Stargirl//TWD

9

The funeral was awful and sad and everything Rory wanted to avoid, but she stayed, not for her but for Amy, and to be there for those who lost people.

Finnick stood next to his pop, holding onto his leg while his hand held Loris and Carl stood in front of Aurora, she had her hands placed on his shoulders, squeezing them every so often when something sad happened, she could tell there was something on his mind, she just didn't know what

When the funeral came to an end, Rory knelt at Carl's height and looked at him in the eyes

" wanna take a walk?" She asked quietly, the small boy just nodded, grabbing ahold of his big sister's hand

Rory looked to his father to see him watching them, he managed to figure out that Carl and Rory needed a moment so he told Finnick to go with him

" cmon bug," she said holding his hand and walking away, the brother and sister duo walked for a while until they came upon the large dam that had been their food source, bathing area, and cleaning area for the past little while

Carl plopped onto the ground and instantly started digging a hole into the dirt with a stick, Rory watched him close, trying to read him

" wanna talk about it?" She asked him curiously

" bout what?" He asked, stubbornly

"You tell me," Said Rory quietly as she brought her hand up to Carl's hair and brushed it

"Do you think one day that will be one of us?" He asked, Rory furrowed her eyebrows

"What do you mean?" She asked him softly

" dead, I don't want to be at your funeral, and I don't want you to have to go to mine," he said sadly, Rory stared at him stunned, what a big thought for such a young boy " I don't wanna go to any more funerals, I don't wanna go to dads or mums or Finnick's or- "

Carl had started sobbing uncontrollably, Rory grabbed ahold of his small frame and held him close, she could feel his wet cheeks soak her white t-shirt, but she didn't care.

" shhh it's okay, it's okay," she said, not wanting to answer him until he had stopped crying so he could hear her properly

" I don't wanna!" He sobbed even more, but Rory's tight hold didn't falter, she held him as close and lovingly as she could without crying herself, Aurora's eyes started to tear up, and her throat started to choke up, but yet she held it in, she refused to let Carl see her cry.

" one day when we're old a grey we will, but for now Carl, nothing is going to happen to happen to our family, I'll protect you guys with everything I have," she answered honestly.

Carl had seemed to calm down slightly, his breathing was slow and soft as he held his position in her lap, his back was rested against Aurora's chest, and her arms wrapped around him protectively as she stared out onto the shining water.

" I'm glad you're alive Aurora," he said making Rory chuckle

" I'm glad you're alive too Carl," she answered while trying to smother her small laugh

" let's try to stay this way," he stated determinedly.

" good idea Bug," she said, the nickname making him laugh loudly as he twisted in her arms, he stood up and held his hands out to his older sister, when she grabbed ahold of them Carl started to pull her up with all his mite causing him to make a struggling groaning sound, if he had not been a kid, Aurora would have almost been offended.

" jeez little man careful, you nearly threw me to the moon," she said dramatically once she was on her feet, she grinned at Carl as he laughed relentlessly