traded my life [TWD]

『68』

Finding out that Daryl found Carol alive was the single good thing to come out of the past few days.

"Then, it wraps just like this," she leads, putting the device around my shoulders. "And now, you're got two free hands."

I peer over Woojin's shoulder to look at him. He kicks his little feet in the wrap and giggles.

"It's not hurting him?" I make sure. "Like.. the weight. It's not gonna give him a wedgie from hell?"

"It's totally safe," Carol promises.

I hold out my hands and wriggle my fingers. "Well, shit.. Look at that."

"You can put him on your back, too," Carol adds. "That way you can fight and still hold him."

"This is the greatest invention ever," I decide then look at the table where the pump was. "And that.. looks scary."

Carol giggles. I wish I could do the same.

"Want me to show you how to use it, too?"

"Please," I say, poking out my bottom lip.

Carol nods and gets the pump before sitting back on my bed.

"Hyejin," Hershel calls from the doorway. "You got something that needs looking at?"

Woojin wraps his hand around my finger and I hesitate. "Um.. I think I got it."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. Thanks," I say and shoot him a forced smile.

He could see right through me. But, he crutches away.

"Can you hand me the blue bag up top?" I ask Carol.

She stands up and looks at the few bags I had. She sits down once more and opens the bag. "What do you need?"

"There's a white box of pills in there," I explain.

Carol hums, digging through the items before letting out a soft 'aha'. Then, she reads the little box.

"These were Lori's," she recalls.

I swallow dryly. "Yeah."

"Morning after pills," she continues.

I take the box from her and clear my throat.

"Is this.. Q?"

"No. God, no," I deny. "Long story."

"We've got all the time in the world."

I pop one of the pills in my mouth and a sip of water. I make a note to give Maggie the pills, too.

I purse my lips and sigh. Then, it was like Carol read my mind.

"Oh, honey.. I'm so sorry," she apologizes and I could tell she was at a loss for words. "Do you.. I mean, do you want to talk about it?"

"It.. No," I deny.

"You can talk about anything. Anything helps," she assures, voice thick with sadness.

"My dad was killed when I was young. I don't even really remember much about him. From there, it was just my sister, Mom, and me. My Mom abandoned us to go back to Korea- look for Dad's killer," I reveal.

Carol takes in the information with a nod of her head.

"Then, my sister got wrapped up in gangs. Kinda felt like she left me behind, too. My dad's sister came to live with me, but all she wanted was my dad's life insurance money. She was the type to drink all day and hit me if I made the floorboard squeak."