tidal-grimes-blog

[tidal-grimes-blog]

"She was." Tidal agreed with a shaky nod of her head; but, the image of her brother bringing a gun to the head of her mother seemed to play on repeat in her mind-- the mind that had been destroyed by this horrible world. Tidal had seen things, things kids her age shouldn't have had to see, and she's done things; horrible things. Things that if the world hadn't ended would cause her to end up in jail. The teen glanced over at Daryl once he said her family would be there for her; and just the word family put a faint smile on her lips. "Is my sister whiny?" 

The Forest. || (Tidal&Daryl)

[tidal-grimes-blog]

Tidal felt like a child again; in her father's arms, tears freely flowing down her semi-flushed cheeks. She had missed them; her mother's gentle touch, and her father's familiar warmth-- all of it, she missed. Tidal missed looking into the glass-like blue eyes of her father, and hugging her mother tight. The blonde had missed so much; some of it she hadn't even remembered after being alone for so long-- but what she missed most? Being a family. 

Tidal gripped onto her mother's hand; but she felt something poke at her chest-- Carl. Where was he? Why wasn't he with them? Millions of thoughts seemed to seep into the mind of Tidal; horrible thoughts. Like one of her brother being torn apart by the grimy hands of the dead; their yellow teeth chomping away at his flesh. The image made a subtle chill run up the teen's spine.

Tidal sniffled lightly, licking her cracked lips, "Carl," She said shakily, "Where's Carl?" Her voice was soft, quiet; almost inaudible. The teen waited, she waited to be told of her brother being eaten, she waited for her heart to be wrenched out of her chest; she waited for the worst. 

Trembling legs. || (Tidal&Lori)

Pulling away Lori smiled through her tears looking at her beautiful, sweet girl standing in front of her and she glanced over at Rick giving his hand that was around her shoulder a squeeze. They all had somehow found each other and they were going to be just fine. She could tell the second he had walked into that camp his heart was crushed. Carl was his pride and joy but he had always held their daughter a step higher. The day he’d gotten shot had all but destroyed their entire family. 

“Your daddy found us back in Atlanta……I had hoped he found you somewhere before he left. I’ve missed you so much baby.” There were a lot of things she had to make up to her daughter. Rick’s shooting had pushed her kids to the side and she hated that she’d done it. 

She gently pushed Tidal towards her father and Rick scooped the teenager up like she was a toddler again. Nodding when Rick said they should get back, Lori took the bag and the gun that she’d been carrying following behind them and wiping at her eyes. Reaching up she took Tidal’s hand that was wrapped around Rick’s neck and held onto it the entire way back to the farm. 

Right now despite what the world had turned into this family was complete, they were happy and she’d be damned if anything came between that.

[tidal-grimes-blog]

The teen's eyes widened and she felt the sick feeling drift back to her stomach; she didn't want to think of that-- she didn't want to think of her little brother having to kill his own damn mother. The blonde nearly puked at the thought of little Carl having to put a bullet through Lori's head; no one should have to kill their mother at that age. Tidal nodded slowly, though, her mind was anywhere but there in that moment; her eyes shut for an instant, before she let out a breath from her nose, "God damn it." She murmured, Tidal didn't know what to say-- she wasn't sure how to express the anger she felt bubbled up inside of her system, especially in front of a man she just met. 

The Forest. || (Tidal&Daryl)

[tidal-grimes-blog]

Tidal nodded, rubbing at her eyes with balled-fists, "I just, I needa ask this, Daryl," She said softly, "Did any of you, ya'know, put 'er down?" The teen cringed at the phrase; she hated it. These were people for god sake, not animals; sick humans. Tidal glanced over her shoulder instinctively, before returning her gaze in front of her. 

The Forest. || (Tidal&Daryl)

[tidal-grimes-blog]

The teen nodded slowly; truth was, she hadn't heard a word that came out of Daryl's mouth. In that exact moment, Tidal felt numb, she felt as if she would break in a moment; though, she refused to cry in front of a stranger she just met. Tidal's heart felt as if it had been stabbed; she knew she would eventually just have to lose someone in this shitty place they call earth, but, she never liked thinking of it. The blonde bit her cheek, and glanced at Daryl, "The baby," She breathed, "Is she alright?" 

