22 (TWD Fanfiction)

Chapter 18 - Leave Well Enough Alone

Daryl is the first to the porch, his motorcycle parked behind him. I must still be hidden in the shade because he doesn't seem to notice me until he's much closer. I can see the exact moment he realizes it's me. His head tilts in confusion, his eyes widen and then he's rushing up the stairs.

"Charlie?! Kid when did you get here?" His eyes land on the bandages I'm covered in, his look changes from relief to worry.

"A guy found me out in the woods and brought me here last night," I explain. "Did you find Sophia?" I ask, hoping that Daryl had found her in the time since Glenn had gotten here.

"I was hoping she was here with you."

My smile falls.

Shane, T-dog, Shawn, a blonde girl, and a young guy who were across the field started heading over just as the others have all parked and gotten out of the cars. Now they're walking to where Daryl and I are talking.

Carol's arms are crossed, not in a menacing kind of way, more like she's holding herself together. When she sees me on the porch her arms drop and she's in front of me in an instant. "Is she here? Is Sophia here?" There are tears in her eyes, she looks scared of my answer.

My head hangs in shame as I shake it.

"Where is she? You were with her! Where did my baby go?" With each question her voice gets louder until she's full on shouting at me. "Did you leave her? Why are you here?"

"Carol, hey, calm down," Glenn interjects.

Her last question suffocates me. Why am I here, why not Sophia? She at least has someone.

Dale grabs Carol's arm and gently pulls her back. "Carol, enough."

Andrea puts a comforting hand on Carol's shoulder as she cries into her hands.

Why am I here?

It's all I'm thinking about now. Sophia still has people that care for her, she has a mom that is eagerly awaiting her return. A mom who would run up and hug her, never letting her go.

I'm just here.

Rick and Lori exit the house and Dale steps toward them. "How is he?" Dale's been worried, he tends to worry about everyone in the group.

"He'll pull through," Lori answers, nodding her head. "If not for Hershel, and his people."

"And Shane," Rick interjects. "We'd have lost Carl if not for him."
Dale moves forward to hug Rick and Carol does the same for Lori.

"We were so worried," She says, tears still in her eyes.

I push my good foot against the porch deck to start rocking my chair. I'm not wearing any shoes since last night I'd only be able to put one on with all the bandages. I should probably find them soon, I can tell my ankle is in much better shape this morning.

Rick begins telling the others about Carl's accident. I struggle listening to the story again, knowing he was out there because of me.

Shane's standing off to the side, wearing these big funny looking overalls. I'd say that was the funniest thing about his appearance if it weren't for his hair. Well, lack of hair. Last night he must've shaved it all off while I was sleeping. If I was awake when he made that decision I would've told him how dumb he was being. But alas I am too late.

He hasn't said anything else to me since I fell asleep last night, not even a good morning despite being a couple feet away.

Most of the group starts heading inside, some of them stay outside, continuing to help with whatever Hershel needed done.