Sorry for the wait, but a big thank you to my helpers (you're the best readers ever). Let me know your thoughts, questions, musings, they are all greatly appreciated. ENJOY!

23: A Slipping Mask

My mind was busy for the next few days, and the cold weather meant I couldn't get out. I couldn't get away from it all. Should I talk to Rick? Should I ask them to stay? What should I do? I knew I didn't want to leave. I had made a home here. I don't want to leave my home, not again. I'd been out there, I know what it's like. This is as safe as it gets. But I didn't really want to be alone again either, if I was being perfectly honest. I became so used to having people around so quickly; I can hardly remember what it was like before. I don't think I could stand the quiet again. On top of that Daryl had become an almost constant presence beside me, including me in conversation, the occasionally arm around my shoulder. I enjoyed it. It was helping with all of this. What would I do without that? Then there was the added pressure of their departure. I should ask him when they were planning to leave, but it scared me. Time was still this frightening entity, looming over my world. Annie, undone by the calendar.

On the plus side, with all of my pensive days I did find the right book for Carl. It was strange how it came to me. I was sitting with Daryl on the couch, resting my head on his shoulder as had become the custom, and then it clicked. The House at Pooh Corner. The book that I used to come back to every now and then, when I was missing the good old days. My mom used to read it to my brother and me when we were too young to truly understand it. On the surface it was entertaining and sweet but, the way I saw it, of all the books I have ever read it had the best ending. The kind of ending all friendships have, now that I think of it. I got up and found the copy I still had and went to the garage.

"What's that?" I looked to see Daryl had joined me.

"Just a little something for Carl." I slid the laminated poem in-between the crisp pages of the last chapter, then stuffed it into the bag.

He walked over and opened the bag, "You really care about that little son of a bitch."

I nodded, sitting down on the floor, "I figured I wouldn't be able to protect him out there when you leave, so this'll have to do." I pulled my knees to my chest, keeping the sorrow out the best I could. I hated to think they were leaving. I hated to think I would lose my brother again.

"March." He sat beside me, his arm going immediately to its new home around my shoulders. "We're leaving first thing in March."

"Oh." I thought about leaning towards him, but I just couldn't. "That's soon."

"You don't want to go with us?"

"It's safe here." I avoided answering. Pulling my knees closer to me I thought of my brother. His laugh. His face. His attitude. Everything about him I had lumped over to Carl, who was so similar in so many ways. The arm went away and I felt him stand up.

"You're so damn stubborn, Anne. We both know you want to come with us, and you aren't even gonna try. You're just being stupid," he slammed the door on the way out of the garage.

He was right.

He was so right.

He saw right through me.

I stood up and wiped my eyes, "I'm being stupid." I walked out into the living room where Daryl had joined everyone gathered around the TV. "Rick." He looked up, "May I have a word with you, please?" He followed me into the garage. "I think it's about time that I told you some things." I motioned for him to take a seat. Once he sat I began, "I had a family once, too, ya know? And they aren't alive anymore like yours is. They're all dead. My world, gone in one day. So I hope you can forgive me when I say this… Just what the hell do you think you're doing leaving here?"

"Excuse me?"

"I don't know if you know this, man, but this is as good as it gets. I know. I spent months out there on my own, barely surviving until I stumbled upon this gold mine. And here you are, same place, safe place, and you tell me that you need to leave. What are you so afraid of?" I looked at him, but his face was stoic. "Not fear, no. That's not noble enough now is it… Pride. Too proud to stay."

"You don't know anything about me."

"Don't I?" I laughed, "You're a good man with a good heart, otherwise you wouldn't have a kid like that. Now I don't know what tough times have come between with you and Lori, and I don't care to, but you are still together. I can respect that. But this is me telling you not to go. Stay here and be safe. Please." I could feel tears flowing, but I didn't try to hide them. "Keep your family alive. You shouldn't have to go through this; Jo-Carl can't go through this." He stood up and stood for a moment, I wished he would say something but he just stood there for a few seconds before leaving me alone in the garage.