When The World Caves In |C.G.

twenty eight

Rick comes out with others the minute we yell that Andrea's outside. They're all armed to the teeth, even my Uncle is carrying a gun, making sure the surrounding area is cleared. Carl and I are behind the gated area, surrounded by wooden pallets. We both got our own weapons pointed to the woods surrounding us.

"Are you alone?" Rick shouts at the blond woman. 

"Rick!" She pleads, desperately guiding the walker she's got on a stick. 

"Are you alone?" Rick repeats his question. She won't be coming inside until she answers the question. I hope she knows that, because there's too much at stake. 

Eventually Rick tosses Daddy the keys and he opens the gate, letting her in before she becomes a walkers next meal. The minute she's inside of the gate, Sheriff Grimes has made an appearance. He's screaming at her to put her hands up and turn around. Daddy is his backup as he pushes Andrea against the fence, searching for weapons.

I take a peak at Carl at that moment. He's got his brow furrowed in concentration, tensions are high still. The effects of the governor's attack are everlasting.  

Andrea is led into the common area where we eat our meals by Rick and Daddy. Carol is standing there waiting and they hug each other tightly. Daddy sits on one of the tables, his bow slung over his back while my Uncle guards the cellblock with a gun. We can never be too careful. 

She takes in the surrounding area, noticing Hershel's leg, well lack of one. Her eyes linger over each and every face that surrounds her. Who's still standing, and who isn't. Carl and I stand by Glenn, who has his arms crossed. 

"Where's Shane?" Andrea asks. I scoff entirely having forgotten that weird thing between them. Merle gives me a laugh from across the room but covers it up with a cough. Rick shakes his head and Andrea looks around again. "And Lori?" 

"She had a girl," Hershel says, breaking the awkward silence that divides us all. I find myself reaching out for Carl's hand, squeezing it at the mention of his Mom and baby sister. He squeezes back tighter, and I think he's about to drop my hand but instead he keeps holding it. His gaze is void of any emotion, like he's trying to fight off the tears once more. "Lori didn't survive." 

"Neither did T-dog." Maggie says, speaking up. 

"I'm so sorry," Andrea mutters, and her gaze locks onto Carl. "Carl..." 

Pity laces her tone, and I find myself stepping in front of my friend so she stops staring at him. I know he doesn't want to talk about it, or relive it. Not again. Not after he's done it so many times. Finally, Andrea looks away and Carl squeezes my hand in thanks. 

"Rick, I-"Andrea says, this is all new news to her, but to us it's like ripping the scab off of a wound that just healed. Just another fresh reminder of what was lost. "You all live here?" 

"Here and the cell block." Glenn confirms. 

"There?" She questions and he nods slightly. "Well, can I go in?" 

"I won't allow that." Rick says, taking a singular step to block her path. He's close to her now, and Andrea seems confused. 

"I'm not an enemy, Rick." She defends. 

"We had that field and courtyard cleared until your boyfriend tore down the fence" Rick gestures to the outside, where walkers still roam in our fields. "with a truck and shot us up." 

"He said you fired first." Andrea says confused. 

"How can you believe anything he says?" I ask, Carl's grip on my hand loosens. "After everything he's done? He's a manipulative piece of shit. He wanted Maggie and Glenn dead, made Daddy and Merle fight, nearly killed Michonne!"