FALLING APART daryl dixon

t w e n t y - s i x - Force of Gravity

Walking up on a new day, Alycia Grimes decided to walk around a bit and get her straight back.

She got next to the RV, both Dale and T-Dog were trying to get the awning up to make some shadow next to the RV. Both of the men gave the woman a smile looking at her approaching.

- And how are you feeling? - Dale asked.

- Still alive, so that's good - The woman answered, nodding her head and looking at Glenn approaching them with a box in his hands.

- Hey, Aly - He said to her, his eyes flickering to his feet every couple seconds. - Here's some... Peaches. Do you want you?

- No - She shook her head. - You can give mine to my mom.

The boy paled immediately.

- Why... Why would I do that?

Alycia shrugged confused.

- Cause' she likes it.

The Korean boy made a "oh" with his lips.

- Alycia! - Lori shouted across the field and both Alycia and Glenn looked in the direction of her mother's voice.

- Shit - She mumbles to herself.

She notices where Lori, Dale, Shane and Rick are all fathered around Carl who sits on a picnic bench with a look of anger on his face.

- I'll go see what is happening - Alycia stands worried. - See you later, Peaches - She smiles sarcastically.

- Don't call me that - He calls after her watching as she walks towards everyone else.

As the woman comes to a stop at the table, she plants her hand on her hip.

- You look in trouble, what happened? - She asked, looking at Carl.

- Your brother stole a gun - Alycia's eyes shoot wide.

Alycia looked at the boy in disbelief, when their eyes met he looked down straight away, like a sad puppy who'd just been scolded.

- He asked me to teach him how to shoot, now it's none of my business, but I'm happy to do it. It's your call - Shane offered.

- I'm not comfortable with that - Lori shakes her head. When she sees the look on Shane and Rick's faces, she starts again. - Oh, don't make me out to be the unreasonable one here. Rick? Aly?

- I know. I have my concerns too, but...

- There's no but. Alycia was just shot! She's just back on her feet and now he wants a gun? - Lori argues looking between Rick and Alycia. She could tell that she was so hurt because of the accident.

Alycia sighed.

Before Rick and Lori got into an argument, she did the unexpected, crouched down in front of the boy and looked directly into his eyes.

- So, do you want this? Really? - She asked him.

- Yes, Aly. I'm ready - He promptly said looking at her, looking fearless.

Alycia had always been a believer in talking to Carl first before she made any huge decisions and this felt like a giant decision. Even though Alycia was just Carl's sister, her parents always included her in the decision, because she was much more than just a sister, Alycia was like a second mother to Carl.

- Why? - She asked.

- I want to protect you - He said.

Alycia's heart could melt at that moment. Alycia opened her mouth to speak again, but was cut off.