Don't look back

Fifty six

"Mishy?" Mary asked, several weeks after they had first got the chicken, "Can we play with the animals all day today?"
"Sure." The woman laughed as she braided Mary's hair into thick cornrows, just as she liked it.
"Can I ride Nemo?"
"Yep. Well, if your daddy says it's okay. Yeah?"
"Daddy has a cold." Mary sighed.
"He'll be fine. Just a tiny cold." Michonne assured. Mary nodded slowly, and once Michonne was done, she went to her cell and got changed out of her pyjamas, and in her dungarees and a shirt, and of course, Carl's sheriff hat.
"Sasha!" Mary shouted, seeing the woman.
"Mary? What's wrong?" She asked in worry.
"Hello!"
"Hi." She laughed, shaking her head.
"I'm going for a horse ride on my Nemo." Mary announced.
"Wow. Have fun." Sasha smiled, before going.
Mary pulled on her cowboy boots, then went next door, to Rick's cell. "Daddy. I'm going for a horse ride." She smiled.
"Very good." Rick smiled, rubbing his head.
"What's wrong?"
"Just got a little cold, I'm fine. I'll be back to normal tomorrow."
"Okay. Have a nap and you'll be all better."
"Ah, I'm fine baby." Rick laughed. "You go have fun with Michonne. Yeah?"
"Yeah. Love you!" She grinned.
"I love you too." Rick smiled, and Mary ran over to Michonne.
"Mishy! Let's go." Mary giggled, holding Michonne's hand as they walking to the horse pen. "I'm gonna go get Carl."
She ran over to the guard tower, where Carl and Tyreese were keeping watch, and poked Carl's shoulder. "Do you wanna come on a horse ride with me and Mishy and Nemo?"
"Sure. Do you mind, Tyreese?"
"Nah, it's fine." The man smiled, as Carl and Mary left. They got to the horse, and Michonne lifted Mary up, the horses saddle and bridle already on. Michonne held the reins tightly , as Mary held the front of the saddle, and Carl walked beside them.
"Can you stay for a long time now?" Mary asked Michonne. She hated it when Michonne went on long trips away, looking for The Governor. She saw Carl's head shoot up in interest, and she knew he hated it too.
"No, sweetie, I'm going again tomorrow."
"But you only got back yesterday." Carl mumbled.
"I know. But me and Nemo are gonna find The Governor." She smiled to Mary.
"It's dangerous." Mary whispered.
"No, I'm always fine."
"Is dad okay?" Carl asked Mary gently, holding onto her ankle, changing the subject.
"Daddy. He's okay. Just a cold."
"People have different names." Carl laughed, "You call him daddy, I call him dad, and everyone else calls him Rick. You say Uncle Daryl, but everyone else calls him Daryl."
"You call me Mishy." Michonne half laughed.
"That's your name!" Mary giggled loudly, reaching a hand up and picking a leaf from one of the trees.
"Don't do that." Carl said quickly, grabbing her whole body, not just her ankle.
"Stop worrying." Mary laughed. "Nemo is so safe." As if on queue, Nemo shook his head quickly, a butterfly landing on his nose, and Mary tumbled off, straight into Carl's arms.
"Are you okay?" Carl panicked.
"Mary?" Michonne worried.
Mary opened her mouth, her face creased up, and Carl braced himself for her to start to scream, but she just laughed.
"I'm fine!" She giggled, and Carl breathed a sigh of relief.
"Scared me." Michonne laughed softly.
"You getting back on?" Carl asked gently, and she nodded determinedly, still laughing. He lifted her back on, and Mary grinned.
"I'm such a big girl." She smiled happily.
"You're such a brave girl." Michonne added.
"I know." Mary nodded with a smile, beaming with pride the rest of the walk.

