Chapter 1: The Dirty Hunter and Asian Guy?
Summary:
This is the beginning! Also lmk if you can guess who her family is???
Chapter Text
Damn…this whole thing fucking SUCKS!
I thought to myself, I was trekking through the forest in the hot Atlanta sun. I’m barely 15 years old, (Maybe?…I lost count a few months ago) trying to survive alone with little supplies. With only a small brown backpack with a couple bottles of water, a knife, extra ammo, rope, a cassette player with my mom and dad’s tape, firecrackers, a pencil sharpener, and a couple of pictures of my family.
My family…
Anyways, this should be universally illegal because I’m a minor, but whatever.
I sigh and decide to rest against a tree. There weren't any undead assholes around, so I thought it was safe enough. I took my shotgun off my back and held it in front of me while I sat on the ground against a tree. Never know if there were alive assholes either. I leaned my head against the tree, I took a few drinks of water, and I just had one second to finally relax after what feels like days.
Why the hell is it so hot?! Is Global Warming even still a thing?
I chuckled at my own joke, and I sighed. I feel like I’m literally going crazy, I haven’t seen a real person in a few weeks. And that last time was definitely a fucking nightmare that I never want to re-vist again…
Hell, I’m literally talking to myself right now!
I looked down at my black analog watch and sighed. It’s about 5:30pm, and it's going to start getting dark soon. I looked up at the tree and realized I wouldn’t be able to climb it. I muttered and cursed to myself and stood up as I redid my short ponytail. I used to have a shaggy pixie cut but it's grown out since the outbreak. I also dyed it red right before so now only the tips of my shaggy mullet are red. But you don’t get to care about looks in this world, not like I cared too much before.
I should probably say something about myself, even if most of this is going to be in my perspective. My name is Tyler Smith, Tyler Rose Smith but I don’t ever really use my middle name…
Anyways , back to what I was saying. This whole apocalypse thing started when I was 13, almost 14. I was a normal kid, I was a freshman at the local high school my Dad worked at; my Mom was a freaking accountant. I used to love sports and I got pretty good grades, I wanted a scholarship for Softball. But everything changed, both when my Mom got Pancreatic cancer and when the dead started rising.
But the long and short of it, my Mom is dead and I assume my Dad is as well. I lost him a while ago and I haven’t seen any signs of him. I was with another group but that didn’t last long, although they did get me all the way to Georgia from Virginia so that’s good. (I guess). I’m alone now though, it’s probably better this way. Shit, I’ve already seen so many die already. The only thing I’m living for is the deceased and to get to the CDC. That’s what me and my group were doing before-…Anyways, that’s where I gotta go, even if there’s a slim chance that it’s actually still up and running.
I kept walking while the sun was setting fast. I had to find some kind of tree I could sleep in, and fast. While I was searching and thinking to myself, I heard the snapping of twigs and brush. I quickly held up my shotgun, and pointed it in the vague direction of the sound. I furrowed my brows and tried to see if it was a dead guy or someone who was about to be. I suddenly heard a voice from that direction.
“Woah, hey just calm down. Don’t shoot.” He said as he emerged out of the brush and trees.
He was a young asian guy with short dark hair, he was wearing a light brown shirt with a gray shirt underneath and green cargo pants.
“I’m putting mine down, okay?” He said calmly and started to slowly put his black pistol on the ground. I sighed and kept my gun up
“Who the hell are you?” I said sternly, I was trying to sound tough but I was still wary of him. He put his gun down so quickly and without a fight, he had to want something .
“My name is Glenn…” he replied slowly, I thought it was slightly strange.
There’s no way I’m scary…ohhh it’s probably the gun, that would make more sense. My thoughts were interrupted by a gruff and southern voice behind me.
“Put it down.” the man behind me said coldly. I sighed and looked behind me, I saw a tall, scrapy man with long brown hair. He was holding a crossbow, a fucking crossbow! Who the hell…
Anyways, I hesitated before decocking my shotgun and putting it on the ground.
I kicked it to Glenn and sighed “If you’re gonna rob me, you’re shit outta luck cause I don’t got anything…” I said coldly.
Glenn picks up the gun; the two men glanced at each other and the hunter turns to me.
“You alone?” He said in the same tone but he was more cautious than aggressive now. I studied the two now that I saw them both face to face.
“Yeah.” I said flatly and crossed my arms, there’s no way these two could think that they were going to intimidate me.
“No parents? Family? Group?” Glenn said in a softer tone than the Hunter, it sounded almost curious.
