Chapter 55

"Are you alright?" Andrea asked as she approached Naomi and Caleb after addressing the group. Slowly people began dispursing and heading back to their homes.

"We're fine...thank you...that was pretty incredible how you calmed those people...they needed that." Naomi told her as she wrapped her arm around Caleb.

"You don't seem very calm, you handled yourself well though...So this is your son!" Andrea remarked as she looked down at Caleb and smiled.

"I'm Caleb..." He told her then began chewing on the skin around his thumbnail.

Andrea laughed a little. "I had a friend that used to do that a lot...nervous habit I guess..." She directed her attention back up Naomi. "You look exhausted...did you even sleep?"

"Not really..." Naomi replied as she subconsciously rubbed the back of her head.

"Well come on...this is ridiculous...I know Phillip's been through a lot and is struggling but there has to be a place better for you...come on..." Andrea nodded her head towards Phillip's apartment and they started to walking.

Andrea knocked on the door and smiled at Naomi as they waited for it to open. There was an awkward silence between them and Naomi knew Andrea was dying to ask her questions. Phillip opened the door and just stared at them blankly. He opened the door wider and turned his back to them, walking back further into the room.

Naomi was taken back by the bandage over his eye. She had noticed it outside but seeing it up close was even more shocking. She wasn't sure what to say or how to feel.

"I met your sister in law..." Andrea remarked as they entered.

"Clearly" Phillip uttered as he poured himself a drink.

"I know this isn't a good time but they need a place to stay...they can't stay in that run down store...I don't understand why you would even put them there in the first place." Andrea told him.

Phillip turned back towards Andrea and remained silent for a moment. He looked at Naomi then Caleb before bringing his attention back to Andrea. "It's being taken care of...Milton is seeing to it."

"Alright...I'll take her to find him." Andrea replied.

Andrea started to walk out with Caleb and Naomi but Phillip stopped her.

"Wait...Andrea...please..." Andrea turned back towards him but his eyes went to Naomi. "You remember the way to Milton's...don't you." Phillip asked her.

Naomi nodded and left the apartment with Caleb.

Andrea folded her arms across her chest, obviously annoyed but waited for him to speak.

Phillip stepped closer towards her. "That was quite the speech you gave out there..."

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"I'm sure you'll find these arrangements quite lovely..." Milton told her as he walked her back towards the Governor's apartment.

"Why are we going back here?" Naomi asked suspiciously.

"Oh...did he not tell you? You'll be in the apartment above his...he wanted to keep you close but also giving you your own space." Milton opened the door and led her down the hallway towards the stairwell.

They passed by the Governor's door and Naomi could hear him talking but couldn't make out what he was saying to Andrea.

"Why didn't he just tell me this before?" Naomi asked.

Milton smiled at her. "He wanted it to be a surprise...and he wanted me to stay with you a bit this morning, get to know Caleb, make sure you're comfortable."

"That's not necessary..." Naomi had no desire to spend any time with Milton. They entered the apartment which was a world of difference compare to the musty store. It was fully furnished. The walls were painted a pale yellow making the room feel warm and cheery but Naomi wasn't feeling cheerful at all.

"Caleb's bedroom is right down here and yours is across from it. I'm afraid there's only one bathroom but I think you'll find it comfortable just the same.

Naomi glanced around the apartment, slowly following Caleb to his room.

"Naomi...I wanted to apologize also." Milton added.

Naomi looked at him confused. "For what?"

"Everything that happened before...I'm sure you don't think too highly of me at the moment but I hope you can forgive me and maybe...in time we could at least...become friends?" Milton seemed sincere but it meant very little to Naomi. She knew though she needed to play along.

"It's already forgotten." She said as she forced herself to smile.

A look of relief fell upon Milton's face. "Why don't you go get yourself cleaned up? I'll keep an eye on Caleb, maybe see what may be missing from his room that he'd like to have.

Naomi wasn't too keen on the idea of leaving Caleb with Milton but she really did need to get cleaned up from the walker blood that had spattered onto her shirt and skin.

"Caleb?..." Naomi peared in the doorway of his room. "Do you think you'll be alright if I took a quick shower? Milton is staying here for a bit."

Caleb seemed to like his room but she could tell he didn't want to admit it. "Ok." He replied.

"I'll be fast...I promise." Naomi headed to the bathroom and noticed on the shelf inside a stack of fluffy towels. There was also a robe hanging on the back of the door. All the items looked new and she couldn't help but wonder where Phillip got them.

Naomi undressed and turned on the shower. The hot water hitting her as she stepped in, made her realize just how much her whole body ached. Her head was throbbing from the blow she took from Phillip the day before. As much as she liked the comforts around Woodbury, she couldn't help but worry about Daryl and the others. Phillip had told her he'd leave them alone but that of course was before someone poked his eye out and broke into the town causing all the chaos the night before. She doubted Phillip would leave it alone. No matter what he said. She closed her eyes and leaned against the cold tiles. There was only one real way out of all this to insure everyone would be safe. The only question was would she had the nerve to do it.

