Down by the water • TWD

Scars Under The Skin.

Avery sat in the back of the car looking out the window. Glenn was driving and Maggie was in the passenger seat. She watched as the trees flew by giving her no time to count each branch. The laws of the road no longer apply. Glenn abused that privilege by going way too fast for a road like this. Avery checked to make sure her seatbelt was nice and snug. 

"I saw that," Glenn told her while looking through the rearview mirror. Avery jolted up and looked confused.

"Saw what?" She asked sarcastically.

"I saw you double-check your seatbelt." He said with a laugh, Maggie joining. "You're fine, I'm a great driver."

"Right.." Maggie joined in nodding her head with a not-so-sure expression.

"I trust you, I would just like to keep my limbs intact," Avery said fake smiling and pointing at all her body parts.

"Yeah yeah, you guys are so funny," Glenn said sarcastically, acting butthurt. He let a smile creep up and continued driving over the old speed limit. Avery raised her eyebrows quickly and averted her eyes back to the window. 

They pulled into what looked like a convenience store. Glenn shut off the car and exited first while Maggie followed.

"Stay put until it's clear," Glenn told her sternly before shutting the car door. Avery obeyed and stayed sitting with her gun in her hand. She scanned the area through the window as much as she could see.

"Clear outside," Maggie said to both of them. Avery unbuckled her seatbelt and opened her door being met with a breath of fresh air. She walked towards the front of the car looking for the two adults. She stopped in her tracks as she saw them kissing.

"Gross dude," Avery said grimacing. Glenn glanced at her and laughed.

"It won't be gross in a year or two" He gave her a snarky remark. Maggie snorted out a laugh after hearing what he said. Avery glared at him before smiling and dropping her head.

"It's a beautiful day," Maggie said looking around and up to the sky. Avery nodded her head agreeing taking in the heat against her skin. Glenn walked to the car pulling out a pair of bolt cutters. He cut the chain keeping the door closed and locked. Avery tightened the grip on her gun as he reached to open the door. She kept her eyes peeled as he pulled it open quickly. She ducked in response to a flock of crows flying out. She opened her eyes and began rising back into a straight position. Maggie glanced at her with a tight lip smile while shining her flashlight into the store.

"Glenn, get that duck," Maggie said shining her flashlight on a stuffed duck. Avery looked at the duck thinking about a certain stuffed dog at the bottom of her backpack back in her cell. 

"What?" Glenn asked turning back.

"Get that duck." She repeated herself smiling shining her flashlight once more.

"Are you serious?" He asked again chuckling.

"Yeah." She answered smiling even bigger than before. "A kid growing up in a prison could use some toys." Avery smiled, thinking about how they could all grow up in the prison. They could live there. 

Avery and Maggie kept watch as Glenn searched the store. You could hear him talking to himself anytime he'd see something that amused or disgusted him.

"We just hit the powdered formula jackpot," Glenn told them exiting the store with two baskets full of stuff.

"Oh, thank God." Maggie let out a sigh of relief inspecting the basket.

"I also got beans, batteries, cocktail wieners, many mustards, and this," Glenn explained holding up a bracelet with a little pawprint charm dangling from the middle. "For you," Glenn added handing it out to Avery smiling. Avery took it and immediately put it on. She played with it for a moment before smiling at him.