new beginnings

Mission Impossible

We started to sneak out under the gate and stated running together, making sure my gun was loaded and made sure Ron had my knife.

We ran without stopping and when we got to the pharmacy, we took a minute to catch our breath and then went in, tearing through what was left of the pills, trying to find anything. It didn't look like there was a lot of stuff.

"Found some!" he yelled and I ran over to him.

"Plan B emergency contraceptive," he read aloud.

"It isn't expired, let's take it," I said and he tucked the small box of pills in his jacket and we started running again. We didn't stop until we got to the gates, and quickly crawled under them, I was surprised we didn't encounter a single walker.

We walked toward the ladder again  when I heard someone running to us.

"Carl! Where have you been?" Dad yelled.

I froze, and so did Ron.

Jessie ran up beside him, looking relieved.

"We've been looking everywhere for you guys! We thought you were guarding the wall!" he loudly said.

"Dad... we just went outside the walls into the woods to read comics. We didn't even see a single walker. I had my gun and I gave Ron my knife, we were safe," I explained, keeping my voice calm.

"How the hell do you think I felt? How damn hard would it be to tell, or ask, someone before you went out? You know I don't want you going out there without me anyway! That was so irresponsible, Carl!" he yelled. I started shaking, and so did Ron.

"I'm not a little kid! You know I can take care of myself and you don't accept that, you just don't! All we did was read, for God's sake," I yelled back, not trying to contain a loud voice anymore.

He was speechless.

"Carl, I know you're grown and everything, and I have a hard time accepting that. But you're my family, and I'll never stop being worried about you. I love you, like it or not," he said, this time calmer.

He gave me a hug. "Just don't do that ever again," he quietly said. Jessie hugged Ron, whispering something too quiet for me to hear.

"Well, it's time to eat. Follow me, you two," he gave a forgiving half-smile that looked forgiving.

Jessie and him walked in front of us. Ron walked along with me.

We walked a small distance then I saw Dad take Jessie's hand. I poked Ron in shock and pointed to them.

"What the hell?" he whispered to me.

We walked into our house we were staying in and Ron and I sat down next to each other while Jessie served us. She sat down and so did Dad, of course, beside her.

"Boy, does this look delicious! I'm still getting used to hot meals," Dad exclaimed about the tomato soup in front of us, even if it was simple.

Just then Sam and Enid walked through the front door.

"Just in time," Jessie smiled and got up to serve them their soup, as Sam sat by Ron and Enid sat across from me.

Enid looked annoyed at Ron. She gave him a cold stare almost the whole time. It was obviously awkward between them.

"So, what have you been up to, Sam?" Dad said in an attempt to make conversation.

"Just been reading books in my room," he said very unenthusiastic. That was the first time I heard him talk.

"What about you, Enid?" Dad asked.

"Stuff," she said and looked down.

Eventually, lunch was over and Sam and Enid left.

"So, boys, as a 'punishment', you will have to take care of the garden today. Sarah said she can't keep working in there since she is almost due, so she'll tell you what needs done. Maggie would be doing it, but we are going on a supply run, I'll tell you more about it later. Go out and do your job," Dad said.

Ron and I got up to go outside and go across Alexandria to help.