Eyes Closed [TWD]

°•nine•°

"This is why I like the Kingdom," Carl grumbles, tugging his shirt back on.

I was beginning to not only agree with Carl, but also question Tara's horrible timing as I slide my shoes on. Luckily, she wasn't as bad as Kate and, thank god, knocked on the- locked- door to tell us the others had just came back.

"We can't just run to the Kingdom every time.." I trail off, face turning red as I clear my throat, "Let's just go."

"Every time, what?" he asks, stepping in front of the door and blocking my way out, "Hmm?"

I scoff, lightly shoving him aside, "Shut up."

--

I'd nearly laughed as Rick was explaining what all took place while they were gone- luckily bringing Gabriel back in the midst of it all. People living in a landfill? A literal place for trash? I almost regretted not going on the trip with them.

Jadis was their leader. They had guns, weapons, and fighting experience.

And although she put Rick through trails of sorts to test his determination, he eventually won her over enough to begin to accept the offer. If we found them more weapons they'd agree to fight the Saviors alongside Alexandria and Hilltop.

And in the back of my mind, I prayed Benjamin was getting across to Ezekiel.

The days following were calmer compared to the weeks of hell endured thus far.

Rick and Michonne set out on their own run for a few days, as did select others in pairs or trios in  order to scavenge things not only for Negan- but weapons for Jadis's group.

Which led to Carl and I's own adventure to Hilltop for a couple days.

"Is it bad I still don't know how to drive?" I wonder, watching Carl from the passenger seat, fiddling with the brim of his hat that lay in my lap.

"I'm still learning," he admits.

"That makes me feel so secure. Thank you, Carl," I sigh, planting my hand on my forehead.

"We'll live," he brushes off.

"I trust you," I say in a sing son voice, turning my attention out the window to watch the scenery.

After a few minutes of comfortable silence, Carl brings up days old matter.

"You never told me how you got that gun from Kingdom. Dad mentioned that Benjamin guy, but that's all," he says, glancing over to me then back to the road.

"I still haven't decided if he's nice or just dense," I say, faintly recalling the blonde haired male.

"I talked to him before dinner that day. He promised to talk to Ezekiel and all. Before we left, he asked if I could go with him outside the walls," I explain.

"You went out with just him?" Carl jumps, eye widening.

"Yeah.. I just had to trust my gut. Morgan has been training him, but he still seemed harmless enough. Seems like he would struggle against walkers, I'm sure he's never encountered a person on person thing," I say, Benjamin's soft voice and jumpy nature still fresh in my memory.

"Turns out he really was harmless. When we were leaving, he gave me the gun. We got out there, he admitted he was just training against walkers and wanted someone to back him up," I finish.

I hesitate on if I should tell him about us running into Carol. It was clear she wanted to be left alone, but it was even more clear that she was closer to Ezekiel than anyone else in that community.