When The World Caves In |C.G.

twenty one

"You want to tell me why you lied to me yesterday?" Merle asks the next morning. I'm eating a bowl of dried cereal, while he's snacking on a handful of peanuts. 

"About what?" I ask, acting oblivious. Pushing the stale cereal round and round in the bowl. 

"You and your daddy weren't hunting, you ain't got no bow, no gun. Just that knife." Merle tells me. He leans against the counter in the room and I give him a quick glance. "Now I know my brother wouldn't take you hunting without it." 

"I'm grounded." I tell him rolling my eyes and raising the spoon to my mouth. 

"Grounded." Merle says and I can tell he wants me to elaborate a little bit. 

"Carl and I did something we wasn't supposed to do, and Daddy took my bow away so I wouldn't be stupid again." I say. "We were in the woods, got separated. When can we go look for him?"

Merle chooses not to answer that question and pretends he doesn't hear me. Grabbing another handful of peanuts and walking out the door. I sigh loudly grabbing my knife and following him closely. 

There's a party being held today, apparently it's a big deal for everyone here. I stick close to Merle even though theres other kids playing around. It makes me miss Carl. I hope he's okay. 

The Governor is giving a speech when I notice a familiar head of blond hair through the crowd. It's curly and pinned back. I haven't seen it in months.

"Is that Andrea?" I ask my Uncle, diverting his attention from the man he's speaking to. It's one of the people he found me with. His name is Martinez. 

"That it is my observant little friend." Merle says. "It's like a big reunion here!" 

"I pulled a knife on her once." I say, remembering the day she shot Daddy. Merle looks down at me in shock. 

"That so?" He asks. "How come?" 

"She shot Daddy in the head." I tell him the short version of this story. 

"You sure got your Daddy's temper don't ya." He gives a hearty laugh before continuing. "Good to know you got some fire in ya kid, at least I know you're a fighter, that comes in handy." 

The Governor finishes up his speech and Merle tells me he's got to talk him about tonight. I think they're also going to get more booze. Merle never turns down the chance for free booze. He's always looking for that stuff. Before and after the end of the world.

"What's tonight?" I ask him trying to follow. 

"Don't ruin the surprise Rory!" He says and pats me on the back. "Go wander around, do whatever it is that 11 year olds do." 

"I'm 13 Jackass!" I say. I'm not surprised he doesn't know how old I am anymore, but he didn't have to lowball me like that. He was there on my 12th birthday.

"Whatever kid." Merle says stalking off and leaving me by myself. "You're still a brat." 

I decide to wander around, thinking of Carl. I wonder what he's doing, we haven't had time to speak since we raided the infirmary together. I miss him, I wonder if he misses me too. 

There's a stand passing out lemonade and an elderly woman gladly hands me a cup. Thanking her, I trudge off down the street. Holding the cold glass between both of my hands, sipping on it gingerly. 

It tastes sweet, reminds me the Georgia state fair. Daddy and I used to get the real big ones in the plastic tubs, then settle down somewhere in the grass to watch fireworks. Then we'd hop into the truck and make our way back home. Merle would usually be passed out in his room or on some bender. Makes me miss Daddy once more.