» Time Is Dancing « | » Carl Grimes «

» DO NOT SEND US ASTRAY PT.2 «

Time Won't Heal These Wounds

The trailer was overflowing with injured residents, some minor wounds but others serious. The rising sun made it easier to navigate the extra people into Barrington house, giving them spare beds and sleeping bags.

I leaned against the doorframe as Siddiq wrapped a bandage around Tara's arm, holding the wound together.

My body straightened when he finished, something that apparently caught his attention as he startled. He kept his gaze low as he quickly packed up his first aid kit, muttering apologies and heading for the door. I followed when he brushed past me, a regretful tone in my voice.

"I wanted to talk to you." He stopped and faced me, a look of disbelief in his eyes. I stepped to his side, my fingers tangling into front of me. "I'm sorry...about the other day. It was a pretty asshole thing to say. I just- I wanted someone to blame for the whole thing, and you were the first person there."

I truly did think he was the reason Carl was dead, but I realised now that he would've never even dreamed of hurting him. He was a good person, he just needed help fitting in here.

"It's no one's fault. I know that now." I met his eyes with a pleading look. "Can you forgive me?"

He seemed taken aback as he stumbled over his words, finally coming to conclusion. "Of course, there-there's nothing to forgive." He nodded quickly.

My eyes fluttered shut with relief, a sigh forming on my lips. My fingers skimmed my stomach subtly but he noticed anyway, his stare casting down fleetingly.

"Thank you." My stance changed into something more up front. "I wanted to ask for your help anyway. You're probably the only doctor I trust around here. Do you know a lot about pregnancy?"

He held a sad smile as he nodded. "I spent some time in, um, obstetrics and gynaecology...why do you trust me so much?" His voice was hesitant and small.

"Because Carl did." I answered softly. Siddiq wouldn't be here without him, and I was thankful for that.

I felt like a new friend had been made after that conversation, a strong relationship already blooming with high hopes for the future. He was already helping out here despite his unfamiliarity with the people and place.

"You look like shit." Tara groaned when I sat on the bed next to her, a weak smile on her lips.

"I could say the same." My eyes drifted to her injury, small dots of red already appearing on the bandage. "What happened?"

"Dwight." She replied, her assuring voice interrupting before I could complain. "He did it to save me. He's still with us, I promise."

I chewed my lip reluctantly, my eyebrows drawn with suspicion. "I hope you're right."

"What about you?" She changed the subject, her gaze sympathetic. "How are you doing?"

"Daryl told you, didn't he?" I scoffed, leaning back on the headboard. She nodded slowly, a shrug in her shoulders. "I'm not okay, but I will be. One day at a time, right?"

»« »« »« »«

I insisted Tara get some rest, even if it was just for a few short hours. I promised I would check up in her later, when in fact I sat there until the sun was starting to set again. I didn't feel the need to move, to shut my eyes and lay down beside her as she slept. Even when she woke up and left, I felt frozen. There was such a lack of energy inside me that I didn't even get bored of staring at the same wall all day. My eyes traced the old fashioned brown and gold swirls for what felt like minutes, when it had actually been several hours. I just needed to be alone for a while.