xxrudexbutxnicexX, Thank you so much! I've been working a lot, but I'm trying to keep it to at least one chapter a day, even if they may be late :( I hope to stick with it! :)
It's late afternoon by the time I finish cleaning the stalls and getting Chenoa and Raven fed and clean. I head toward the house to see Carol, Beth, Maggie, Glenn, and even Carl out taking down dry clothes and pinning up the newly washed ones. I have always made it habit for Monday's to be the unofficial 'wash day' around the farm, and if my calendars are correct, Monday had already rolled around again. Usually, I dreaded this particular day, but now that I had help, it seemed oddly enjoyable as I took a spot in their assembly line.
"Glenn, I believe I'll relieve you of the embarrassment now." I say the Asian boy with a sly smile, taking a pair of boxers from his hand.
"Right," he replies, with a nervous laugh, "I'll see if Rick still wants to do that supply run." With a small kiss and embrace with Maggie, he trots off toward the tool shed.
Carl moves to my side, trading me a wet plaid shirt for the dry shorts I just unpinned from the line. "Why can't I be 'relieved of the embarrassment'?" He asks in a whiny voice.
"Well I think you're doing a fine job being a wash maid." I answer him with a smile and a wink. It gets a little snicker out of the girls, but only a mocking pouty face from Carl. "Say, has anyone been teaching you any kind of school work?" I ask with genuine curiosity.
"Kind of." He replies shortly, then sighs deeply. "My mom was always trying to keep me as caught up with what we could find." he adds, obviously hurting by the memory that flashed through his mind.
Everyone grows very quiet as the boy's words also brings back painful memories of a time and events I know not of.
-What could've happened? I ask myself, looking around at the hurt in everyone's eyes. It must've been very tragic, whatever it was, to have them all so saddened by it. Just ask, the worst that can happen is them tell you it's not the right time. It's the only way you'll know.
"Umm.. if y'all don't mind my asking," I start nervously, fumbling my words, "what happen exactly?" As the question rolls off my lips, I am confronted with saddened, questioning eyes. There is a moment of looking from one to the other, but finally, Maggie speaks up for the group,
"Carl's mom, Rick's wife, died giving birth to Judith." She says with grieving still in her voice.
-You should not have gone there. My minds says snidely, as I look at Carl's pain stricken expression. Great job, you're hurting him even more.
"I'm.. I'm so sorry." I barely choke out, the apology trying to squeeze its way past the huge rock that's settled in my throat. It shows no sign of just being pushed past either as I look from face to face, wanting to absorb all of their grief and sorrows.
"You have the right to know." Carl says quietly, placing a comforting hand on my forearm. I look down at his big brown eyes, searching for that happy and playful child I caught a glimpse of this morning but only seeing a boy whose spirit is much to old for his age.
"Thank you for telling me.. I know that it's not easy to share things so personal.." I say, looking to each of them, "but she won't be forgotten, that's what matters." I finish, blinking away the tears brimming in my eyes.
I am answered with silent mouths but eyes that seem to speak legions. After wards the conversation picks up again, even livelier than before, as though the truth that had broke to me had been an overwhelming weight on their minds. As we went on and on, talking about anything that came to mind, I find myself laughing and talking easily with them, sharing stories that I hadn't before shared and hearing all their most memorable life moments.
-Wow, you never even talked this much to the girls you'd gone to school with your whole life. My mind mused as our conversations went on. Actually, I don't even think you had this many friends to talk to in your whole life. I laughed inwardly at my own insult, knowing it was very true. T
We kept on with our easy conversation, me noticing how much easier laundry was when you had four pairs of hands helping you out. I pause for a moment, looking at their animated faces as they talked amongst one another. I smile as the very rare feeling of normalcy creeps through my body, knowing that is was petty and unsafe, but still relishing the warmth it gives me. The feeling is short lived though as I look across the yard to see Glenn and Rick walking toward us, worry written all over their faces.
"Has anyone seen Daryl yet?" Rick asks, concern edging his southern accent.
It had been hours since Daryl and I had returned from disposing of the walkers I had killed this morning. When we finally made it back to the safety of the barn, he had told me he was going to scout out and hunt in northern woodline. I only realize now how he's still not returned as Rick's question really sets in.
"No, he hasn't come this way." Carol says, her delicate voice laced with new-found worry.
"Have you checked in the barn?" I ask, my mind already full of terrible scenarios Daryl could've gotten himself into.
Rick looks at me before answering, "Yeah, we've checked the barn and the house. No sign of him, he usually doesn't stay out this long, especially now that night comes on a lot quicker." He finishes with a deep sigh, his fingers finding their way to massage the bridge of his nose.
-How could Daryl, of all people, not come back? My heart is racing now. You have to do something! You know the woods like the back of your hand and you can track decent enough. He's smart and resourceful. He wouldn't have gone far, but he's in trouble and he needs your help. Now.
"We find him." I say darkly, looking at Glenn and Rick before turning sharply, heading for the barn.
*Yay for cliff hangers! Just staying true to the TV show;) & don't forget my dear fanfictioners! Leave reviews & tell me what you think!:)