Go Fish in Silence
The group talked together in private many times, separate from the newcomers; Tyreese and Sasha. They had more or less agreed it was time to move on from where they were. The circles they'd been running since leaving the farm was doing more harm than good, they were losing supplies and finding nothing to replenish them.
T-Dog, Daryl and Carl were the most enthusiastic about leaving. Carl was excited to see new places, he said to his father they might find more people to join their group.
Toby didn't offer an opinion, Guillermo said he would follow anywhere, he had nowhere else to be.
Lori and Rick were the most skeptical about leaving, being further away from the farm, with the possibility of never being able to go back, but they knew they had to go.
The group didn't tell Tyreese and Sasha that they were thinking of joining them, of course they still had to ask the two if they wanted the company. But they didn't want to pressure the two so they waited.
Tyreese and Sasha stayed with the group longer then they meant to, although skeptical of them, Sasha was glad for the human contact. It was hard to watch for the corpses when it was just her and her brother, they always had to take turns sleeping. With seven other people, they felt safer, and they enjoyed the safety.
A few days after the storage unit incident, they were a few miles away scavenging some houses. Carl was allowed to help scout out the home to make sure they were safe before scavenging. He was glad for something to do, especially something so important. He was careful, knowing he could not mess up if he wanted his mother's and father's trust that he could do it.
The group tried their best to mostly use melee weapons instead of wasting ammo, but Carl was an exception. He was shorter and it was harder for him to overpower a Walker. He was given a silencer to attach to his hand gun. For when he took on rooms alone. Carl had taken out a few Walkers since he was allowed to start helping, he couldn't help but feel pride every time. And every time they finished, he would run to Toby right after and tell her all about it.
In the beginning, when they first left the farm, every time Carl tried talking to her she would pretend he didn't exist. No matter what he said, she wouldn't even look at him. But lately, she'd been somewhat responsive, looking at him while he talked as if she was listening intently.
He wondered if it was because his topics had changed. He used to talk about where they would go, if they would find a big place for everyone, and try to come up with other things they could do. Games and such. But now he was talking about scavenging, the Walkers he'd killed himself and ones he'd watched others kill. He talked about Tyreese a few times, how the man refused to use anything else but his hammer and never had any difficulty with a Walker.
Carl was disappointed when they found there were no Walkers lurking in the current house they were in.
After searching the house for threats, Carl was in the kitchen with T-Dog, searching through the drawers. After finding nothing but silverware and junk mail, Carl moved over to the fridge, gripping the handle and prepared to yank it open.
"Woah! No no!" T-Dog grabbed Carl's arm just in time to pull him away from the fridge.
"We do the fridge last remember?"
"Oh." Carl realized his mistake. "Right, I forgot. Sorry."
"Don't be sorry." T-Dog chuckled. "I caught myself almost doing it a few times too."
The group learned the hard way that opening a fridge when scavenging should always be done last. If they stayed the night in a house, they wouldn't check the fridge until the next day. The first time it happened, months of rotting meat, cheese, milk and many other mystery items took over the house. The stench had been so bad, no one had been able to stay in the house to finish scavenging, and Lori's morning sickness had been triggered to the worse it had ever been. She was bedridden and constantly nauseous for two days, claiming the smell would not leave her nose.
Carl nodded, glancing back at the fridge. "It's a small place, are we staying here tonight?"
"I think so, Tyreese noticed the couch in the living-room is a futon."
"And there's two bedrooms." Carl stated the obvious. Whenever they didn't have to stay in the RV, they didn't. With two beds in the house some of them would take advantage. "I'm going to looking in the closets."
"I saw Rick checking the one in the hall. I don't think anyone touched the one by the front door." T-Dog told him, going back to the cupboards.
Carl left the kitchen and went to the closet he saw when they first entered the home. He yanked it open. There was a shoe shelf, and a few hangers with nothing on them on a pole. Below the pole, on the right side of the closet was a small shelf. The shelf held some kind a spray bottle and a circular silver object. Carl took it off the shelf and grinned.
"I found duct tape!" Carl called out.
"Nice!" T-Dog called back. "About time!"
Carl knelt down, placing the tape down and pulling the shoes out to examine.
The was a pair of men's boots, they were light brown and very heavy. Carl frowned, definitely not what he was looking for. The next pair he yanked out were women's high heels. He rolled his eyes and tossed them aside. The last pair were smaller then the others, they were blue velcro sandals, they were decorated with little black shark outlines.
