» Time Is Dancing « | » Carl Grimes «

» INTERNMENT «

I Learn From Experience

"You know what to do, have you got the tube?" The man was on the ground, choking on his own blood. I nodded at Hershel's question as he opened Henry's throat with the metal instrument, allowing me to send the tube through his airway so he could breathe. It was draining my energy, struggling against his attempts to break free as Sasha and Glenn held his arms down. I attached the airbag to the other end of the tube and handed it to Hershel, who pumped air into Henry's lungs.

"Some council meeting, huh?" He relaxed enough to comment.

"We're two members short." Sasha added as she drank some tea. "I guess Belle makes up for it." She weakly tried to smile before deciding it took too much effort.

"I think we should make some new rules before they get back...I hereby declare we have Spaghetti Tuesdays every Wednesday." Hershel announced. I held back a chuckle, knowing it would just make me feel worse.

"First, we have to find some spaghetti."

He handed the airbag to Sasha, going with Glenn to take care of 'something'. He told me this sometimes, like I didn't know he was taking the dead bodies outside to put them down. He didn't want me to see it, and I appreciated that, but there was no point in hiding it from me anymore. I made my way over to my cell, seeing Lizzie fast asleep on the bed. She shared it with me now, fearing being alone during the night, and I couldn't exactly ask Glenn to move to a different cell. I didn't mind it, anyway. I decided to let her rest when I saw Rick standing outside the door, trying to get my attention. When he saw me he opened the door to the visitation room, implying I should enter through my side.

"Hey, Belle. How're you feeling?" He asked with a concerned expression.

"Like shit." I chuckled dryly. He smiled in amusement. "Daryl should be back soon, though. So you don't need to worry about me."

He raised an eyebrow. "Tell that to Carl. I found him in your cell yesterday. He's been reading that book you got. I think he's missing you."

I smiled at the thought. "I miss him. I can't wait to get outta here. Being cooped up in this place is started to make me jittery. I wanna be out there, hunting, gardening, anything."

He looked distant as I spoke, seemingly contemplating something. "You come in here for anything specific? Or did you just miss me, too?"

He hesitated before finally spitting it out. "Carol killed Karen and David." I didn't know what to say to that. Of all people, Carol was one of those I suspected the least. "She wanted to stop the sickness spreading, she thought it was the best thing to do." He asserted.

I stuttered over my words, trying to get my thoughts in order. "It's just- Carol? What are you gonna do?"

He sighed, like he didn't want to tell me. I stared at him expectantly. "I exiled her. I gave her a car and she's gone. I'm sorry, I know you were close but you have to understand-"

"I do, Rick. You did the right thing. It was a hard decision, but it was the right one. I would've done it myself." I assured him. Killing two people, two of our own, that couldn't go unpunished no matter the reason. I just wasn't sure what to tell Lizzie and Mika. Was it my job to take care of them now Carol was gone?

"I'm sorry. Do you...do you want me to pass anything on to Carl? A message, or..." He asked as he was about to leave.

"Just tell him I'll see him soon."

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I couldn't stop my tears now. I gripped onto the doll like it was my lifeline as my eyes watered over and over again. I was crying for Carol who was out there alone, I was crying for Lizzie and Mika who had no idea. I was crying for Carl who I missed so much, and for Maggie who hadn't been able to kiss her husband for days. Speaking of, I rubbed my face roughly when Glenn's feet dragged into the cell, his body falling gracelessly onto his bed. I suppressed the sobs coming from my throat, feeling like I was being choked. I looked up and was surprised to see Glenn staring back at me with a sympathetic expression.