I don't know when it was, but at some point I must have fallen asleep on the couch because I opened my eyes to sunlight.
It's early. Very early.
Standing up, I swayed a bit before regaining my balance.
Every muscle in my body is sore but I languidly made my way to Carl's room anyway.
Lori and Rick sat next to him in the chairs, they look like they haven't moved since last night, while Hershel was checking his blood pressure once again.
Relief flooded my chest, rushing out in a sigh at the sight of Carl's open eyes. He's finally awake.
"They're here" T-Dog rushed up behind me, startling me.
Rick's gaze met mine and I nodded, already knowing what he wanted.
I took their place by Carl's side, letting them go inform the others just arriving.
Alone, I sat down next to Carl, toeing off my shoes and put my feet up on the bed, next to his cold toes.
Carl stared at me for a bit before asking, "What happened to your hands?"
I made a climbing motion and he smiled.
"You fell, huh?" smiling all too knowingly for someone who's known me for less than a year, and was nowhere near me when it happened.
Making a mock offended face, I realized he was right and blew some of my hair out of my face in defeat.
You're going places kid. If it were possible to be so, you're too smart for your own good.
Carl and I talked— interacted for a while, until he fell asleep again. I didn't realize how exhausted this whole ordeal has been until now.
It's hard to believe all this happened in the span of a single day.
Rick came back in a few minutes after Carl drifted off; Although to be honest I thought he was Daryl with how heavy his footfalls are.
It's amazing what blood loss and exceeding stress will do to a person in such a short period.
"We're having a funeral for Otis...would you mind staying with Carl?"
I nodded without hesitation. I don't think I could stand long enough for a funeral if I tried.
He and Lori both should be at the funeral. Otis saved their child, the least they can do is see him off. Pay their respects. But Carl can't be left alone; God forbid something else happens.
Carl woke up again while they were gone and I sat up, letting my feet fall.
I watched him look around the room before he fixed on me again. I smiled and moved some of his hair off his forehead. He's in desperate need of a wash up. Not that I'm much better.
"Where's my dad?"
I glanced at the door, biting the inside of my cheek. I ran my tongue over my lip, looking back at him.
...He doesn't need to know about the funeral yet. It can wait until he's recovered a bit more. Last thing he needs is guilt on top of worry on top of injury.
When he's on his feet again we can take him to the grave, if he wants.
The corner of my lip lifted and I pointed to the door; hoping he takes it to mean he's just in the other room.
He doesn't push it, though for a second he bit his lip looking at the door like he wanted to.
I set the coin on Carl's shoulder while directing his attention to his hand with a tap of my finger.
He uncurled his fingers revealing an empty palm and smiled, looking between me and his fingers.
"How'd you do that? Where'd it go?"
I nodded at his shoulder and he lost his shit.
Laughing, smiling.
"Can you teach me how to do that?" He begged, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Carl, let's save that for later, okay baby?" Lori came from the doorway and sat next to her son; the bed dipping under her weight.
Ohp, mother has spoken.
I chuckled and messed up Carl's hair as I stood, leaving the coin with him.
I left the two alone, making my way out the front door to get some fresh air.
The RV, other cars, sat in the driveway in front of the house. I almost forgot they were here already.
A steady smile pulled at my lips and like an idiot, I jumped the steps to the ground, forgetting I'm not physically capable of that right now.
I stumbled forward awkwardly, my fingers grazing the dirt before I regained my balance and came to a stop.
I didn't think giving just one unit of blood would affect me this much —especially since I slept off the exhaustion. Maybe that's it, maybe I'm just tired.
The throb in my rib cage would suggest otherwise though. My hand cradled my side.
I stood there waiting for the stinging pain to pass, and it passed quicker than I thought it would. The bruising must not have been as bad as it looked, cause it's too easy to forget about it now.
It doesn't hurt when I turn or walk, but apparently jumping from 5 feet up onto solid ground isn't the best idea.
Thank the stars I've always been a fast healer. I'm just glad it doesn't hurt to breath anymore. I can deal with the dull ache everything's faded to but breathing is essential.
My eyes wandered over the property until I spotted Rick and a few others crowded around the hood of Carol's Cherokee. One of them being, Daryl with his crossbow.
There's only one reason he'd have his crossbow on him in camp. They must be going to look for Sophia.
I made my across the yard once I could walk -relatively- unhindered again, coming up behind Hershel.
"We'll grid the whole area. Start searching in teams."
"Not you, not today. You gave 2 units of blood and you've barely slept. You wouldn't be hiking five minutes in this heat before passin' out." Hershel refuted, turning his attention to Shane, "And your ankle, push it now and you'll be laid up a month. No good to anybody."
Daryl glanced up and locked eyes with me. "Bout time you showed, Sunshine."
Hershel looked over his shoulder and jumped, seeing me. I gave an apologetic smile.