Carl placed one of the shoes next too his foot, measuring. He liked them, but he couldn't wear them when it would probably snow soon. They were a size or two too big anyway. He wondered if Toby could wear them, it was better than nothing until they found her something else. She hadn't found anything since she lost her boots at the storage unit.
Carl put the shoes down and looked up. At the top of the close there was a shelf, on the shelf was a large box marked 'SEASONAL' in black marker.
It was too high for Carl to reach, he even tried climbing up the shoes rack but it was too wobbly.
"Need some help?"
Carl turned to see Tyreese towering over him, smiling. Carl swallowed nervously, he didn't know the man and his sister that well yet. He was still intimidated by the large man.
"I, uh," Carl stumbled on his words at first. Still surprised. "I can't . . . can you reach it?"
Tyreese looked up at the box. Carl stepped aside so he was out of the way. Tyreese brought the box down with little trouble.
Tyreese placed the box on the floor. The flaps were only folded closed so he easily pulled it open. The box was filled with junk, Christmas lights and some Halloween decorations.
Carl's eyes lingered on the Christmas lights, thinking about the holiday they would surely miss. It wasn't the first time it'd crossed his mind. He pushed it away, looking back up at the shelf. He squinted his eyes, seeing something.
Carl stepped back, being further from the closet and going on the tips of his toes, there was something else up there.
"Tyreese?"
"Hmm?" Tyreese hummed in acknowledgement, searching through the box.
"There's something else up there."
Tyreese glanced at him before following his gaze. He stood, "you're right. It's another box."
Tyreese struggled a little, the second box being further into the closet. When he brought it down Carl saw the box had 'DONATE' written in black marker. This box was taped shut.
"Sasha has my knife . . ." Tyreese started ripping the box, but Carl stopped him.
"I got one."
Tyreese took his knife, unfolded it and cut through the tape.
The box was full with clothes. Carl and Tyreese started pulling them out, there were sweaters and jeans, some shirts.
"This is great," Tyreese said. "Good find. Definitely need more clothes. We'll have everyone take a look for what they want."
Carl dug through the box he pulled out a worn out black running shoe. It was covered in scuff marks and the laces were split and weathered at the ends. They were small, and obviously a boys. Carl put the shoe beside his own, it looked about the same size. Carl began to grin, before wildly searching the box for its match. He soon found it, but the second show was missing the lace entirely. He frowned a little, but his eyes found the roll of duct tape and he got an idea.
Carl quickly grabbed the duct tape and both shoes before running out the door. Tyreese called after him, asking where he was going but Carl didn't answer.
Carl ran outside just in time to see Daryl take out a walker with his crossbow. He looked around, he could see who he was looking for on top of the RV.
He ran over to the RV ladder. He threw the duct tape down and hid the shoes behind his back. "Toby!" Obviously there was no answer, but soon she stood over the edge, looking down at him.
"Come down!"
She seemed to consider it before lowering herself down the ladder. She wore the binoculars around her neck they used for watch shifts.
"Did you see anything up there?"
She shook her head as she jumped down when there was only two steps left.
Carl pulled the shoes out form behind his back, "I found these, they're old. They look like they might fit me so maybe they'll fit you. This one's missing the shoelace but I found some duct tape too! So maybe we could fix it with that." Carl was smiling, looking back at her expectantly.
She stared at the shoes, her eyes widening only slightly. She took the shoes and sat down.
Carl watched as she slipped the shoes on.
Carl was surprised how quickly she slid them on, at the farm, Toby seemed to take every opportunity to be barefoot. A thought occurred to him, "are your feet cold?" he knew it was a stupid question. It was getting really cold outside. And since it was the rainy season, the ground was constantly damp.
When they were on, she stared at them, "wh-wh . . ." she swallowed, struggling to speak. "Where . . .?" when she finally got the word out, it was stretched, as if she was unsure.
"Uhm, in one of the closets?" Carl tried to answer, he wasn't entirely sure what she was asking. He continued to smile, it was the first thing she'd said to him in a really long time.
She looked up at him, "tha-nks." again, the word was stretched as if she had to forcibly push it out.
"Do you want help putting the tape on?"
She hesitated, looking at the tape he placed on the ground moments before. Then she nodded. Carl smiled again, he was so glad they were finally having a real interaction.
Carl crouched down, going onto his knees and taking the tape from her. He started pulling the tape off the roll and looked at the shoe on her foot. The tongue of the shoe was sticking out greatly.
