Yeah!" Lincoln grinned. "She always went on and on about you and Mr. Grimes. It's just nice to finally put a proper face to the name, Coral."

Carl stopped walking for a moment. His smirk replaced by a sneer, "What did you just call me?"

Lincoln looked at him confused, saying the name he always heard, "Your name is Coral... right?"

A few of the others walking let out small chuckles, seemingly embarrassing the teenager even more. Carl's face turning red as he sneered, "My not fucking Coral, jackass."

The Smith boy's eyes bulged. Quickly spluttering out some words to save himself, "I-! I mean, well, sorry. S-sorry, I didn't mean to call you that-"

"Yeah, you did, or you wouldn't have done it," his glare sent a shiver down the older boy's spine.

The Smith boy started to stutter, "I- uh... I-"

"C-A-R-L. Carl. It's not that hard," Carl literally spelled it out for him. "I was in the sixth grade when the world ended. What's your excuse?"

Lincoln bit his lip. Awkwardly running his hands up and down his backpack, "I'm sorry, Carl. I didn't know. Your sister has such a thick accent that-"

"Oh? So you're making fun of Nadia's accent?" He crossed his arms.

"What?! No..." he stumbled over the rough terrain they walked through. "No, of course not. It's just... I'm not from down south, so-"

"So, you just think you're better because you're from up North? Is that it?" Lincoln felt himself dying faster than the decaying corpses following their path. Watching as Carl pushed him aside with a scoff, "Fuck off, Goggles."

"Goggles?" The teen squinted his eyes in confusion before remembering the pool goggles he used as protection.

Still, Lincoln found himself cringing as he watched the boy join his father and sisters. Nadia quickly wrapped an arm around her younger brother as they brought Carl into their conversation. Watching Judith reach out for the younger boy squirming out of Rick's grasp to get to him.

Though Lincoln's awkwardness would have to wait as he heard a loud chuckle behind him, "Don't take it personally. He's always been like that," he turned to see a couple move between him. "It's part of being a new member of the group."

"You should've seen him at my farm, hon. He's very protective over his sisters," the lady had said.

"Really?" Lincoln turned to the woman.

"Worse at the prison, actually," the Korean man said. "See that girl there? Michonne?"

He looked over to see a woman with dreads. Her smile bright as she threw an arm over both of the walking Grimes kids.

"When she first joined the group, Carl never stopped sneering at her. Thinking she was a spy from a rival group," he explained.

Lincoln tilted his head as he could see how close this woman was to Carl now, "What happened?"

The man pointed back at the Grimes family. The Smith boy watched as Michonne took Carl's hat off his head and placed it on. Joking with the kids.

"It takes time," the woman said before putting her hand out. "I don't think we properly met last night. I'm Maggie, and this is my husband Glenn."

Lincoln gasped, shaking their hands, "I've heard a lot about you. I'm glad you're both here."

"No, we're glad your here," Glenn shook his hand. "Never thought I'd see Nadia smile again. You gotta teach me some tricks, Smith."

He went to laugh as a sudden whistle shut him up. Everyone in the large group turned as their leader pointed to a small clearing in the woods, "Sun's setting. We can rest till morning," Rick exclaimed to his group.

Maggie flashed a smile, leading Link towards the others, "Come on. Let's get you something to eat."

As the Rhee couple started to set up their small section inside the makeshift camp, Lincoln noticed Nadia's eyes on him. She smiled and motioned him to join her.

Lincoln flashed her a smile and went to step towards his girlfriend before freezing. The Smith boy noticed the few people behind him, all who sent a shiver down his spine.

Rick Grimes didn't seem to notice him, or care, more focused on making sure his youngest daughter was comfortable on the faded blanket they still had. Though his bushy beard and clothing dyed red from his victims blood scared the shit out of the teen. A quick glance let him see Carl Grimes, glaring daggers at the teen as he gripped the hilt of his machete. Just begging him to come over.

Even with his beautiful girlfriend smiling at him wasn't enough of a safety net for Lincoln. He wasn't stupid. He wasn't going to die tonight.

So he just shook his head. Putting on a meek smile and pointed to the Rhee couple, "Spend some time with your family. You've had enough of me already. They missed you," he said before joining the couple.

Not noticing the frown on Naida Grimes' face.

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Lucille was anything but a morning person. She hated mornings, even before she got sick. It used to be Negan who had to make breakfast for the kids because of how much she hated to wake up. So it came to a shock when Lucille had woken Lincoln up as early as she did.

Lincoln jolted as his mom shook him, "Come on, get up."

"Wha- what's going on? Am I gonna miss the bus?" He asked her in a haze.