Andrea, Shane, Daryl, and Rick all nodded to me; some flashing a brief smile. I mirrored the gesture, leaning on my elbows against the hood next to the doctor.
"Guess it's just Eve and me." Daryl reached over to the map, pointing to a creek. "I'ma head back to the creek. Work my way from there."
I reached over to the map and traced my finger over an area I had a good feeling about. Rick nodded, understanding.
"No it won't." Hershel interrupted. "You gave blood too, on top of being injured as well. You're not going anywhere"
Oh, yeah, try and sto—
"Try and stop her"
I blinked at Daryl, once, twice, three times.
Kay, that was...weird doesn't feel like the right word but I have no others. He legitimately just read my mind; Literally voiced my thoughts.
Rick sighed, and I directed my attention to him, already staring at me.
"Daryl has a point." he shook his head, directing his gaze to Hershel beside me.
"No use trying to stop 'er, she'll find a way to get out there one way or another." Shane chimed in, glancing to the side and rubbing his newly shaved head(since when did he shave it?).
Aww, the boys are finally learning. I flashed a toothy grin. Besides, let's be honest, I'm in better condition to go out than Rick or Shane but not in bad enough condition to not go.
A meal and an 18 hour straight nap(best sleep I've had in too damn long) will do wonders for even major bruising.
"I can still be useful. Drive up to the interstate, see if Sophia wandered back." Shane volunteered. With any luck that's exactly what she's done.
"Alright. Tomorrow then...we'll start doing this right." Rick stated, his stance suggesting he's not happy about the delay in being able to help.
"That means we can't have our people out there with just knives. We need the gun trainin' we been promising." Shane raised and Andrea perked up considerably at the mention of guns.
Somebody's trigger happy.
Hershel shifted like a disapproving parent. "I'd prefer you not carrying guns on my property. We've managed so far without turning this into an armed camp."
"No offense but you get a crowd of those things wandering in here" Of course Shane protested.
I hate to agree but it's time.
We may never get another opportunity like this before it's too late. The more people we have who can shoot and fight, the better our chances are in the long run.
Rick shook his head, "We're guests here. This is your property, and we will respect that."
Rick put his gun on the hood, looking at Shane pointedly. He scoffed but put his piece on the hood as well.
"First things first. Set camp, find Sophia." Rick started.
"I hate to be the one to ask but somebody's got to" Shane leaned against the hood, on strained arms. "What happens if we find her and she's bit. I think we should all be clear on how we handle that."
Rick downcast his eyes to his shoes, "You do what has to be done."
"And her mother? What do you tell her?" porch girl— Maggie interjected. I didn't even notice her before. She stands like she's one of us, my brain just skipped over her.
"The truth" Andrea stated.
"I'll gather up and secure all the weapons. Make sure nobody's carrying until we're at a practice range off sight. I do request one rifleman on look out. Dale's got experience." Shane looked to Hershel who does not look willing to negotiate this. Stubborn guy, isn't he?
"Our people would feel safer." Rick turned to him, almost imposingly and I took half a step back, not wanting to be caught in the middle of their stare down. "Less inclined to carry a gun."
Hershel finally gave in and nodded, and Rick thanked him curtly.
Just like that, everyone began walking away from the car. Daryl and Shane walked around and I fell into step next to Daryl.
"We should stick together 'til we get to the creek, be safer that way." he glanced at me, giving me a once over. Probably sweeping for any hinderance and with his eagle sight I don't doubt he could find it if I have one.
I nodded and jabbed my thumb at the house, motioning around my waist with my other hand to bring attention to the fact I don't have half my gear.
He nodded before I jogged up the steps and went to the living room to grab my pack and my knives. I've still got my gun but I'm not gonna hand it over until we get back.
Daryl waited for me around the side of the house while I grabbed my gear and once I came out, buckling my thigh strap, he started walking.
Rick was waiting on the front steps for us though and called out to Daryl.
Daryl stopped, turning to Rick striding towards us.
I waved slightly to Rick before tapping Daryl's shoulder and nodding towards the forest.
He got my message and I went towards the treeline to wait for him while he and Rick talk.
Rick didn't call out to me, so I'm assuming it's gonna be a somewhat private chat. What about? I've no idea but I've got a feeling it's between the two of them, judging by the way Rick was looking at him.
I don't think he's mad but...I could be wrong. His anger isn't as easy to read as say, a Dixon's or Andrea's.
A couple quick minutes later, Daryl caught up to me.
That was fast, I haven't even gotten close to the forest yet.
I side-eyed Daryl, hoping to glean something about their talk but he doesn't look any more annoyed than usual, no more tense, I guess it wasn't as serious a talk as I thought.
Maybe Rick was trying to a bury a hatchet or something?
My ankle rolled on a rock I didn't notice and I stumbled to the side but didn't fall.
Daryl snorted next to me and I tossed a half-hearted glower his way, trying and failing not to smile.
"Watch where ya step, Twinkle Toes."
Twinkle Toes? What happened to Sunshine?