The Forest. || (Tidal&Daryl)

[tidal-grimes-blog]

Tidal's legs trembled, her arms wrapping around her mother's middle, as her face hid in the crook of her neck. "You're not a terrible mother." She whispered in an assuring tone. The teen didn't want to hear that; her mother was the best one on the planet. All she simply was trying to do was keep her family safe; Tidal understood that, one hundred percent, and felt her mother had no reason to apologize.

"I'm fine." Tidal replied softly as her mother checked her over; man, were those words a lie. She wasn't fine, far from it, in fact. The countless nights she went without sleep, the days she went without food, the evenings where she would sob about absolutely nothing, at the crack of dawn she would often contemplate suicide; but all those thoughts stayed in the back of her head, and to herself. Tidal would never dare tell her mother she thought of taking her own life. 

As Tidal stay content in her mother's arms, soft sobs escaping her lips as she greedily gripped onto her, a pair of arms wrapped around the two; and at first, Tidal was alarmed, thinking a roamer had came up without them noticing, but at the sound of other sound of cries, Tidal instantly knew who the man was. Her father. 

The teen's hands grabbed at her father; oh dear lord, how had he been alive? A coma? Or had he woken up before the outbreak? Had he gone along with her mother? Tidal shook all the thoughts from her head as they began making it ache, and instead, she focused her father and her mother in her arms. 

Trembling legs. || (Tidal&Lori)

Lori stood there watching her sweet, baby girl start to move towards her and she felt her throat try to close even more than it was. She brought both hands up covering her nose and mouth praying as hard as she ever had that this was real. When she spoke she felt something inside of her break and she rushed to her wrapping her arms around a tiny frame that she knew inside and out. 

Putting a hand on her head Lori held her as close as she could letting sobs overtake her. She was here. Her baby had made it home and on her birthday no less. “I’m right here baby……I’m right here.” She said finally finding her voice and pulled back putting her hands on either side of Tidal’s face. “Let me look at you…..” Looking over her beautiful face she slid her hands down taking a pair of tiny arms into hers and ran her hands over them not seeing any scratches or bites. Pushing her hair back to check her neck just to save what was left of her sanity she leaned her forehead into hers. “You’re okay….” She said more to herself than anyone. 

All of these memories just flooded her mind at one time and what stood out in her mind was how she had treated her when Rick was in the hospital. “I’m so sorry…….I know I’m a terrible mother…..but I love you …”

What she didn’t know was that Rick had kept his distance but followed her at the same time. She was so caught up in the moment she didn’t even hear his footsteps or sense that he was there beside them until his arms wrapped around both of them. 

[tidal-grimes-blog]

Tidal noticed the stranger took an odd look to her statement, so she decided to rephrase, "Well, I have," She murmured softly, her eyes casting to the ground, "But they all seemed to be insane, tried gettin' shit from me." The teen's shoulders shrugged lightly at the memory. 

The man's hands greedily grabbed at Tidal's bag, trying to get a hold of her supplies, he cursed at her like there was no tomorrow. So, the teen did what needed to be done; he was bitten, and she surely had no cure in her small knapsack, so, the man had a bullet placed clean between his eyes. It frightened Tidal that she didn't mind killing people; the world was changing, and she was changing with it, not necessarily for the better.

The girl's eyes glanced up at the man when he asked her for her name, "Tidal." She stated simply, pursing her lips, "What's yours, hm?" 

Shaky hands. || (Tidal&Daryl)

His gaze made her uncomfortable  he could tell. The way her shoulders hitched up just enough to come off as defensive was more than enough of a signal for him. It was something he was good at reading, body language. Easier than words that was for sure. Body language didn’t lie. 

“No one?” he questioned, head tilting a little. Seemed strange, after all it had been months and Daryl had run into plenty of people. It only made him more suspicious that she had lied before about being alone. How could she of been travelling this long and not met anyone? 

“Wha’s yer name?” 

[tidal-grimes-blog]

The small smile that had been planted on Tidal's lips fell, and was replaced with a frown at the new-found information. The girl grew numb as she continued to walk, her eyes flickered to the ground, "Oh." The blonde's stomach clenched at the thought of her mother being eaten alive by those menacing creatures, and a single chill climbed up her back. Tidal didn't know how to react; but how did one do when she found her mother died? This was the damn apocalypse, no one was guaranteed a life to live. 

The Forest. || (Tidal&Daryl)

[tidal-grimes-blog]

Tidal nodded; she had figured that one out on her own. Let's just say, when the outbreak first started, she thought it was okay to use a gun where ever, and it often got her into trouble. The blonde matched her steps with Daryl's, "How is everyone?" She asked softly, hoping he had caught on that she was referring to her family, "Are they okay?" 

