Charlie POV
I refused to wake up so Daryl left me alone to sleep. I woke up slowly, crawling out of the tent, then glancing up to see Adam smirking down at me.
"You slept with him?" Adam smirked and looked into my eyes.
"Yes- No! Yes, but not like that!" I fumbled over my words and looked at him. He snickered and turned away. "I'm going on a run with Rick and Glenn. I'll see you later sis." He chirped and grabbed an ax, walking off. Adam was a fireman before this so it's not surprising that he had an ax as a weapon.
I slowly stood and stretched my arms, going and grabbing some fruit. I felt nowhere near full, but someone else probably needed that food more than I did. Carl was talking with Sophia, sitting up in a tree. As I approached I could hear him telling her about the glitter Molotov.
I looked up at them slowly. "Hey. Are you guys up for going to the lake?" I asked them and smiled. Carl came down, followed by Sophia.
"Can we? You need to ask my mom," Carl said, smiling widely. Sophia giggled softly, holding her doll.
"Ask mine, too."
I glanced over my shoulder to Lori and Carol who were busy with laundry. "Lori! Carol!" I walked over and smiled at them.
"What can I do for you?" Lori asked and smiled at me gently. I took a deep breath. "I want to take Sophia and Carl to the lake on the property. I'll be extra careful and watch them. I was a teacher so I'm very good with children." I begged them. They were both very hesitant until they agreed.
"Not for more than an hour," Lori said strictly.
"We'll come looking for you." Carol added, handing me a gun. The kids cheered from behind me and I smiled.
"No harm will come to them. I promise," I said and tucked the gun into the back of my pants.
...
Sophia was dipping her hands into the water, trying to catch the tadpoles. Carl was laughing and helping her. I laid back in the grass, still keeping my eyes on them. Sophia let out a squeal and rushed over to a hole in the ground, pulling out a small brown puppy. It looked newly born. It was sick, small, and shaking.
"Sophia that dog could be sick," Carl warned, eyeing it. She pet it gently and smiled. It sneezed and licked her hand, nipping her fingers gently.
"It's so cute! And nice!" she said happily and cradled it in her arms.
"I'm not sure if we can take care of it. Ask your mom," I said and pet the dog gently.
Then there was a sharp scream that echoed over the trees and sent shivers down my spine.
I knew that scream. I knew who it was. Adam.
I shot up, shaking madly. "Let's go. Now," I said and pulled them along, running. They tried to keep up with me and I had to force myself to slow down.
"Who was that?" Sophia was obviously scared as she ran, holding the puppy tightly.
"It was Adam." I said and sprinted onto the grass. The children ran into the arms of Lori.
"Where is he?" I looked around and didn't see anything.
"Inside the house," Lori said and hugged them both. I took off and went inside to see Hershel and Patricia treating my brother's arm. It wasn't an arm, actually. His left stump. I let out a scream and rushed forward. Adam was unconscious, his red blood was covering everything.
Daryl then wrapped his arms around me and held me tightly, trying to calm my tears as we were rushed out of the room.
"I'll do all I can," Hershel said and closed the door. I was trying to be silent as I cried into Daryl's shirt.
...
Hershel came out. "He's awake. We'll need to watch him for the next few hours to make sure he stays healthy." I rushed into the room to see Adam playing with his stump, waving it around.
"You idiot..." I said quietly and went over. He was frowning, looking up at me.
"Charles, this is a problem," he said slowly.
"No shit." I laughed quietly and sat beside him, looking into his eyes.
"This means I can't grab as much ass," he said and sighed, looking at Daryl who stood by the door.
"Thank God," he mumbled and looked away. Together Adam and I laughed. I was so thankful for him to be breathing. This world makes us lose too many and I don't want to burry anyone else I care for.