» Time Is Dancing « | » Carl Grimes «

» ROCK IN THE ROAD «

It's A Great Big World Out There, And I'm Only Five Foot Three (And A Half)

"Look, you've seen what Maggie is doing for this place. She's been here, what, a week? Imagine what we could do with a little more time." I urged Bertie to put down her basket of crops and join our side. Me and Enid had been around the whole community, hoping to encourage them to fight.

Bertie sighed, finally placing the basket at her feet. "And you're sure we can win?" She seemed uncertain.

I nodded my head eagerly. "With you on our side, we can take out the Saviors once and for all."

Since Rick and the group arrived at the Hilltop, I had a strange rush of hope surging through me. Now he had finally stepped up, and we had Daryl back, it felt like things were falling into place.

"Man, we've almost got ourselves an army here." I chuckled as Enid followed me up the steps towards Barrington House.

"They're not just following Maggie, Belle. They're following you, too." She insisted, stopping me as I reached for the door. My lips dropped into a frown as I faced her.

Sure, I had been busy during my time at the Hilltop, but Maggie was really changing things. I just helped out in the medical trailer.

"Yeah, right. They're just doing what I say because they like Maggie." I pushed back, swinging the doors open and facing the group. They had forlorn expressions on their faces, quickly twisting into confusion at our smiles.

"Come outside." Enid told them, and we trickled through the open door. I figured Gregory hadn't taken the deal, but I expected nothing more from the irritating man.

We filed onto the porch, taking in all the expectant faces below us. Bertie stood at the head of the group, speaking for them all.

"Enid and Belle say that you want Gregory to get us to fight the Saviors with you. They say you can show us the way." She addressed Maggie with a look of courage. "I'm ready."

I couldn't stop the smile spreading through my cheeks. It wasn't enough, but it was a start. I said goodbye to Enid and Maggie as we walked through the gates, a new plan in our midst.

"We gotta get back. If they come looking for Daryl, we need to be there." Rick reminded us. I hated the way they wouldn't just leave him alone. Hadn't they done enough?

"You don't have to get back." We all faced Jesus when he spoke up. He reached into his pocket and withdrew a small radio. "It's one of theirs, long range. We can listen in, keep track of them."

I beamed at him from beneath my cap. I was really starting to like this guy.

"I think it's time I introduced you to Ezekiel. King Ezekiel."

»« »« »« »«

It was an incredibly tight squeeze in our van as we rumbled along to the Kingdom, and I couldn't contain my relief when I was shoved in the backseat beside Carl. I never wanted to let him out of my sight again.

"What happened to you? At the Sanctuary? Daryl told me he saw you with Negan." I mumbled my question, trying to keep my voice low so the others didn't hear. I could feel Carl's hand tense slightly on my knee before it relaxed again. He had a hard gaze as he searched his memory.

He told me everything, each word making the heat inside me flare up. Negan made him take his bandage off, he forced him to sing, to watch someone's face get burnt off. I bit down on my tongue to suppress my angered thoughts from spilling out.

"He asked about you." He finished, looking away from my eyes as they held a bewildered gleam.

"Me?" I stuttered out, and Carl shrugged.