Carl paused, realizing he wasn't sure how he should tape it. He decided to just tape all around the shoe, so he did.
"What are you doin'?" A voice of complete an utter bewilderment sounded behind Carl. He turned around quickly, not fond of being surprised again. Daryl stood behind him, his face scrunched up in confusion.
"I found shoes . . ." Carl answered vaguely. Daryl always gave off a tone that made Carl think he was in trouble.
"And you're tapin' it to her foot?" Daryl continued to stare, very confused. Daryl looked around quick, he was the only one outside besides the kids. The others were either in the RV or searching the house. He rolled his eyes, what the hell, they're without supervision for thirty seconds and he's taping up her foot? Why am I left with this? He thought to himself.
"The shoelace is gone," Carl explained.
"She ain't ever gonna get it off that way." He watched as Carl looked away with a frown. Daryl crouched, "move, I'll do it."
Carl moved back, unable to hide the disappoint he felt when Daryl took over. He watched as Daryl undid the tape and started ripping of smaller pieces. Daryl taped the top of the shoe, pulling the sides closer together and putting the tape over the tongue.
"There." Daryl stood quickly and left without another look, taking the tape with him.
Toby stood up moving her foot around in the taped shoe.
"Thanks," Toby said again, her voice clearer as their eyes met.
Carl smiled, "want to go in the RV and read a comic?"
Toby shrugged, but then began walking to the RV, Carl took it as a yes.
Over the days they spent together they learned a lot about Tyreese and Sasha. Tyreese was a bit loud and open, but very friendly. Where his sister was much more reserved and cautious. While Tyreese was very strong and fast, he was horrible at shooting. Sasha told the group that he wasn't allowed to hold a gun unless they could afford to waste ammo. Tyreese was fine with that, his hammer worked just fine.
Sasha was a bit more skilled with the gun, though her aim wasn't perfect. When Rick gave her some ammo to refill their pistol, the group found out the hard way she preferred the gun over a blunt object. Sasha was able to kill the Walkers with other, more quiet objects, but she claimed she didn't like letting the creatures get that close.
Rick worked with her a bit over that week, helping her gain some confidence so they weren't always using the gun, and they could preserve ammo. And also not attract more Walkers. She'd gotten better with her shovel.
The siblings ran with the group for an entire week. As much as they wanted to stay with the others, Tyreese couldn't stop thinking about Carnesville. And neither of them wanted to stick around with the herd growing larger.
After having a talk with his sister, Tyreese approached Rick on the seventh day.
"Hey, Rick. You got a second?"
Rick nodded, he saw the siblings conversing from a distance away. He knew they'd finally decided it was time to part. "Sure, I've been needing to ask you about your trip."
"What about it?" Tyreese looked confused.
Rick gave a small smile as he raised an eyebrow. "You going to need a ride?"
"Man, do we ever!" Tyreese smiled big and gave Rick a friendly slap on the back. "Carpool then?"
"You'll have to pitch in for gas."
Tyreese laughed, "wouldn't have it any other way."
"Damn it!" T-Dog landed a swift kick to the tire of the RV. He glared at the smoke coming from the hood.
"Let me guess," Rick sighed as he got out of the RV.
"Don't you friggin' dare," T-Dog said in a warning voice as he stepped in front of the hood, reaching to pull it open.
"The-"
"-Don't. Say. it." T-Dog interrupted him, spacing out each word for emphasis. As he lifted the hood, a cloud of smoke escaped. T-Dog coughed a little and waved the smoke away to peer inside.
Daryl approached the two from behind, he'd parked his bike a few yards from the RV.
"It's the hose again, ain't it?" Daryl called to them.
"Damn it, Daryl!" T-Dog yelled out, turning to him, "you just had to say it, didn't you?"
Daryl looked away from T-Dog, raising an eyebrow at Rick in confusion. Rick only shrugged, it was natural for T-Dog to be irritated over this.
"Can you fix it?" Rick asked him.
"Don't know. Maybe, maybe not. It's more duct tape than hose at this point anyway. Dale showed me a bit but . . . I'm not good at this stuff. We might just have to find another car. I can't believe this, the last few months this damn thing has worked fine! We finally decide to get the hell out of that place and it breaks."
Sasha sighed as she stared at the RV, it was yet another obstacle stopping them from getting to Carnesville. Sasha took Tyreese by the arm, leading him a few steps away from the others.