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"Do you like to read Caleb?" Milton asked as he stood in the doorway of Caleb's room as he was staring at the bookshelf.

Caleb looked over his shoulder at him. "Yeah..."

"Do you mind if I come in?" Milton asked and Caleb shrugged. "What about science? Do you like science?"

"Yeah..." Caleb replied as he sat on the floor and pulled one of the books off the shelf.

Milton walked over and sat on the floor near him with his back against the bookcase. "You know I have a laboratory here...I'm working on all sorts of experiments...maybe you can help me out there sometime...would you like that?"

Caleb just shrugged but didn't bother to look at him as flipped through the pages of the book.

"I know you and your mother have been through a lot but I really think once things calm down that you will really like it here."

.

Daryl tried his best to sling his torn shirt back into place as he jerked his backpack on. Everything out of Merle's mouth was an excuse and he didn't want to hear any of it anymore. He didn't want to leave Merle behind but he couldn't leave the group at the prison to fend for themselves. If Merle really cared about him, he'd follow behind...regardless of whether he thought they'd welcome him or not.

The guilt Merle felt was almost overwhelming. Seeing Daryl's scars caused an ache in him he wasn't prepared for. He shouldn't have left...he should've protected him somehow. He didn't mean for Daryl to take the beatings in place of him but he knew that's exactly what had happened. He hated that sheriff and all the rest of them...he hated that Daryl wanted to go back but he owed his brother...as much as he didn't want to go to the prison with him, he knew he had to. Merle jogged to catch up with Daryl. Neither one of them said another word to each other as they walked on but Merle noticed Daryl glance over at him with a look of relief on his face. For once, Merle had run out of jokes and smart remarks.

The eruption of gunfire caused them both to pick up the pace. They didn't have to see what was going on to know. Daryl knew they were still a good distance away and prayed they'd make it there in time. He didn't want to lose a single person from the group. He'd never forgive himself if they got there and found them all dead. Even once they heard the gunfire stop, they kept running.

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Naomi walked into Caleb's room, dressed in a fresh set of clothes as she towel dried her hair. Milton quickly stood up to greet her.

"I take it you found everything you needed?" He asked.

"Yes...thank you...where did all the clothes in my room come from?" Naomi asked.

"Various members of Woodbury, some left overs from supply runs...same goes for everything here. Phillip wanted to make sure you have everything you need." Milton told her.

Naomi sat on the edge of Caleb's bed, resting her head in her hands as she dropped the wet towel in her lap. "Well I really could use some aspirin or something...my head is killing me."

"I think there's some in the kitchen...why don't I get it for you and make you some tea...that should make you feel better." Before Naomi could even answer Milton left and headed down the hallway.

Naomi watched Caleb as he sat on the floor engrossed in his book. "Caleb..."

Caleb looked over his shoulder at her then turned to get up. He walked over towards her on the bed as she tossed the towel into floor and motioned for him to come closer as she laid on her side.

"You're not supposed to put wet towels on the floor mom..." Caleb told her as he climbed up and curled up next to her.

Naomi laughed a little as she wrapped her arm around him and tucked the other under her head. "I think it will be ok this one time."

"Mom? You ok?" Caleb asked with a worried look on his face.

"I'm fine...don't worry...I'm just not feeling very well right now...I think I'm just tired..." She tried to reassure him.

Caleb looked behind him to make sure Milton wasn't coming back in the room then turned back to her and began to whisper. "What do you think Daryl's doing? Do you think he misses us?"

"Well I know he must miss you..." She brushed the hair away from his eyes. "You really need a haircut you know that?"

"Don't change the subject mom...do you think Daryl is ok? Do you think they made it back to the prison? Why was everyone fighting? Why can't we all just live together? It's nice here...why can't we share it with them too?" The look of disappointment on Caleb's face made Naomi feel guilty. She wished there was a way to explain things to him in a way he would understand and not be scared but she was at a loss.

"Remember when those two walkers got in the prison yard? Do you remember how I fought them off?" Caleb nodded his head. "Well it was Merle that taught me how to do that...he and Daryl are brothers and I think if anyone can survive out there it's the two of them so I bet you have nothing to worry about."

Caleb sighed deeply. "He taught ya that stuff? How come Daryl never mentioned him?"

"Maybe it was too hard for him...not knowing where he was but now they're together...they'll take care of each other." Naomi could feel fatigue about to take over but she did her best to stay awake.

"Like we will..." Caleb stated as he tucked himself closer to her.

"That's right baby...we will..." Naomi kissed the top of his head then rested her cheek against it and quickly drifted off to sleep.