LEIGH PERKINS'  POV

"LEIGH!"

"RUN!"

"JUST GO! FUCKING G-"

The everlasting screams ran through my head. Where am I? Why is the voice so familiar...

No...Not this.

The trees cut off most of my view, but thank god it was light so I could just about see through the thickness. Where on earth was he? I swore that he was right behind me. My rifle was glued to my hands, my finger grazing the trigger just in case.

"Perkins! Let's go." A voice called me. An angry voice, which was too familiar, made my heart pounce. Sweat was dripping down my forehead. I hated this. I spun around, seeing Carver pulling down his mask. "Are you deaf? We gotta fuckin' move, now."

It was like I couldn't say what I wanted to. My mouth moved on its own and my head shook, "No. Ryan is still out here!"

Ryan? Shit.

Another person came into view, this time it was a woman."It's too risky to go get him, you know that Leigh." Leah spoke more calmly than Carver. She nodded her head over to them, "Come on."

My mouth opened again, but a yell came from behind me. Ryan's voice bellowed through the woods, as if he wasn't that far behind from us. I looked back at the two people in front of my before running through the woods.

"Leigh!" Leah yelled back, looking at Carver before racing after him.

"I'm gonna fuckin' kill him." Carver gritted through his teeth.

My legs felt light they were burning. "RYAN!" I yelled as loud as I could, straining my voice. If I had to scream until my throat bled to find my brother then I would.

After the death of my mom, Melissa, and my stepdad, Mark, we weren't the same. It broke us, but we stayed together ever since. I wasn't going to let that happen to us.

My rifle clattered against my chest and the branches shot over my head every time I ducked. I began to lose breath and hope until I saw rotters in the distance. One dropped to the floor in an instant after gunfire went off. Definitely from Ryan. I made it past a few more trees, raising my gun and shooting three rotters in the head, one was just about to try and bite its way through Ryan's boot.

He looked up startled, before he caught his breath. "Thank fuck." I didn't bother to stop and catch my breath. I ran over to him, lending him a hand, which he took, so I could pull him up. Once I did I whacked his arm, "Asshole. Why'd you run?"

"I thought- Nevermind...I swore that I heard someone." Ryan breathed out, running a hand through his jet black hair. His chest heaved until his green eyes widened at something behind me. "Shit."

I spun around to see more rotters. It was like a mini herd of them, which must've followed the gunfire. I raised my gun, but Ryan put his hand on my arm to lower it. He shook his head, "The sound will draw more. We don't wanna be surrounded."

"Too late." I whispered, my voice hurt too much to speak or admit the fact that more rotters were coming to us from behind. "I'll get these, you get them." I rushed out, putting my rifle to rest at my back so I could get my knife. 

I approached a rotter, sinking my knife through its skull before pulling it out, just to do the same to another one. I looked to the side and saw more coming, one tried to grab my arm, but I luckily stabbed it in the temple. My hands started to cramp, but I couldn't rest now. The thought of getting to safety made my blood pump faster, so I killed another one.

My knife suddenly got stuck in one rotter's head, unsurprisingly, as it was a larger one than normal. I felt myself panicking before I could tell myself to breathe. I tugged and tugged, but there was no movement, apart from my beating heart. Fuck. Another rotter started to approach. I could only hear the grunts coming from Ryan as he was successfully killing all the rotters on his side, but I had several more coming straight towards me.

This was it. I'm gonna meet my demise and get eaten by these fucking monst-

Ryan harshly kicked the larger rotter in the chest so the knife could slide out with a tug from me. Thankfully, the rotter fell to the ground and I clung onto my weapon. I gave Ryan a nod before killing another one that was behind me, letting out a yell. But, someone else's yell was louder than mine.

I spun around at the sound of Ryan yelling once more.

"LEIGH!"

A rotter had its teeth sinking into his arm before he managed to kill it. I was stuck in my place, feeling everything in my body collapse, but I was somehow still standing. My breath froze and I couldn't even blink. Blood was pouring out of his arm, and Ryan looked at me with the same shocked look.

The yell attracted more rotters, and I saw one coming to my right. I had no choice but to use my little strength and kill it, not realising one was coming behind Ryan silently. Once my rotter was dead I was about to go over and help Ryan...but it was too late. 