She chuckled as Lincoln slowly woke up and noticed the dark sky, "What time is it?"

"Almost morning. Now come on, you're gonna miss it!" Lucille did her best to drag her son out of bed.

Lincoln, still groggy as ever, allowed his mother to lead him out of the safety of the basement and up the steps. He was still so tired he didn't even notice the thick jacket she had on until she handed him his father's off the rack.

Once they were dressed Lucille pulled him outside and towards a small bench, still giggling as the boy raised his brow, "Mom what are we doing out here? It's not safe-"

"Shush," she told him as she sat next to him. "Let's just watch this."

Lincoln followed his mother's gaze and confusingly watched as the sun began to rise. His head tilted in confusion, "The sunrise?"

She smiled, "Your dad and I used to do this all the time when we were younger," she let out a happy sigh as she played with the rings around her finger. "I don't know why we did, but... it was just something we loved to do."

Even though she was smiling Lincoln could feel the hurt in her voice. Glancing over he could see how hard she focused on the rising sun, as if it were the last time she'd see it. He reached over and placed a gentle hand over hers, "They'll be back soon. I just know it."

Lucille didn't look away from the sun as she simply said, "Okay," she patted his hand and slowly stood up. "Now I have a special day for us planned."

"Really?" Lincoln asked, confused.

She nodded, "You've been working too hard. A chance to sit down and smell the roses will do some good. Now," she patted his hand and slowly stood up. "Go turn on the generator."

Lincoln looked up at her, "Huh?"

"I wanna watch a movie," she flashed her teeth in typical Smith fashion.

The next thing he knew Lincoln was dragged back downstairs after he turned on the generator as Lucille pulled out an old vhs.

"Are you sure a movie is a good idea?" Lincoln asked, "We don't have much fuel left and we should really be saving it for when dad comes back."

"Oh hush, we'll be fine," Lucille brushed him off as she prepared the film. 

Lincoln, knowing he couldn't win the fight even if he tried, sat down on the bed, "What are we watching? James Bond?"

"Nope," she plopped down next to him as the television showed a title card.

His jaw dropped, "The Lion King? Seriously?"

"Yes seriously," she chuckled at her disappointed son. "I love this movie, and the message is amazing."

"The message?" Lincoln lightly scoffed, "That if you wish your dad dead you'll get it?"

"Don't even start with that," She lightly smacked his arm. "I'm talking about the other one. About how we can't change the past. Things happen and you can either run or learn from it. To grow from it. How we all must move on."

Lincoln breathed out a small chuckle as they started to watch the movie. Unlike his mom, who relaxed in her fuzzy blankets, his mind was running a mile a minute over how much fuel they were wasting as they watched an animated lion on the television screen.

Lucille noticed this and spoke, "I remember you and Lou used to watch this all the time as kids."

"Yeah?"

She nodded, "Oh it was so cute. Lou was so off pitch all the cats in the neighbourhood would scurry away."

"Okay that's a little mean," Lincoln chuckled.

"I'm not lying. Your dad almost ran over one once."

"Jesus," they both chuckled as the movie went on. "I do remember Lou saying he wanted to be a king when we were younger."

Lucille snickered, "Oh I remember that too. Little boy sure acted like a dictator."

"Yeah, but you would give in."

She gasped, "I would not!"

"Yes you would!" Lincoln laughed. "Dad would prepare a three course dinner but then Louis would say he wanted McDonald's and you'd get it for him!"

Lucille wanted to fight back on that but remembered she did do that, "Okay, but I was mad at your father so it's different."

"Oh sure," Lincoln snickered as the movie continued.

"He had spunk, that's for sure," she smiled.

"I don't know if spunk is the right word, mom."

She chuckled, "I do. I pictured that spunk being used in his future career."

Now that made Lincoln's brow raise, "His what?"

"His future career. Well... what I thought he would do at least," she casually stated.

Lincoln looked away from the television and towards his mother, "You thought about his future career?"

"I thought about both of yours," she ruffled his messy brown locks. "All mothers do."

He fixed his position on the bed so he could give her his full attention, "Well?" He gestured to her to go on.

With a playful roll of the eyes Lucille sat up and smiled at her eldest, "Well, as for Louis... I pictured him as this big shot lawyer. Ending up a bachelor in some major city like Atlanta or New York. Something like that."

"And me?" Lincoln leaned forward.

"Well you I saw ending up very different," she pushed him back.

"How so?"

She shrugged, "I just did. I saw you going off to college and meeting a nice girl before settling down. Becoming something in the tech field in a nice neighbourhood and having a large family."

