My New Guardian

Cell Block: Home

It's been about two hours since they let me into the prison. I've answered a series of question. With all honest answers. But then this guy Rick hits me with a slugger of a question. "Have you killed anyone and why." It's a good question. I knew it was coming. Tears threaten to spill. But he shows little emotion. "We need to know" he adds. I don't want to answer. I don't but I need this chance. I need it for Sean. I look down at the blonde miracle. He's so innocent. I glance back up at Rick. "Yes. I've killed 2 men. But they deserved it..." Rick nods as if to agree. "Yeah... Well that's your opinion. Why did they deserve it." His remark is hurtful. I can tell he has to do this but it's bringing back memories i don't need to think about. "They did things... They took us in groups..." I begin to cry. I can't help it- I don't wan to seem weak, but it's too much. "I'm sorry..." Rick says. He's puts a Han on my shoulder and continues with "we've been through things. We've had to do things. We understand."
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It's dark now. My tears have dried and I've met the group. Daryl, the tough, rugged, yet shy archer. Carl, the young son of Rick who I can tell would protect with his life. Glenn and Maggie, Hershel, and Carol. All nice people. Welcoming for a stranger. And then there's Lori. She's thin as a toothpick with a baby bump bigger than a basket ball. She smiles at me but she has hurt in her eyes. Pain. Worry. I know how she feels- she dreads having to bring a child up in this world. Let alone two. We all have small conversations getting to know each other. Though Daryl seems to Stan in a corner. His quietness somewhat reminds me of Jeremiah. Jeremiah. Once the vision of his dying "I love you" slips into my head, I can't get it out. "Excuse me, I think I need to get some sleep. So does Sean." I look down at the child asleep in my arms. The rest of the group separates into there cells. Rick shows me the cells of the block we're in. "You'll have to bunk with Daryl- at least for now." He says pointing to a cell forwards the left. I turn my head to look at Daryl who acts as if I'm not even there. "Rick, I-" he's cut off by Rick "There's no other way. We bunk in 2s, you know that. Just incase." Daryl paces back and forth for a moment but then gruffly replies. "Fine. Just for now." He brushes past me towards his cell- Rick stops him by grabbing his arm. He whispers "Daryl- keep an eye on her. She's been through some stuff." I'm not sure I was intended to hear that, but I did. I act as if I didn't though. Daryl nods. "After you, Licien. I'm actually surprised he didn't call me Luci. That's what everyone calls me. Lucien is just my birth name. It makes me smile though as it reminds me of younger days before all this when I was Lucien J. Parker. I walk into the cell examining it. Spare ammo piled in boxes near the door, or where the door used to be. And some guns piled in the corner. There's a bunk bed skeleton on the left and one mattress on the floor. The other on the bottom bunk of the bed. I lead towards the floor bed but a command stops me. "No, no. You take the bed."  Quietly blurts Daryl. I slightly smile in return. I sit down. Probably for the first time in a day. My legs stretch and I quietly lay Sean on the bed- close to the wall. I smile at his soft breathing. "What's his name?" Awkwardly says Daryl. "Sean. Sean Parker." I reply. Daryl nods and plops on his mattress. No more word are exchanged. I lay down facing the wall arms supporting Sean and thoughts fade to dreams as I fall into deep- well needed sleep.