Ryan's neck was bleeding out furiously, but I couldn't see it much as he began to fall, a rotter on top of him. Suddenly, I heard more gunshots. I looked up and noticed Leah with her gun raised, shooting the rotter on Ryan and another one in the distance.

"Leigh-" Ryan coughed out, holding his neck. I ran over to him, collapsing on the ground and gripping his hand. "Run..."

"W-What? Fuck no-"

"LEIGH MOVE YOUR ASS." Carver ran over, not even giving Ryan a pitiful glance. "He's dead meat."

"Carver what the fuck!?" Leah yelled from afar as she continued to shoot rotters around us

I felt Carver grip my arm, despite my attempts to get him off me. "I'M NOT LEAVING MY BROTHER, YOU ASSHOLE!" I shouted at him, only to earn a punch at my jaw, followed by a sharp feeling. I opened my eyes to see him holding his knife still, and he had left a large scratch on my cheek. Carver then began to drag me away, allowing oncoming rotters to get Ryan.

"RYAN!"

"JUST GO! FUCKING G-"

I watched the rotters bite into his neck until he couldn't scream anymo-

I woke up after what felt like years stuck in a never ending cycle of nightmares. My chest kept quickly moving up and down, I tried to push pressure on my bare chest, but it was no use. I pushed myself up, resting my back on the headboard, but also trying to be quiet since Lilia was asleep next to me.

It was just a dream...but I couldn't help but think about that day.

Lilia began to move beside me and I squeezed my eyes shut in annoyance when I realised I had woken her up again. I rubbed my hand over my face before I felt her soft hand on my chest.

"Leigh? Are you okay?" Lilia softly asked, sitting up on the bed. I hastily nodded my head in hopes to convince her I was, but it was no use. She sighed sadly, "Same nightmare again?" I stopped for a second, before looking away and nodding my head. "Do you wanna tal-"

"N-No." I stuttered out, placing my hand over hers and looking back at her. I brushed her slightly messy hair out of her face, trying to give her a small smile. "Go back to sleep..I-I gotta get to work anyways." She wanted to object, but I cut her off and kissed her forehead, "I'll be fine...I promise." I whispered as I got out of bed.

"I'll see you again tonight?" She asked me as I got my clothes. I gave her a nod and a smile as I shakily left the room.

•

Once I met up with the other troopers most of us were told that we were going to some other communities - with Pamela Milton and Hornsby - for her to see if Alexandria and the other places were worth helping. We stopped at Alexandria and I strayed behind Aaron as he gave the 'grand tour', although it was cut short due to a walker getting inside. Afterwards we went to Oceanside, but Hornsby clearly got annoyed with Rachel not wanting the Commonwealth's help unless Maggie gets involved. After that, we headed to Hilltop...

The truck Daryl and I was in ran smoothly across the gravel road, heading straight for Hilltop. My knee bounced rapidly, almost furiously against the hard metal beneath us, but when the truck suddenly stopped we looked at each other confusedly. I got my knife whilst Daryl got his bow and we jumped out, only to discover a few people trying to control their wagons and horses whilst walkers were trying to attack.

I recognised one particular person to be Maggie, who was with her people, and I could only assume that Daryl noticed too as he sprinted off to help. I ran after them and behind a walker, stabbing it in the back of its head. Another one behind me went limp with an arrow in the back of the head, the sound of a crossbow whizzing came moments before.

Maggie was on the ground with a walker trying to get her, but I immediately stabbed it in the back of its head. She then pushed it off as I pulled my knife out, silently apologising for the blood spill. I offered her my hand and I helped pulled her up, before she brought me into a hug since we haven't seen each other in a while.

"You alright?" I asked her as we pulled back, and she nodded with a grateful smile. I stepped back as Daryl went to hug her too, and I briefly noticed Elijah too. He gave me a nod in which I returned before Pamela and other troopers came over.

"You must be Maggie." The woman smiled, but Maggie didn't say much. At first she took a look at the new people around her, wondering if they were worth trusting at first glance. After some small introductions we went away to get cleaned up a bit behind the wagons, but also to talk to one another.

"It's good to see you guys." Maggie smiled at us as she closed the cap of her water bottle. She brushed her hair behind her ear before looking up, "Why do you trust these people?"

