Living with the Dead.(twd)

Early. (181)

CARL'S POV.

"Can you take Judith home. Look after her ? Please." I beg Enid.
"Of course." She agrees easily, while taking her from me.
I turn quickly and catch Gabriel a few rows down with a shovel in his hands.
"Shh!" He hushes.
I nod even though I have no idea what he's up to.
He begins to dig into the ground.

I start walking towards the trees.
"Carl!" Enid calls after me.
"Yeah?"
"...be careful."
I nod and Enid hurries away with Judith in her hands.

Everything happens too quickly.
I sprint to Jenna's house and barge in without knocking.
"JENNA!"
She's outside her room in seconds.
"He's here."
The blood drains from her face.
"He's early."
"I know."
"Madison?"
"I don't know. We need to go check. Now! Let's go." I sprint to the gate with Jenna fast on my heels.

Through the sheet between the gate, I can see the shadow of Negan holding that god awful bat in his hands.
I get sudden flashing images of him killing Glenn and Abraham.
I feel sick.
I bend down and lean on my knees.
Jenna stops running in front of me and walks back to me. Bending to my eye level.
"You good?"
"Not really." I admit.
"Well pull it together. We need to find Madison and Daryl." She scolds.
I laugh at how ironic her words are.
"You sound like Madison." I chuckle.
"She taught me everything I know, which is to see the better of life when it becomes a shit-storm. So, to honor Madison, you're gonna do exactly that. Get up, put on a brave face and get shit done." She tells me.
I nod.
I stand up and she grabs my hand, pulling me along.

We push our way past the large group of people surrounding the gate.
Negan stands in the center with his men behind him.
Dad stands next to him, talking to him. But I'm not focusing on that yet.

My eyes scan for Madison and Daryl in the crowd.
My heart pounds.
"Carl." Jenna taps my shoulder and points in front of me.
I follow where her finger points to and my only good eye lands on Daryl.
He stands with his head bowed, he looks broken. He wears baggy clothes that are way too big for him and he's covered in dirt.

"Where's Madison?" Jenna croaks.
"I don't know. But at least we know Daryl is alive .... ish." I sigh.
I turn my attention to Negan and dad.
"You're early." Dad notes.
Negan smiles brightly. "I missed ya."
Dad nods and looks away.
I make eye contact with him and he nods.
He knows Madison is nowhere in sight.
He looks at his broken friend. His best friend. His brother even.
"Daryl, h-"
"NO! Nope." Negan interrupts dad.
"He's here to help me. You don't look at him, you don't talk to him, and you won't have to chop anything off him. Same goes for everyone, okay?" He announces.
He watches as dad looks away from Daryl.
He chuckles and pats dads shoulder.
"Here, hold this." He hands him the bat.

What an asshole.

Negan gazes at our home.
"Hot digitty dog! This place is magnificent, an embarrassment of the riches, as they say. Yup, I do believe you are gonna have plenty to offer up."
Its silent for a minute while Negan looks around at us.
He smiles when he spots me.
He points to me.
"Hey buddy. How's your arm?"
"Where's Madison?" I ask.
Negan sighs. "See, that was rude. Ignoring my question, bad manners!"
"You ignored mine." I snap back.
Negan smiles.

He walks forward and everyone backs up, making room for him to stand face to face with me. Except for Jenna, who stands right by my side.
"We're not gonna play that game. I ask the questions and you all answer. Not the other way around. But I like you. And I like the girl too. That's what you guys have in common. You guys are cool, but sure know how to piss me off."