- T E N -

The Walking Dead
(season 1-11)

'I never thought I would
ever love someone because
they were incapable to love me
and here i found you.'

by @everm0res
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- A R G U E -

It had been at least an hour or so after the incident, the others being Daryl, Rick, Glenn, Anthony, T-Dog and Izraella.

Were still looking for Merle Dixon back in Atlanta.

Maia had calmed down after the whole "Ed fiasco" and was sitting with the kids. Giselle asked her to watch them.

The kids were playing a game of tag.

Lara was it and was currently chasing Carl.

"Tag!" Lara yelled and she tagged Carl's shoulder. "Come on!" He groaned before laughing and chasing the girls.

Maia sat on a log and watched the kids, cracking a small smile as they chased each other.

Lori was a little bit away from Maia as she watched the kids.

"Maia! You're it!" Luna tagged Maia.

"I'm not playing, what're you talking about?" Maia laughed softly.

"I just tagged you." Luna smirked mischievously and tagged Maia again.

"Tag." Luna spoke and the other kids watched with anticipation.

"Tag." Maia stood up and tagged Luna before making a run for it, she wanted to entertain her sister and she also needed a distraction.

"Hey!" Luna and the others kids laughed.

Lori watched Maia run around and play tag with the kids, it was one of the sweetest things she'd seen all day.

The distant yells and laughter from the kids and Maia.

"Come here you little shit!" Maia ran after Rosalyn and she picked her up from behind and she squealed.

"Gotcha!" Maia laughed and threw Rosalyn over her shoulder. "Put me down!" Rosalyn squealed through her fit of laughter.

The other kids laughed at the small gesture and Maia put Rosalyn put down on her feet.

The kids were all panting and Maia had her hands on her hips.

"What? You guys can't handle a bit of running?" Maia laughed at the kids who gave her side eyes.

"How aren't you dying?!" Lara exaggerated and Maia laughed softly, shaking her head.

"You guys clearly haven't been in near a training ground." Maia sat down on a log and Giselle smiled.

"Not all of us went to ROTC, Mai." Luna spoke with a pant and laughed, the others joining.

"Wait what's ROTC?" Carl asked and Maia looked at him.

"Well, it's basically military training." Maia explained and Luna sat down on the ground in front of her.

Giselle handed Luna her cow teddy bear.

"Woah, you did military training?" Sophia piped up and sat down next to Luna.

"Hell yeah, I'm badass like that." Maia chuckled lightly and Rosalyn sat next to her mom.

"Oh so is this just the gathering of children now?" Maia sighed and looked at Lara who sat next to her.

"So you're like twenty-one right?" Lara asks quietly and Maia nods.

"Yes, I am. You remember me?" Maia smiled weakly at Lara who looked at the ground.

"Yeah, I remember when you came to pick up Anthony, you were pissed." Lara laughed recalling a small memory.

"When was this?" Maia laughed and she had a confused look on her face not recalling the memory.

"I'm pretty sure when you were in junior year." Lara smiles at Maia who laughs. "How do you even remember that, you were at least 8." Maia laughed softly and brushed her fingers through Lunas hair as she played tic-tac-toe with Sophia.

"I have fantastic memory." Lara smiles mischievously and Maia chuckles softly.

"Good to know." Maia smiled softly at the Rhee girl, she never necessarily had a proper conversation with the girl.

"You are just like your brother." Maia smiled at Lara who smiled back at her.

"I'm not sure whether to take that as a compliment or an insult." Lara smiled up at the woman and chuckled softly.

"Take it or leave it." Maia smiled and Lara smiled back.

"You're less scary than i thought you were." Lara tilted her head up at the woman.

Maia chuckled softly.

"Thanks." She spoke sarcastically and earned she earned a laugh in return.

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After a while, the kids had split up.

Carl was with his mom, Lori.

Sophia sat with Carol.

Lara, Rosalyn and Luna sat with Maia and Giselle.

"Oh, baby. Will you look at that?" Morales chuckled which caught everyone's attention.

Both Amy and Andrea were carrying a bunch of fish that they caught down by the Quarry.

"Look at that!" Morales laughed and everyone looked up and stared at the fish before he took them into his hand.

"Ladies..." He trailed off, everyone seemed to be in awe at the sight of so many fish.

Lori started clapping her hands.

"because of you my children will eat will tonight." Morales had a grateful smile on his face, and everyone smiled along.

Maia however wasn't smiling.

She was busy picking at her nails and couldn't be bothered about the conversation in front of her, she had Luna and Rosalyn playing pattycake while Lara was getting her hair braided by Giselle.

