traded my life [TWD]

『122』

The thing is I don't exactly remember how we ended up here.

The second we carried Reg's dead body and Nicholas' unconscious body through the gates, Alexandria was in distress.

Then, Rick and Spencer were on the ground fighting and arguing over who was really in the right.

Rick had shoved Carl to the ground when Carl tried to stop Rick.

That's where things got really hazy.

"Your nose is never gonna look the same again," Carol teases Rick as she finishes bandaging him up.

"Yeah," he agrees.

Michonne and I were leaning against the wall as we watch to make sure everything is good.

"Now.." I speak up. "When we get home, what are you going to do?"

Rick looks up at me,. He sighs. "I'm going to apologize to Carl."

"And if not?" I ask.

Rick looks between Michonne and I. "Then, you two will beat the shit out of me again."

"And I'll do more than break your nose," I warn. "I'll take a few teeth next time."

"Deanna is grieving and since you lost your mind on Spencer, she put Hyejin, Maggie, and I in charge until further notice."

Rick chuckles and looks down at the floor.

"Hyejin," Michonne calls as I stand up straight.

"Are you fucking laughing?" I ask him.

"It's just.. I'm the leader. But.. you're the leader," he explains. "Both of you."

I nod at Carol for her to move. She quirks her eyebrows and scoots to the side, sensing my anger.

"Hyejin," Michonne calls again.

I shove Rick back against the wall, one knee on the bed to stabilize myself.

"You put your hands on Carl," I remind him. "Leader or not- shitty people or not- end of the world or not.. Rick, if you think your hands are clean after that, you're mistaken."

"I didn't realize I pushed him-"

"Hey!" I shout. "That doesn't help your case. I don't care who you thought it was. You shoved Carl and that shit isn't going to fly."

I'd never felt a rage towards Rick quite like this one. But, seeing Carl get pushed by Rick woke something inside me. Rick of all people.. it disgusted me- regardless of if he meant it or not.

"I took care of the Pete situation for you. But, don't you dare for a second think that that means it's okay for you to pull any bullshit. I don't know what's going on between you and Jessie and I don't care.. But, you haven't been yourself since you put that goddamn police uniform on," I rant.

Rick sighs and nods. "I know."

"You're my family. But, that has never once stopped me from calling you out on your bullshit. So, I'm gonna go throw that fucking uniform away and you need to pull the stick out of your ass and act like Rick fucking Grimes again, do you understand me?"

Rick looks up at me. It was funny to pull the 'mom voice' on him when the roles were usually reversed. Any other time, I would've laughed at the situation- but that was for a later day when this mess was cleaned up.

"Rick, do you understand me?" I demand once more.

"I understand," he agrees. "I'm sorry."

I let out a big sigh and push his head to the side lazily.