Don't Close Your Eyes [TWD]

°•four•°

I tore myself away from Glenn, Maggie, and Katie to go find Carl. I was still worried about why and how he had suddenly disappeared last night and haven't found him this morning either.

"Hey Beth!" I call out across the cell block, she was upstairs and I was down. She looks over the railing at me.

"Have you seen Carl?" I ask.

"Yeah, he's out in the courtyard last time I saw," She answers, maneuvering Judith's bottle.

"Thank you," I smile and she nods. As I walk outside, I'm taken off guard by just how bright the sun is.

I walk around for a bit before spotting his hat. I call out to him and as he turns, he smiles widely. We jog hastily to each other and collide into a hug.

"I was so worried, my dad said he saw you this morning and that you were going to the sick ward but when I went there I couldn't find you," He quickly rambles on.

"I was looking for you," I answer. He laughs and instead of continuing to talk he pulls me tighter.

"Well hot damn. Never thought I'd see this again," Daryl comments as he and Carol pass by us. 

I feel Carl's hand move and gesture at him.

Daryl chuckles sarcastically, "Back at you, kid."

We finally let go of the hug, making me a little sad.

"Have you ate?" Carl asks as I notice our hands were enclosed together.

"No, I was checking on Glenn then looking for you. Have you?" I ask.

"No," he shakes his head, "Wanna go find something?"

"Sure," I nod. We never dropped hands as we walked inside.

Once we found a meal, and a corner table to ourselves, I asked the question that's been burning all night.

"What happened last night?" I ask after swallowing some water. He looks over, taken by surprise.

"What do you mean?" He asks, rubbing his hands on his jeans.

"You just left. Was something wrong at the exit?" I ask, wondering why he was so nervous.

"Oh.. Oh! No, my dad came in and needed help with the fence. There was a big cluster and they took down a panel," he answers, his shoulders relaxing. I nod, looking at him oddly.

"What'd you think I meant?" I ask with an amused smile.

"I.. Uh, pfft, I didn't know. Just wasn't sure," he stumbles over his words. 

I slowly take it in and realize what made him act that way.

"Right," I trail off, picking up my fork. 

I look at my hands and remember how they looked when holding his face and smiled a little.

Like last night, the fond moment was lost by a sudden explosion outside. Everyone around us jumps and rushes to the doors.

Once all outside, Rick yelled for everyone to stay back. Maggie and Kate ran over as well, followed by Beth and Sasha. Bob, Daryl, and Tyreese also made their presence and everyone ducked down by the fences.

"Rick! Come down here! We need to talk!" A voice calls out from below.

Peaking past Carl's shoulder, I'm immediately nauseated by the sight of six cars, a tank, and The Governor. I feel a presence close behind me and glance to see Kate and Beth holding hands. Kate's eyes were widened and Beth's hands were shaking. I take in an unsteady breath and look back down.