Spider Monkey

Chapter Thirty - Nine - Photographed Walls

( Notes : Hope everyone had a happy holidays! Thank you for letting me have a couple days off to celebrate! But I'm back now so... enjoy :3 ))

Everyone was cleaning themselves up, polishing their weapons and using whatever they found about to strip down to make firewood.

Merle took off his metal prosthetic and winced in pain. Carol saw this and went over. All along his stump were blisters.

"Why didn't you say anything?" She demanded, going into her bag to get out a first aid kit.

"Didn't want ya worryin'." He said, examining his sores. One was weeping clear pus.

Carol took out an alcohol wipe and began to clean up the arm. "Don't be so stupid next time."

Merle grinned up at the woman, a sparkle in his eye, "As long as ya promise me you'll kiss it better."

Carol blushed slightly, rolling her eyes fondly.

Daryl saw this and shook his head with a smirk.

Carl and Hedley were sitting face to face. Carl was determined to get his friend to speak again.

"I heard you. I know you can do it. Carl. C-A-R-L. C-arrrrllll." He said, sounding out his name. "Now you try."

Hedley did try, opening his mouth and making a weird croaking noise.

"Cuh. Cuh. Cuh."

Hedley tried to match the sound but got nowhere. He made a noise of frustration, flapping his hands angrily as his body refused to cooperate.

Rick watched beside them, Judith exploring the floor around her at his legs.

"Don't rush 'im, Carl."

"But Dad, he spoke! He actually did it. But now its like he forgot how."

Michonne raised an eyebrow, "Bug hasn't spoken for years, Carl. Its harder for him than most people."

It was Eugene who spoke next, "Selective mutism is a severe anxiety disorder where a person is unable to speak in certain situations. Its common in autistic people. Others may experience so much pressure for their selective mutism that they become mute in all situations, with all people."

Daryl went up to them, "Enough. He's ain't no show dog. He'll talk again when he's ready to."

Hedley looked up at Daryl, still stimming lightly but had a small smile on his lips. Daryl ruffled his hair and nodded to Rick, who nodded back.

The easy air left when Maggie and Sasha came in with a stranger.

"Everyone. This is Aaron."

Everyone got to their feet, grabbing their weapons.

"We met him outside." Said Sasha, "He's by himself. We took his weapons and we took his gear." Daryl patted the man down and nodded to Rick.

The leader handed Judith to Carl and Hedley stood protectively in front of the two, gripping tightly to his bow.

"Hi." Aaron said. "It's nice to meet you."

Rick ignored him, "You said he had a weapon?" Maggie gave him the gun she found on the man and put it in the back of his pants before looking back at Aaron, "There's something you need?"

"He has a camp, nearby. He wants us to audition for membership." Informed Sasha.

"I wish there was another word. Audition makes it sound like we're some kind of a dance troupe. That's only on Friday nights." No one laughed at his attempt at a joke. "Um, and it's not a camp. It's a community. I think you all would make valuable additions. But it's not my call. My job is to convince you all to follow me back home." The words made Hedley frown, not liking it. Rick took a threatening step forward. Aaron continued, "I know. If I were you, I wouldn't go either. Not until I knew exactly what I was getting into. Sasha, can you hand Rick my pack?" Sasha froze for a moment then took Aaron's bag to Rick. "Front pocket, there's an envelope. There's no way I could convince you to come with me just by talking about our community. That's why I brought those." Rick took the envelope out of the bag. "I apologise in advance for the picture quality. We just found an old camera store last -"