𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠 ↠ 𝘤.𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴

56: Drowning

WARNING: THIS CHAPTER DOES CONTAIN (A) SENSITIVE TOPIC (S) THAT CAN BE TRIGGERING TO SOME. I DONT WANT TO SAY WHAT IT IS EXACTLY, TO SPARE ANY SPOILERS, BUT IT STARTS AT THE LINE "Cautiously, she pulled the bobby pin out and slowly opened the door." PLEASE BE ADVISED.

Helping someone can be different with every situation. You could help someone complete a simple task, like moving something heavy; you could help someone by giving them a hand when they're busy doing a million other things; you could help them feel better, help can mean a lot of things.

Not being able to help someone, no matter the situation, can make someone feel bad, and wish they could do more.

Or when you try to help someone, and they push you away, insisting that they don't need your help.

"I don't need your help, I don't need anybody's help." Jack kept insisting as he walked through the house, his younger sister following close behind, practically begging him to tell her what's wrong.

"Then at least tell me what's been up with you for the past few days."

"Nothing has been 'going on,' I'm fine, you're fine, we're all fine. Let it go." He stopped suddenly, turning around, causing Elle to bump into him. He stepped back, looking at her.

She had concern written all over her expression, her eyes were glazed over; she looked like she was about to cry at any given moment. He sighed, letting his shoulders sink. "Look, I'm just adjusting to the whole.. 'safe community' thing. You and I both know change isn't something I find very easy to deal with." She nodded, understanding. "Now please leave me alone so I can go take a nap." Jack gave her a small smile, hoping it looked convincing. She nodded again, returning the smile before walking away.

Taking a nap is smart, everyone was stressed. Due to the fight between Rick and Pete and how quickly it escalated, Deanna was considering exiling Rick. Everyone knows that if Rick goes, they go with him.

That night, Deanna would hold a town meeting including everybody except Rick and Pete so they could discuss the matter. It would be stupid to exile Rick though, he was looking out for Jessie and her sons. Him being a father and husband himself, he knows that you never lay a hand on anyone, especially your own family.

Elle found it to be none of her business, so she tried not to get involved and avoided the topic all together.

She stood at the bottom of the stairs, watching as Jack made his way up, not sparing her a glance. "Hey." Ryder came up behind her, startling her.

"Hi."

"You alright?" He asked, wondering why she was standing at the bottom of the staircase.

"Yeah, just tired." She replied. It wasn't entirely a lie, she was tired; but she didn't need to worry anyone else with Jack's troubles, especially when even she doesn't know what's going on with him. "Are you going to that meeting tonight?" She asked, walking over to the couch.

"I don't know," he walked behind her. "Probably. Are you?"

"Probably not. I'm not sure yet." She sat down, laying her feet on the coffee table that sat in the center of the living room.

"What are we going to do if they kick him out?" Ryder began to worry.

"We go with him." Elle stated in such a tone that implied it was the obvious next step. Ryder only nodded, but she was getting the feeling that he might not agree. "You wouldn't?" She turned to look at him and he sat down next to her.

"I don't know. I mean, I want to, but look at what we have here. Food, water, heat, air conditioning- everything." He explained, trying to make his case sound convincing.