Found Book One

Winter is Coming

"I think we should hole up here for the night," Rick announces as we walk through a small neighborhood.

We stop in front of the largest house on the block. "We'll stay here. Everyone break off into small groups for supplies," Rick says.

I nod as Mika grabs my hand and Carl takes the other. "Carl, I know you're gonna be mad about this but you three are going into the white house with the girls and Eugene. You need to stay there."

Carl rolls his eyes and nods, "Here Mika, take this," Rick says handing her Judith's diaper bag. I hold my arms out and take Judith.

"We'll all meet you guys back at the white house, okay. I think we should bunk there for the night," he says kissing Judith's pale cheek.

I nod, "I'll get all the blankets and stuff gathered up," I say he nods. "Don't let Carl out of your sight!" Rick yells running after Daryl. 

I laugh and pull Mika along with me into the large home, "Alrighty. Mika, go upstairs after Carl checks it and get all the blankets and pillows," I say sitting Judith on the couch.

Mika hands me Judith's bag and I look through it "Hey Eugene?" I call out. I hear a thump in the kitchen.

I put Judith on the floor and run, "I'm fine, just a walker in the pantry," he laughs. "Look," he says pointing into the medium-sized closet I look inside to see a large number of cans.

A smile spreads across my face when I see cans of baby food and formula in the mix, I hear hurried footsteps.

"Eli! Carl left!" Mika yells running into the room, I let out a groan and walk out into the living room. "Watch the baby!" I yell grabbing my gun, I run out of the house to find Carl sitting on the porch.

"What the hell! You scared the shit out of me!" I yell pushing him backward by his shoulder. "I just needed a minute," he mumbles looking down at his feet, I glance down as well.

He holds out his hand, I take it, we walk into the house. I throw some blankets onto the floor and pick up Judith. She smiles and bounces up and down in my arms, "Hey Mika do you wanna help me make dinner?" I ask.

The blonde girl nods and skips into the kitchen, I follow her. "Hello Mika," Sasha says as we enter the kitchen, "Can you help Eugene and Tyrese with dinner?" she asks Mika nods and walks over to Eugene.

"I don't want to push you but, I know something happened after Daryl found you guys what happened? I tried to talk to Michonne but she just walked away," Sasha asks. Panic rises within me as I stare up at the taller woman.

"I-I. Um, we just got attacked by some men, and that's how dad found us," I mumble quickly walking back into the kitchen.

I move over to the stove, "Mika I saw a peach tree outside. How about these guys finish dinner?" I say. "Yeah, I love peaches!" Mika cheers walking out of the kitchen, I follow her. "Can I come too?" Eugene asks, I nod and hold out my hand for her to grab it.

The girl looks around for a bucket while I pick up Judith. "Elaine, I can't find a bucket," she says walking back into the living room. "Grab a pillowcase, we can use that." I inform her, she grins and grabs one, I carry Judith out to the tree.

I smile at the safe fenced in yard, I look up into the warm sun, "Can I come help out?" Eugene asks stepping down from the porch. I wave him over, Mika starts picking the ripe peaches off the lower branches, I plop down in the lush green grass with Judith in my arms.

She laughs as the sun dances across her face, "Hey guys everyone's back!" Carl says out the door. I smile before standing up and walking up onto the porch. "Baby girl!" Michonne says holding her hands out for the baby in my arms.

I hand Judith over, Rick and Michonne sit down on the couch with the girl. Michonne feeds her a bottle. "I'm gonna go help with dinner, we need to get everyone fed," Rick says. "Then we need to turn in for the night, get some rest."

Everyone cheers quietly, a few people leave and go into the kitchen I sit with Carl at the foot of the couch.

"I'm glad we have everyone back, we're all together again," Michonne beams. "We even have a few new additions to the family," Rick says ruffling Tara's hair.

She laughs and holds out her closed fist to Rick, he taps it lightly with his hand.

"Do you think we can find something to do?" Mika asks. I nod, "Yeah probably, there might be some books or board games upstairs," I say standing up.

Mika follows me up the stairs with Carl not too far behind, I look in two of the bedrooms.

In the third bedroom, Mika finds some books, a stuffed animal, and the Game of Life.

We take the things downstairs, Mika decides to go help the others in the kitchen, leaving Carl and I with the few people left in the living room.

We lay out blankets and pillows all around the living room floor, all of us are sitting around talking. "Hey," a woman with short dark hair says sitting beside me.

"Hey," I say back, "Tara?" I ask. She nods and placing a spoonful of spaghettios in her mouth. "Yeah and you're Elaine," she says holding out her can and spoon.

I take the spoon and eat a bite of the circular noodles, "What's your story?" she asks taking the utensil back. "Oh, there's not much to tell. I'm Daryl's daughter," I say.

She nudges my arm, "You are way more than the people you are related to," Tara says, "I don't feel like it," I mumble.

"Well you are, we all are. But the people we love make us who we are," she says, glancing over to Rosita who is swaying in Abraham's arms.

"Yeah, I guess the people we love change us for the better," I say snatching the can of noodles from her hands. Tara laughs as I wrestle them from her hand, I take another bite.

"Come on I want my skeddies back," she whines. I hand them reluctantly back to her. "Thank you," I say, she smiles showing her crooked teeth. 

"You're welcome," I say nudging her with my elbow. Carl plops down beside me and lays his head in my lap. Rick looks over at us with a smile. "I think it's time for bed," he says. Tara stands looking around the room for a place to sleep.

Rosita pats a spot beside her, Tara looks down at me and walks over to Ro. I grin when Abraham turns on his side away from the women.

Rosita frowns and turns away from him as well, I lay down on my side face to face with Carl. "Tara was there," he whispers, I look up at. 

"Where?" I question, "At the prison, she was with those people who attacked us," he says. "She's different there," I say, Carl nods "I know."