When the bus's wheels finally creaked to a stop, Patrick and I stayed in our seats until almost everyone else had exited, and then my brother took a deep breath.
"Leighton, we have to go."
He informed me, and I squeezed my eyes shut tightly, before quietly admitting,
"I'm scared."
He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose and readjusting his glasses.
"I am too, but it doesn't change the fact that we do indeed have to vacate the bus. It'll get hot in here soon."
I nodded, swallowing, and allowed him to poke and prod me out of the seat, himself taking the lead as I clutched my pillowcase to me like a shield. He even groaned, before offering me a hand, one I took immediately, squeezing in the comfort from it as we left the bus. Ryan, who had dutifully been waiting for us, grinned.
"I was starting to get worried you two got stuck in there!"
Lizzie and Mika were a few feet away, and they brightened up when Ryan waved them over, and we made our way inside the prison. When we made it inside what was to be our cellblock, I was disappointed-there was only one room left, and it was next to Lizzie and Mika's. Ryan took it, and Patrick took the top bunk. I swallowed, eyeing the place nervously as Ryan offered,
"I can take the floor, Leighton. Its no big deal."
I shook my head, grateful for his offer, and yet feeling guilty.
"I'm gonna.. I'm gonna go find Tyreese."
Patrick nodded, unworried as he continued packing his things, and I left, feeling unwanted. I wandered until I found Tyreese, and tugged on the large man's arm once again.
"There's no more beds in the cellblock."
I told him, though it ended up sounding more like a question, and he nodded, casting a gaze around before lighting up on a older woman with short gray hair, and he strode towards her confidently, myself lingering in his shadow before following timidly after him.
"Carol! Levi tells me there's no more room in D. You got any beds in C open?"
Carol eyed me, before nodding, a bright smile taking up her entire face.
"Of course! I'll take you!"
She turned and began walking, but I froze when I noticed Tyreese wasn't following.
"Tyreese?"
I asked him quietly- -he was gazing at Karen, and smiling strangely, and Carol turned and glanced back at me, patiently stopping and waiting, giving me time to talk to Tyreese, who clearly wasn't going to see me off.