"Why are we doing this?"
Tyreese tilted his head, confused, "what are you talking about?"
"We've been trying to get to Carnesville for a long time. We're barely any closer then we were a month ago. And for what?"
"For what? You know what we're going for."
"No, actually I don't. We're not getting anywhere. We ran out of food before, it'll happen again." Sasha gestured toward the group. "And next time, I doubt we'll have as much luck."
"That's why we're staying with them. It's safer with more people."
"You think more people solves the food problem?"
"I think more capable people solve the food problem," Tyreese sighed. "I don't want to fight. We'll get there."
"Ty . . . it's been so long. If she's even still there she won't be-"
"-I know. Just stop."
"This trip is pointless! How many times have we almost died to get to someone that's not even there?"
"It's not just for her. It's a good, small town. If most people evacuated, there won't be many uglies. It won't be as looted either."
"You don't know that."
"You don't know anything either. You have a better idea?"
The argument ended there. There was nothing else to be said.
About an hour after stopping, Rick was attempting to start the RV. When the RV came to life with no issues, most of the group clapped an hollered. Rick sighed with relief as he turned the ignition off and hopped out with a smile on his face.
Sasha walked up to T-Dog, "this problem with the RV, it happens often?"
"Used to. It's been fine the past few months, was bound to happen again."
"But you fixed it?"
"I guess. Not sure for how long though. Dale . . . he owned . . . this was his. He knew it better than anybody. I doubt I could keep it going the way he could."
Sasha frowned, it was obvious that they'd lost this man, Dale. The mention of a lost life reminded her of all the people her and Tyreese lost along the way. It made for a solemn mood, she also didn't like the possibility of the RV becoming another obstacle for them.
Rick patted T-Dog's shoulder. "You did a good job. We're lucky you know as much as you do."
Sasha nodded, "he's right. Thank you."
T-Dog met Sasha's eyes, together they shared a small smile.
"We'll stretch out our legs a bit longer, and look over our route again." Rick continued. "If we're in danger of losing the RV, we have to be extra careful where that might happen."
"Lucky you guys had another map, ours was complete trash." Tyreese said as Guillermo laid out the map on the hood of the RV.
Tyreese, Sasha, Guillermo, T-Dog, Daryl and Rick all stood around the map.
"I think we should dodge here," Daryl pointed to a spot on the map, then continued to circle the area with the tip of his finger.
Rick leaned in, reading it out loud, "Peachtree City?"
Daryl nodded "Too many one-way roads. Heavily populated. We can't risk breaking down there."
"That will add days," Guillermo commented, his accent heavy.
Daryl looked back at him, "Prob'ly more than days. Dependin' on what we run into."
"That's reassuring," Sasha said under her breathe. But Daryl still caught it.
"Ain't gonna sugarcoat it. Carnesville's a long ways away. If we're gonna get there we gotta take it slow and plan it out. We rush into these places we don't know we're gonna get us in a rut we can't get out of."
"Carnesville?"
The group turned quickly at the voice. Daryl knew who it was immediately, but that didn't stop him from spinning around in shock.
Toby stood directly behind him, meeting his eyes quizzically. Daryl stared at her, taken aback by the eye contact. She was still wearing the long sleeve button up Daryl gave her their first days on the road, she left it unbuttoned, showing that she was wearing the same shirt Maggie gave her the day they left.
Daryl showed her several times the small bag of clothes Maggie gave him to give to her. But Toby wouldn't touch it, even though both the shirts she was wearing had a considerable amount of blood on them.
He'd given up on telling her to clean up or at least change her clothes, he wasn't bothered by it anymore, she could do what she wanted. What caught him off guard, besides her voice, was Shane's hat.
She was wearing it.
Daryl's eyes lingered on the navy blue hat, the word POLICE embroidered with white thread on the front. He knew she had it, he hadn't expected her to start wearing it. It took him a moment but he decided to not draw attention to it. Every time he did something like that was when she would hide more, she didn't like being acknowledged.
Toby didn't say anything, she was seeming to wait patiently for his response.
Daryl was so surprised, by the hat and her talking. It'd been almost two weeks since the day she broke her silence. He was sure she'd gone back to her mute state. But for the first time in a long time, she looked almost normal.
Daryl had to think back to what she even said.
"Uh, yeah. Carnesville. That's where we're goin'."
