THICK SKULL , twd [ 1 ]

41. diet cola

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   A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, ON THE FARM

            "KOA, I NEED TO talk to you," Glenn beckons her over from the rest of the group. Usually when Glenn would call her over it would be for their normal gossiping session but the teen's smile drops when she sees the furrow in his brows and at far they're walking.

             No one seems to question it. It's Glenn and Koa, the group's new inseparable duo.

                  Koa tilts her head as they reach the beginning of the woods, Glenn still pacing back and forth. She crosses her arms, "Don't tell me you had sex like, once and she's pregnant—," Koa watches him freeze and her jaw drops, "Oh, my God. Maggie's pregnant?! Are you fuckin' stupid—"

            "No, no," Glenn hesitates, knowing who is indeed pregnant. But, Lori is like Koa's mom, that's not his place to tell the teen. For her safety though, he has to tell her the other news. Nervousness begins to take over Koa, cracking her knuckles, "Okay, tell me before I have a stroke then!"

                 "You can't tell anyone, Koa. No one," Glenn holds her by the shoulders. She places her left hand on his, looking into her friend's eyes, "You know I never do. Dude, what's up?" She curbs her usual goofy demeanor, hoping to comfort Glenn as he contemplates his next move.

              He takes a deep breath, adjusting his hat and stepping back, "There's walkers in the barn."

             Koa's jaw drops, noises are the only thing leaving it and then a laugh. "Are you fucking with me? Not a good prank. You could've just salted my eggs too much again," Koa steps back. Glenn wouldn't lie, but this is a serious statement. A barn full of walkers with Carl on it's land? With her family? And they still can't find Sophia.

                "I didn't mean to salt your eggs that much—and no! I'm not—fucking with you," Glenn sighs, "I saw them. It's filled but Maggie wants it a secret." Koa's head falls to her hands, her sneakers now pacing like Glenn was a moment ago. A million possibilities, all leading to death, play through her head.

                  "We can't tell my uncle. He'll lose his shit," Koa whispers, even though they're far enough to where the group can't hear them. She doesn't know if Uncle Shane is lurking, watching like the madman she feels him rapidly morphing into.

          "He will lose his shit on you maybe!" Koa throws her hands up in the air, "But, Carl and—Sophia. Does Beth know? I assume this was Hershel's idea—"

                 "Koa, do you trust me?" Glenn grabs her shoulders again, spinning her to face him. Koa gulps, "Of course."