MAKNAE [twd]

【127】

The ride back to Hilltop felt like a flash of time compared to the previous trip.

The convoy was nearly alerted until I caught Rick's eyes, holding up my bat as we drive closer so he knew it was us. Instead of going right by, we stopped by his station.

"Maggie told me you left out the other day," Rick sighs, reaching up to grab my hand, "You didn't see me before you left. I was worried."

"Sorry," I give a sheepish smile, "It all happened really fast."

Rick's eyes drift to the other vehicles, then to where dad and Tina were also were in the back of the truck.

"It's okay?" he asks.

"More than okay," I assure.

"Go on up. I'll tell the others you're on your way. I'll be there right after," he decides.

--

Maggie, Rick, and Ezekiel were soon together in the office of Hilltop- dad, Tina, and Tyler standing across from them as the people with the most power discussed everything once again.

Just outside the office in the main room, I found myself pacing.

"You're making me nervous and there's nothing to even be nervous about," Carl comments.

"It's not because I'm nervous," I sigh, coming to a stop, "It's because I'm impatient."

"Can't argue on that one," Julie agrees under her breath, "Doesn't mean I'm gonna jump up and join you're rampage, though."

I glance to her, giving a look of understanding and sympathy.

But, I also felt the confusion build as well.

"What made you come with us, anyway? I thought you were against leaving Sasha here lately," I recall.

"Why did you bring me in to represent?" she questions back.

"You were the most Alexandria one there. Plus, you and I both lost something on that lineup."

"There's your answer," she forces a smile, looking to her hands in her lap.

"Where's James?" Carl asks, making a scowl grow on her face.

"Hell if I know. Hell if I care," she scoffs, "I haven't seen him since we left."

"What is going on between you two? I know he and Enid-"

"They understand each other. They went through similar things. She's one of the few people he actually speaks to, yes, I know," Julie rambles, "Believe me, I know."

Carl purses his lip, sinking back into the couch and throwing me a look that said to save him.

"I've felt useless for years because I couldn't help him get through what he saw. Then, we meet Enid and suddenly she fixes him up like it was easy. I know that's because they saw the same things.. I do.. But, I tried to help him and support him," she rants.

"Is that why you two got into a fight? Back at Alexandria when we were in that house when that group attacked? Before the herd broke through the walls?" I question, remembering the look on her face when she stormed out- when Enid left.

"She told me that I didn't try hard enough and treated him like a dog, ordering him around," she scoffs once more, "Said that I was just jealous I wasn't all he needed instead of worrying about him more."

"So, I just.. stopped. I did everything he wanted and somehow that always involved being with her. You know that," she nudges Carl's arm, "I never wanted to go outside the walls- just the four of us."