Daryl watched as her expression flickered between confusion and something else, he wouldn't decipher it. But just as quickly as the emotions appeared, they were gone just as fast, her face was a blank slate.
She looked around at everyone in front of her, all them stared, as if waiting for something.
"Why?" She finally said.
"Why?" Daryl repeated, unsure how to respond at first. "Don't got nowhere else ta go."
Toby casted her eyes downward, silent again. Daryl waited, thinking she might say something else. After a few moments, toby turned and walked away.
Daryl scoffed and rolled his eyes.
Sasha watched after the girl with a confused expression that matched her brothers, "what was that?" it was the first time she'd heard a word from Toby's mouth. "Why now? Why would-"
"-Don't," Daryl warned, looking back down at the map. "The more ya question it the more ya head will hurt."
"Anyway . . . Does it matter in the long run?" T-Dog ran a hand over his face. "We'll still have to make our way around Atlanta, no way are we going anywhere near that shit."
"What's up with Atlanta?" Tyreese asked, Sasha perked up as well.
"When all this started they were broadcasting for people to go to Atlanta." Sasha said, coming to a realization. "All those people going to one place . . ."
"They nuked it," T-Dog told them.
Sasha narrowed her eyes, "are you joking? Because that's not funny."
"No joking." Guillermo assured, "I was in the city. We . . . I was lucky I were not close to the bombs."
Sasha and her brother exchanged horrified expressions.
"We're not going to talk about all that now. Another time, if we really have to."
T-Dog sighed and changed the subject, "so going around Peachtree, and obviously around Atlanta."
"Far from Atlanta," Rick agreed.
"But Daryl . . . with this dodging logic you have, we'd have to go around any city we go by."
"How do you figure that?" Tyreese asked.
"Peachtree is big sure, but not as big as some of the other places we'll have to go. What's the point of just dodging this one?"
"Each one left behind could be one less risk," Guillermo said.
"Or going around could be an even bigger risk!" T-Dog argued.
"Everythin' is a fuckin' risk get over it," Daryl snapped. "We're basically just pickin' which place is better to die."
"Daryl," Rick warned, checking behind him to make sure his wife and the kids were nowhere near.
Daryl rolled his eyes, "figure it out." He turned away from them, walking aside the RV.
"Daryl!" Rick attempted to call him back.
"Got a headache! Leave me alone."
Rick sighed and let him go.
Daryl opened the door to the RV and stepped in. Carl was sitting alone at the booth, drawing something on a sheet of paper.
"Is-" Daryl cut himself off when Carl pointed at the ceiling, answering his question before he could even ask.
"She's up there," Carl said when Daryl didn't leave.
Daryl glanced at the window beside Carl, "ya saw her go up there?" Daryl didn't want to go up there without a good reason.
Carl shook his head, "but I heard someone up there. And I can hear you guys talking from here, and mom doesn't like going up there."
Daryl considered Carl's answer before leaving the RV. Once outside, Daryl made his way to the back of the RV where the ladder was and climbed up. Sure enough, Toby was sitting right in the center of the roof, her legs crossed and back to him.
"What was that?" Daryl asked her right away. He knew she heard him coming. Daryl hated himself for giving in again, for going after her to get answers he would never get. But he couldn't help it. It'd been almost two weeks since she broke her silence, and then suddenly she gives everyone two words? It was one thing talking to him in private, but to everyone?
That aggravated Daryl even more, how easy it seemed for her to suddenly ask questions to the entire group when she barely acknowledged his existence at times. It infuriated him. He'd been trying so hard with her, to get just the smallest answer, sometimes even just a nod, but there was always nothing. But the she just strolled up easily to them and questioned them about Carnesville. In no way did he find that fair.
"Since when do ya give a shit where we go, huh?" He glared at her back
Of course there was no response, he wasn't sure why he even tried. He hated that he went after her just to get the same result as every other time. He felt angered and embarrassed. Was that what she wanted? Was this all a game to her?
"The hells your problem with me, huh? The fuck did I do? Why are you bein' like this?" He asked, exasperated. His voice seemed to lose his edge in the last question.
Finally, Toby turned her head around. Her eyes were glassy and wide, it looked as if tear would fall when she blinked. Daryl felt startled once again by the intensity of the eye contact, but he held it, waiting. Her lips parted with an intake of air, the way someones would when they were about to speak.
Daryl waited anxiously. Toby seemed to hold her breath. She suddenly broke eye contact, looking down for a moment before turning her back on him again.
