Don't Leave Me

Chapter Seven

"You slow down before you choke," Patricia tells me as I shovel food into my mouth. 

"'M sry, so gd," I mutter with my mouth full. 

"You swallow before you speak." Patricia scolds. 

I push my wet hair out of my face as I swallow. 

I was wearing an old shirt from Hershel's. It was a longs sleeve button down.

I had a bath and scrubbed the dirt and blood from my body until I was pink. 

"DAD!" 

I hear Maggie's frantic voice from outside. 

I stand up, scooting the chair out and sliding off of it to follow Patricia. 

Beth places a hand on my shoulder, preventing me from following them outside. 

"It's probably just Otis." She tells me, leading me back to her room. 

I met Otis last night. He was a heavy-set, balding guy but he was nice. 

He left early this morning to go hunting. 

"She sounded panicked," I tell Beth, trying to reach the door. 

"And if there was a reason for panic, there's not much you can do," Beth tells me. "You're little and sick." 

I frown and pout and stomp my foot but I stay in Beth's room.

 About half an hour later, Beth finally lets me out of the room to go finish the meal that I abandoned at the table. 

I reach the kitchen when I see someone there. 

"Rick?" 

Rick turns to me, disbelief on his face. 

"Andrew." 

He stands up, dazed as he makes his way over to me, pulling me against him while mumbling how sorry he was. 

"Do you have Sophia?" I question. 

"She's not with you?" Rick questioned. 

"No, we got separated. Why are you here?" 

"Carl got shot." 

I frown, now noticing the needle that Patricia was getting ready on the table. 

"Is my sister okay?" I question as Rick is reluctant to let me go. 

"She's really worried. How are you fairing? Are you hurting?" Rick questioned. 

"She told?" I question. 

"She had too," Rick tells me as he takes a seat again and lets Patricia draw his blood. 

"Oh god. Lori doesn't know. My wife doesn't know." Rick realizes. 

"I'll get her." Maggie volunteers. 

"Can I go?" I question, looking at Maggie. "Please. I need to see my sister." 

Maggie sighs, looking at Patricia. 

"Don't look at me, I'm not his mother." She tells her, adjusting the needle in Rick's arm. 

Maggie kneels to my height, placing a hand on my shoulder. 

"I have a very important job for you." She tells me.