Now that made Lincoln cackle. Romance was definitely something the boy was not good at. Even after he went through the time old "girls are yucky" stage. Something that Louis had never grown out of but that's besides the point. Both seemed to lack any proper way to talk to a woman they weren't related to.

"Don't laugh, I'm being serious," she politely pushed him.

He still did, "Well I don't think that's a possibility now."

Lucille's smile never wavered as she shook her head, "No. I think it still is. It's actually similar to what I see your future being now."

He moved closer, "And what exactly do you see my future being?"

"Well," she threw an arm around her son. "I see you leaving here, finding a group of respectable people or even starting your own. You move on and pair off with a nice girl and find a safe community to grow old in."

"Sounds nice," he smiled.

"I know."

Lincoln chuckled a bit more at his mothers silly little fantasy as they went back to watching the movie. At one point his mom even forced him to dance to Hakuna Matata, guilting him more like it. After the movie was over he went to shut off the generator but Lucille sat him back down and made him watch another movie, and then another and another.

They spent the entire day watching old Disney movies before Lucille finally allowed Lincoln to turn off the generator. Though when he went up to do so Lucille was right by his side and made him sit with her as they watched the sun set. Allowing the two to take in the crisp night air before heading inside for dinner.

With a noticeable burst of energy Lucille volunteered to cook dinner. Grabbing the family sized can of stew Lincoln was saving for when Negan and Louis would return and secretly used the entire thing for the two. Not that Lincoln would notice in the candlelight.

Not even two bites in the boy let out a small hum as he placed his bowl to the side, "Oh. I almost forgot."

Lucille sadly watched as he walked over towards the wall and added another tally mark. Though he smiled, "They'll be back tomorrow night. I'm sure of it," he stated as he went back to eating.

Her lips went into a fine line as she immediately lost her appetite. Slowly putting her spoon down Lucille did her best to keep eye contact with her son, "Link, that's actually what I wanted to talk to you about."

Lincoln continued to eat and motioned her to continue. Which she sadly did, "I think it's time you went on without me."

Her words made the teen choak, "What?!" He coughed up the stew as Lucille kept a straight face.

"It's gonna be a hard winter, I can tell. My heart can't fathom you being cooped up in this place with little to no food. Heaven forbid you get sick and have no means or people to help you-"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Lincoln quickly cut her off. "What are you talking about? We're gonna be fine. So I might have to go on some longer runs but we can manage," he tried to tell her.

She shook her head, "We need other people to survive in this world. Yes, we've been rather lucky since a lot of the state was evacuated before it spread but that doesn't mean there isn't any danger. We need large groups to survive, you need a group to survive."

"I have a group!" He quickly told her, "You, Dad and Lou. That's all I need. That's all we need to make it."

Lucille went quiet for a moment, looking at the tally marks. The sounds of their crackling fireplace filled the pregnant silence before she let out a shaky breath, "Sweetheart I think it's time we address... that situation," she struggled to get the words out. "I think we both know-"

"No," Lincoln quickly shut her down. "No, don't think like that. They're coming back. I know it."

"Love... I think we both know that they aren't-"

"Don't say things like that!"

Unlike her son she stayed calm as she went on, "It's been almost two months. I think it's time we got out of our fantasy and focus on the facts. On your survival," she glanced at the tally marks

He got up, "If that's the case we'll leave together! You and me. We go... we go out there and find a group, a community. Maybe they'll have a doctor, someone to help you!"

She simply shook her head, "Baby, I can't even walk without help anymore. What makes you think I can run out there?"

"Then I'll carry you!"

"And then when we're surrounded by those things we'll both die. Do you think I want that? No. I'd rather die here knowing I gave you a chance, then die being the reason you did as well," Lucille did her best to keep smiling. "Besides, it's not like a place would take a person like me in. I'm just a waste of resources."

"Don't call yourself that!" Lincoln knelt in front of her. "Mom. Listen to me, we are going to get through this, okay?"

"Link," she placed a hand on his cheek. "I'm in pain. I'm dying. It's not going to get better for me, but you have a chance."

"And when dad and Lou bring your treatment we are going to end that pain," he wouldn't listen to her. "We are going to cure you and when we do we are gonna find a place to call home, okay? I promise you."

As Lincoln said those words Lucille realized no matter what she said would end in him shutting her down. That her opinion didn't matter because he was so focussed on something that wouldn't happen. She knew Negan wasn't coming back, but it seemed her son needed a push to understand.

So to avoid any more arguing she just nodded and agreed with him. Lincoln then pulled her into a hug and promised things were going to be okay.

Lucille knew they were, but for very different reasons.

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