2. Never Tear Us Apart

s e v e n t y t h r e e

"What are you doing?" He asked, walking into the private room, watching her going frantic at the draws in the desk.

"Not everyone is as innocent as they seem" She grabbed stuff and moved it around, well threw it around.

"What are you looking for?" He asked watching her frantic actions.

"A drink and something to smoke" She quickly answered

"What's wrong?" He asked, walking over to her carefully.

"I wish people would stop asking me that!" She spoke a little loader, but not enough that everyone would hear.

She finally found the jackpot.

"Ah!!" She smiled, grabbing a box of cigarettes that were very hidden and another bottle of wine.

"Come on" She told Carl, grabbing his small hand in hers.

She walked outside before climbing on top of the truck and opening another bottle, Carl following close behind.

"Here" She told him, passing the bottle, unbothered that he was barely 10.

Carl shook his head.

"You know i wanted to be the one to take you out on your 21st, when you had your first legal drink" She smiled lighting a cigarette, away from her brother.

Carl sighed holding his hand out.

"Don't tell dad" She smiled as Carl took a swig.

"Ugh that is vile" He cringed at the taste causing a laugh to escape Theo's lips.

"Why do you smoke?" Carl asked after a moment of silence went past.

"You see these scars?" Theo asked, pointing at her arm, careful on the touchy subject.

Carl nodded. He always noticed them, he hated seeing his sister give into bad habits such as smoking and cutting, but until now he never understood it.

"When i can, i do this instead" She admitted, looking down at the stick of tobacco in front of her.

"So why are you smoking now?" Carl asked concerned, looking at her worried

She took a drag before looking around.

"You think Daryl would ever leave me for Carol, not in a relationship way, but just leave with her?" She asked to making eye contact with her brother.

"Not with you back here he wouldn't?" Carl was confused at where this was all coming from.

"Glenn got in my fucking head, i dont know why he even said it" Theo took a swig of the wine.

"Ugh your right that is vile" She laughed looking at the label, sticking her tongue out.

She placed it down before looking at Carl.

"You want me to beat the shit out of Glenn?" Carl laughed, half joking half serious.

"Yeah," Theo smiled, finishing her cigarette. She wanted another, but not with Carl sitting next to her.

"When was the last time you got some sleep?" Carl asked, looking up at Theo.

Theo again had to think, she knew it was weeks, the bags under her eyes could easily say a month.

"Weeks buddy" She smiled rubbing her eyes.

"Get some rest" Carl told her, hugging her tightly.

"I'm alright"

"Don't try me with that bullshit" Carl began, he sounded just like Theo.