The Girl That Named the Bat.

A 'Camping Trip' to Remember.

Slithers of light seeped through the crack in my curtains, signalling dawn was here. The sky was littered with orange hues, an overshadow of blue was still drifting about in the sky as a smudge of the sun could be seen on the horizon. A scuffling noise could be heard from downstairs, indicating it was time for me to get up. I slowly pulled myself from my gentle slumber, my eyes fluttering open. A yawn escaped my chest as I opened my curtains, along with my window.

A tender crisp breeze blew through my window and onto my face, waking me from my daze.
"Mornin." I sighed, staring out into the endless sky, I placed my hands on my windowsill and hung my head, exhausted.
The past few weeks have been a blur of uncomfortable emotions, death, and despair and feeling like everything was collapsing in on me.

I took a few deep breaths, my morning mood already feeling heavy and deflated, every day was starting to feel the same. I shook off the tension I had already built up and made my way downstairs. My dad and Michonne were packing small bags to take with them on their scouting trip.

"Carl, can you hand me the flashlight from the kitchen?" My dad asked, folding a set of clothes and stuffing them into the bag, I did as asked and handed him an extra set of batteries too - just in case. He smiled and nodded as a thanks,

"Morning Carl," Michonne said, brushing past me. I grunted in response, I hunted through the cupboards for something to eat and lean on the kitchen side.
"Rick and I have made you a list of things you need to keep in order while we're gone," I was handed a small paper list:

Carl -
Eugene's inventory list,
Keep morale high,
Guard the gate,
Don't let anyone know where we've gone,
Bring in some planters,
Stay here.

The last one seemed like an insult. They were expecting me to rebel. But, I decided to push any anger or upset down as the trip they were going on could end badly. I nodded and forced a smile, putting the list in my pyjama pocket.
"Are you sure I-" Before I could even finish my request, I was interrupted.

"No. Stay here, I'm trusting you, Carl." My dad said he seemed to have read my mind. For a moment or two, we went back and forth,

"But I can he -"

"No." 

I eventually gave up. He was adamant about me not going. I watched as he zipped up his fur lined leather jacket, holstering his gun in his belt and looking up at me. His hands were firmly on his hips as he sighed,

"Carl, I trust you, okay? I don't trust anyone else enough to run things while I'm gone. Please, just...Stay here?" He offered me a smile through furrowed eyebrows and walked towards me, patting my shoulder.

"Okay, dad, just stay safe. And, be back soon." I hugged my dad and Michonne before we left the house. My feet were stinging on the cold porch, and the leaves on the trees were beginning to turn orange at the tips. Food would become an issue this winter. We had crops, but they would begin to die out as it got colder, bringing planters inside wouldn't last us the whole winter. I waved the group off, a knot forming in the pit of my stomach as they left.

Walking back into the house, I pulled the to-do list from my pocket and chucked it onto the couch. I swiftly bounded upstairs and got dressed, blue jeans, a stained-white t-shirt, a blue flannel, and of course my hat. Brushing the hair from my face, I decided I'd start with Eugene first. He was guarding the gate.

I sauntered off to the gate, climbing up the ladder to meet Eugene and Rosita, I had already made Rosita and Eugene aware of the plan last night.

"Hey," I greeted, Rosita turned to look at me, her cap guarding her eyes from the rising sun.