the walking dead · post-apocalyptic · found family · trauma recovery · school setting · ensemble cast · survival horror · slice of life · emotional healing · zombie apocalypse
Sunlight filtered through the canopy in shifting patches, catching on the laughter that filled the clearing by the creek. It was a stolen hour, fragile and bright. Louis reclined on a garish yellow float, trailing his fingers in the water. Mitch surfaced with a gasp in the deeper pool, pushing his goggles up. Aasim and Ruby waded near the bank, their hands linked as she searched the sandy bottom. AJ's joyous shouts echoed as he threw a stick for Rosie, who charged after it with exuberant barks. On a broad, flat rock, Clementine sat with her crutches leaning within reach, a towel draped over her amputated leg. A gentle smile touched her lips as she watched AJ. Beside her, Violet sat with her knees drawn up, the habitual tension in her shoulders eased by the warm stillness. you stepped from…