𝐈𝐍 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐄𝐘𝐄𝐒 - The Walking Dead

ᴛᴡᴇʟᴠᴇ

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴛᴡᴇʟᴠᴇ || ᴘʀᴇᴛᴛʏ ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ ɢɪʀʟs
3x13

❄︎

The next morning, Ottilie was the first to wake. She stirred quietly, her eyelids heavy as she slowly came back to the waking world. She felt the warmth of Aderlee's arm wrapped protectively around her and instinctively snuggled closer, finding comfort in her sister's familiar presence. For a few moments, she simply lay there, breathing in the calmness of the prison cell, letting herself relax in the safety of her sister's embrace.

As she gradually woke up, her thoughts drifted to the prison and the people Aderlee had told her about. She was scared—terrified, even, but she knew that today she'd probably have to meet them. She couldn't stay in the cell forever, no matter how much she wanted to. This place wasn't like the others. It wasn't like home with their dad. But it still felt overwhelming.

Aderlee shifted beside her, and Ottilie felt a sudden urge to speak. Her voice was small, soft, and broke halfway through the word as it hadn't been used in a while, but she managed to whisper, "Addy..."

Aderlee blinked awake, her face softening when she heard Ottilie's voice. "Yeah?" she asked, her voice still groggy but filled with surprise. Ottilie didn't like to speak.

Ottilie smiled slightly and, in her quiet, shy way, whispered, "I love you." It was her way of saying thank you. Thank you for taking care of her, for keeping her safe, for being there when no one else was.

Aderlee's heart swelled with emotion. She pulled her sister into a gentle hug, whispering back, "I love you too."

After a moment, Aderlee sat up, stretching her arms above her head before noticing something on the wall that hadn't been there the night before. She froze for a moment, squinting at the dimly lit cell until it clicked—four things had been put up on the wall: the pictures they had drawn the day before, the drawing of Daryl and Rick saving them, and the flower poster Beth had given them.

A wide smile spread across her face, and she turned to Ottilie, who was now sitting up beside her. "Look," Aderlee said softly, gesturing toward the wall. "Someone put them up for us."

Ottilie's eyes widened as she looked at the wall, a small smile tugging at her lips. The pictures were a reminder that they weren't alone here. Someone cared enough to make them feel welcome, to make this cell feel more like home.

Aderlee couldn't help but think it had been Daryl. He must have been the one who put her to bed last night, and he didn't sleep much anyway. She wasn't entirely sure, but she had a strong feeling it was him. She looked back at Ottilie and said, "See? People here want us to feel welcome."

Ottilie smiled, a little more brightly this time, feeling a bit of warmth spread in her chest. She turned toward her clothes, excitedly picking them up and ready to start the day.

Aderlee watched her for a moment before standing up herself. "Come on," she said softly. "I'll take you to the showers."

Ottilie hesitated for a moment, her nerves bubbling up again, but Aderlee was quick to reassure her. "It's okay. I'll be right there with you the whole time."

With that, they both grabbed their clothes and made their way downstairs. As they descended, the soft murmur of conversation greeted them from the common area. Maggie, Glenn, and Carol were already up and chatting. Merle was nearby as well, though he kept to himself, lingering near the open gate of the other cell block.