"Thank you." Morales smiled.

"Thank Dale." Andrea smiled widely. "It's his canoe and gear."

"Mom, look. Look at all the fish." Carl spoke in awe of the sight and Lori and Morales showed Lori up close.

"Woah." Carl said in awe and Luna started laughing softly.

"Holy cow, how'd you do that?" Luna smiled widely and looked at the fish in awe.

"Woah." Rosalyn and Lara cooed over the fish.

"Yeah, who. Where did you two learn to do that?" Lori questioned the two women who caught the fish.

"Our dad." Amy smiled at Andrea.

"Can you teach me how to do that?" Carl asked with a smile on his face and Luna tapped Maia on the shoulder breaking Maia out of her "trance".

"What's wrong?" Maia asked Luna with a soft tone. "You zoned out again." Luna spoke in a slight whisper as Giselle looked Maia who sat next to her.

"Sure. I'll teach you all about nail knots and stuff." Amy smiled at Carl before turning to Lori.

"If that's okay."

"Oh, you won't catch me arguing." Lori was still looking at the fish.

"Mai, you've been acting off all day. You're zoning out more than usual." Luna sounded worried about her older sister.

This caused Maia's gaze to soften.

"Don't worry about me alright." Maia spoke softly and wiped her hands on her pants.

Her palms were getting sweaty.

"Are you sure? Because you're doing that thing when you're nervous or something." Luna looked at her sister with a worried look.

"Lu, i'm okay, I swear." Maia smiled softly, it seemed real, she just didn't want to worry her younger sister.

Sometimes it was hard to tell if Maia was ever okay. She seemed happy, she did but then there were those times like these when you just couldn't tell.

She never wanted to worry anyone, she never did but she noticed how much the people close to her cared for her.

She couldn't help but think about her brother, if he was okay. Her thoughts going straight to the worst case scenario, she couldn't help it.

Her palms getting sweaty, trying to distract herself from those insignificant thoughts by picking at her nails. Zoning out in the middle of conversations because she couldn't help but imagine what it would be like in that scenario.

"I just wanna make sure because last time you were like this you had an anxiety attack." Luna said in a whisper and this whisper caught Lara and Giselles attention.

"I'm not going to have an anxiety attack, okay? I'm fine, i promise." Maia said softly trying to reassure her.

"Pinky promise." Luna spoke holding onto her cow teddy bear.

Maia put up her pinky.

"And I'll kiss my thumb." Maia took Luna's pinky and interlocked it with her before she planted a kiss on her thumb.

"I mean it." Maia said softly and Luna nodded still keeping their pinkies interlocked.

"Hey Dale. When's the last time you oiled those line reels? They are a disgrace." Andrea spoke as Dale walked past.

Maia looked up with her pinky still interlocked with Luna's before she pulled it away and Luna sat next to Maia.

Rosalyn was off with Carl in another corner, they were fighting with sticks.

Giselle finished with Lara's hair and gave her a smile.

Most of the conversation between Andrea and the others before Dale spoke up again in a concerned tone.

"I, uh." He stuttered slightly.

"I don't want to alarm anyone, but we may have. bit of a problem." Dale spoke and everyone, including Maia had their attention on Dale.

Confusion and worry filled everyone's gut.

Dale turned around and pointed to the hilltop where Jim had been digging.

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Rick, Izraella, Daryl, Glenn, T-Dog and Anthony were looking for Merle.

After searching the building they had come to the conclusion, after finding blood trailing on the ground and a stove being on, that Merle had cauterized the stump and exited the building through a window.

"Daryl, wait." Rick pushed Daryl off of him.

"Get your hands off me!" Daryl yelled in return.

Glenn gave Izraella and Anthony an annoyed yet cautious look to say that they showed be quiet.

"If no one shuts them up I will." Izraella whispered lowly to Anthony, her annoyance clear in her voice.

"It'll probably be our best shot." Anthony whispered in return before rolling his eyes at the two squawking men.

Glenn didn't dare say anything, he was sweating and clearly nervous.

"Only if we get those guns first." T-Dogs words echoed as he spoke.

Rick and Daryl had finally stopped arguing and Rick looked at T-Dog for an opinion.

"I'm not strolling the streets of Atlanta with just my good intentions okay?" T-Dog put his hands up in surrender.

"You'll need more than good intentions to get your ass out here." Izraella spoke up and put her arm on Glenn's shoulder and leaned.

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Back at the camp everyone had walked up to the hill where Jim had been digging.

Maia had walked behind Andrea with Luna who had been basically clinging onto her, Maia didn't mind.

Rosalyn walked right behind them with Lara and Giselle.

