When The World Caves In |C.G.

eight

Nightmares kept me up last night, even while I was laying in that big fluffy bed safe from harm. Instead of Sophia going missing it was me. In all honesty, it probably should've been me. I know how to handle myself, Daddy probably wouldn't miss me as much as Carol misses Sophia. He's tough. Me though, I'm not as important. I'm simply a small girl with a cross bow and an attitude problem. 

Daddy's taking a day off from the search to recover. Doctor's orders he told me. I feel selfish but I'm kind of glad he ain't going out today. I've missed him, we were spending nearly every day together on the road, but now I hardly see him. Even back at the quarry he was almost always gone; hunting and surviving. I'm keeping him company while Carl is with his Mama. He's finally able to get out and help around the farm, they're feeding the chickens. 

I laugh as Lori throws some chicken feed at Carl after he says something. I'm happy for them, glad everything worked out. I miss my own Mama though, not that I really knew her. It's been a long time since I've seen her. Probably since I was real, real little. 

Daddy's poking holes in our tent with his bolt while I'm reading a book with Mr. Tubbins. It's the one Lori was reading to Carl the other day. The Outsiders, I'm liking it a lot. 

"Bugs are gonna get in here while we're sleeping if you don't knock it off." I tell Daddy, looking up at him and he scoffs at me. 

"That right?" He asks and I nod. He just keeps on poking holes, I think he's doing it on purpose now. Daddy's stubborn like that, I scowl at him but don't say nothing else. 

Glenn's bringing around a basket of fruit so I head over and grab two peaches. One for me and one for Daddy. Carl waves at me so I send him a bright smile and wave right on back before I make my way to the tent again. Andrea's in there, apologizing to Daddy for shooting him. 

"This is not that great but," She's handing him a book and sitting on my cot. I scowl at the woman but Daddy gives me a glare telling me to knock it off, so I do. 

"What no pictures?" Daddy asks, flipping through it. 

"I'm so sorry, I feel like shit." Andrea tells him and I sit down on the edge of his cot. 

"Yeah you and me both." Daddy says, readjusting himself to make more room for me at the bottom, since you know. the lady that shot my dad is sitting in my spot. 

"I don't expect you to forgive me, but if there's anything I can do..." She trails off and Daddy cuts her off. 

"You were trying to protect the group." Daddy tells her, softly. "That includes my little girl. We're good. Right Rory?" 

"I'm sorry for cursin' at you." I say, looking down at my feet. I'm not but Daddy said I at least have to try and apologize. He nudges my back with his foot and I sigh heavily before continuing "and for pulling my knife on you..." 

"I deserved it." Andrea says with a short laugh before getting up and making her way out of our tent, but Daddy stops her. 

"But hey, you shoot me again? Best pray I'm dead." Daddy tells her and she smiles before walking off. I make myself at home on my cot again, reading my book before looking over at my dad.

"Daddy?" I ask and he looks over at me from where he's laying. 

"Yeah Ror?" He responds and I sigh before shaking my head. 

"Never mind." I mumble and he pats the spot next to him. 

"Nah, what's on your mind kid?" He asks and I make my way over to him, sitting on the floor and leaning up against his cot. 

"I'm just thinking," I say struggling to think about the words. "You think mama and Beau are okay?" 

I think I catch him off guard because Daddy doesn't say anything for a long while. I'm about to tell him to forget I even asked when he speaks up.