When The World Caves In |C.G.

sixteen

The night sky twinkles above me, and I stare up at the stars. We're all sitting around a campfire, worry free for the night. Carl and I are sitting on a blanket close to Lori. Daddy is keeping watch, pacing back and forth on an overturned bus at the main gate of the yard. 

Earlier today, we parked all the cars inside of the gate so no one would steal them, and if need be we could make a quick exit. Rick is still wary, walking around the perimeter of the fence for what seems like the hundredth time. 

"Mmm, just like mom used to make." Glenn says sarcastically. He then proceeds to chuck a small bone into the nearby distance. 

"Tomorrow, we'll put all the bodies together." T-dog says, gesturing to the dead bodies littering the yard. "Want to keep them away from that water. Now if we can dig a canal under the fence, we'll have plenty of fresh water."

Carl's hand bumps mine, his pinky overlapping my own. I look to my right where he's sitting but he doesn't seem to notice my gaze. I don't move my hand, instead I finish the rest of my food, sucking on the bone for any leftover meat. Just like Glenn, I chuck it across the yard. Carl on the other hand seems to be slowly picking at his food, like he's savoring it. 

"And this soil is good." Hershel tells us. I suppose he is kind of an expert on dirt, he did own a farm. "We could plant some seed, grow some tomatoes, cucumbers, soybeans..." 

The old man starts talking about Rick next, worried about the man who keeps on patrolling the fence line. Hershel is right, if the fence was compromised, we would've noticed by now. 

"This'll be a good place to have the baby." Beth tells Lori with a small smile. I'm excited for the baby to come, I already told Lori I'd help her out with everything she might need. Carl and I have a bet for what the gender is too. Winner gets the next pack of candy we find. "Safe." 

I peer over at my daddy as he walks back and forth along the bus, looking for any sign of danger. Reluctantly, I stand up heading over to where he is, I bring Mr. Tubbins over with me; dangling at my side.

Daddy reaches down, pulling me up first. It's a struggle, but I use my feet to scale the side of the legs. He only uses one arm to help me. I think he's a show off like that. 

"You alright Rory?" He asks me and I nod. Daddy snakes an arm around my side, rubbing my shoulder sending a jolt of warmth through my body. Even though it's getting real hot during the day, the nights are still pretty breezy. 

"Mhmm." I say with a sleepy nod. We sit down on the edge of the bus, our feet dangling over the edge. Mr. Tubbins fits snuggly between my arms. "Just thought I'd keep ya company." 

"Should've stayed over on that blanket, get some rest." Daddy tells me, he points back to where Carl and Lori are laying. I fight back a yawn. 

"Nah, didn't want to go to sleep without ya." I tell him and he doesn't say anything. Just wraps an arm around my shoulder and holds me tightly. "I think this place could be great, I'm excited to see what happens." 

"Me too kiddo." He says, Carol is heading towards the bus holding a bowl of food. She sets the bowl on top of the bus and Daddy gives her a hand to help her up. I stay sitting, kicking my feet over the edge. 

Daddy picks up the bowl of food, coming back over to stand next to me. I lean my back against his legs, clutching Mr. Tubbins close to my chest. 

"It's not much, but if I don't bring you something, you won't eat at all." Carol tells him. 

"I guess little Shane over there has got quite the appetite." Daddy says softly but I still hear him. He puts a piece of meat into his mouth and I elbow him in the shin. He hisses a little bit, pulling his leg back.