Chapter Two
Carol paced the prison yard, watching the walkers outside the meshed fence try to push their way in. It was almost time for another cleanup, Rick wouldn't be happy if too many walkers built up outside the fences. The prison had proved itself to be a safe enough shelter so far, but since the people from Woodbury had joined the group more cell blocks needed to be cleared and supplies were low. Carol heard the sounds of footsteps and turned around to see Carl walking towards her, pistol in hand, with his father's oversized hat on his head.
"Hey Carol" Carl said, kicking a stone along the concrete floor.
"Oh hey Carl" Carol responded, stealing the hat and placing it on her own head "suits me huh?" she nudged Carl playfully with her elbow.
Carl grinned, "Yeah, but I think it looks better on me" he said, standing on tip toes to retrieve the hat from Carol's head.
Carol laughed, "You're probably right there you know" she folded her arms and looked once again at the walkers at the fence.
"I'm not sure how I feel about these Woodbury people" Carl sighed, "I don't know if we should trust them, and there are so many of them I'm scared we'll run out of food"
Carol put her arm around the boy, "Listen", she said, "most of them are women and children, and Glenn and Daryl are out looking for supplies, we'll find a way of coping. We always do".
Though she wouldn't admit it to Carl, Carol was worried too. Her and Daryl had exchanged cross words earlier in the day about the run he was on with Glenn and he had left without saying goodbye. Secretly, Carol was afraid that she'd never see him again and their last words to each other would have been said in anger.
"You're worried about Daryl, aren't you?" Carl said, "you shouldn't be, he'll be fine"
Carol smiled, "I'm worried about both of them really, Carl. It's dangerous out there and it's never nice seeing anyone go out on a run."
Carl picked up a stone and threw it at the wall of the prison, "I want to go on a run some day soon" he said.
The thought of Carl going outside the prison walls scared Carol, the world beyond was no place for a child, even if he could use a gun, and she was anxious to respond to Carl, who was becoming renowned for his mood swings. Luckily the sound of tyres saved her from having to reply, and the sight of the Hyundai appearing at the end of the road felt like the weight of the world falling off her shoulders. He was back, he was alive, he was safe.