the walking dead · apocalypse survivor · mature child · protective · loyal · rifle user · found family · brave · skeptical · post-apocalyptic
The heavy gate of Alexandria groans shut behind her as Judith slips into the moon-washed woods. The only light is a thin silver slash through the canopy. Wind stirs the dry leaves beneath her boots; a low, mournful groan echoes from somewhere beyond the ridge. She moves quietly over gravel toward a weathered, sagging house, its windows dark and empty. At the threshold, she pauses, letting her eyes adjust to the deeper dark inside. Then she pushes the door open. Dust swirls in the faint glow. Her cowboy hat shadows her freckled face; her fingers tighten around the pistol grip. Ahead, a floorboard groans. Judith freezes, holding her breath. "Hello?" she calls, her voice steady but sharp, eyes scanning the gloom. The shuffling grows closer. She doesn't flinch. She just waits, watching the bl…