The Mistake [Norman Reedus] Book One {{COMPLETED}}

Chapter 46

I was awake now but pretended I was still out.  I didn't want to face the world.  I didn't want to live in the reality that it had become.  I didn't want to face Norman or Sean or Derek and his rude group.  I didn't want to see another Walker.  And I most definitely didn't want to get up and move around.

A cold rag was on my head and I squinted as discreetly as I could to see that I was in some kind of tent.  I didn't know where Norman or Sean was, but I knew that my hands were tied with duct tape in front of me.

"What are we going to do with them?" I heard a women's voice outside the tent whispering with someone.

"I'm not sure, but we'll figure it out.  We still have to get the girl to wake up.  She still hasn't eaten." Derek.

That's when my stomach began to grumble and I heard a couple footsteps approach me.

"Grace," It said.

The face didn't come into view but I quickly shut my eyes and stayed motionless on the blanket I had been laid on.

I heard the person sit itself down beside me and sigh.  I could feel his eye's on me, and guessed it was Norman when the man spoke again.

"I know that you might not want to wake up.  I wouldn't if I were you." Norman's voice was at a hoarse whisper.  "I mean, look at me.  Asking you for another chance.  Asking us to start over.  I'm sure you have bigger things to worry about then your boyfriend.  Like your Aunt, or about Sean kissing you." He said.

He took a deep breath, "Like I said, I know you don't want to wake up, but, I think you need to." His voice was beginning to crack.  I could hear it.

"You need to eat.  I can see it in your face, I mean, you look like a skeleton." He paused. "I want you to wake up." Norman said, finally breaking and letting himself talk without hesitation to think about what he was saying.  "I, I need you to wake up."

I wanted to open my eyes for him.  But I couldn't bring myself to do it.  The world threatened me.  My thoughts gave me fear.  And even Norman's voice brought stress, reminding me that I still had to work things out with him.

Norman's hands clamped together and he rested them gently on my stomach.  He bent his head down and set his forehead on his folded hands, his eyes closed.  

"All we've been through.  All you've been through.  And here I am asking you to wake up?" He chuckled sarcastically to himself.  "I doubt you'll listen.  I don't think you want to listen.  To anyone."

"I'm talking to myself, godda**it.  WAKE UP!" He yelled, picking his head up and cradling his face in his hands.

No.  He wasn't.

After a long silence, he spoke up and changed the subject.

"Do you think we'll ever be happy together?  In this world?"

Yes.

"Because right now, it doesn't seem like it."

No, I think we'll be fine.  We need to give ourselves time.  Err, well, time is kind of an issue.

"I'm sorry I was a jerk about Sean kissing you and you kissing Sean.  I shouldn't have freaked out when he kissed you.  But when I saw you kiss him, I didn't really know how to act.  So I did the same thing as before." He explained.

No, you freaked out.  I get it.  It's okay.

Norman breathed in, held it for a second, and let it out while saying "God," and after a pause, he continued, "I'm so glad you're out.  I don't think I'd be able to say this to you if you were awake."

"No, I think you could've." I said, making Norman jump.  I still didn't open my eyes, but gave a weak smile.

Norman didn't say anything.  He just stared down at me.  Maybe surprised or confused.  Or maybe just shocked.  

"I'll eat.  For you.  And for me.  I'm starving." I still kept my eyes shut and listened as he bent down, kissed my forehead, and got up to get me food.

So what about Sean?  What would happen if me and Norman jumped back into our relationship?  Would he accept?  Or would he get furious. . .

The thoughts kept me busy for the few seconds that it took Norman to tell Derek I was awake and bring me a plate of rice and fruit.  After we pulled the tape of my hands, I began to devour the food.

When I was finished eating, I laid back down and snuggled in the sleeping bag that I'd been laying on.

"Oh, come on, you need to get up!" Norman pleaded.

I shook my head and turned away from him, wanting to just sleep.  

"Hey, you two mind if I crash in here?  Derek said I could, and I'm exhausted." Sean's voice came through the door of the tent.

"What is Derek, now?  Like our dad?!  We can't trust him for a second! He kind of just threw us in a car and brought us to this camp!" I said, not turning to face them.

"Actually, when you blacked out, we got you back in the car and a herd came through.  Wiped out all his group.  But me, you, Norman, Derek and some other man drove away in time." Sean explained.

"But still.  We don't know him." I said, closing my eyes.

We all fell silent, and Norman finally laid down behind me.

"Goodnight Sean." He said.

Sean got settled in a sleeping bag across the tent and Norman wrapped his arm around me.

"I'm glad you're awake.  Now, I just wish you would listen and walk around." Norman said, as Sean turned the only lantern in the tent off.

"Like you said, I don't want to go out there.  It's. . . different now." I whispered, closing my eyes.

"Okay, but tomorrow, I'll drag you out there if I have to." Norman said.

I rolled my eyes and finally felt warm and safe like how I used to feel.  With Norman's arm around me, it felt like the world was back to normal.  I was in a little world of happiness until a small squeaking noise ripped my eyes open.

"What's that?" I asked, turning only my head to face Norman.

"I don't know.  Stay here," He said, getting up and turning the lantern on.  He shook Sean and they both tiredly peeked out of the tent's screen.

The squeak sounded more like a bark to me, and when Norman looked back at me and smiled, I could tell it was something good.

"He must've wandered out here from the pound that we passed up the street." Sean suggested.

Norman nodded.  "Can we keep him?" He asked, sounding like a three-year-old.

Sean just chuckled and shrugged.  "Whatever."

And with that, Norman reached his hand out, pulled int eh squirming little ball of fuzz, and crawled back over to me.

"We'll feed him tomorrow!" He said, handing me the cutest puppy I'd ever seen.  To me, it looked like a Gerberian Shepksy, a mix between a Husky and German Shepard.  The only reason I knew what they look like was because Austin had one named Rugger when we were little and I fell in love with Rugger.

I snuggled back in and kept this little bundle of cuteness warm, my mind trying to think of all the possible names.  And Rugger was the only name that kept flooding through my mind.

Rugger.  I thought.  Cute.  And with that, I was asleep.

(A/N: Hey guys, I hoped you enjoyed!  Comment what you think of Rugger!!) -Writingslayer