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22: Adoptive Brother

I woke up to a cold bed, just like every other day the past few months. I shouldn't be surprised by this. My confidence was no where to be found, and my insecurities had taken their post once more. Had I imagined it all? No, if I had things would have gone differently. I pushed the thoughts away as I pulled some new clothes on and made my way downstairs for breakfast.

The floorboards creaked as I walked down the hallway to the stairs. I glanced towards the stark white walls. The old me would never have been able to call this home. I lived in bright colors before. Now it was just white and bare and cold. But some part of me thought this was home. This is as close to home as I had now. There was no one in the living room as I passed through to the kitchen. "Where is everyone?"

"They all went into town for supplies." Carl was already putting some food on a plate for me.

"And they left you here alone?"

"Well, you're here." He smiled, "So I'm not really alone, now am I?"

"Touché, smarty pants." I sat down. He put the plate in front of me. "Thank you." I took a few bites as he joined me. "I didn't think we needed supplies."

"No, I think they are deciding when we are going to leave."

"Oh." I couldn't help but feel a sting in my chest, but I tried to just be happy to talk to my buddy.

"That's why I had to stay behind. Dad said I'd just complicate things."

"Why's that?"

"I don't think we should go." I had seen the look on his face before. It was the same look my brother gave me when I was leaving for college.

"Neither do I," I reached over the table and ruffled his hair. "I don't understand why your dad is so adamant about it."

"He has a bunch of reasons. But I don't think any of them are good enough."

"Do you think you'd stay if I left?" I raised my eyebrow, but focused on my plate.

"I don't think so."

I nodded a few times before looking up at him. This isn't how I wanted to spend this time. Who knows if we would get to hang out before they leave? Smiling I spoke, "How've you been?"

"Alright I guess. I hate that we don't get to hang out anymore."

"Me too, but it will make it easier for when you leave."

"Do you think so?"

I stood up and started to clean the plate, "Maybe. I mean, I know it's gonna be hard for me either way. But Rick knows what he's doing." Once I finished I leaned against the counter, "Why did they need to go all the way to town to talk about when they're leaving? They could have done that here."

He smiled, "I wasn't supposed to tell you that."

"What were you supposed to say?"

"Supply run."

I laughed, "With everyone?"

He started laughing with me, "They probably wont even come back with anything."

"I know, right!" We laughed a while longer, "So what do you want to do 'til they get back?"

"I have no idea."

"Have you ever played chess?" He shook his head, "Well, I know for a fact there's a chess board around here someplace, and it's a game everyone should learn."

"Is it hard?"

"Well, that depends on who you're playing with." I winked at him and went to find the chess set.

-o0o-

"You're getting good at this, buddy." I looked down at the pieces, completely stumped as to which move I should make next.

"You're going easy on me," he laughed.

"Maybe last game, but this one I was really trying," I laughed before moving my bishop.

"You shouldn't have done that," he slid his queen into check. I countered, but he outsmarted me. "Checkmate."

"I'll be damned." I began to set up the pieces once more.

"Do we have to play again?"

I looked across the table at him, "Not if you don't want to."

"I was kinda hoping we could talk."

"Sure," I wiped the pieces into their box, "About what?"

"I'm worried about when we leave." I looked up at him, and I could tell he wasn't lying.

"Why?"

"What if we don't find another safe place before the baby gets here?"

"You will," I smiled.

"You can't know that."

"Have I ever lied to you before?"

He was quiet for a few seconds, "What if we don't get to say goodbye?"

"I'll figure something out."

"Promise?"

"Promise. Anything else worrying you?"

He looked down for a while, "What if we don't come back? And we don't get to hang out ever again?"

"Don't worry about that, bud."

"I don't want that to happen though."

"Neither do I." I didn't want that to happen, no. But I knew it most likely would, "I'll tell you what… If I don't hear from you after a few years I'll come find you. How's that?"

"Years?"

"Is that too long?"

"How about one year. Not this spring, but the next. If we haven't seen each other, then you come find me. Or I'll have to come find you."

I sighed, knowing there was no way I could say no to him. "You've got yourself a deal, partner." I held out my hand and he shook it. "Feel better?"

"Yeah." We got up, and I put away the game before joining him on the couch by the fire. "Aren't you worried about anything?"

"Who me?" I smiled cheekily his way for a second. Then my smile left, "I am."

"What about?"

"It's stupid and embarrassing," the smile returned.

"I told you! It's only fair." He punched my arm lightly.

I held up my hands, "Fine. Fine. I just, I am worried you'll leave and never be able to forgive me."

"Why would you need forgiving?"

"I'm supposed to protect you, and if you leave. Well, I can't exactly protect you then, now could I?"

"I can take care of myself."

"I know, but still." He opened his mouth to speak, but we heard the front door open. And just like that our time together was over.

Audience Participation (I dig these things, it helps tons and makes it so I can reward you guys easily): So, Annie's time with the group is drawing to a close, just as things with Daryl are heating up. Thoughts? Will they/wont they? Is it just a survival sort of thing, or is it something more? I know what I have planned, but what do you want to see happen?