Feral Citizens

Playing House

From what information I had gathered, I knew three things.

One: The prisoner's name was Randall.

Two: He was a kid who'd been with the group attacking Rick, Glenn and Hershel.

Three: Shane and Rick dragging him out to town to cut him loose could go wrong in so many ways.

"Anything from Beth?" Lori shook her head. Hershel's children had all mourned in different ways, but Beth was by far the worst. She'd been in shock since yesterday, and was currently lying in bed, pale and unmoving.

Lori gestured to the tray she had placed on the side of the kitchen sink. She'd made eggs, toast and canned ham. "I- uh, thought I could bring her breakfast. She needs to keep up her strength."

"She needs someone to talk to." I felt awkward offering my help outright, but it seemed that hints were not getting through to Lori. "I did Psychology, maybe I can talk through her problems."

"Thought you studied Environmental?" She must've been talking to Andrea; I couldn't remember telling Lori about my degree.

"I did, but it still involves the mind." I replied.

"If you think it might help," Lori smiled. She cradled her invisible bump for what must have been the tenth time in an hour. Since it had been revealed to everyone else that she was pregnant, Lori hand's never seemed to leave her stomach. I wondered how it felt, knowing a life was growing inside of you. I'd never wanted kids; handling my younger siblings had been bad enough. Especially now, in a world where babies were more of a burden than ever.

"What you think about the kid Rick brought back? Randall?" I asked her. It had been on my mind since the boy had been shoved inside the shed. This group that had attacked Rick, Glenn and Hershel had left the kid for dead, but they could always come looking.

"I don't know," Lori admitted. "but I know his group tried to kill my husband, and the others."

"Shane wants him dead," I told her. The argument had arisen last night and continued until everyone grew tired of hearing Shane and Dale bicker. The group had become divided, splitting into two factions. Those who wanted Randall dead, and those who believed he didn't deserve to be executed. Shane and Rick had taken the boy out to set him free far away, but I wasn't sure I trusted Shane to do the job.

I couldn't quite tell where I stood.

"I think Shane has a good point," Lori reasoned. She brushed her long brown hair from her face and picked up the tray. "now, I need to get this to Beth. Can you go find Maggie for me?"

"Of course." I walked out of the kitchen and through the front doors. Maggie had been spending a lot of time with Glenn since he had come back, and I was sure I could find her somewhere in camp.

Down at camp, Josie was helping Dale wash dishes. I nodded to Daryl as he passed the R.V door and sat down. Dale and Josie were quiet, but it was obvious they had heard me, because Dale's shoulders tensed when I stepped inside.

Neither of them were saying anything to me. They piled dishes, scrubbed dishes, and talked amongst themselves in mumbles. Carol and Sophia weren't here either; the back room was occupied only by Maggie, who was folding sheets. I appreciated her desire to help out, even if I was confused about why she felt the need to. "Hey, Maggie."

"Oh, hi." She sat down next to me, still holding a crumpled pile of sheets. "Anything from Beth?"

"Actually, I was coming down to get you. Lori just brought Beth some breakfast." I sat down on the bed and stopped her from reaching for another sheet. "you know, you don't have to do this. Your family is letting us stay here. If anythin', we should be helping you."