Animal Gone Wild [DISCONTINUED]

41

RICK'S CONSCIOUS AND JUNE'S DEMONS

    I sat on the couch, unmoving and just stared at the wall across from me with a blank stare. My eyes were most likely bloodshot, and bags started to appear under my eyes. I didn't sleep last night, in fear of reliving my nightmares.
    "Ember," Carl called from the doorway.
    He must've just came backfrom seeing his dad. Rick. I wasn't going to go see him. I couldn't, even if I wanted to. I'm a danger, he's a danger...they just don't realize I'm the bigger threat. I hadn't openly hit anyone since the farm and that was about a year ago. Sure, the last time I freaked out was at the prison but that was in private.
    "You okay?"
    I glanced at him before directing my eyes back at the wall. I hadn't talked much since Carl brought me back. He sighed before sitting next to me.
    "The group isn't angry with you y'know. We know you can't control it...well, Abraham, Rosita, Tara, and Eugene know now—but still."
    I leaned my head on his shoulder.
    "Can we just sit in silence pipsqueak," I croaked.
    Carl leaned his head against mine and nodded. He moved his arm so he could mess with my hair as we sat. I sighed contently. And so we sat like that for an hour before I sent him to go hang out with the others—or to rest. I just kept seated and stared.
    "June," Glenn called, entering the house, "Rick would like to see you."
    I turned my entire head to face Glenn. His face crumbled at the sight of me.
    "June..."
    "Do I have to go see him," I croaked.
    Glenn frowned at me.
    "Do you not want to?"
    I shook my head, turning back to the wall.
    "Not right now..."
    Glenn moved forward and sat next to me—confusion sprouting in his face. I've never denied when Rick requested me.
    "June, what's this all about? Was it Pete? Jessie? C'mon, talk to me."
    I looked down at the floor. A pained  expression made it's way to my face.
    "It was Pete's comment...about how I was an animal—and that I either needed to leave or die."
    "Don't you ever think about that. The people closest to you cherish you, adore you. You'd seriously think about leaving Carl or Judith? You'd do that to Daryl?"
    Tears sprung to my eyes as I turned to face Glenn.
    "I couldn't ever do that to them Glenn...but I'm an animal. You've seen me fight, you've seen my reactions...how I protect people? I'm an animal gone wild Glenn."
    Glenn pulled me into a tight hug. I wrapped my own arms around him.
    "An animal gone wild we adore obviously."
    A chuckle escaped my lips, causing Glenn to grin.
    "There's my June bug."
    I moved back from the hug and stared at Glenn.
    "What the fuck did you just call me?"
    Glenn laughed before hauling me off the couch and headed for the door—dragging me with him.
    "June bug. Don't worry, I won't do it again."
    I shook my head at him before retaining my hand from his grip and smacking his arm.
    "Better not or we gonna have some problems Pizza boy."
    Glenn scowled, leading me down the road, "I thought that nickname died."
    "It did—and still is. Unless you call me June bug."
    Glenn scoffed before motioning towards the door where Rick currently resided. Glenn kissedmy head before taking his leave. I sighed before walking into the room like I owned the place before standing against the wall watching Rick.
    "Hey Rick," I whispered.
    Rick turned to face me and sat up. I stared at him as he did so. I looked down and sighed.
    "How you holdin' up," Rick asked.
    I shrugged, "as good as I can be...you?"
    "I heard you ticked, did you kill him?"
    I looked up at Rick. He was avoiding talking about himself...to instead talk about me. I smirked lightly. Guess it was time for the roles to be switched. I nodded.
    "Yeah, I almost did...if it wasn't for Carl, I'd probably be in here with you."
    Rick chuckled and motioned me forward. I walked towards him and sat on his mattress. He reached forward and petted my head. I looked at him confused.
    "You did good kid...whatever happens tonight at my trial. I want you with everyone else. Where they go, you go alright? You gotta protect them June...it's what you're good at."
    I nodded sadly before hugging Rick gently. We didn't let go even when we knew the hug was too long.
    "You're family June...you'll always be family."
    I burst into tears, hugging Rick a bit tighter. He rubbed his hand up and down my backcomfortingly.
    "C'mon. Let's head home."
    I pulled back and nodded. I quickly dried and wiped my tears as I helped Rick up and we headed out the door. We had past Tobin and Deanna on our way back to the house.
    When we got to the houses, I left Rick and headed into the other and flopped on the couch, closing my eyes and getting ready to rest until the meeting.