When The World Ends

One Foot Out the Door

Rick and I freeze; the wonder of who it is and how they found us is a mystery. He stands slowly, close to the ground, and another knock sounds out. I shoot him a worried glance. I'm not dying because of some stupid idiot playing around. Rick makes it to the window and moves the curtains a smidge. Not even a second later, he bows his head and stands with a sigh of relief.

"It's Michonne." I roll my eyes, standing as well. Rick and I take opposite ends of the couch and clear the doorway in one big push.

"Well, she has impeccable timing," I remark, planting myself back on the couch.

"Are you jealous?" Ricks' brow raises. I roll my eyes and decide against the happy reunion.

"I'm gonna get Carl." Lifting my leg to the ground, Rick walks to my side. His hand grabbed my waist while the other brushed baby hairs from my face.

"It's okay to be jealous." He cupped my left cheek. Ignoring the butterflies, I untangle myself from his arms and walk up the stairs to Carl.

"I'm not jealous," I mumble. Making my way through the hallway, I come to the room I slept in last night and find Carl sitting on the bed.

"Hey buddy, you have a present downstairs." He looks from the comic books. Joy flashes across his face and runs at me through the cluttered room. We crash to the ground, wrestling one another.

"What in the world!" I giggle, happy that he can still act like this with me in a world gone to shit. I hear Rick open the door and untangle from Carl.

"Hey," he pants, "thank you for making me talk to him last night. I didn't want to, but I know it's not his fault." I mess with his hair, smoothing it out.

"You're a teenager growing up in a world that wasn't made for you. You're also growing up and can't process your emotions like we used to." We both smile at each other. I take his hand in mine and drop my smile a little. "I will always be here for you. Now, go downstairs and see your present." He hops up and walks out of the room. I stay put on the ground, letting myself process my emotions. Everyone is gone, as far as we know. I scan the room, comics everywhere, the bed messy, and objects thrown all over the room. I want to believe I'll see them all again. The sky is starting to clear and brighten, and I will find them again. If it is the last thing I do. A cold sensation goes through my hand. Looking down, I see a stray tear.

"Jade, you come down here, please?" I wipe my face and step out of the room.

As I enter the kitchen, I see Carl and Michonne sitting down to eat breakfast, age-old cereal, through the dining room doorway. Rick hovers over the stove, stirring something.

"So what are we doing, Rick? Are we staying or going?" I pull myself up onto the counter, letting my feet swing.

"I don't know, but we can stay while we figure it out." He comes towards me.

"Live like a big old family?" I sneer. As he makes his way in front of me. He gives me a questioning look and places his hands on my thighs.

"I don't get it." He says in a hushed tone.

"Don't get what?" I question, his eyes holding confusion.

"Why do you not like her? Michonne, she hasn't done anything." I know what he was saying is technically accurate, but deep down, having her here was hitting a nerve.

"She's too close to Carl," I shyly admit. He chuckles, looking down as I play with his fingers on my thighs. "I know he's not my child, but I grew up with him, Rick. I was his best friend." Emphasizing was. His hand moves to my cheek.