It's been awhile but I'm back. I have a new chapter for this so here it is.
I own nothing related to The Walking Dead. I only own my own characters and the crappy plotline.
Teddy had spent the first few weeks trying to regain her strength under the constant careful watch of Carol and Hershel. The one thing that kept her going was the hopeful expression in little Atticus' face as he watched her take her first steps out of the prison cell.
She endured the curious looks of the other inhabitants as they tried to engage her and Atticus in conversation. He had shied away from the other children and the women that had crowded them outside, finding comfort behind Daryl Dixon. Daryl's eyes had widened to the size of saucers when he felt the boy's small hand grasp his calloused finger.
Carol had been dividing her time between her prison duties and watching helping Teddy and Atticus settle in their new space.
"How are you feeling Teddy?" Hershel's voice startled her. "Sorry, I thought you heard me coming in."
Teddy smiled at his sweet demeanor. "It's okay, I was just lost in my own head there. I'm feeling a lot better now. The scarring is coming in nicely."
"Good, that's good. And where's the little man of the cell?" He smiled fondly at the empty bed designated for Atticus.
"He's out helping Carol with breakfast duty."
Hershel nodded thoughtfully. "He seems to have taken a liking to her."
"Yeah, we both have. I'm glad he did, maybe she can help him get through his no talking stage."
"He'll come around as soon as he feels comfortable enough." A beat of silence passed between them. "Now, let's go get you fed. You need your energy to get better."
Carol watched as the little blond boy watched her intently as she prepared the large group's food. He was the perfect company, never complained or argued with her. His big blue eyes had immediately stolen the hearts of all the women in the prison but he had taken refuge behind her legs as his little hands clenched her shirt tightly.
Daryl had been by earlier and the little boy's eyes brightened at the sight of him. She would often send Atticus to help Daryl to help them both open up. Those attempts always ended in the man bringing the child back with a look of complete confusion and a small hand holding his middle finger.
Her attention shifted to Hershel and Teddy walking towards the food line. The girl was looking healthier every day. That first week she had spent glued to the unconscious girl had been hard as she watched the girl tiptoe the line between life and death.
"Carol make sure Teddy eats all of her food. She's been skipping some meals." Hershel gave the girl a stern look.
"Is that so? I'll make sure she doesn't leave my sight until she finishes her meal." Carol smirked at the embarrassed look on Teddy's face. She handed her two bowls. "Atticus go and start eating with Teddy, I'll be there in a few minutes."
The young girl followed Atticus to a nearby table and placed the small bowl in front of him.
Carol turned to look at Hershel. "How is she doing?"
"Physically? Better. But I think she still feels lost here. I can only imagine what they both had to live through all alone out there. I think it would be in her best interests if she has someone to confide in." Carol nodded.
"I'll try to get her to open up some more."
The children were seemingly entranced with the book Carol was currently reading. As the last parent left the library she snapped the book shut and Luke took watch. As she pulled out the knife box Patrick asked to be excused, his skin was a pale clammy color. She watched him leave the library and continued on with her lesson.
Okay, that's all I've got for now but I'll be working on getting the next chapter some time soon.