Chapter 3 - Gone

'Dad?'

Carl had returned home with news about Maggie. She was finally resting comfortably. The pain in her abnomin subsided and she had cried herself to sleep. His heart went out to Maggie, having lost so much he hated to think she might lose the baby as well.

It made him feel so grateful for his family. He still had his dad and Judith, and Michonne, who he was sometimes ashamed to say was the mother he needed in this world. he never wanted to dishonor his birth mother's memory. She had loved him and he would also love her. But Michonne was person who showed him that strength stemming from love was enough to get through anything. She believed in him, she accepted him, she inspired him. And now, she had bonded with Judith in that way that mother do.

And, she even loved his father. His sometimes reckless though always well meaning father. Since learning of the shift in their relationship, Carl had underplayed how happy he was about it. The truth is, dad was a different kind of happy with Michonne, something he had never seen before, but recognized as a special kind of joy. That joy spilled over onto Judith and even Carl could felt the bliss of their family unit echoing off the walls of their home.

People had started to congregate there. It had become the natural center of the community. And Carl was sure it had everything to do with the warm vibes their family exuded. It drew people in and they welcomed everyone who wanted to be a part of it.

After leaving Enid to get some rest, Carl was eager to get back home and let that warmth surround him again. But the moment he walked in he knew something was different.

Walking upstairs, he saw his dad seated on the bed. He looked towards the bathroom, listening for Michonne, but he heard nothing.

'Dad?' he said again, since Rick had not responded the first time. This time, his father turned his eye's to Carl but said nothing. 'Where's Michonne?'

Rick's eyes shifted to the window that overlooked their community. And a voice that cracked he said, 'She's gone.'