Daryl narrowed his eyes and huffed angrily. Daryl turned his back and began climbing back down the ladder, "whatever. Don't wanna talk ta some dumb brat anyway."
A few days later they'd made little progress into their journey. They stopped every night, not wanting to risk getting stranded in the dark.
The cold was forcing the group to wear heavy sweaters and jackets. Although the snow hadn't started to come in yet, it still made the nights harder.
Toby wore Merle's leather jacket along with Shane's hat. The cap was helpful to hide her face, which many of them suspected that was her goal. She mostly sat at the booth, across from Carl, leaning against the window. Sometimes she slept, and sometimes she just stared blankly. If anyone looked closely enough, they could spot the silver chain around her neck, the pendant was hidden under her shirt. Daryl had noticed, along with Lori and Rick. They all knew without a doubt she was hiding the 22 pendant under her shirt.
Daryl hadn't tried talking to Toby again since that day on the top of the RV.
Sasha was sitting on the couch next to her brother, she was watching as Carl was attempting to shuffle some cards, and failing. He kept dropping them from his hands, sometimes onto the floor. Sasha was bored out of her mind from the drive, she left the couch and sat beside Carl at the table.
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing." He said, attempting to straighten out the deck.
"Maybe we could play a game?" She suggested, knowing everyone was just as bored as she was.
"All I have are these," Carl showed the UNO, label to her. "And I'm missing most of the cards. I found them the last house we stayed in."
Sasha frowned, but then she remembered. "Ty, you still got that card pack?"
Tyreese looked up at her, "huh? Oh, oh yeah." Tyreese reached for his bag and begun to dig through it. After a few moments he found a worn out card box and tossed it to Sasha.
Smiled at him, "what do you want to play?"
"Go Fish?" he suggested, beginning to smile.
"Sure." She looked at Toby who sat across from them. "Do you want to play?"
Toby lifted her eyes to look at the deck of cards, Sasha noticed how her eyes lingered before turning away.
"She won't talk," Carl mumbled, his smile gone.
"She doesn't have to talk to play." Sasha smiled. Making both the children look at her. Sasha held her smile when she met Toby's eyes. It was the first time they looked at each other directly, Toby always avoided everyone's eyes. Sasha noticed her eyes were a deep toned grey, with a trick of the light they may appear blue. They were intense, very round and big.
"What do you mean?" Carl asked, bringing Sasha's attention back.
It took them much longer then Sasha thought. She figured her idea would only take ten minutes or less to figure out, she hadn't even considered there was a chance Toby had no idea how to play the game. It took awhile just to figure out she didn't know the game, Toby wouldn't say anything, just nodding shaking her head, if they were lucky. But after so many blank looks and times she wouldn't nod or shake her head, Sasha finally asked.
"Hunny, do you know what we're playing?"
Toby shook her head.
"You've never played Go Fish?"
Another shake.
"Have you played anything else?"
She didn't nod, but she didn't shake her head either. No response.
"Okay . . ." Sasha was a bit frustrated at that point. It would've been much easier if she had just admitted to not knowing what they were talking about. Sasha sighed.
"Can you read the numbers?" Carl suddenly asked.
Sasha looked over at him, confused. But he only looked at Toby. Toby slapped her hand down on the table, forcing Sasha to turn to her, she was giving Carl a very dirty look.
Carl leaned back in his seat, surprised by her outburst, "was just asking . . ."
Sasha took a deep breath and decided to ignore the outburst. She wondered why Carl would ask that, it was a very odd question to Sasha. But she wouldn't press on it, it obviously upset the girl and no good would come from making it worse. So she started explaining the game.
Toby looked as if she understood pretty well, she nodded her head in what seemed like understanding. After she gave a feeling of getting the rules, it was time to teach her how to play it her way. Sasha had to wonder, why did Carl ask if she knew numbers?
Soon enough, they had it all figured out. They could play the game Toby's way.
With nothing else to do, they played the game over and over again. Carl usually won, Toby a few times, and Sasha almost never. When Toby won Sasha would catch her smiling a little, she knew the girl was having fun.
"I'm glad you're with us. I wasn't before, but I am now." Carl admitted.
Sasha blinked at him before laughing, "Thanks. I'm glad I'm here too."
After playing a bit longer, Tyreese, who was napping on the couch, started to wake up.
Sasha glanced at him as he rubbed his eyes, "all done with you widdle nap?"
