Living with the Dead.(twd)

Somethings Wrong !(160)

Madison's pov.
After a few minutes I return home with Rick and everyone is in the sitting room. All eyes are on me waiting desperately for an answer.

I catch Carl pacing back and forth but once our eyes meet he makes his way over to me and pulls me into a hug.
"You good?"
"Never better." I respond holding up the key for everyone to see. Everyone relaxes when they realise everything is going to plan. They all turn and start discussing the plan over the coffee table which has a map sprawled out on it.

Carl picks me up and spins me around.
"I knew you could do it." He chuckles.
I laugh "Oh yeah? You didn't seem so confident an hour ago."
"Shut up." He smiles and nudges me.
He looks down at me and his smile disappears.
"What? Whats wrong?"
"There's blood on your dress." He states and everyones heads snaps in our direction.
"Oh...yeah. It's not mine." I assure.
Rick steps into view with a stern look on his face.
"I didn't think it was. Which makes me all the more worried to ask who's blood it is." He interigates.
I gulp and choose my words carefully but theres really no sugar-coating this one.
"I shot Ron."

Everyone's face falls in horror except Carls. He acts opposite. Instead of being horrified he smiles brightly, practically beeming.
"Oh, never mind. It's all good. Nobody even likes that guy." Carl grins.
Rick strides forward and smacks the back of his head lightly.
"NO IT'S NOT OKAY! YOU SHOT JESSIE'S KID! THATS HER KID! WHAT IF IT WAS YOU OR CARL?"
"Relax. I didn't kill him. He just .... tried something on me and it was a very poor attempt on his behalf so I had to defend myself. I shot him in the arm but I stitched him back up. He won't mess with me again." I say more serious at the end.
"What did he try?" Daryl asks from beside the coffee table.
I stay silent, not sure if I can even answer that.
"Why is my dress ripped?" Beth half shouts, half panics.

The blood drains from Carl's face.
"Look, He didn't get near me and he knows better than to mess with me again." I reassure everyone.
"Mads-" Carl starts.
"No. I'm fine okay. I'm back safe and sound. We have the key and we have our plan. Everythings working out. So lets just focus on whats important. The plan." I say.
Rick hesitates before nodding and turning back to the map.

Carl looks down at me.
"Seriously, i'm fine."
"You sure?"
"Yeah, just crazy tired, thats all."
He looks down at my stomach and then back to my face and he does that thing where he scratches the back of his head when he's nervous.
"Oh um, well you can crash here if you want." He offers.
I think about his offer. It's tempting, but I also want to see Glenn in the morning before he goes out to follow the plan.

Just as i'm about to answer everyone looks up from the table and nods.
"So everyone's clear on what they have to do tomorrow ? This can't go wrong but if everyone sticks to the plan then I don't see how it can." Rick states.
"Abraham, Sasha and Daryl. Your part is very important. If you need help call us on these. Each group will get one between two, just in case something goes wrong. Michonne, Glenn and I along with some Alexandrians will be there to support you." Rick assures everyone as he hands them walkie talkies.
"We'll fill the Alexandrians in on everything tomorrow, the ones who are coming." Abraham promises.
"So we're good to go?" Rosita asks.
"Yeah, get some rest. You'll need it for tomorrow." Rick agrees.

Everyone makes their way to the door to say goodnight before leaving. Glenn and Maggie are last to leave and Rick comes to stand beside me.
"You ready Mads?" Maggie asks.
"Actually, I think I might crash here if thats ok ?" I ask.
"Really?" Rick asks in suprise and by Maggie and Glenn's expressions they're equaly as shocked, but Glenn gives me a proud smile and I smile back.

"Ok then, we'll see you tomorrow?" Glenn asks.
"Yup. Stay safe tomorrow.  Just needed to say it now incase I don't make it over to you in the morning."
"You too kid. Go get some sleep. You look like hell." Glenn teases and ruffles my hair.
I laugh and Maggie hugs me.
"Tell Beth i'm sorry about her dress."
"I think she's just glad to see you home in one piece. Good night Mads."
"Night."