Angel With A Shotgun. [ Carl Grimes ]

~*Not a Typical 'Family' Vacation*~

Chapter Eleven : Not a Typical 'Family' Vacation

Laedi's Point of View

     When we had gathered up earlier in the morning, we decided to go on a little vacation since everything was flowing smoothly. Some decided to stay back like Glenn, Maggie, Beth, Hershel, Carol... even Daryl said no to a small get away. In short, that meant I would be stuck with Rick and the most disgusting lovers on the planet. I pleaded for Beth or Daryl to come but both of them declined my offer. They said - and I quote - "you'll get through a day without us". That has to be the biggest lie on the planet, well, next to the act Emily's continuously playing. We wanted to leave before noon since it's a long ride from the rickety house near the lake which is where we will be having our 'vacation'. It certainly won't feel like one with Carl and Emily practically beside each other every single minute of every single day. I mean, don't they ever get sick of each other? Only God knows.

Rick and I stocked up the car as Carl and Emily said goodbye to the others. I sat in the front with Rick since the back seat was too crowded for me even though Rick could see right through me - not as much as Daryl though. Once we got Emily and Carl into the car, we drove off. I wonder how I'm going to survive the next 24 hours ahead of me. Even I don't know what to do. 

Carl and Emily immediately ran to the house, dropping their bags that were filled to the rim with clothes and other necessities they would be needing. Rick and I handled the other supplies in the car, unpacking it into various wooden cabinets. In the evening - about 5 p.m. - the lovers practically pleaded Rick to let them go off and swim in the lake. At first, Rick disapproved but it was his son he cared about, not really Emily. I could see it in his face. He deeply loathed their growing relationship, but it's either because of Lori's death or he's just as disgusted as I am. That's good; we can help each other while the other is barfing their insides out in the toilet. In the end, Rick let them and sat down on the porch, watching the others strip down into their swim suits and jump into the lake without a single care in the world. The sky was starting to break out with stars. A dark and mysterious force took over the lake even if there was no Walker to be seen. There was a creaking sound of wood that sounded off into the night when I sat down next to Rick. A moment of silence drifted around us for a moment before it was completely gone. "I have no idea what he ever sees in him." Rick starts off, putting his head in his hands. He picked his head up from his palms and said, "No offense." 

   "None taken, believe me." I assure him. "I don't see why either." 

          "It's just... This wasn't meant to happen. We weren't supposed to be in this hell hole. I was supposed to be with my family - my complete family." I can sense him starting to tear up, remembering Lori. 

   "Look, I know I may not seem to understand but I just want to let you know that I'm trying to. I'm deeply, deeply sorry about Lori and even if I didn't know her very well, I can tell that she's a very important person in your life. So since Emily isn't going to say it any time soon, I'll do it for her. I'm sorry for adding up to your problems. I know we should probably know how to live on our own and I know that but... all I'm trying to say is I apologize if we've ever been a burden to you or your group. Especially me." I took a deep breath before continuing. "If only I didn't come here, Emily wouldn't have found a source of family left and joined the group. She wouldn't have had a relationship with Carl and we would be out of your hair forever. If I had stayed quiet in the woods and if I had never shot you, you wouldn't be in this situation with the both of us." I conclude, wandering my eyes off and onto the couple playing in the water. 

          "Laedi..." he trailed off. "Okay, one, you tried to shoot me. I'm the one who shot you." We chuckle at that memory. "And two, you shouldn't be the one who should say sorry for Em. If she's my biggest burden right now, then she's the one who has to approach me and say it herself. Laedi... I just wanted you to know..." he says, inhaling slowly before blurting out, "I'm going to die someday, Laedi. It's either I'll get bit or I'll get infected or I'll just rot because of old age. And since I'm surely going to die earlier than you - hell, you'rre going to live twice as much as I did - I want you to do two things for me."