Tyreese rolled his eyes, "You still foolin' 'round with the cards?"
"We're playing Go Fish. You were laying right there the whole time, you didn't hear a single word?"
"I was busy with my widdle nap, as you called it."
"You were awake when you gave me the cards."
"And then my nap came along."
Sasha rolled her eyes.
"Deal me in the next game," Tyreese said.
"I win!" Carl said when Sasha wasn't looking. She turned just in time to see him take a card from Toby.
"Do you even remember how to play this, old man?"
"Old man? How old do you think I am?" Tyreese narrowed his eyes at his sister, but he was smiling. Tyreese stood from the couch and sat in the booth beside Toby.
Toby looked at him, seeming reluctant to be next to someone who was still a stranger to her. Tyreese smiled at her, trying to ease the awkwardness. She didn't return the smile.
The game began with Tyreese. But after Sasha and Carl took their turns, he noticed Carl and Sasha staring at him expectantly. He kept waiting for them to ask him for a card but they didn't.
"Huh? Is it my turn?"
Sasha rolled hers eyes, and gestured at Toby, "pay attention."
Tyreese was confused. He turned to Toby to find her staring at him, "Uh, what do you need?"
Had they gotten her to talk for the game? He wondered. He hadn't considered it as he joined in, being groggy from sleep.
Toby didn't talk, Tyreese found her tapping her index finger on the table. Soon it stopped. Tapped twice. Paused for a few moments, before tapping twice again.
"Twos?" Tyreese guessed, putting the pieces together.
She nodded.
"Oh! I get it," Tyreese checked his cards. "Nope, Go Fish."
Toby grabbed a card from the deck. It continued for a while, Tyreese watched Toby out of the corner of his eye a few times. He could see she was becoming less tense and even smiling some of the time. When she needed cards, she tapped her finger so many times and they would have to count. Her 'Go Fish' translation, was her tapping her hand palm down, just once.
Carl claimed he thought it was more fun when someone wasn't talking.
"You know what?" Sasha said. "I think you're right."
Carl's eyes widened as an idea came to him, "we should all do it!"
"What now?" Tyreese question after their second game.
"The tapping," Carl continued. No one can talk. And if they do . . . uhm . . . you have to pick up two cards?"
"Whoa, little man." Sasha shook her head. "Those are some high stakes. You up for that, Ty?"
He smiled at Carl, and gave Toby a wink. "Let's do it."
Toby was the only one able to keep silent the entire time. The others would snickers and accidentally say 'Go Fish' or the cards they wanted. But after a few games they improved, and were still having fun.
When the RV slowed to an unexpected stop, Tyreese looked up from his cards, looking toward the driver's seat.
"Whats going on?" He called out.
"You talked!" Carl pointed at him.
Sasha turned to him quickly, "So did you!" Then she clapped a hand over her mouth.
Carl started laughing, then they found he wasn't the only one. Toby was sitting in her corner, her head down so Shane's cap hid her face, laughing. It was obvious by how airy it sounded she was trying to stop it, but she wasn't having any luck.
Tyreese and Sasha shared a smile, it was nice to hear nothing kids laugh.
"Sash . . . do you hear that? What's that odd noise?"
She pretended to think about it, "I'm not sure . . . I think it's a sound, coming from somewhere around you."
Toby suddenly threw the cards in her hand at Sasha.
"Hey!" Sasha exclaimed, looking back at the girl she was met with a wide smile and a very red face.
"We definitely don't have enough cards for this game." Tyreese commented, laughing as he looked at the thinning deck in the center of the table.
Hey everyone! so sorry for this long wait. I really wanted to have this done by Christmas or new years but a lot happened.
first, my cat had kittens! so that's been a handful. 4 little fluffy assholes making a mess of everything.
My grandfather moved here from Florida! it's been years since I've seen him, really happy to have him back. My entire Christmas break I was sick, that was fun.
and finally . . . I'M ENGAGED. my boyfriend of 5 years proposed on New years! Super happy lately haha! so I've been preoccupied. as you can see.
this chapter is filler, but I really hope you enjoyed it. I had some trouble but I love this ending. Please tell me what you think.
Why do you think Toby's suddenly making progress in front of Sasha and Tyreese? coincidence or something else!
Leave a Review. me and Rasha007 would love to hear, especially since i kept complaining how stuck i was on this chapter to her. luckily I always have her help.
I hope you all had a Merry Christmas. and Happy Holidays!
-Penn