Disclaimer: I do not own the Walking Dead. Any similarity between this story and other fanfiction's is completely unintentional.
Do not overrate what you have received, nor envy others. He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind.
Buddha
The first couple of days with the prison group was not easy for Roxanne and Sophia. Dan, Jay and Elliot, however, were a different story. Dan was quick to befriend the prison's resident doctor/vet, Hershel; also known as the man Elliot knows as 'the man who looks like Santa'. Speaking of Elliot, he has become quite attached to Beth, Hershel's teenage daughter, along with Judith, Rick's infant daughter. Jordan's been keeping to herself. When she's not helping out with chores, guard tower duty and the like, you can find her in her room; writing, drawing, reading, sleeping or just cuddling with Dan or Elliot.
Roxanne and Sophia; those are tough situations to describe. Sophia has been ignoring most of everyone; except for Roxanne, Carl, Elliot, and Judith. She's going out of her way to evade Carol, who has been attempting to corner Sophia since day 2. Sophia has also noticed Daryl's judgmental gaze turn into something else; a look she just couldn't put her finger on. Roxanne, however, knew the look all too well.
He was brooding.
After a whole full week of being a part of the prison group, Roxanne was at an impasse pertaining to what she should do. The prison was a fortress and that meant safety; safety for her group. She couldn't drag her people away from this, albeit temporary, sanctuary. They've been on the road the whole time. And winter, oh lord don't mention the cold that's soon to come. They barely made it last time, who's to say they could do it again? Cold toes and anger do not mix well. Dan and Elliot like this place, as far as she could tell. It was obvious that Sophia didn't like it just for the fact that her mother was there, which sparks many problems for the teen. And Jay…
Now that was an egg that Roxanne had to crack.
"Hey, can we talk?" Jay looked up from her notebook and saw Roxanne leaning on her doorway with her arms crossed. Jay nodded, gesturing for her friend to join her on the bed.
"S'up?" She asked, quickly looking back down at her current drawing. The corner of Roxanne's mouth twitched upwards as she watched her friend's tongue poke out from between her lips; so focused.
"How do you feel about this place?" Roxanne asked, opting to lean on the metal bed frame.
"In what sense?" Jay replied monotonously, brushing off some nonexistent pencil shavings off her notebook.
"Personal." Roxanne stated, taking note of how Jay's shoulders tensed up.
"I could get used to it…" – She flipped to a new page and started scribbling. – "It's a little too social for my taste, but I guess that's just my anti-social attitude talking. Overall, it's a great place. It's safe and secure, just like they said. They've got a field that they're prepping for crops and they also plan on reinforcing the fence. Plus, Dan and Elliot are bouncing off the walls happy about the change of scenery. They made friends, which is important to them."
"If I were to tell you to pack your stuff right now, what would you say?" Roxanne chose to cut right to the chase, which Jay appreciated.
"I'd say no. At least, not yet anyways. These people have a good set up, for the time being. This prison has potential to become a real fortress, should these people follow through with their plans to upgrade their fences and start farming. But, to be careful, I'd give it a month tops until you start to seriously consider leaving; just to make sure that these people have their heads on the right way and come through." - She stopped drawing and looked directly into Roxanne's blue eyes. - "I know that this is especially hard for you, seeing that you're being faced with a situation that you'd never think you'd find yourself in. Joining a large group and relinquishing your status as leader is tough enough as is for a hard-headed woman like you, but for the group in question to be the group that Sophia strayed from... Not to mention that her biological mother is still alive-"
"I can handle it, Jay. It's fine. My main problem right now is Sophia's well-being. She's the one who's being blind-sided. She's the one whose real mom just came back to damn life. Hell, you might as well say she's having an identity crisis! I mean, damn! Being faced with your past life isn't easy, Jay. She probably feels like she has to choose between us, which she doesn't! I feel a shit storm coming, Jay. And I don't know what to do about it. I don't like not having a solution. I don't like it when she's forced to do something." Roxanne started chewing on her bottom lip and shook her head, fists clenched. Jay noticed her friend becoming anxious and frowned deeply;
"Who says she's going be forced to do anything? All you have to do is sit down with her and talk to her. Explain the situation and let her know that she doesn't have to choose."
"What about her mother, huh? You've seen the looks she gives me; the woman wants to slaughter me in the most gruesome way imaginable! It's pretty damn obvious what's going on here. These people still believe that they can keep a child's innocence intact. They've noticed the changes within Sophia's attitude! You remember how she used to be, Jay. Hell, you and Josh were the ones who told me to teach the girl how to shoot a gun! And then how to skin an animal! And then how to be stealthy! I just... I don't like it! I'm being judged for using my common sense and teaching a girl how to survive, Jay. This drama is pretty friggen redundant and a waste of energy."
"Maybe you should put yourself in her mother's shoes."
"Maybe she should shut up and be grateful that her daughter is alive and ready to take on the world with a closed fist rather than want to cower behind some man with a gun."
"You mean a man with a crossbow." Jay duly noted, giving a small grin. It took Roxanne a moment but soon joined her friend with laughter.
"Good one!"
Unbeknownst to the two women, a man with a crossbow was lingering a few cells down, eavesdropping. As the two women laughed, he was processing what they had discussed. She was right. Sophia was acting just like Carl, if anything. And the boy had been with the group the whole time. So, it's not Roxanne's fault that Sophia is maturing in a certain way. She's changing based on the environment and adapting to survival in the apocalypse. What else was the girl supposed to do? Not many kids can stay innocent within these times.
Daryl doesn't know what Sophia experienced during the time she was gone. How many walkers has she encountered? How many living people? How many deaths has she witnessed? … Has she ever put down someone who was bitten? He couldn't even stomach the thought.
He had to find out. He needed more information. There was no way he could let Roxanne and Carol go head to head. That'd be a whole lot of yelling and screaming and that means the possibility of these people, Sophia included, leaving the prison. He couldn't let Sophia leave; not again. God knows how Carol would react to witnessing Sophia leave on her own free will.
He had to talk to these girls, all of them. He needed to get this situation under control.
So, Sophia was taught how to skin an animal, huh? Looks like I've got some hunting to do.
Love looks through a telescope; envy, through a microscope. Josh Billings
Holy crap, guys! I'm so happy that you guys like the story! I know, it's been a while since my last update but hey I had stuff to do, plus writing block, and I was also flip-flopping between fandoms. WWE, to Big Bang Theory, to HIMYM, back to Walking Dead for a little bit, and then onto some random anime. Now, add Supernatural and The Originals to the list. I mean, by god. I'm going insane. But anyways, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. It's a little boring but it's a necessary scene. Build-up and whatnot.
Remember, reviews keep me motivated and help me put out chapters sooner! Love you guys!