When The World Caves In |C.G.

forty nine

"Hey, I almost forgot." Daddy says, shuffling to grab something out of his bag.  We're in the back of the van, and it's extremely late, I'm too wired to sleep right now. Especially knowing that the bodies of the men who attacked us are right outside. I feel like if I close my eyes, they'll reanimate and come for revenge. Again. It's familiar to me, and looks a lot like the one that was left behind at the prison. "Here."

He places Mr. Tubbins in my lap and I stare at my bear in shock before bursting into tears and hugging the stuffed animal to my chest. It's funny how something as simple as seeing my bear again brings me so much relief. Daddy pulls me closer again, letting me cry until I have no tears left.

"You found him?" I ask looking up at Daddy. 

"Knew you couldn't exist without him." He whispers, rubbing my back."You okay?" 

Daddy whispers quietly as to not disturb Carl and Michonne who are in the seat before us. I'm not really entirely sure how to answer that so I just stay still clutching Mr. Tubbins close. My mind racks through with possible answers to that question, but each of them come up short. No, I'm not. I'm fucking terrified. Or even, they're dead and can't hurt me so yeah. 

Never in a million years did I imagine our reunion would be like this.

"You don't gotta be, just know you're safe now." He tells me, whispering into my hair. He brushes the blond strands back gently. 

I nod, sitting up to hug him tightly. He wraps his arms around my back and holds me close. For his benefit or my own, I'm not really sure.

"I missed you so much." I whisper, hot tears streaming down my face.

"I'm so glad I found you." Daddy whispers back and I can tell he's trying not to cry too. "I'll always find ya."

"I know." I whisper clinging on tighter for another moment before we finally let go.

"Try to get some rest kiddo, I'll watch over ya." He promises and I nod gratefully. 

+

Sleep didn't come to me last night. Any time I started to doze off, I felt Briggs' body hovering over me and awoke in gasps of terror. I know Daddy didn't sleep either, instead he just held me tightly and soothed me like a baby every time I panicked. 

Right after... everything, Daddy soaked his rag with water and cleaned my face while I stared at the wall of the van in shock. I didn't even fight him on it. Then he held me protectively while the boy he appeared with moved the bodies out of the way. I'm thankful for that, I don't have to see Briggs' slimy self in real life, just when I close my eyes. 

Rick sat outside the car all night probably in a state of shock. I feel Daddy's hand lazily stroking my hair as we sit in the trunk. I'm laying tucked underneath his shoulder, curled into his body. My body aches, and my throat is sore. I'm sure there's bruising from where Briggs' choked me, it hurts. Sometimes when I try to breathe I feel like I can't get enough in. 

"I'm gonna go check on Rick, make sure he's alright, okay?" He asks and I know he wouldn't go if I told him not to. Rick needs someone to check up on him though, and Michonne is taking care of his son. I nod, and Daddy presses a kiss to my forehead before exiting through the back. 

Him and Rick are talking quietly at the front. I listen to keep myself occupied on something other than my own thoughts. 

"We should save it to drink." Rick tells Daddy. 

"You can't see yourself, he can." Daddy says and I can only assume he's talking about Carl. The last time I saw Rick, he was covered in the blood of that group.