When The World Caves In |C.G.

thirty two

The walk back to the prison yesterday was silent. Daddy and I didn't say nothing as we walked through the gates and into our own respective cells. Carl watched me walk by wordlessly, I think he tried to follow but Rick stopped him. 

Everyone assumed the worst when Daddy and I returned without Merle. They assumed correctly.  I'm in my cell now, packing up a bag in case things go south. 

The stupid rubber duck Merle got me is staring at me. Taunting me as a reminder of my Uncle and Woodbury. I resist the urge to pick it up and chuck it across the room. Mad that Merle could do something so careless, mad he had to do one good deed that ended his life. Instead, I pick the stupid thing up and stuff it into my pocket; it's one of the last things Merle gave me, and it has no practicality. Maybe it will be lucky though.

 I shove Mr. Tubbins, and the picture of Daddy and I within the bag as well. Not much of my backpack has anything practical, most of it is just sentimental, but I can't bare to leave any of those things behind. I can always find new clothes, but the things that belong to our dead? That's irreplaceable. 

Carl surfaces outside of my cell, holding his own bag over his shoulder. He reaches a hand out and I take it, neither of us are allowed to stay and help fight. Instead, we're being sent with Hershel, Judith and Beth outside of the prison to sit there and wait. We'll be useless. 

It angers me in a way that it shouldn't. The Governor has taken so much from us, and still wants to take more. We'll need all the help we can get, I want to help. Rick and Daddy both said no though. I'm not sure I understand why. I mean, obviously I do, but I don't. 

When we go outside to load up the car, Rick reaches out for Carl who simply shrugs out of his grasp. Daddy is sitting by Carol at Merle's motorcycle. Even the bike sends a knife straight through my heart, reigniting my anger towards the Governor. I want him dead. 

"Merle never did nothing like that his whole life." He says, messing with his poncho, staring vacantly into the distance. 

"He gave us a chance." Carol says, extending a hand to help him up. Daddy takes it, standing to his feet and grabbing his bag. "Stay safe Rory." 

"You too Carol." I tell her and when she walks away, I shuffle awkwardly on my feet. "What happens now?"

I ask the question as he places his poncho over my shoulders. It's early, so it's still a bit cold outside. The things swamps me, but it's nice and comfortable. My fingers play with the frayed edges of it.

"We fight." He says shortly, pulling me into a hug. I let his warmth settle into my bones as he hugs me. Closing my eyes and breathing in the smell of tobacco from his cigarettes. Neither of us wants to let go, but we don't have all day. 

"Can I stay and fight?" I ask and he shakes his head. It was worth the chance, sometimes I can get him to change his mind last minute. With how yesterday went though, I don't blame him. 

"Nah, you're staying with Hershel." Daddy tells me and I let my head hang low in disappointment. 

"Be careful," I tell him. I wrap my arms around his torso once more, squeezing him tightly. He squeezes back even tighter.

"I love you Aurora." He tells me and I nod into his torso once before pulling away. 

"I love you too daddy." Hershel taps on the car horn twice, signaling that it's time for us to load up. 

I sit in the back, next to Carl watching as we roll through the gates of the prison. We're still close to the prison, close enough that we can hear the onslaught of bullets being fired at our home. Carl and I lean against the vehicle with our weapons ready, just incase we need to defend our home.