Afraid of the Living - Carl Grimes

☆ five

TRIGGER WARNING: mentions of depression symptoms and urges of self-harm.

always remember there's people who love you and need you. it is okay to feel what you're feeling, and it is okay to want help.

1554 words

Leah's POV:

I brush my hair. I really need to let Enid cut it. It's getting too long. One grab, and I'm a walker's dinner.

I hear Lola giggling at the bear I gave her. I found it on a run a few weeks ago, and she's been obsessed with it.

I brush my teeth, spit in the sink, and grab a hair tie. I braid my hair down and tied it at the end. At least I won't get paint in it.

I poke my head out of my door, looking down the hallway.

"Who's taking care of the kids today?" I yell down, waiting for an answer.

"I'll bring Lola down to the Church, Lee, Gabriel will watch her." Glenn responds, calling me that nickname again.

"Alright, cool." I walk back in my room and change Lola.

"Hun, where's my toothpaste at?" Maggie walks in my room.

"I took it, here you go." I hand it to her, and she walks back to the other bathroom.

I grab Lola and walk into the master bedroom. Maggie and I give Glenn a kiss on the cheek, and I hand Lola to him.

Maggie and I walk down the path. Today, we have more work to do to get Alexandria back in order.

We see Tara and Heath talking to each other. It's probably about the 2-week run they're going on soon. Maggie and I say quick hellos and keep walking on.

"Are you doing okay, Leah?" She asks, looking at me.

The same question people have been asking since that night.

"I'll be fine. Promise."

Maggie and I see the "In Our Memory" wall. It's almost done. Just a few more names to go.

"Are you gonna be okay to work on this today?"

"I've been working on it for a month, Maggie. I'm fine." I grab a bucket, and brush and start getting to work.

I've been saving his name for last. I know it'll hurt to put up there, but he deserves it. I start painting the L.

"Do I put Lincoln Junior or LJ?" I ask Maggie.

"We all know him as LJ. But he was your brother. Do whatever you want."

I nod. I'll go with LJ. I know he hated when I used his full name, anyway.

"How far along are you?"

Maggie's head whips around. She looks shocked.

"How– How do you–"

"My mom was pregnant twice during the time that I can remember. You've been craving things, had morning sickness, bloating. And I heard you tell Glenn. And I know you told Aaron. Why not me?"

"I didn't want to tell you at the time. You were going through so much. And I didn't know how to."

"How far along?"

"I think a month or so now. I'm not exactly sure."

"What are you gonna name the baby?"

"I don't know. I was thinking Hershel for a boy and Beth for a girl."