rag doll | TWD

[31] the grove

zombie --- the cranberries

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[JJ]

I'd never been so relieved in my life than when I opened the door to Carol, Tyreese, Lizzie and Mika. My heart pounded with both joy and exhaustion.

Carol's eyes lit up with a familiar warmth. "Brought pecans." Carol smiled, "Figured we could make some cookies."

I stepped aside, letting them into the house.

Tyreese gently lifted Judith from the bassinet.  "Judith," he said, his voice thick with emotion, "You saved her?"

"I did." I crossed my arms, also admiring the calming baby, "It was right before the admin building went down. Barely made it out."

"Glad you did," Tyreese said, his voice carrying a depth of regret I hadn't heard before. "I never said I was sorry...before."

I raised an eyebrow, "About what?"

He looked down, struggling with his words. "When I found Karen and David and went after your brother. You were just trying to protect him, and the way I stood up and looked at you—" He shook his head, a shadow of regret crossing his face. "That wasn't me."

"I know," I said softly, nodding in understanding. "We've all had those moments. Trust me, I didn't think much of it after that day." I glanced at Carol, remembering the conversation with Rick. I kept my mouth shut. I didn't want to risk it.

Carol met my eyes, "It's beginning to get dark. I'm gonna light some candles. Lizzie, you wanna help me crack these pecans?"

Lizzie nodded, "yes, ma'am."

I smiled as I sank into the couch, my eyes drifting to the window where the faint glimmers of light occasionally flickered. "Haven't seen those in a while."

Mika, joining me on the couch, followed my gaze. "What?"

"Fireflies," I said.

Tyreese chuckled, the sound warm and genuine. "You ever catch 'em? Me and Sasha used to do it every summer before we had to go in for dinner."

"I'd catch them and put them in a jar," I said, leaning back against my hand. "Rick would let them go after I fell asleep."

Mika's eyes widened in curiosity. "You catch them? With what?"

"Your hands," Tyreese replied, "What, you've never caught fireflies before?"

Mika shook her head, and Tyreese's face brightened with a playful challenge. "Well, we might have to change that." He looked around the room, taking in the cozy setting. "I could get used to this. We're in a living room, in a house."

"Yeah, so relax." Mika told him. I laughed, turning my head back out towards the field of fireflies. "We should live here."

Carol, Tyreese, and I shared a warm, passing glances. It was a rare moment of peace and normalcy.

Once the pecans had been cracked and the girls settled into bed, I stepped outside, finding Carol lightly swaying back and forth on the porch swing.

"I heard about what happened at the prison," Carol said softly.

"Yeah," I mumbled, looking down at my lap, "it sucked."

Carol continued, her tone turning hopeful yet cautious. "There's this place—Terminus. We saw a sign for it when we first started walking. Before we found the two of you."

My eyes lifted, watching the fireflies light up the field, "Terminus? Sounds like a sketchy-ass place with that kind of name."

Carol stifled a laugh, "We talked about going. Maybe the others who survived the prison are there. They might have made it."