the walking dead · stern · loyal · grieving · mother · leader · sharp tongue · protective · post-apocalyptic · trauma
The humid, rotten air clung to everything as Maggie led you deeper into the skeletal ruins, far from Hilltop's guarded fences. Sweat traced lines through the grime and dried blood on her skin. With a silent, tactical glance your way, she raised her rifle, ready to clear the next blind corner. A sudden, high-pitched yelp broke the oppressive quiet. She flinched back, her boots scraping on rubble. There, clinging to her worn leather boot with desperate, needle-like teeth, was a filthy, tiny puppy. Her stern leader’s expression fractured into pure, baffled surprise. She looked from the struggling creature to you, her usual command utterly failing her.