After serving his country overseas for a decade, being in Iraq and Afghanistan during active war, 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐬. Staff Sergeant Nathan Grimes finds himself on the front lines yet again. This time however, was diff...
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After the death of her own daughter, the decision to love and care for the child of another was not done easily. Even so, Carol was relieved to catch up with Tyreese and the girls after witnessing the last of the governor's assault on the prison.
Coming across signage that promised to deliver safety to those who came, their journey to Terminus had begun. But with trouble along the way, she never thought it was possible to feel this bad.
"Jamie, you should try and get some sleep." Carol uttered a pointless suggestion.
Her dehydrated tear ducts faced forward as the space by her side was filled. Realizing there was no chance for the alone time she so desperately desired, she spoke. "I'm fine."
The night's sky was illuminated by the stars. As the crickets sang, the young Grimes made an effort to suppress the flashbacks that were racing through her head. It was helpful, or at least it was for a short while.
"Do you want to talk about it?" She asked, readjusting the sleeping baby in her arms to get more comfortable.
Since finding each other, several attempts at conversation were made, and all were met with blunt refusal. Occasionally she'd receive a mere few words, but still, Carol continued to persist.
To much surprise, the child gave in. "It's better I'm not with him."
The wooden post that stood as supports for the bridge overhead now served as her backrest for the time being. "What makes you think that?" When given a reasonable amount of time to respond, it felt as if the answer would never come. "Jamie."
A bothered gaze landed on the ground as she pulled the words from her throat exhaustedly. "He never wanted to be a dad anyway. I'm only his daughter because my mom died. At least this way, when I die, he won't get hurt trying to save me like she did."
Studying her side profile, the monotonous girl finally turned and gave the concerned face a proper look at her features. When seeing irises that portrayed the point where the sky met heaven, Carol noticed the darkened bags covering the pale skin just below.
All plans to defend the man's choice were shelved; the words stuck to the back of her tongue at the last second. Depressingly, her gaze shifted. Lizzie, having difficulty falling asleep, came over and asked, "Can I sit with you guys?"
Normally, this would have resulted in an eye roll or a sarcastic remark. However, anything that seemed like too much effort was deemed not worth it.
"Jamie, wait." She asked of her, displeased by the way their conversation came to an abrupt end.
