» Time Is Dancing « | » Carl Grimes «

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Meet The Finch's

"You like peaches?" Glenn asked me, holding one out.m from the basket under his arm.

My eyebrows furrowed curiously as I snapped my book shut, taking it from him slowly. "Sure. Thanks." The light fuzz tickled my palm as I took a bite, the juice dribbling down my fingers until it left sticky, pale orange trails.

Glenn nervously glanced around the camp, his fingers tight around the basket handle until his gaze settled briefly on Maggie. In a flash his head snapped away, his eyes going anywhere except the woman.

"Is there something going on with you and Maggie?" I asked him, tossing the finished peach pit into the grass and wiping my damp hands on my jeans.

He appeared to panic at my question, shaking out of the frightened daze. "What? No? Maybe something, don't worry about it." He ended with a smile, but the way his lips wavered made it seem highly suspicious.

"You always say don't worry about it. I'm not. I like Maggie, she's real nice." I told him, jumping up from the dirt with a beaming grin.

I trailed behind him when Shane called him over, a map stretched on the hood of a car that Rick and Jimmy discussed. Glenn walked over and made a peach delivery before nervously leaving, the basket of fruit bouncing in his hands. I was so sure something was up with him, but I decided now wasn't the time to ask. I had something else on my mind.

"Did Daryl help? When he found the doll? Can you find her now?" I asked Rick, peering between his arms to get a look at the map.

He put a hand softly on my shoulder, a reassuring smile directed at me. "That doll was near the creek. We figured she ain't gonna cross over moving water, so it cuts the map down by almost half. We're getting closer."

I nodded with a delighted grin, hope sparking in my chest. Something about Rick made me feel better- he always seemed so sure about what he was doing, like a great leader should.

"We'd like to join you for gun training today." Beth and Patricia wandered over to the group, the younger girl folding her arms uncertainly. Rick and Shane had promised to teach the group how to defend themselves a while ago, and it was decided that now was the best time.

"Are you coming, Belle?" Carl asked as he paced up the hill, stopping by his father's side with an inquisitive smile.

"No, I think I'll stay here. Have fun, though." I offered before waving goodbye, making my way back up to the house. I didn't spend a lot of time in the camp our group had set up. I slept there and ate there, but I preferred being in the house. I liked spending time with Maggie and Beth, and Hershel's lessons took up some time. It made me feel a strange sense of safety.

I waited until the rumble of vehicles had silenced before swinging the door open, squinting to see the last clouds of dust settle on the path. Most of the camp were heading to a far away field to shoot, making sure the noise wouldn't draw walkers to the farm.

The hinges squealed as I crossed the threshold, only one thought on my mind.

'A good doctor always checks on their patients.'

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"What does that say?"

"Uh, obnoxious."

"What about this one?"

"...Consequence."

I shuffled on the bed to find a comfortable position, resting my back against the head board. Beth's book was open in my lap and Daryl laid to the right of me, his fingers absentmindedly at his lips as he chewed them. I thought we could both use the company while the others were gone, so I decided he could help me read this book. Besides, it's not like he could go anywhere.