The Black Rose

Chapter Twenty

"I think she's cool. I mean... she's just like Rose!" Beth smiled. Carol lounged on her bed propped up by her pillows with a small smile, watching Beth with the newborn baby. Rick and Rose had went upstairs to the second floor of the ward to discuss things in private. Nobody knew what they were talking about. But whatever it was... it was serious.

Carl, who was seated on the floor beside Beth's laps to entertain his young sister, scoffed, "Nobody is like Rose. Michonne has some similar qualities. But she's feisty and probably said more words in one hour than Rose did all winter."

"We are very lucky to have Rose..." Carol trailed off, seeing the young boy getting up to leave the small cell. Once she was alone with Beth, she lowered her voice, "Nobody told me about what happened to Lori."

"We don't exactly know either. Maggie mentioned that Lori knew that something was wrong and apparently she chickened out from helping her." Beth dryly responded, remembering that terrible day.

"What about Carl?" Carol responded, remembering that Rose took Carl and his mother to safety.

"Rose handled it. I'd never forget the moment she came out with this little one," Beth glanced down to smile at the infant, "With Carl by her side, as if she wasn't going to let anything bad ever happen to these two. Maggie said that Lori made Rose promise to take care of her children. I guess it freaked her out."

A low whistle out in the block signaled that Rose wanted the group to convene. Daryl, Oscar, Axel, Beth, and Carol gathered around the staircase, seeing Rick and Rose standing next to each other. Rick sighed, "We're going after them but this place sounds pretty secure."

After a chorus of "yes, I'm in," Rose turned her attention to Carol, seeing the older female holding the baby in her arms. Carol glanced up, only to find that she was on the receiving end of Rose's intense, multi-colored gaze. She wasn't sure if she'd ever get used to Rose's eyes. Or feeling like she did something wrong whenever she was singled out by Rose.

Rose struggled to find the words. She swallowed uneasily, knowing that people were watching. Especially Carol who were becoming squeamish from being Rose's target. Rose sighed and awkwardly smiled, "It's good to have you back here Carol."

After few minutes of stunned silence, the group finally decided to take actions. Daryl had a deep scowl on his face as he hurried out to start preparing the cars. He was incredibly frustrated and he didn't know why. He wasn't sure if it was because Rose was giving anybody else attention but him. She haven't even looked at him in the eyes or even utter some words. To hell with her. Oscar brought out some guns to hand to Daryl, "I got the flash bangs and I got the tear gas. You never know what you need."

Daryl nodded as he grabbed his leather cutoff jacket, seeing Carl come out of the prison with heavy baggage. After putting the tan book pack filled with ammo in the back of the car, Daryl glanced over to the boy, "Hey. Don't you worry about your old man."

Carl gave Daryl a light smile and returned to Rose's side like a faithful dog. The redhead was now standing next to Carol who was holding the tiny baby in her arms with an adoring look. Daryl's breath caught in his throat when Rose met him in the eyes. Once again... to hell with her. Daryl couldn't stand the feelings that overcomes him every time he was graced by Rose's attention. But the moment between them were cut short. Rose's eyes glanced away to check out Beth unlocking a prison gate with the African American female.

"Wasn't this prison overrun?" Michonne asked Beth, seeing the redhead watching them like a hawk.

"It was." Beth curtly responded, turning to walk back into the prison.

"And you cleared it out all by yourselves?" Michonne scoffed as if she doesn't believe it.

Beth spun around on her heels, attempting to be like Rose by throwing daggers with her eyes. "There were others."