Afraid of the Living - Carl Grimes

☆ nine

3500 words

Leah's POV:

Alexandria is home. Nothing has felt like home in a really long time. But this place? It is my home.

My family and friends are here.

I've learned to accept that Glenn and Maggie are like parents to me. And that I'm not replacing my mom and dad by feeling that way. They would love Glenn and Maggie. They would love that they protect me and love me.

And it's safe here.

I hope it is, anyway.

Lola is getting bigger. It reminds me that every day, I'm one day farther from my mother.

She would be proud of me, though. She is proud of me. I know it.

~~~

Denise is dead.

I wasn't super close to her, but she was my friend. She was part of Alexandria.

Daryl and Carol are burying her. She deserves that much.

He pulls out alcohol, sips it, and keeps shoveling. I'm watching from the porch of my house.

Even in the apocalypse, it never gets easier.

~~~

"We have these, but we should hide a few. That way, we can find them, but strangers can't." Maggie explains to Michonne, Glenn, and I.

She's talking about guns.

"In case anyone gets in."

"They won't."

"It's just in case." I smile.

I hear the motorcycle revving.

"Oh, no."

Daryl rides past. He's leaving.

"What the hell is he doing?"

"Something he shouldn't."

"We gotta stop him." Glenn says.

Maggie nods, and we follow him.

I watch Glenn and Michonne get in.

"Woah! Make room for my freckled ass." Abraham yells.

"No. Cover my watch. You stay." Rosita insists.

"Hey, we should keep numbers here." Glenn says. He's right.

"I know where Daryl's going." She gets in.

Abraham stays.

~~~

"Hey." Enid says to Maggie and I.

"You look tired." She gestures towards Maggie.

"We still have a lot to do. Glenn, Michonne, and Rosita just took off after Daryl. I'm taking an extra shift. Just packing a lunch before I go out.

"That's not a good idea, Maggie. You need rest." I say to her.

"I'll be okay." Enid hands her a jar.

"See you later." She says.

"Where are you going?"

"Taking your shift while you rest." I smile at Enid.

"Enid..."

"Just for a few hours. Let me help. Put up her feet and have her eat some pickles." She says the last part to me and leaves.

"It's okay, Maggie. You can accept help and rest every so often. Let's get you in bed." I help her upstairs.