The Forest. || (Tidal&Daryl)

[tidal-grimes-blog]

Tidal merely shrugged; she was sure he knew more 'batmans' than he did Tidals. Her name was peculiar; and she was well aware of it. Tidal never really liked her name, she thought it was weird, and would often nag her mother for giving it to her. The teenager smiled at Daryl's small tips he had been telling her, truly was something useful. Tidal was amazed by his weapon, and nodded slowly when an arrow zoomed through the air, hitting the creature perfectly in the back of the head, "Ain't that somethin'." She huffed, her eyes growing soft as she stared at the now-dead roamer. 

The Forest. || (Tidal&Daryl)

[tidal-grimes-blog]

Tidal's breath was caught in her throat as she stared at the familiar head of brunette hair in front of her. It was her; the woman Tidal had spent this whole damn time looking for. The woman that kept Tidal pushing through every hard ship she faced. The woman that kept Tidal from taking her life. Her mother; the woman who she had missed so dearly; so dearly that it kept her from sleeping every night. 

The blonde's eyes softened, her fingers seemed to glide from the gun she held, sending it to the ground; she didn't mean to, she really didn't. Tidal felt like she was in the state of shock; her heart beat in her ears, and she couldn't move. Her fingers were stiff, and her legs were trembling.

Part of Tidal was angry; angry at her mother for leaving her alone in this cruel world, angry for feeling like her mother didn't care for her. But, the other part of Tidal was more than happy to see her mother; in fact, that part of her seemed to spread to the other, and her anger fled within an instant. Seeing her mother, seeing her healthy, with flesh; that was more than Tidal could ask for.

The teen's senses seemed to kick in as a hand flew to her mouth, and tears sprung to her eyes; Tidal prayed to god this wasn't some sort of figment of her imagination, she prayed this was actually happening, and she wasn't going insane. The words left Tidal's lips before she could stop them; her legs seeming to move on their own as she gravitated toward her mother, "Momma?" The teen's brow furrowed as she awaited for an answer. 

Trembling legs. || (Tidal&Lori)

To Lori Grimes family was absolutely everything to her and leaving King County without her daughter had kept her up many nights. Her sweet, baby girl was out here all alone in this. She had no doubts that she made it because she’d taken the bravery from her father. Shane had told her she would be fine, that there were plenty of people could help her but if they stayed she’d be without anyone. No father, no brother, no mother. 

I will not leave my daughter Shane! Not in this! Please, not in this. Find my baby…please Shane. She had begged until she was physically hurting but he refused every single time as he rushed Carl to gather up things. She couldn’t leave her. She’d basically shunned her the entire time Rick had been the hospital. Honestly she couldn’t tell you the last time she’d really looked at her eldest child but in that moment it was all she wanted. But she had left, she had no choice.

There had been a constant void inside of her since that day and every single chance she got she’d look for her. Maybe she’d come back to her like Rick had done. If he could make it anybody could.

She was sitting on the steps of the Greene farm house while Carl rested inside. Herschel said that he would be fine. He made it the first 48 hours so he’d be just fine. They had everything they needed and now they just had to wait. Glancing down the dirt road that lead out of the property towards the highway she reached up taking the necklace that she wore running her hand over it. It was her birthday. She didn’t need a calender. She knew it and tears flooded her eyes. 

Feeling a hand on her shoulder she looked up through her tear-filled eyes to see Rick sitting beside her. “It’s her birthday Rick….” 

“Shhhh….” Rick simply said and put an arm around her bringing her close. 

She didn’t want sympathy, she didn’t want comfort. She wanted her daughter and with that Lori got up and walked down the steps. Heading down the road with her hands in the back pocket of her jeans she knew where she should stop, where the group could still see her but she kept going.  She was suffocating and needed time to herself. Not even looking in front of her but down at the ground Lori saw the dirt change to pavement and with a heavy breath she finally looked up. 

What she saw in front of her caused her heart to stop, throat to close and as a final tear slid down her cheek she shook her head. That couldn’t be her. This was a cruel joke. “Baby?”

[tidal-grimes-blog]

Tidal nodded slowly; never once had she heard the name Daryl. The same look he gave her when Tidal told Daryl her name was sent in the direction of the man. The blonde glanced anxiously around herself, flickering her gaze above every so often to check and see if it was getting any darker, the sight of a lone roamer caught her eye, and she looked at Daryl, "Should we take it out, or just leave it?" 