“I said I was alone, didn’t I?” I said sarcastically, I cursed to myself, it was a natural reaction for me to talk back. I swear to god, it’s going to get me killed one day. But it was just the way I was raised…
Glenn sighs and glances at the hunter “How many walkers have you killed?” He said firmly.
I furrowed my eyebrows slightly at the weird question and replied
“I dunno…a high-ish number, I guess. Maybe in the 20s or 30…” I said cautiously.
The hunter narrowed his eyes and looked at me. “How many people you kill?” I froze and sighed softly, I couldn’t decide if I should lie or not. I hesitated again and tried saying confidently (but ultimately failed, and muttered)
“Two…” Both guys looked surprised and sympathetic at the same time.
“Why?” the hunter said sternly, but no longer sounding hostile. I sighed again and started picking at my fingers while avoiding direct eye contact by looking at the woods behind and around them.
“Self defense…” I said monotone.
Glenn looks at me sympathetically, while the hunter slings his crossbow over his shoulder and sighs. “What’s your name, kid?” he says after a while.
“...Tyler.” I said slightly softer because they didn’t seem like immediate threats anymore.
The stubborn Hunter glances at Glenn and sighs, tilting his head slightly, almost shrugging before both turning back to me.
Glenn speaks first “We have a group…we live in a safe place, a prison.” He elaborates.
“You’d be safe.”
Safe?
I huffed. Like I haven’t heard that one before. Sure, go ahead and lead me away so you can kill me and probably eat my-
Glenn sighs, clearly seeing my distrust “I promise, we won’t hurt you. We have fences, you wouldn’t be alone anymore.”
I paused and sighed, thinking it through. I’d surely go crazy or be ripped apart if I stay out here any longer. And if things get bad, I’ll just leave, I’ve survived worse!
“Fine” I said sternly, but it came out more meek than I hoped.
Chapter 2: The Prison (and My New Home?...)
Summary:
Tyler arrives at the Prison and meets everyone! This is right after Lori's death so Rick still a little crazy lol. Also I have a Spotify for Tyler's mixtape if ya want it. It's mostly classic rock but also stuff that's just her vibe.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4YPk8WCkCuJ1vxmVClP7dS?si=gBkP2Ga1SoO9kXxhcxtoCA&pi=u-WuObHoEMSmKS
Chapter Text
Treading through the woods with two strange men, yup this is my life now…
I wondered how I was already starting to regret this, we hadn’t even gotten there yet. I was walking behind Glenn and Daryl, I had learned the hunter’s name from their short conversations they thought I couldn’t hear. I was also pissed that they hadn’t given me my shotgun back, but it was understandable.
Glenn glanced from behind his back and sighed “Let’s just hope he doesn’t lose his shit…” He muttered.
Daryl shrugged, “She’s a kid, it’ll be fine.”
Oh great…I just love getting myself into dangerous shit.
We walked over some train tracks, and I saw it from an opening in the trees and brush. A seemingly abandoned prison with tall watchtowers and fences, big fences. There were no dead assholes inside the yard so that was definitely a good sign. Also no people outside…can’t tell if that’s good or not yet.
Glenn turned to me and chuckled lightly “Told you…”
I didn’t get a good long look at the prison though before Daryl both continued on, and me and Glenn followed suit. We kept walking until we reached the front gates. I analyzed my surroundings for a moment before seeing a kid run out of the gates inside the prison. He ran down the gravel path across the yard and stopped in front of the rope used to open the front gate. The boy was younger than me, maybe by only a couple of years. He had short brown hair and he was wearing a brown cowboy hat that seemed a little too big for him. He glared at me and narrowed his eyes…
Smart kid…
“It’s alright, Carl. She’s with us.” Glenn said calmly.
Carl looked over to Glenn and Daryl before sighing and pulling the rope to open the gate. He glared at me the whole time while we were walking inside. He let go of the rope, simultaneously closing the front gate.
Another woman runs out, this time from one of the watchtowers, she immediately hugs Glenn tightly. She had short brown hair, similar length to mine. She was wearing a brown tank top and she had a black rifle swung around her back. It was slightly more comforting that I wasn't the only woman there. Carl finally interrupts Glenn and the woman’s sweet moment
“And who is she?” Carl said sternly. Honestly he just sounded very cute to me trying to act tough. The woman let go of Glenn and looked over to me.
“It’s okay, guys. We found her in the woods, she was alone and needed our help. The woman analyzed me and squinted her eyes from the bright sun. Her and Glenn seem to be together so she doesn’t question it much.
“I’m Maggie, and you are?” She said with her strong southern drawl.
