When The World Caves In |C.G.

thirty

Merle is the only one awake when I meander on down to the common room. It's real early in the morning, and he's never been a great sleeper unless it's the middle of the day and he's strung out. He's sitting on his bed, and I join him silently.

We don't say nothing, just watch the sun coming up through the window. The rays of light blinding both of us.

"I'm sorry about what happened Rory." Merle tells me, he's got a vacant stare. His gaze locked on the cement wall in front of us. "I've never been a great Uncle."

"No, you haven't." I say without sugarcoating. He laughs at my bluntness, slinging his good arm around my shoulder and squeezing tightly. "But that don't mean you haven't done good by me."

"Not enough good Rory Ro, not enough." Merle says, he sounds ashamed of himself so I just squeeze him back as he continues. "My baby brother, he's always done right by you, he loves you more than anything. I'm sorry I tried to take him away from you constantly."

I don't say nothing to that, I don't need to because one by one, the rest of the group straggles in. Daddy, Hershel and Rick are gearing up to have a chat with the Governor. The rest of us are to stay here and remain alert.

It's killing Merle that he has to stay here, but it's safer that he does. I'm willing to bet that the Governor wouldn't think twice about shooting him in the brain point blank the minute he shows his face. Even though no one likes it, he is useful staying here. Staying ready for an attack that might happen.

Daddy lumbers over to the both of us, he gives me a quick hug and pats my hair lightly, it's wild and unruly. I haven't braided it since Lori's death, she was the last person to braid it. It's funny how little things like hair bring up memories like that.

"Be back soon." He says, he acknowledges Merle with a quick nod, patting him on the back. Then he picks up his crossbow and makes his way out the door, following Hershel and Rick.

+

"Carl, Rory, come here." Glenn tells the two of us. He hands each of us a box of ammo. "You stash these at the loading dock, alright?"

Glenn instructs everyone else on what to do next as well. Sending Beth with ammo for the catwalk, and he himself is going to reinforce the cage outside. The Governor is going to have to kill all of us if he wants this place. I really hope it doesn't come to that.

"What we should be doing is loading some of this firepower in a truck and paying a visit to the Governor." Merle says, piping up from where he's leaned against his cage. "We know where he is right now."

"That would just get Daddy, Rick, and Hershel killed in the process. We're down two of our strongest, they'd be unprepared and stuck in the crossfire." I tell my Uncle. He gives me a look, one that I can't quite place.

"When did you get so smart?" He asks and I shrug.

"I've always been Merle." I tell him, grabbing another box of ammo that Glenn hands me. "You've just never been the one to notice."

I turn on my heel and begin exit. Merle continues blabbing on about something, I hear him say something about Rick's head on a pike and turn once more to face my Uncle. Carl just walks by me, heading out the door.

"Merle!" I snap fuming. "You don't say that to him, ever."

Merle gives another vacant stare but puts a hand up in apology. I follow Carl out of the doorway grabbing his hand before he can get too far. He stops, staring down at his feet like he can't meet my eyes.

"I'm sorry about Merle." I tell Carl and he nods. "He's kind of a loose canon."

"It ain't your fault." Carl says, we make our way to the loading dock stashing the ammo somewhere hidden from plain sight. "Merle's just a jackass."