The Forest. || (Tidal&Daryl)

[tidal-grimes-blog]

The question made Tidal's brow furrow; she had a couple of reasons as to why she was alone, one being she didn't want to leave risk leaving Georgia, and the other being she hadn't come across anyone else during the whole outbreak. Maybe that was why she had been so odd when she first ran into the stranger in front of her; Tidal was frightened, and felt awkward as her eyes laid on another human. One that wasn't begging for mercy, or screaming for help. 

Tidal cocked a brow in the stranger's direction as he gave her an odd look; one that made her feel truly uncomfortable. It made her think back to the look her father used to give her if she was seen with another boy; and partially, it made Tidal sad. The blonde's eyes narrowed back in response.

"Haven't came 'cross anyone." She shrugged her shoulders, her brow furrowing once more as her gaze flickered to the ground. 

Shaky hands. || (Tidal&Daryl)

This time there seemed to be a pause before she spoke again. Holding his hands out to the sides, crossbow loosely in the right, he stepped out from behind the tree. Daryl wasn’t a hands up kinda guy, but he had to at least look as unthreatening as possible. Walking in the direction of the voice he caught sight of her, no gun. 

“Shouldn’ta put yer weapon away,” he chastised. Wasn’t as young as he had expected, but still pretty fresh to the world. Well if anyone was fresh to the world these days? It seemed that innocence had been thoroughly violated by what this freak show of a life had become. This was no longer a world for the young, that was for damn sure. 

“What’r ya doin’ by yerself?” he asked, eyes narrowing as he took the look of her in. She looked…oddly familiar, except he couldn’t quite place why…

[tidal-grimes-blog]

Send me a ♬ and I'll put my iTunes list on shuffle and tell you the song that plays while our muses have sex

[tidal-grimes-blog]

Tidal's brow furrowed as she watched the stranger had a somewhat sad look wash over his face; What's that supposed to mean? The teen decided to shrug it off, as she sped up to walk with him, "Thank you." She said softly. Tidal wouldn't be able to explain how grateful she was for this man to take her to her family once more. The blonde, gripped her bowie knife and glanced around herself, checking for any roamers; Tidal noticed she hadn't caught the man's name and spoke up, "What's your name, hm?" 

The Forest. || (Tidal&Daryl)

[tidal-grimes-blog]

Tidal's brow furrowed at the stranger's approach to coming from behind the tree; her eyes nearly rolled, did she sound younger than she looks? But, the teen decided she was being rude about a man just trying to be nice and not frighten her. But even that wouldn't help; Tidal was frightened by everything, noises, images, thoughts, people-- even herself, sometimes.

The image of her passing by a little girl who was screaming for help replayed in her mind every minute; it wouldn't leave. Tidal nearly kicked herself for not helping the younger girl whom was being eaten by roamers; the sight made her give a subtle flinch. That's what scared her about it.

Tidal placed her gun back in the waistband of her jeans; this man didn't seem any danger. "I'm ready." She breathed, awaiting for the man to reveal himself. 

Shaky hands. || (Tidal&Daryl)

The answer had a hesitancy to it, not in it’s coming but in a way that seemed she wouldn’t want to resort to it. Almost, something uncomfortable about it. Couldn’t quite put his finger on it. Course, she could’ve been lying about being alone as well. It was a though that made his stomach turn, the idea of someone using a kid to lure strangers. But, he was involved now. He couldn’t just go back to camp as if nothing happened, what kind of man would that make him?

“M’alone,” he answered, lifting his eyes to scan through the wooded area, as he half sighed and rolled his eyes to himself, “Look - imma come out alright? Nice n’ slow. I got a weapon, but if you don’t gimme no good reason to use it I won’t ya hear?” nice and slow, explain it to her step by step. Hopefully it would ease any fear or tension that might lead to an immature squeeze of the trigger. 

“You ready?”

[tidal-grimes-blog]

Tidal offered a frightened smile, "I'm fine, thank you." Her head nodded, but her stomach clenched at the thought of him having a group following behind him seeped into her mind, "Y-You have a group?" 

tidal-grimes found a feather

David stilled his movements, stepping back from her. The fallen fixed the pack on his shoulders as a smile filled his lips. “Good.” It was always nice to find someone that wasn’t bit, especially a child. “Me? Yeah. I’m fine. What about you?”