"Who says we do?" Daryl replied, "When do I ever?"

I quietly chuckled, "He's got you there." I muttered to Maggie, playfully nudging her, but she did it to me back. She looked at Daryl with a small shrug, "Fair enough."

"It's good to see Alexandria gettin' cleaned up, though." Daryl commented, making Aaron hum in response. "'Least their word meant somethin'."

"Yeah, there's like 50,000 people living there..." Aaron added, "At least 49.9 seem like decent enough folks."

"It's not forever though, right?" I asked.

"You sure you don't want to come with us?" Daryl asked Maggie, who was trying to avoid the topic, "You don't have to do this alon-"

"Hey, sorry to interrupt." A voice spoke over. We turned around to see Hornsby, smiling. "The forward unit picked up a swarm. We have some extra rifles with us. So, while they're handling that, Governor Milton proposed that we all go hunting, if you're up for that?"

His smile loudly stated that he was up to something, but I only hoped it was for good intentions. The Commonwealth couldn't be that bad...right? 

We went hunting and eventually split off into groups, but mostly so Pamela could be alone with Maggie in hopes to convince her to join. Knowing Maggie, she'd be hard to convince. I caught a few squirrels, but Daryl caught way more, of course, being a great hunter and all. We kept them to give to the Hilltop, as they've been low on supplies lately.

Once we got out Maggie went to a few of her residents and I helped troopers to pass out supplies. I even saw Hershel wearing Mercer's trooper helmet before he came skipping over to me.

"Leigh, look what I got!" He happily told me, tapping the orange helmet on his head. I chuckled, playfully pushing it down over his eyes to make him laugh. "Looking awesome! It suits you well."

"Oh, my God." Daryl added with a smile, walking over to the truck of supplies. "We're handin' out some food. You wanna help us?"

"Yeah!" Hershel replied, waiting for the crate, which Daryl eventually gave him before he skipped away. 

Mercer smiled and watched him walk away as he leaned against the wood of the wagon, "Must be hard to be a kid out here."

"He grew up on the road. He's a different kind of kid." Daryl added after putting down a crate.

I hummed in agreement, as I've known the little guy for some time, "A clever one definitely. I guess it's different from being born into this world."

"Ain't you got a kid on your hands, Perkins?" Mercer then commented, and I caught a glimpse of Daryl straightening himself and looking at me. Not gonna lie, it did make me nervous, I don't even know if Daryl likes me and all of a sudden people think that his grandson is my kid. I know I would never replace CJ's real father, but I'll always be there for him.

"Uh- Yeah, I guess." I hesitantly replied, folding my arms. "He grew up inside Alexandria though. But, kids are kids."

"Hm, tell me 'bout it." Daryl commented.

"Your friends. She like torturing herself out here?" Mercer changed the subject quickly, hinting about Maggie as she's dedicated to keeping Hilltop on its feet.

"This place used to be really special. Different." Daryl admired the front of the community. "It's goin' through hard times now, but it'll be back up and runnin'. Just watch."

Mercer nodded with a shrug, "I guess not all places are as lucky as Alexandria." 

"Not all places are as lucky as the Commonwealth." I shot back.

"Are you coming around?" Mercer smirked. It made Daryl let out a scoff in response, "I wouldn't go that far, but you guys, uh, have done good stuff for us, so, I don't know, I'll give you that."

Mercer's head shook, "Commonwealth ain't perfect, bro." 

"What do you think about it?" I perked up. Did he not like the place?

Mercer went silent for a moment before standing up, "Just don't get too comfortable. The only reason you're both out of your armor is because someone thought it'd be good for appearances." He began to walk off, "You both got your role to play, and I got mine."

Silence engulfed us for a few seconds until we both sighed, "How lovely."

•

When Maggie later told Pamela and Hornsby that Hilltop was going to decline their offer, we were told we were heading out soon. I said goodbye to Hershel, who gave me a hug, but also spoke to Elijah and Lydia for a bit until it was time.

I saw Maggie before I left, who had just finished a conversation with Dianne, looking disappointed. "Hey." I called out, which snapped her out of her gaze, and she tried to give me a smile. "You alright?"

"Yeah, fine." She nodded, briefly looking at the wagons that were set up to leave. "Be safe, okay? Tell CJ and Lia I said hi." She then told me, patting the side of my arm.