“Tyler…” I said softly
I looked around the courtyard, and it was strange finally being away from the dead assholes after spending months just moving from place to place. There were a few tall guard towers and a nice green courtyard. It was actually filled with grass, small weeds, and small flowers. They haven't been here long if they haven’t even planted food yet. I looked at the gravel path heading towards the main prison.
Nobody was outside. So they’re a small group…
Daryl and Glenn continued leading me to their home, Maggie stayed behind to resume her job, I’m guessing. While Carl followed us, probably to keep an eye on me, he reminds me so much of Charles…
Anyways, there was another gate that was opened by a woman named Carol. She was on the thinner side, mid 40’s, white short hair (Gotta respect the matching short hair) and she had a rifle as well.
Damn, where the hell did they get their guns from? Did they steal that shit from the guards?
I saw Carol analyze me but not in a threatening way, although I could still tell she didn’t trust me either. The three men escorted me into a building with black painted lettering, designating it “C Block.” When we arrived inside, it looked mostly empty but there were a few things. The main thing that caught my eye though was baby supplies…
I knew it was already hard enough trying to survive with kids, but a baby?! Who’s stupid idea was that? Birth control is so easy, people.
They led me from the main room to the room with the cells, and damn it was a lot of room. I saw a young blonde girl holding a baby, she couldn’t have been too much older than me. The baby was small, maybe a few weeks old. It was relatively quiet though.
Oh…of course it was the teenager that got knocked up during the end of the world…
She looked up at us and looked slightly shocked, I guess new people don’t come here often.
“Beth, this is Tyler. We found her out there alone. She seems okay…” Glenn told Beth softly, he glanced at me and flashed me a kind smile. Beth also smiled at me and walked over
“I’m Beth…and this is Judith…” Beth said tenderly, also with a heavy southern accent and looked down at the infant.
“She’s beautiful…” Was all I could mutter, this was all so surreal.
Carl rolled his eyes and sighed. I looked at Carl again and stepped back slightly, Judith looked similar to Carl. Even if she still looked like an alien like all newborns do. I knew that it was Carl being protective of his baby sister…
At least I hope it’s his sister, oof-
That’s when I saw an older man walk in crutches out of his cell. He had white hair and beard, he had a kind look on his face, and a missing leg. When he approached, he leaned on one crutch and extend his hand to me
“I’m Herschel…” He said softly, he was similar to Beth and Maggie. They were probably related.
“Tyler Smith…” I replied awkwardly and shook his hand. God, it had been awhile since I was near and greeting so many people…
I wanted to change the conversation to where I would stay when we heard heavy metal bars smash onto a wall. I flinched and turned around to see a middle aged man who looked slightly messed up in the head but not enough to be called crazy. He was gruff but not like Daryl, he was a little more cleaned up. He seemed to be coming from another cell block or something, but I didn’t even have a chance to think before he noticed me. His icy cold glare shot through me
All I could mutter was a sarcastic comment because it’s my defense mechanism. “Jesus, you look fucking terrifying.” I said flatly and definitely loud enough for everyone to hear.
You could practically feel everyone in the stale room cringe at my words. I quickly realized this was probably the guy Glenn and Daryl were talking about earlier.
“Who the hell is she?! I told everyone, we’re not letting anyone else in.” The man suddenly snapped at everyone.
I stepped back slightly since I was the closest to him and Glenn stepped up for me.
“Rick, she’s a kid. We found her alone outside. We couldn’t leave her there, she seems capable…Cm’on Rick, she’s 15.” He muttered, trying to calm Rick down. It was obvious Rick was the boss but I didn’t get why.
Rick sighed irritatedly and glanced at me before looking back over at Glenn.
“She is responsible for herself and if she does anything to endanger us, she’s gone.” He pointed to me while staring at Glenn, like I wasn’t even enough to be acknowledged.
Rick stormed off again after getting out of Glenn’s face. The entire group collectively released a breath of relief and went on about their day.
Hershel pulled me aside. "Don't mind Rick, he's worried and going through some things of his own right now. You can trust him though, I promise."
Trust him? He’s your fucking leader and he looks like he doesn’t give two shits about what’s going on. And he already hates my guts so that is definitely not going to be bad for me later.
But I just nodded to Hershel and replied “It’s okay, not the worst that’s been said to me.” I muttered before stepping away
I mumbled a small “thank you” to Glenn and he nodded. Maggie took over for the next half hour, explaining the rules and where I’d stay. I was weirded out by this whole situation, but it doesn’t help that I haven’t seen a good situation in awhile either. Maggie eventually had to go back outside for watch but I didn’t mind. I actually wanted some alone time to just process everything that’s happened within the last couple hours.