The Mini Badass

Chapter 35

Carl and I aren't very happy about our groups decision but we went back to our cell to pack up anyways.

I stuff all my stuff in a bag, gently placing the framed photo of me and my parents on top, wrapped in a t-shirt.

Picking up my moms ring from the side table, I slide it on my finger but it's too loose the ring slipping down.

"Here." Carl says, noticing my struggle and patting the bed beside him. "My mom did this after my dad was shot." He tells me unclipping the chain holding the dog tags from my neck.

He slips the ring on the chain before reclipping it. "Thanks." I tell him bringing my hand up to the ring now dangling from my neck.

"Guys we've got to go." Beth tells us, peaking her head into the cell. "We'll be out in a second." I say and the girl nods, walking off.

"Well come on." I say standing up and picking up my bag. Carl grabs his hat, placing it on his head before we both leave, going outside towards the cars.

"Carl." Rick whispers as we pass him, grabbing his sons arm but Carl is quick to shake it off. I glance back at Rick as we reach the trunk of one of the cars, Beth helping us put our stuff in.

Carl gets in the passenger seat and I get in the drivers, Hershel hopping in the back with Judith and Beth. "You wait for us to come get you, understood?" Rick asks us from outside the passengers side door.

"Understood." I tell him, turning the car on. "Ainsley." Rick says and I look over Carl to him. "Yeah."

"Don't crash."

I drive our little group out of the prison and into the forest, thankfully not hitting any trees.

"We're still in one piece." Hershel says as Carl gets out, slamming the door behind him. Gunfire starts up from the way we came and I sigh, getting out after Carl.

"Hey." I whisper walking over to the boy who has his gun raised as the prison goes quiet. "I should be there." Carl tells me as we both stare back at the prison.

Alarms start blaring, shortly followed by more gun fire. I take my gun out just in case as Hershel and Beth get out, leaving Judith in her car seat.

Silence embraces us again but the rustle of leaves makes me turn my head just as a boy a bit older than me comes to a stop in front of me.

"Drop it." I tell him, nodding to his gun while raising my own. "Sure." He tells me, nodding and holding his gun out to me. "Here, take it."

I slowly reach my hand up, using the other to keep my gun raised. Holding my hand out the boy goes to give it to me but a silenced shot flies through the air, hitting the boy in between his eyes.

His body falls as my mouth drops. I quickly whip around to find Carl with his gun lowered and his eyes planted on the boy's body.

I glance over at Hershel who's eyes are wide as he stares at Carl. The quiet looms over us as no one can say anything.

The rev of an engine puts us all back on high alert but I lower my gun as Daryl approaches. "Is it over?" I ask as the rest of them get in the car. "They're gone."

"For now." I say as Daryl's eyes land on the dead boy. "You?" He asks and I shake my head. "Carl."

"Get these people home."

I drive us back to the prison, Beth walks into the cellblock first with Judith, followed by Hershel then me and Carl.

Rick greets Beth and his daughter, nods at Hershel before moving over to us. "Hey." He whispers, kneeling down in front of Carl and hugging him. "Dad, I'm going to Woodbury." Carl tells him, Rick sighs standing up and giving me a quick hug.

"Carl-"

"Dad, I did my job out there." Carl defends making me turn my gaze to the floor. "Just like all of you." He continues and I glance at Hershel who's moved over to us. "Took out one of the governors soldiers."

"One of his soldiers?" Hershel asks, leaning on his crutches. "A kid running away?" He asks again and Rick looks between us all. "He stumbled across us."

"No, he drew on Ainsley!" Carl argues and everyone's eyes fall on me. "I'm sorry you had to do that." Rick tells Carl in a quieter tone. "It's what I was there for."

"I'm going with you." Carl tells him before walking off back to our cell. "You okay?" Rick asks me, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Fine. I'm coming too." I tell him, nodding at Hershel as I walk back to our cell.

"You okay?" I ask Carl, walking into our cell and dropping my stuff on the ground. "Are you?" He asks and I nod, sitting down beside him. "Then I'm okay."

"Let's head out." We both hear Rick say, cutting our conversation short as we both leave with the group.

Carl and I sit on the metal table as the group unpacks the cars so we can take them out.

"Ainsley, can you give us a minute?" Rick asks walking over to us and I nod, standing up and walking over to Glenn and Maggie.

"You okay kid?" Glenn asks as I stop next to them. "Peachy." I tell him and Maggie wraps her arm around me. "Is what Carl said true?"

"He didn't raise his gun but he had it." I tell Glenn who's eyes flicker behind me to Carl. "He could've turned it on me at any second." I continue defending my friend.

Carl walks off back into the prison so I guess he's not going. Rick walks over and Maggie tightens her hold on me. "Rick, we're staying."

"We don't know where the governor is." Glenn continues as Daryl walks over to us. "If he comes back we'll hold him off."

"Just the four of us?" Daryl asks looking back at Michonne and I shake my head. "Three." I tell the group, figuring I'm more helpful here then having everyone worry about me at Woodbury. "Alright." Daryl says placing his crossbow over his shoulder as he walks away.

<3

Carl and I are on watch as the group comes back, Daryl driving in first followed by a school bus. I glance at Carl who's just as confused as me.

The two of us walk out to the courtyard, meeting the rest of our group on the way. "What's in the bus?" I ask Daryl but my question is soon answered as people start getting off.

Rick comes over to Carl, pulling him aside as I watch people file off the bus, two of them looking familiar.

"Hey." I say to the siblings who both look over at me. "Ainsley, hi." Sasha says moving over to me. "What happened?" I ask looking over at all the new people. "I think it's best you ask Rick." Tyreese tells me nodding over to the man.

"Where should I tell these people to go?" Tyreese asks Rick as he walks over to us. "D block, just through those doors."

"I'll show them." I volunteer earning a hand on my shoulder from Rick before he walks off again.

"Okay, everyone, hi!" I shout at the group of people that all turn to me. "My name's Ainsley, I'll show you where you can put down your stuff and where you can sleep!"

Silence follows my words and I nod, looking around the crowd. "Okay, follow me!"