The Mini Badass

Chapter 37

After story time ended it was dark out so I walked back to my shared cell, finding Carl laying on his bed, reading a comic.

"Hey." I say but the boy doesn't even move. "You can't ignore me forever." I tell him while I take my flannel off. 

"I'm sorry." I tell him, this time kicking my shoes off. "Carl." I say again getting nothing back.

I huff, sitting down on his bunk before shimming my way under his arm, my head now blocking his view of the comic in his hand. "Ainsley-"

"He speaks." I whisper, shifting to lay my head on his pillow. The two of us just look at each other for a minute before he speaks up again. 

"Why didn't you tell me?" He asks me and I glance over at the comic he's now set down. "Carol asked me not tell anyone. Anyone includes you." I tell him, my eyes falling back on his face.

"Are you gonna tell Rick?" I ask him and now it's his turn to look away. "I'm not gonna lie to my dad." He tells me, his gaze planted on the top of the bunk. 

"Okay."

"Okay?"

"Okay." I repeat and Carl looks at me confused. "Tell him." I say leaving the poor boy even more confused. "I promised Carol not you."

"I think he'll understand." Carl tells me and I nod. "Yeah, I think so too."

"Now what are we reading?" I ask and Carl smiles, picking up the comic again. "We read this last night." I tell him after examining the pages. 

"Well I didn't have anything else in reach and I heard you coming." He tells me and I scoff a small laugh following. "Wow, how long did you think you could go ignoring me?" I ask while Carl places down the old comic. "Well I was hoping you'd still be mad and go right to sleep."

"Never go to bed angry." I say, shifting to lay my head against his shoulder.

"Where are the new comics Michonne got?"

<3

"Carl." Someone whispers and I stir a bit barely waking up. "Carl." The voice says a little louder this time making me groan and open my eyes.

Rick gives me a small smile and I roll my eyes, turning to Carl and shaking him gently. "What, what happened?" The boy asks, sitting up. I snap and point at the cell door making Carl groan when he sees his dad.

"Bye bye farmboy." I whisper, shifting to settle in again. "Nope, up and at 'em Ains." Rick tells me in a hushed voice. "No." I grunt, pulling the blanket up over my head.

"Don't make me get Maggie." Rick threatens, rocking Judith in his arms. I toss the blanket off my head, glaring at the older man. "Screw you Rick." I tell him, not wanting a Maggie lecture today.

"Is Daryl even back yet?" I ask, not knowing if the group that left yesterday came back. "Came back last night." Rick tells me as Judith starts fusing. "Is he even awake?"

"Probably." Rick says before turning away, turning back with no Judith. "Morning Beth." I say earning a hi back from the blonde. 

I sigh, throwing my feet off the side of the bed and standing up. "He better be awake." I tell Rick, throwing my shoes on and grabbing new clothes.

I change in an empty cell finding a rude surprise. I move over to the perch where Daryl sleeps to find the man in a deep slumber. I scribble a note to the man telling him I'm going outside with Carl and Rick and to come find me when he wakes up.

Walking through the hall to get out it's painfully quiet and cold, leaving me to wrap my bare arms around myself.

I walk outside and it's even colder out there. Moving towards the three people stood around I listen in on them. "Careful out there." Rick tells Michonne as Carl stands behind him.