Everyone gathered around the man who was digging and stayed silent before Shane decided to speak up.

"Hey, Jim." Shane spoke with his hands on his hips.

Jim kept digging, completely ignoring Shane.

"Jim, why don't you hold up, all right?" Shane stopped for a second and watched as the man kept digging.

"Just give me a second here, please." Shane asked.

"What do you want?" Jim was clearly tired out and sweaty, he was panting.

"We're all just a little concerned, man, that's all." Shane replied simply and Jim scanned over the crowd.

"Dale says you've been out here for hours." Morales spoke.

"So?" Jim pondered, still panting, sweat dripping down his face.

"So why are you digging?" Shane asked, concern evident in his tone.

"Are you heading to China, Jim?" Shane shook his head and chuckled slightly.

"What does it matter? I'm not hurting anybody." Jim replied, a small smile on his face as he wondered and began digging again.

"Except maybe yourself, Jim." Giselle spoke up with her hands on her hips and her face filled with concern.

"It's 100 degrees today. You can't keep this up." Giselle shook her head and Dale agreed with her, matter of fact, everyone agreed.

"Sure I can. Watch me." Jim started pounding at the ground with his shovel and Luna flinched slightly.

Maia took her sisters hand to comfort her.

"Jim, they're not gonna say it, so i will." Lori stood out from behind Dale.

"You're scaring people." Lori spoke up with her arms folded across her chest.

"Specifically children." Maia piped up and held Luna's hand tighter and Rosalyn stood right next to Maia now.

"You're scaring the kids, Jim." Lori spoke softly, her face filled with concern and Jim stopped digging.

"They got nothing to be scared of. I mean, what the hell, people? I'm out here by myself." Jim spoke and Maia raised her eyebrows.

"You can get a lot of things done by yourself." Maia mutters and Giselle hits her arm in return and Maia mutters an "Ow."

"Why don't you all just go and leave me the hell alone?" Jim panted before digging again.

"We think that you need to take a break, okay?" Shane spoke and moved a little closer.

"Get yourself in the shade for a bit, some food maybe. I'll tell you what, maybe in a little bit i'll come out here and help you myself." Shane watched at the man continued to dig.

""Jim, just tell me what it's about." Shane demanded slightly.

"Why don't you go ahead and give me that shovel?" Shane asked.

"Or what?" Jim plunged his shovel into the dirt and looked at Shane.

"There is no or what. I'm asking you. I'm coming to you and I'm asking you, please. I don't wanna have to take it from you." Shane spoke again, concern still filling in tone.

"And if I don't, then what? Then you're gonna beat my in like Ed Peletier, aren't you? with ol' new girl over there?" Jim pointed to Maia who bit the inside of her cheek.

Rosalyn looked up at Maia immediately.

"Y'all seen his face, huh? What's left of it." Jim raised his voice and Maia sighed.

"See, now that's what happens when someone crosses you." Jim says to Shane, almost provoking him.

Maia was refraining from saying anything and Giselle kept an eye on Maia.

"That was different, Jim." Shane spoke with slight annoyance as he tensed.

"You weren't there. Ed was out of control. He was hurting his wife." Amy spoke up.

"That is their marriage. Not his nor hers." Jim replied and pointed to Maia again before digging again. 

"He is not judge and jury. Who voted you king boss, huh?" Jim was provoking Shane.

Carol hugged Sophia, to shield her from the conversation.

"Jim, I'm not here to argue with you, all right?" Shane replied and Maia walked forward, letting go of Luna's hand and Giselle put a hand on Maia's shoulder.

"Don't." Giselle mouthed to Maia who inhaled and seemed to be contemplating whether to act on it or not.

Maia being the stubborn woman she is walked forward and past Shane.

"Okay, so now that we're pointing fingers." Maia started and Shane tried to pull her back and she gave him a glare.

Jim looked at Maia with an annoyed look.

"What you gonna punch me?" Jim asked and Maia but her cheek in annoyance.

"How do I say this nicely." Maia started.

"You're scaring the children, you're bringing up sensitive topics, and you look like bigfoot. So i would suggest get your ass in the shade, take five, I may not have any business with you but your friends are concerned for your well being." Maia stated in an annoyed tone however she tried to cover it up.

"So please, take five minutes out of your way digging to China and quit being a dick." Maia smiled sarcastically, the rest watched as this was the second time that day Maia was arguing with someone.

Jim rolled his eyes at Maia and she sighed loudly.

"Man you're making this very difficult." Maia shook her head.

"You want to fight or something?" Jim asked Maia.

