𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐄! ᶜ ᵍʳⁱᵐᵉˢ

011. 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦

A scream echoes through the forest. Lincoln and I's heads jerk to the direction it came from. Our little sister instantly buries herself into my chest, gripping my shirt with her fists. He instantly jumps to his feet, the can in his hand clattering to the ground. He takes off running. "Stay here," I demand. "Please don't leave me, Ellie," she whispers, her voice wavering. "Go in the tent," I demand, picking up my axe. She runs into the tent, hiding under blankets. I run, branches whipping at my face. Another scream echoed through the trees. This time, it's Lincoln.

"Lincoln!" I scream, pushing myself to run faster. Another pained scream from my brother rings in my ears as I arrive at the scene- Eddie is on the ground, staring in fear as a ghoul sinks its teeth into his neck. "No!"

I wake up, my chest heaving. "Elody," a hand rests on my shoulder. I flinch, sitting up and scooting away from their presence. "Elody," Michonne's voice softens. The room is illuminated by early morning light. "What-" I try, my voice horse, almost non-existent. "What time is it?" I ask. "It's early," she answers, holding out a bottle of water. I nod in thanks, gratefully taking the drink. "You were screaming," she begins gently, playing with the granola bar wrapped in her hand. "I've checked on you throughout the night, and you were mumbling, but you started screaming on and off an hour ago. I was up, changing Judith. I couldn't let you torture yourself anymore."

I look down at the bottle between my hands. I haven't dreamt of that day in months. Not since it happened, really. My sleep is usually plagued by darkness. Not by those who I've lost, or those who I've killed. Not even the walkers, who've invaded my safety in hopes of feasting on my body. Just inky black darkness, like a dark curtain shielding the memories from my brain. And this time, the curtain was lifted, unveiling the traumatizing end my brother faced. I subconsciously rub my burning arms.

"I just..." I look up at the older woman. Her face held a sympathetic expression, seemingly understanding me without having to speak. "It was just a bad dream," I whisper, tears pricking my eyes. My lip begins to quiver as my vision blurs. "It was just a bad dream," I say unsure if I'm trying to convince her or myself. I press my palms into my eyes to prevent the tears from dripping down my face.

"It's okay," Michonne soothes, her arm resting on my shoulder. I lean into her motherly touch, my face wet with sadness. "It wasn't just a dream," I choke, covering my face with my hands as I cry. She envelops me in a hug, smoothing my hair. "I couldn't save him," I whimper. She hugs me tighter, and I feel her shake with an overbearing thought of her own loss. "I couldn't either."

---

I close the door gently behind me to not wake Michonne. "Morning," Carl says, a twinge of anger laced in his words. "Good morning," I reply, too tired to keep up a hostile front. I take a seat next to him on the pew, rubbing my eyes. "I'd kill for a hair tie," I mutter, pulling my long hair over my shoulder. "Or even a haircut."

"I hate haircuts," Carl says, bouncing Judith on his knee. "Why?" I ask, looking up at him through swollen eyes. "My mom-" he falters for a second, the topic obviously hitting a nerve. He continues without missing a beat as if her memory doesn't hurt. "She used to force me to sit still for a cut and I just hated it," he answers, a nostalgic smile on his face. "Well, you could definitely use one," I tease, reaching up to tug on a piece of his hair. He shutters under my touch.

"Can I hold her?" I ask, turning back to face him. The Grimes son holds his sister out to me. I grab her gently. "Hi Judy," I whisper, standing her up on my legs. She bounces up and down, giggling as she chews on her hand. "What happened to your arms?" Carl asks worriedly. I glance at my arms, which have welted scratches up and down them. "I don't know," I answer, avoiding his gaze, because I do know.

"Elody," he says softly, digging for the answer he knows he doesn't want. "I probably did it in my sleep," I say nonchalantly. Judith places her chubby fingers against my cheek, staring at me intently. I smile, gasping at her softly. "Aren't you just so pretty? Your mommy must've been the prettiest because you and your bubba are so pretty," I coo to her, brushing her soft hair across her forehead.