THICK SKULL , twd [ 1 ]

44. a pipe dream

𖦹

               WHEN NOON HAD ROLLED around and Nellie, Carl and Michonne had returned to the place they called home for maybe—4 days—they couldn't even reach the lawn before Rick was throwing bags at them and telling the three to run.

        A group of men had infiltrated the house while the Grimes man slept. And he was in no condition to fight the group. Even though Nellie Hawthorne believes the man would've more than likely won.

          Rusty train tracks guide the unlikely family on their journey. Nellie's yes are glued to the ground, stepping over the tracks. Rick walks in front while Michonne and Carl remain in the back.

        Throat dry, Nellie reaches for her water bottle only for it to feel all too light for her liking. "Shit," Nellie curses, staring at the nearly empty water bottle, "Hey, how much water do you guys have left?" She spins around, eyes widening in amusement when she sees Michonne and Carl balancing on either sid of the tracks, arms out and determined.

              "I think we got about a days worth of water left. We're lucky it's cooled off a little bit, but....," Rick trails off, stopping his movement when he no longer hears the other three behind him. Nellie holds back a bigger smile, letting the a small one across her face as she stares at the two in competition with one another. "What are you doing?" Rick questions.

               Nellie glances over her shoulder at the man, "They're seeing who'd have more balance in the circus." Rick chuckles, continuing to watch the duo walk carefully along the train tracks. Carl looks up for a split second, still remaining balanced, "Winning a bet."

              "In your dreams," Michonne quickly retorts. "I'm still on!" Carl laughs, reaching his arm out as he almost loses said bet. "You spoke too son, wise guy," Michonne teases. A feeling of comfort rises in Nellie's stomach to her chest. Warmth fills her heart. But, somewhere in the back of her head—she wishes Andre was here too.

                 Not as Carl's replacement. Carl is not Andre's replacement.

             She wishes they were all there. Everyone. Bittersweet. But, she lets the feeling rest, not wanting her own brain to destroy the wholesome moment despite the circumstances that got them there.

           "How long have they been doin' this?" Rick asks Nellie. The teen girl shrugs, "Carl was quiet and I got suspicious."

       Rick sighs, walking closer to the three, "This might go on a while. Maybe we can speed this up." Michonne's eyes follow her boots on the tracks, "Yeah, you're right. Shouldn't be fooling around."