Mute

N I N E T E E N

When Spencer said a "bus full of people" he wasn't kidding. There was a bus, overflowing with people! Sadly, none of them was my group. 

Most of the people were children. Orphans. I felt awful. Most of them looked so lost, so... scared. Especially one little boy. He looked to be around eight. 

He was unhealthy, skinny, very pale and bruised. Everybody ignored him. Even the nine adults. He kept a very evident frown on his face as they got checked for weapons and infection. 

I watched as one of the older kids shoved him out of their way. Nobody reacted to it, besides me and Aaron. Nobody really even saw it, just the other kids. 

I offered a smile to the child and stuck my hand out for him to take. He didn't move. He didn't even blink. 

"Leave him." A mean sounding woman huffed. I gave her a confused look. "He's useless, can't even speak." My eyes widened as she paused. "He's mute." 

My eyes narrowed and I felt the anger build inside of me. I glared at the woman down, screaming and cursing her out inside of my mind. 

I grabbed the new board Spencer gave me and started writing as she gave me the most confused look. "That child is no less of a human being than we are. He shouldn't be treated that way." I flipped the board around and shoved it into her hands.

"Why didn't you just talk?" She asks, handing me my board back. 

"She's mute." Aaron speaks up. I nod my head as I stared her down.

"Oh."

I rolled my eyes and started coughing again. 

"Denise!" Spencer yelled as a woman came over. "This is Nicole, the one I talked about yesterday."

"Oh, I remember. Follow me." The blonde waves her hand for me to follow. I did and we walked into a small house, that I guess was the infirmary. She listens to my breathing and does some other things, then hands me three different types of pills. 

"I think you have the flu. Take these and stay away from people as much as you can. This one is pregnancy vitamins. This one is to help with the coughing and these are antibiotics to help get rid of the flu faster. I'm not sure which type it is, but it should be gone soon." Denise explained, showing the bottles to me and then putting them in a bag. 

I nodded and smiled, taking the bags and going to Aaron. I took my board out and told him what it was and asked him where I should stay. 

"Follow me." I walked behind him, coughing abit but not as much as I used too. "This is your house. Others will be living here soon, but not until you're better. There's already food in there, so you're all set and the showers work." Aaron explained, sending me a small wave and speed walking away. 

I cheered inside my head and walked in, locking the door and placing my medicine on the kitchen counter. Everything finally felt almost ok. Everything except the fact that Daryl wasn't here. 

*Time skip*

Three weeks. Three weeks of constant coughing and laying in bed, plus a mouth full of pills; everyday. Fun. 

But that whole time, Daryl wouldn't leave my mind. Merle was there too, but not like Daryl. He's just something I wish to forget but at the same time I wanna relive those perished memories.

Waking up is horrible. You know, with the sun shining in through the window, all in your fucking face. Like, please go the fuck away. Ugh. I hate it. It's even worse that Daryl isn't by my side.

Today was the first day that I haven't felt like utter shit. I could move, breathe and eat properly. The baby has been kicking a lot here lately and it is very uncomfortable. I constantly have to pee. 

Today Aaron, me and a couple of the other survivors are going to go to an old building where some survivors are held up. I think we're going to a church. Kinda reminds me of daddy. He was such a God believing man. I miss him.

"Ready to go?" Aaron asks, barging into my house.

"Well good morning to you too Aaron." I sign with a huff, throwing my hair into a ponytail.

"It's four in the evening Nicole." Aaron stated as I looked at my watch. 

"Fuck," I sign and reach for my board and start righting. "No, I just woke up."

"Hurry, get dressed and get everything you need. We're leaving in ten."

I give him a thumbs up and rush into the bathroom, brushing my teeth and putting on deodorant. I changed out of my PJs and into some leggings and a t-shirt.

My bag is always ready, along with my weapons. Grabbing them I ran out to the car Aaron and I was taking. The others were taking another car. On the way there, I saw that mute child and smiled at him. He returned it and walked into the house he shared. 

"Well that was fast." Aaron smiles and opens my door. I smile slightly and get inside of the cool car. 

"Well, we got a while to drive, so get comfortable." Aaron smiles, waving to the man and telling him to open the gates. He turned on the radio and off we were, away from the safest place yet.

"We're going to a church right?" I write, nodding along to some song. He stops for a second to read my writing. 

"Yeah, there's a big group and I'm hoping they're friendly." 

Maybe, just maybe... it was them...