Life could be ever so dull inside a prison. Especially when this prison was in the middle of an apocalypse.
Laying under the September sun, I watched a few of the Walkers shuffle by the gate, giving them all names and stories.
"That one is Kelly," I said to myself, motioning to a larger lady with straggled brown hair, a yellow sundress and flesh hanging from her mouth, "and she is a dental assistant. Doesn't have any children, because her boyfriend is afraid of commitment.". 'Kelly' wandered up to the gate, where an awaiting knife (in the capable hands of Daryl) was there to implode her brain. Sighing, I looked to the next walker.
Young. He was young, maybe 10. A striped top, covered in blood, blonde matted hair, and half of his face rotting away. He groaned, following Kelly.
"Ben. Is a little shit, quite clever but ruins it by being a whiny brat." I say, as the knife goes through his head. Hearing a small chuckle behind me, I sit up and look to the noise. Standing there is Carl, hands on his hips, an amused expression on his face.
"You've lost the plot, Chloe." He laughs, sitting next to me. I smiled to him, lightly punching his shoulder.
"Shut up, asshole," Winking, I wrapped my arms around my knees, "What's everyone doing?"
"Most the group are doing maintenance on the tunnels. The entrance that we went through the other week needs to be blocked. Maddie and Kendall are helping Carol with schooling Judith and Brynn, and I'm not sure where the others are to be honest. What about you - i'm sure giving Walkers life stories isn't your job today." He asked jokingly, chewing on a piece of hay.
"Nope, not today. I'm just taking a break, really. No jobs needed jobbing, supposedly."
Carl nodded, leaning back on to his elbows, eyes glued to the sun that was beginning to set. I looked at my watch - 6pm, it would be time for dinner soon.
"Hey, we should go in. I'm sure everyone would appreciate us helping with dinner?" I said, beginning to get up, Carl following suit.
"I'm sure you're correct - oi, Daryl! We're gonna go start on dinner, you ok out here?" Carl shouted to Daryl across the courtyard, and received a thumbs up in return, "C'mon."
-
"Thank you, Carl and Chloe." Rick said gratefully, tipping some red wine into a tin. I smiled, sipping some myself.
Carl and I had found some old crates of wine in one of the cellars, for some unknown reason, so decided to get it for us all to enjoy that evening. We paired it with our usual rice, beans and egg from our chickens. All of us had some wine - even Daryl allowed Brynn to try some. It was pleasant; almost like we weren't living in this scenario. There were laughs, real, genuine laughs, something that I had not heard in a long time. Even Kalani had come out to eat with us, which she had not done since her father was still alive. Although she didnt speak, she took small mouthfuls every few minutes, clearly uncomfortable but trying to socialise.
"Yes, thank you, guys." Maddie timidly said, giving me a smile and taking a drink. I noticed her wince, and place the wine back down. She had never been a drinker, even when our entire class were intoxicated at the many parties that we went to. Kendall, however, had downed her drink, and began on Maddies.
"Of course. Carol always organises dinner, so we thought it would be nice to do it!" Carl said from beside me, feet brushing against mine under the table. I smiled to him.
"Cheers, everyone!" I said, clinking my cup to Carls.
"Cheers!"
-
"Ok, never have I ever been skinny dipping!" Ryan slurred, leaning his head softly against Kendall's shoulder. Everyone giggled drunkenly, some taking sips of their wine.
It was nearly eleven, and after dinner, many of us continued to drink the alcohol. Those of us who did were now sat around the common room, all on various different surfaces, playing the game never have I ever. In the circle was me, of course, Maddie, Kendall, Ryan, Lara, Carl, Brynn, and then a few of the adults. Rolling my eyes, I took a sip of my beverage, now unable to see straight.
"HAHA! You're all dirty bastards." Ryan exclaimed, pointing to each of us who drank and repeating 'you're a dirty bastard' each time. Lara, his twin, shoved him lightly. She had not drank, as although there were no laws in this world, she still thought it was wrong to drink at a young age.
"Shut up, Ry. You're embarrassing." She mumbled, crossing her arms and huffing. Due to the shove, he now lay flat on his front, apparently sleeping now.
"My go! Never have I ever cheated." Kendall said. She smirked, eyes darting around the circle to see who would admit.
"What, like, on a test?" Brynn asked, confusion evident in her voice. Her father laughed, ruffling her hair.
"That's ma' girl." Daryl said, taking a large gulp of his wine. Everyone laughed in response, a few taking a sip, with no embarrassment or regret. Unsure whether to drink, I looked to Maddies direction without thinking. To my surprise, she was already looking at me, small sympathetic smile on her face. I returned the smile, putting my drink down. "Good girl, Chloe." Daryl said from beside me, putting his arm around my shoulder.
I had become very close to Daryl recently. Not only had he been there for me when healing from the stab, but he was the one who found me. He was a great man, and I felt myself becoming shy each time he was near me.
Carl was the other side of me, very, very intoxicated. His father was keeping a close eye on him, but was loosening up, even drinking himself. Carl's head was draped over my lap, eyes half closed, laughing to himself.
I like to think that I have become a proper part of this unconventional family now. But nothing will take away how much I miss my mother, father and sister..
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Ok. Was this a mess? I promise the next chapters will be much better. Any suggestions?
x
