The Mini Badass

Chapter 28

I'm standing outside with Carl, his sister in my arms as the group packs up to go find Maggie and Glenn.

"Carl." Rick says motioning his son away from my side, Carl kisses the baby's head before running after his dad.

I stand beside Hershel, rocking the baby back and forward as we watch everyone else pack up the cars. Daryl pats my shoulder making me turn to him. "Hold down the fort while we're gone alright." I give him a smile, nodding. "Be safe okay?" I plea as the baby grabs ahold of my finger. 

"We will." He assures me moments before Rick and Carl join us. Rick gently takes his daughter from me, cradling her in his arms.

"See you soon Judith."

I look over at Carl who for the first time in days has a smile on his face. "That's her name?" I ask earning a nod and a "Finally." from Daryl. 

"Carl picked it." Rick says, smiling at his son while handing me back his daughter. "Well I think its a great name." I tell the boy as the baby - Judith tugs on the top of my shirt. "I'm gonna call you Jude." I whisper down to the baby, Ricks laughter making me raise my head. 

"What, you all call me Ains, she needs a fun nickname too."

<3

The group consisting of Daryl, Michonne, Rick and one of the prisoners Oscar left hours ago leaving the rest of the prison in a tense atmosphere about our missing members.

Beth and I are sitting in her bed in her room with Carl standing in front of us, playing with his sister, when Axel walks in sitting down next to me on the bed looking down at the calm baby in my arms.

"You are good with her." He tells me and I give him a polite nod before looking back down to Judith. "You have any little siblings?" Axel asks and I shake my head muttering a no without looking up.

"How old are you anyway?" He asks yet another question as Carl stands up. "At least twelve, maybe thirteen now." I tell the man, glancing between Beth and Carl then back to the baby. 

"Interesting-"

"May I speak with you?" Carols voice interrupts making all of us look to her. "Me?" Axel asks and Carol nods. The man turns to me and whispers that "Be right back."

Once he leaves and is out of earshot I reach forward, grabbing Carl's hand while still being mindful of Judith and force him to sit next to me, leaving me in the middle of Beth and him. "Do not move."

Axel never comes back, instead Hershel walks in as Judith starts fussing. "Think she's ready for bed." He says leaning on the cell wall. "I'll go put her down." Beth offers and I give her a thankful smile before handing Judith over.

Hershel stays on the wall as she leaves and after a moment of awkward silence he tells us "I'll help her." before hobbling out.

It quiet again, but not awkward. I lay down on Beth's bed, rubbing my hands over my face, letting them rest over my eyes leaving me in darkness. 

I feel the bedding shifts as Carl lays down next to me. "They'll find them." He tells me and I lower my hands to my stomach. "I'm sure they will, I'm just not sure if I'll like how they find them."

A loud woman scream interrupts our talk. I jump up looking at Carl before we both rush out of the cell. We meet Hershel and Beth who have also just left a cell. "What was that?" Beth asks, holding a still fussy Judith.

"That was from inside." Hershel states and I start pulling my hair back. "Carol?" I ask the three, walking into my cell and grabbing my gun and a knife. "She's out keeping watch with Axel." Hershel says when I walk back out.