"He was what?!"
"Shot! Carl was shot!" A young southern woman said, "I'm suppose to get a woman named Lori Grimes."
Isabela looked heartbroken. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she looked at Sofia in disbelief
"Okay! Okay! Uh. Everyone get in the truck." Sofia said, not wanting to wholeheartedly trust this woman, "Daryl? Can you follow on the bike?"
"Yes ma'am." Daryl said, jogging over to his motorcycle
"No, I wanna get on the horse." Lori said, "It's faster."
"What about my daughter?" Carol asked, her lower lip trembling
"What about Carl?!" Isabela shouted at Carol
Lori looked at Isabela, grateful she had spoken up
"Not the time. Not the time. Get in the truck." Sofia said to Isabela, buckling Iris into the car seat, "Carol, Glenn and T-Dog stay here with Dale and the RV. We're gonna assess the situation with Carl and then we go from there. I'll be back before nightfall." Sofia said, walking over to Carol, "We aren't giving up on Sophia. I promise."
Carol hugged Sofia tightly, "Thank you." She whispered
"I'll be back before it gets dark." Sofia promised, hugging her back, "Stay busy or else you'll go insane." She said, pulling away. Sofia jogged over to the truck, climbing in the drivers seat
"What's your name?" Lori asked the woman
"Maggie." She replied, tugging on the reigns gently before the horse took off
Sofia drove behind the two women on the horse, glancing over her shoulder at Isabela, "I'm sure he's fine."
"He was shot!" Isabela said, wiping her eyes, "I wanna know who shot him!"
"We will. We will. From what we know - it was an accident." Sofia said calmly, "But I'm sure you're still going to yell at the person who did it."
"You bet I am!" Isabela shouted
Sofia inhaled deeply as she parked the car beside a white farmhouse. She climbed out of the vehicle, attaching her baby carrier before she grabbed Iris
"C'mon." Daryl said, opening the passenger door for Isabela. He placed a hand on her shoulder as he guided her up the steps
Sofia trailed behind, looking at the home, "Oh, honey." She said quietly, seeing Rick on the couch, covered in blood, "C'mon." She said, extending her hand out to him
Rick hesitated for a moment before he took her hand, standing up
Sofia led him back outside to her truck, exhaling deeply as she opened the bed. She watched as Rick sat down, "You haven't blinked." She said, opening a water bottle for him
"I'm afraid I'll see it again if I close my eyes." Rick admitted, taking a sip of the water
Sofia inhaled softly as she reached into her bag, grabbing a t shirt, "C'mon." She said quietly, "You look like a horror scene."
Rick unbuttoned his shirt, letting it fall onto the truck before he slid on the brown t shirt Sofia had provided, "Thank you."
"We cannot afford to lose you right now. Carl needs you." Sofia said quietly, pouring some water onto a rag before she wiped off his face
"Thank you." Rick repeated, closing his eyes tightly.
Sofia leaned over, embracing him in a tight hug, rubbing his back gently, "I've got you." She said softly, her heart breaking when she felt his body shake through the tears. Sofia couldn't imagine being in his position. She knew he did so much for the group - and had an exceptionally hard couple days due to Carol and Sophia - now with his son being shot Sofia was afraid he would go off the deep end. Extra kindness goes a long way - especially during the end of times