"Look, i'm not here to start to fight however you're making this awfully difficult to not fucking punch you in the face." Maia started getting riled up.

Shane pushed Maia back lightly.

"Just give me the shovel, okay?" Shane went to grab the shovel from Jim.

"No, no, no." Jim tried to keep the shovel out of Shane's reach before he pushed Shane back.

"Jim!" Shane exclaimed and Jim swung the shovel at Shane before he ducked.

"Fuck." Maia went to Luna's side.

"Okay, shh, shh." Shane tackled Jim to the ground.

"You got no right!" Jim yelled as he got pinned to the ground.

"Don't watch." Maia whispered to Luna who looked away immediately.

After yells from both men on the ground it stopped and Maia sighed.

Jim was telling the story of how his family was killed by walkers, concern filled everyone's faces once again.

"You know, the only reason I got away was 'cause the dead were too busy eating my family." Jim spoke and Maia raised her eyebrows in awkwardness.

"That took a turn for the worst." Rosalyn spoke in a low whisper, and Giselle hit her lightly at the back of her head.

Maia gave Rosalyn a 'yikes' look and Lara just glanced around awkwardly.

———————

Everyone had settled down, Maia was still slightly annoyed by the conversation she had had with Jim earlier.

Maia sat with Rosalyn whilst Lara and Luna played with Carl.

Shane walked up to the two girls.

"What Shane?" Maia looked up at Shane, shielding her eyes from the sun.

"Let me speak to you quickly." Shane motioned his finger for Maia to follow and she gave him a slightly annoyed look before standing up.

"I'll be back." Maia told Rosalyn who nodded and gave Maia a look.

a look saying, "Don't hurt him."

"I know you just got here and you're still settling in but-." Shane was cut off by Maia.

"Do not finish your sentence. I am aware of that, I understand I have picked a couple fights but don't get me wrong. Ed is a dick and I had my reasons punching him in the face, and so did you." Maia explained and Shane had his hands on his hips.

"But I only pick fights with the people that have a fight to pick. So if you want to give me some boring, unnecessary lecture about being 'civil' save it for someone who gives a shit." Maia smiled sarcastically and Shane bit the inside of his cheek.

He stayed silent.

"Did i take the words right out your mouth?" Maia looked at him with a "really" look and he sighed.

"Thought so. We done here?" Maia replied and Shane nodded before Maia turned away and walked back to Rosalyn.

"What shit was he on about?" Rosalyn asked Maia as she sat down.

"One, watch your mouth and two, he thinks i'm unreasonable for picking fights." Maia replied simply.

"He didn't seem to be doing much talking." Rosalyn replied and Maia gave her a "really" look in return.

"That's the same look you gave him." Rosalyn replied with a sly smile.

"You're asking for a smack on the head." Maia replied to the girl with a slight chuckle.

"Hey, what can i say, I like to annoy my babysitter." Rosalyn shrugged and smiled at Maia.

"Just because I babysat you, doesn't mean i still am." Maia replied and picked lint off her pants.

"Which means you can't tell me what to do." Rosalyn smiled mischievously.

"I can, and I will. I'm older than you, don't try me." Maia joked slightly.

"You basically called yourself old." Rosalyn replied with a laugh.

"Here's the difference I'm a 21 year old that is military style trained and anger issues and you're an 11 year old girl who thinks she scares me." Maia joked and Rosalyn laughed.

"Fine, fair enough, but i think you're pretty cool for someone that's friends with my sister." Rosalyn shrugged.

"I know Izzy doesn't have great friends but you have admit, I'm the best." Maia narrowed her eyes playfully.

"I think you're better but i never said anything about best." Rosalyn shrugged and Maia laughed softly shaking her head.

"Whatever, Rose." Maia smiled.

"I think that Ed deserved the punch." Rosalyn piped up and Maia smirked.

"He's a dick." Rosalyn smirked and Maia laughed softly.

"I taught you well." Maia smiled and Rosalyn shrugged with a smile.

"Great minds think alike." Rosalyn joked and Maia smiled.

"I'm surprised you have a brain in that puny little head of yours." Maia flicked Rosalyns forehead and Rosalyn flinched.

"Ow." Rosalyn replied and Maia laughed.

"I must say, i missed you littleshit." Maia laughed softly.

"I don't know if i could say the same." Rosalyn shrugged.

"Hey, you love me and you know it." Maia shrugged and Rosalyn smiled.

"Whatever."

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jada speaks!
hello beautiful readers!!
been a while might i add.
i have finally regained my motivation and school is almost closing which is perfect for me.
i will try and update again tomorrow and I really hope you enjoyed this chapter!
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