𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒍𝒇 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔 ➪ «𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑦𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑥𝑜𝑛»

ch. XLII - 《augur》

oOo

The contrast of moods once the Lobos finally entered the Greene household was astounding and sobering. Whereas out in the inky night hope had enveloped Diana's soul again – now that she had Alice by her side once more – the heavy silence inside those walls was deafening. It begged for hushed words and light steps.

Knowing Carl's existence juggled between life and death inside those very walls was... it was awful, to be put simply.

The woman who had swooped in and saved Andrea atop her horse introduced herself as Maggie, and a wide-eyed, blonde girl not much older than Alice as her sister Beth. Their father, Hershel, was the one treating Carl. She also introduced a friend of the family who resided with them – Patricia, an older blonde woman whose husband, Otis, had been the one to accidentally shoot Carl – while Beth introduced her boyfriend, Jimmy, a sad-eyed boy whose hand didn't leave hers throughout the conversation.

Diana thanked them thoroughly for accommodating her sister, for giving her food and shelter, and for everything they'd been doing in favor of Carl's life. Maggie just nodded and took the three of them to the homey kitchen, where Glenn and T-Dog already sat at the table, spoons in hand and bowls in front them.

Both stood as they entered. Glenn was the first to reach Alice, however, and had his arms around her before the Devil could blink. And she actually hugged him back, as in willingly, with a blissful smile on her face. Same with T-Dog, who, despite his injured arm, picked her up off the ground. Diana and Felix could only share a look of indignation.

Maggie waited for the reunion to come to a conclusion and gestured for them to sit. She served them the same porridge the other two had received. Then, she joined them at the foot of the table with her watchful green eyes, while the other residents vacated the kitchen.

Alice made a subtle face of distaste and refused, saying what they'd given her before had sufficed. Felix ate reluctantly at first – he never had been fond of foods with that consistency, that was the reason why he despised mashed potatoes – but his hunger oversaw that fact.

Diana almost slurped it all down, just about forgetting her manners – it was thick and sweet, with a hint of cinnamon, which she loved. She deliberately paused after a spoonful to ask Maggie about Carl's wellbeing. She could barely keep eye contact with her, inwardly cursing her own inadequacy to face pretty girls.

Just as Diana rid her bowl of its contents, an elderly, white-haired and droopy-eyed man silently entered the kitchen. He seemed almost caught off guard by their number, which made Diana feel awkward for the sudden intrusion on his home.

Glenn stood to greet the man with a handshake, as did T-Dog, which caused Diana to rise hastily, her chair scraping against the wooden floors noisily. She winced and threw the man an apologetic smile before thrusting her hand in his direction with confidence she wished she always possessed.

His identity was no surprise, although Diana was slightly astonished by his age, considering he had such considerably young children.

Felix introduced himself politely in a way that would have made their parents proud. If there was one thing they had instilled in them, it had been respect.

Introductions finished, Diana grabbed her backpack off the ground where Glenn had stowed it and opened the mini drug store she carried within, offering Hershel full access to her stash. She told him to use whatever he needed.

Hershel glanced at the full backpack, almost overflowing with packets and bottles, and then at Diana, a soft glow in his wizened eyes. He tilted his head toward where he came and invited them to follow him.