The Dead World

Fifty ~ Spaghetti

Trigger Warning: Burn torture, fatphobic comments

"You should come with us" Rick spoke gently as they watched Carl practice at darts, his aim was off by a few inches most of his darts hitting the door frame instead of the board but it had been Phoebe's idea to help with his new perception.

"Someone's got to be here for Judith" Carl answered not stopping as he threw dart after dart.

"Beth has offered to help, she needs something to keep her busy with Maggie being at Hilltop...There's people who want to help, we'll only be gone a few days at most. We need supplies they're going to be coming back soon"

"Is this how it's gonna be now?" Carl snapped at his father ignoring his aunt who was leaning against the other door frame watching them, ever since that day he couldn't find it in him to look in her eyes for too long.

They weren't the same, the warmth was gone and it scared him.

"Yes" Rick nodded "It is, you know that"

"See you in a few days" Carl walked forward collecting the darts to keep going.

"We should get going" Rick walked from the room followed by Aaron and Michonne, Phoebe lingered for a few seconds part of her wanted to speak to her nephew but another part couldn't bare it so she stood straight and turned.

"Phoebe" Sophia called from where she was sat on Carls sleeping bag and the two teens watched as she paused in the doorway "Are you staying?"

The woman shook her head "Can you please stay?" Sophia pleaded and Carl felt himself holding his breath but wasn't surprised when Phoebe shook her head once more.

"I need to go Fia" 

"But my mother..." Sophia started but was cut off when Phoebe spun on the spot looking at the young teen on the floor.

"Your mother..." she snapped before catching herself, none of this was their faults and no matter what she could not take it out on them. However she could not stop the slight feelings of despise towards both mothers of the two teens for both had abandoned their child and she now felt responsible for them.

 Lori hadn't meant to, true but Carol had simply up and left Sophia in her care and look what had happened. Both teens were put on their knees and made to watch two men get bludgeoned to death because she allowed them to go, she was not fit to be a mother let alone guardian.

Phoebe took a few deep breaths and the two teens watched her cautiously "Your mother left you in my care now i have said i need to go to gather supplies to keep you safe. You will stay here with the others and you will be safe within these walls...I'll, i'll see you when i get back" she nodded to both of them and turned walking from the room and down the steps ignoring the watchful eyes that followed her.

"Phoebe" Rick called grabbing her wrist gently making her stop "You're staying here today, it's only gonna be me and Aaron today, the less people out there the better"

"Or...Why don't you stay here and i go with Aaron?" Phoebe shot back and he sighed.

"I think it's better if you stay" 

"You think..." she chuckled but it fell flat to the ears, she sighed not having the energy to fight "Sure Rick, whatever you say brother" she bounced her brows at him once before walking off.                                                              

~~~

"Stay back! Drop your weapons, i only want Negan, he killed my friends and no one else has to die" Carl help the gun up watching as the men all held their hands up.