"I'll see you soon, Mags." I responded with a smile. "Hopefully Hornsby won't be on your ass since you declined the offer."

"God," Maggie rolled her eyes with a grin, "when I told them they looked at me as if I'd just shot them in the foot."

"Tell me about it." I smiled, my eyes flickering at the troopers around us, "He seems nice, but when he smiles it makes me think he's wanting something else."

Maggie nodded, folding her arms. "He's got a motive. People like him do." She replied and looked off at Hilltop. Then she looked back at me, poking my chest, "Keep your guard up, soldier."

I fake saluted her, walking backwards, "Ma'am yes, ma'am."

•

LILIA DIXON'S POV

I waited outside the school for CJ, counting down the seconds in my head until it was time for them to be let out. I remember when I tried to learn how to tell the time just so I could count down the seconds for the bell to ding and we could escape to freedom. Even though I hardly went to school, I still hated it, but CJ surprisingly loved it.

Carol was stuck on babysitting duty, which is what I love to call it when I tease her, and was waiting for RJ and Judith. We stood next to each other, hearing the sound of the tiny bell before a bunch of kids came out.

I saw RJ and CJ walk beside each other, Judith was behind with another girl, who she was saying goodbye to. The three of them came over to us, telling us about their day all at once, which was quite cute.

I lowered down slightly at RJ and Judith's level, even though she was getting quite tall now. "We'll see you guys soon alright? You're welcome at any time."

"See you soon, Lia." Judith smiled as she gave me a hug. I flicked RJ's hat and said my goodbyes to Carol, before taking CJ's hand and we went back to the apartment. 

"How was school then, kiddo?" I asked CJ, who looked up at me miserably. 

"I don't like school." He bluntly stated, making me chuckle.

"Sorry bud, but you've gotta learn...for some reason." I replied, muttering the last part mostly to myself. I got my keys out of jacket pocket, "Well, when we get inside you can tell me about it if you want."

A dramatic sigh escaped his lips, "When will Leigh come back?"

I placed my hand against my chest, more dramatic than him, "Do you like him more than me or somethin'?" It thankfully earned a giggle out of him. I tickled his neck as he didn't respond, "Well?"

"Of course not mom!" He giggled, letting go of my hand as I unlocked our door before he raced through the doors.

"Hey! No runnin'." I told him as I calmly walked through, closing it behind me. He soon stopped running, muttering a quick 'sorry' before taking his shoes off. "Thank you."

"You hungry, C?" I asked him, walking over to the counters, which he attempted to prop himself upon, but failed. I tilted my head, "Hm?"

"Spaghetti!"

"Spaghetti..."

"Please?" He smiled widely.

I lifted himself onto the seats, instead of the counter, so he wasn't fidgeting. "Comin' right up. It won't take long, maybe you can use them colours Aunt Carol got you?"

"Okay." He replied, jumping down and skipping happily to his small room.

I hummed to myself as I got the ingredients out, and a while later I eventually made the best spaghetti ever. Hopefully. Having an eight year old, who is extremely picky, can be a nightmare...

Whilst I was serving it I couldn't help but feel an odd sensation in my stomach, as if I could throw up, but my throat wouldn't let me. I went to drink some water, but it didn't help. I assumed it was just hungry so I shrugged it off. But the unusual smell was weird.

I couldn't help but even feel a sense of deja vu...but why? It was probably nothing. I chugged some more water and then heard the sound of the front door opening.

"Hi Leigh!" CJ greeted from the floor, kicking his legs in the air as he was colouring.

"Hey bud'." Leigh smiled, rolling up the sleeves of his black shirt, which was my favourite since you could see everything as it was more tight. He walked over to me, snaking his hands around my waist and kissing the back of my neck.

I grin, attempting to squirm out his grip, but it was no use. I turned around, wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing my lips against his.

"Someone's home early." I hummed.

"Complaining?"

"How could I ever?"

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

HIII I'M BACK!

thank you for being so patient as I've had exams so I took a break from writing <3

EXAMS ARE DONE SO I'M BACK IN BUSINESS

WHO'S EXCITED FOR TWD DEAD CITY?

i hope you guys love having leigh povs as much as i do BECAUSE THEY'RE GONNA KEEP COMINGGGGG