Into Their Apocalyptic World (The Walking Dead Reader Insert)

I woke to an aching pain all over my body. My eyes snapped open from the sound of a zipper being pulled open. It was dark all around me while the air was cold and smelled of fresh pine. I laid still in the dark trying to figure out where I was.

I felt around and noticed that I was in an empty tent. When I reach above me my heart stopped when I felt the cold metal of a hammer. The nail removing side of the hammer had been sharped to a cutting edge. Next to the hammer was a handgun.

I was panicking as when I fell asleep that morning I was certain I was sleeping off a food coma. Maybe I was drugged? That could be the only logical explanation as I most certainly didn't own any camping equipment.

I sat up in the dark silently with my heart pounding in my ears. I ran my fingers through my hair almost gagging at how greasy and dirty it was. It was the kind of grime that can only get built up over days.

'No worries (name), you just woke up in the middle of the forest for no good reason... possibly dragged through the mud' I thought to myself unconvincingly.

I ran my fingers over the wall of the tent and felt up the zipper. I pulled it down just enough to look outside. It must have been early morning as the sunlight was beginning to stream in through the trees. Around me was a few other tents, a couple packed up cars, and an RV.

Something felt familiar about the whole situation but very wrong. I looked to the fire pit and saw movement. From where I was I saw two figures whispering to each other. Suddenly one hit the other and laughed. I popped my head back into my tent trying to not die from fright.

I waited a bit longer till most of the camp was awake and preparing for their morning. I was still fighting with my fear and anxiety when I heard people outside my tent.

"What's up with (name)? Usually, she is up before any of us." A feminine voice muttered.

"You don't think she... might've... died last night?" Another softer voice said aloud.

'What kind of people's first thoughts were if I died last night? And how did they know my name?!' I scooted to the back of my tent.

Someone walked closer to my tent, "Uh- (Name)? Are you alright in there?" A familiar male voice spoke outside my tent.

My worries were lifted slightly as I must've known these people. I hesitated for a moment but decided to zip open the tent. Looking around I saw all too familiar faces... of characters from the walking dead.

I near had a heart attack. Around my tent was Amy, Andrea, and Dale. There were others but they sat around the fire silently observing from afar. Dale gave me a hesitant smile, "What are you doing in there? The others were worried about you."

My jaw clenched as I tried to think of what words would be right to make me not sound crazy... which I must have been to be seeing this.

"Uh- Who are you? You seem... really familiar... How did I get here?" I said slowly causing Amy to gasp and Dale to go wide-eyed. Andrea, on the other hand, walked up to me suddenly and reach out to me.

I yelped and fell backward away from her hand. I felt almost as if she touched me then my reality would set in. She crouched down and held her hand out, "Uh, I'm Andrea. You don't remember me? You saved me and Amy in the city from those geeks." She put her hand on her sister's shoulder.

I took her hand allowing her to pull me out of the tent. I rubbed my arm nervously looking away from her, "I'm sorry I don't quite remember doing that. You guys seem familiar though I don't know why." I knew exactly why. Just the day before I was watching The Walking Dead and here I was seeing the characters.

I looked to Dale who gave me a hesitant smile. "It must be Amnesia due to stress. I've read about it before." He looked to the rest of the group, "How about we introduce you to the rest and see if that helps jog your memory." He took my hand and lead me to the crowd of onlookers. Some began standing up to get a better view of what was happening which only worsened my anxiety.

I clutched my arm as I looked over the characters of one of my favorite TV shows. It was before Glenn took the group to go scouting for supplies. From what I could see there was Glenn, Shane, Lori, Carl, Carol, Sophia, and the Morales family. There was no sign of the others.

Dale stepped forward gaining Shane's attention, "We might have a little problem..." Shane looked at him irritated, "What? Did a geek make it up to the mountain?" He stood suddenly. Dale shook his head and gestured to me, "(Name) doesn't remember us or what happened. She has Amnesia." Shane exchanged a worried glance with Lori.

Before he could step forward to me or say a word Carl suddenly bolted forward and grabbed me into a tight hug. I looked up to the rest of the group for help but all I got were saddened looks almost as if a reality set in for them as well. What the hell was I to this group?! Was I being punked by the cast of TWD? But then why would Carl look the same age as the first episode.

I patted Carl's back as he looked at me with frightened eyes, "Don't you remember Aunt (Name)?" His eyes began tearing up. I looked around the rest of the group. To my knowledge, I wasn't related to anyone I was an only child. I was also 100 percent confident my parents didn't have any more children after me.

I knelt down and gently grabbed the sobbing boy's shoulders, "Do you not love me anymore?" I shook my head and pulled him into a hug as I started tearing up, "I'm sorry I don't remember knowing you but I know for a fact my feelings didn't leave. I can't describe it but I still care for you with all of my heart. Now, where is this sibling I don't remember having?" I looked around and hesitantly glanced to Lori.

She gave me a very sad look and I took it as Rick being my brother, "He... he-" She started. Shane stepped forward holding a hand in front of Lori, "He died, back in a hospital due to a walking dead outbreak. You were there with me."

I was welcomed into the circle with Carl sitting directly on my lap the whole time as they slowly filled me in on the whole end of the world thing. Lori also told me all about how when I was old enough to work I moved to California and only came back for holidays. When Rick had been hospitalized I flew down to help support Lori and Carl.

A lot of what Lori said about me was true other then the whole being related to Rick, "I remember California... I left for Nursing school. It took me a while to find proper work so I lived out of my car for a bit." I muttered shaking my head leaving out how I paid for college, "I'm so sorry I don't remember you guys or the beginnings of the apocalypse but I want you to know I want to do whatever I can. What did I use to do for the camp?" I looked to Shane who was the unofficial leader of the group for now.

He smiled, "Anything and everything. Runs with Glenn, car repairs... nursing, and just about anything anyone asked of you." I chuckled as I ran my fingers through Carl's long hair, "Sounds about right. So let's get started."