Red (sequel to TYG)

Chapter 17

Carl's pov:

I can tell that my Dad is having a hard time deciding if he should yell at me or comfort me right now.

To be honest, I'm not really sure how I feel right now. I don't know what's going on in Anna's mind right now and I'm not gonna lie that it hurt to hear her say those things. She was obviously scared. The leader had her in a freaking headlock! He could have been threatening her somehow. It had to have been a pretty good threat if that was all lies, and that makes me worry.
It also makes me just a little bit jealous that he got her to talk again and not me, but I brush off the jealous boyfriend feelings for now because this really isn't the time or place for it.

Most of the group is silent on the walk home besides Sasha's quiet sobs for her brother and a few others trying to comfort her. Tyreese was with us for a long time. You develop a certain type of bond with people when you both are so focused on the same thing; survival. Although we are a dysfunctional group, at the end of the day we're family and losing someone hits close to home. I think we can all agree on that.

The group scatters once we get back to the house, going to most likely collect their thoughts. I think everyone is confused at this point and physically exhausted.

"Carl, a word." Dad says, motioning to the small office. "Daryl, I think we have a couple of things to talk about too."

We all three crowd into the office, my Dad going to sit behind the desk as if Daryl and I have acted up in school and are being lectured by the principle.

There's absolute silence for a minute before he sighs loudly, obviously judging us.

"Why? Just why?" He asks with disappointment in his tone.

"For the record," Daryl says and holds up his hand as if he's asking permission to speak, "It was all him." He says and looks pointedly at me.

"You could have told us." He says to Daryl and he drops his head a little.

Dad's gaze turns to me, waiting for me to explain myself.

"I can't excuse what I did, and it was wrong, but we wouldn't have known Anna is still alive if I hadn't." I say after a moment of silence.

"All I'm gonna say about what you did is this; you're right that we wouldn't have known about her, but we lost a good man today. Tyreese was one of us."

I nod my head in understanding.

"So what do we do now?" I ask.

"The only thing there is to do. We make a better plan and we see who is still on board with it after this."

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"We've all done some pretty stupid shit while we were grieving, I can tell you all about that firsthand, and Carl is no exception. The bottom line though is that she's one of us and we never abandon one of our own." Glenn says to the surrounding group. "Maybe it's just me, but I don't think I could ever forgive myself if I let Anna die. She has a heart of gold and you all know it. She's family. Maybe it was fate. Maybe without knowing it, Carl knew she was still alive."

There's silence throughout the room. I look around at everyone from where in seated on the arm rest of the pale green couch. I don't really expect anyone to go after what I did besides my Dad, Glenn, and Daryl. Maybe Michonne.

"Well, I'm in." Abraham speaks up. "I didn't particularly like her when I first met her, but it's true what you said, she's one of the sweetest people left in this group. We look out for each other."

"We watch out for each other." Michonne says, nodding her head in agreement.

Sasha sighs before standing up from her place on the couch.

"Look, Anna is a sweet girl and I care about her and all, but don't expect me to be part of this next plan. It's to soon." With her lips pressed into a line she leaves, going to her room upstairs.

"If I thought I would be any help at all you know I would." Gabriel says. "Unfortunately, I don't. I'll be praying for your safety throughout your journey."

"Watching Judith is helping me. I'm grateful for it." Dad says.

I don't know Gabriel very well - I never really bothered trying.

After that it's pretty clear that everyone is still going besides the obvious.

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