Death Of Me

xii

SECRETS

only the most foolish person didn't hide their secrets

Venus watched Caspian from afar as he interacted with Maggie, her share of food on a paper plate in her hand. Arrow nudged her, a scowl on her face as she looked up at her sister.

"Let them have their fun, there's no harm in it." Arrow mumbled, glad her older brother was able to find some type of happiness.

"I'm not gonna do anything, I was just curious." Venus explained herself before poking her sisters side. Arrow squeals at the ticklish motion and runs towards Glenn who was holding a book in his hand. Venus chuckles before her eyes catch Lori's thin figure picking up a blue jug. The small smile that appeared on her face after she laughed fell into a straight line.

Venus made her way over to Lori, "Here, take my rations." She scanned her surroundings, making sure no one hears their conversation.

"I already ate, Vee." Lori dismisses her, pouring the jug of water onto the pot that was held above the campfire.

"You need it more than me, I actually have a little bit of meat on my bones, you almost have none." Venus purses her lips as she realizes the slight insult, "plus it'll help with the baby. You need nutrients and all that other stuff pregnant women need." Venus knew almost everything, having helped out her neighbor when she was pregnant with her second.

"Can you be quieter? The others might hear you." Lori hisses, "No one needs to know about my," Lori pauses to find the correct words, "situation." Venus' eyes widen. She hasn't told Rick.

"Lori, you can't keep this a secret from him, he needs to know. You're his wife!" Venus whisper-shouted, unintentionally catching Glenn's attention, not that he wasn't already looking at her.

"Please, Venus. They can't know, at least not yet." Lori pleaded, feeling a really strong tug in the bottom of her stomach as guilt starts to work its way up.

Venus pauses, chewing on her cheeks for a moment, "Fine. But you have to let me help you. I can take Glenn with me to go get prenatal vitamins, medicine, more rations, and warmer clothes for you. It's going to get cold soon, let me help." Lori doesn't get the chance to respond before her brother walks up, a basket of fruit on his arm. His eyes are wide and he had a bead of sweat going down his face. Venus turns to him, noticing the slight fidgeting in his body.

"What's up, Cas?" Caspian's head snaps to her fast.

"What? Nothing. Why would there be something up! Nothings wrong." Venus frowns, her eyes narrowing at him. Caspian hands Lori, who was staring at him with concern, a peach, before gripping Venus and pulling her away from Lori.

"Stay away from the barn and keep Arrow close." Caspian hisses out before walking towards Shane, handing them peaches. Venus barely had a chance to understand what was happening before he walked off. She furrows her eyebrows before walking back towards Arrow.

"They're doing target practice in a few, do you want to go as well?" Dale questions Venus as he walks up next to her.

"Yeah, I'll bring Arrow too, she needs to know how to protect herself anyways." Venus pats her sisters shoulder, not being able to shake off how odd Caspian was being.