"Daddy?" Mary mumbled, "can I sleep in here tonight?"
Rick almost laughed, wondering why she even bothered to ask anymore as she slept there every night. "No, not whole I've got a cold."
"Why?" Mary whined.
"I don't want you to catch it. When you get sick, you get really sick."
"Did you meet the new man? Bob?"
"Yeah. I've not stayed in bed all day," he laughed, "you've just been off playing."
"I'm sorry. I can't sleep alone." Mary whined.
"I'll tuck you in, okay?" Rick suggested, wiping his nose harshly.
"It's okay. You need to rest. I'll get Glenny."
"Glenn is on look out."
"Maggie."
"Okay. Are you sure?" Rick asked gently. 
"Yeah." Mary nodded, but inside she was scared and upset. She went to her cell, and got into her pyjamas quietly, as Carl was already asleep, which was unusual for him, although it was late. Then she went into Maggie and Glenn's cell, her bunny teddy in one hand, and Mr Cuddles in the other, to find it empty.
"Carl?" She hissed, going back into her cell.
"Hmm?" He mumbled groggily, letting Mary know he was never properly asleep.
"Where's Maggie?"
"I think she went to the guard tower. What's wrong? Why are you still awake?"
"I'm fine." Mary whispered, before running away. She went outside, even though she knew she wasn't allowed to, and then up the stairs to the guard tower, getting into the main building section.
"Mary?" Maggie asked in surprise, jerking her head away from Glenn.
"Was you kissing?" She questioned.
"Erm, yeah." Glenn laughed. "Kiddo, are you okay?"
"Yeah. Are you staying up here?" She whispered nervously.
"Yeah. Sweetie, what's wrong?" Maggie asked gently.
"Can I sleep up here with you? Please?"
"Yeah, if you want," she smiled softly, "does your dad know you're here?"
"Yeah. But I can't sleep in his bed because he doesn't want to give me his cold. It's cool up here."
"Yeah?" Glenn laughed softly.
"Yeah. I like the stars. Wherever you are, you always look at the same stars. That's what daddy says. I bet mommy is looking at them. From Heaven."
"That's a nice idea." Maggie smiled back.
"Shall we go look?" Glenn grinned, and Mary nodded back. "Come on then, smelly." He teased, picking her up and taking her onto the outdoor platform.
"What's that one? Do you remember?"
"North star." Mary grinned.
"Are you cold?"
"A little." Mary nodded, and Glenn put her down, took off his jacket, and wrapped her in it, then picked her back up. "Thank you."
"No problem. I would quiz you on stars, but I don't know anymore."
"Carl does. Shane taught him."
"Yeah, Carl's very clever." Glenn smiled softly.
"I wish I was like Carl." Mary nodded slowly.
"Nah, you're perfect just like you. You don't need to ever compare yourself to anyone else. Okay? If there's one thing I want you to remember, out of all the nonsense we talk about, it's that."
"Why are you doing serious? Is somethings wrong?" Mary panicked suddenly.
"No, why?" Glenn chuckled.
"You're normally funny and silly."
"Sorry." He laughed.
"Do you wanna go to sleep now?"
"Okay." Mary nodded. They went inside, and Mary went over to Maggie, then curled up next to her. "Do you wanna sleep with Mr Cuddles? I have my Carl Bunny."
"Thank you." Maggie laughed, taking the monkey.
"They're in love. Mr Cuddles and Bunny. What's bunny's name?"
"I don't know," Maggie laughed, "what do you think?"
"I don't know. Maybe... I think I'll call her Sunshine."
"That's a cute name," Maggie smiled softly, "now, sleepy time."
Mary nodded, and rested her head into Maggie's shoulder, clinging onto the material like her life depended on it, like it was the only thing keeping her safe.

Mary was awake early the next morning, and she ran down to Rick and Carl, who were working with the plants.
"Feeling better?" Mary asked Rick, and he smiled.
"Yep. Will you feed the pigs?" He smiled, kissing Mary's forehead. She nodded, and ran over to the pig pen, putting their food into a trough.
"Hey Violet." Mary smiled, stroking the pig.
"Mary. What did I say? We don't name the pigs." Rick sighed. She nodded, and kissed the pig, then ran to the chicken pen, kissing Maggie-Rick, and collecting the one egg.
"I'm gonna give this to Tommy! He's my boyfriend." Mary grinned to Rick.
"Hey, hey," Rick laughed teasingly, "no boyfriends. Not 'till you're twenty one."
"How olds that? Like Carl?"
"Hmm, bit older." Rick chuckled, picking Mary and kissing her forehead. "Are you happy?" He asked gently.
"Yeah." Mary smiled. "I've changed my mind."
Then she jumped down, and ran away, over to the graveyard, laying the egg on Lori's grave.
"I love you," she smiled softly, kissing the cross, "I miss you. Guess what? Beth's boyfriend, Zach, says I look like you. From the photo. That's the bestest thing ever. My favourite thing anyone has said. Daddy is happy now. And Carl. We don't use guns. I have a chicken. I love you mommy. More than eggs."
Then she left, running to her brother's loving arms.