NO WAY BACK | carl grimes | ON PAUSE

forty - seven: new enemies

ELAINA COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT HER hopes and wishes had actually come true, and Ameena was back safe and sound. Hoping was often a dangerous game, as it could leave you disappointed, but she was glad she had never lost the ability to. She truly believed it also gave you something to do. Hoping was productive. It allowed you to hold onto your humanity.

The girl ran towards Ameena as quickly as she could. It was like greeting a sister. As soon as she bundled herself up in her arms, she felt relieved. The world had granted her another day with someone as lovely as Ameena. She wanted to ask her all about what had happened, but that could wait. In the meantime, she was just happy to stay in her arms.

"You're back," Elaina whispered. "Thank god."

"I told you I'd be back," Ameena said, touching Elaina's hair.

"Where are the others?" Wayne asked, walking through.

Just then, Glenn and Maggie entered with the rest of the group. Elaina beamed from ear to ear, thankful they were okay. However, their faces had no sign of happiness on them. Instead, they looked worried. Elaina frowned. What had happened?

"Jesus, man," Wayne said, looking at Glenn. "Are you okay?"

Glenn looked up at Wayne through tired eyes before heading off in the other direction. Elaina looked towards Maggie, whose face looked resilient. It was similar to her brothers whenever he had to put a brave face on in front of Elaina when she was younger after bad things had happened. Elaina could read right through it.

"Where's Daryl?" Montana asked.

There was a silence that descended over the group. Elaina looked up, looking towards Glenn, who flared his nostrils. There was something different about him. He looked unsettled, angry, vengeful. Elaina wanted to know what was happening. She wanted to know if everyone was alright.

"Merle's alive," Glenn added. "Him and Daryl have went off together. We weren't allowing someone like Merle to come back to this prison."

"Is that the guy from the roof?" Montana questioned.

"Yes," Glenn said bluntly.

"What happened?" Wayne asked. "Where's Rick? Does Carol know that Daryl is gone?"

"Rick is telling her," Maggie said. She looked like she had been through hell. Maybe even worse.

"The reality of the situation is that Daryl is gone, and we're one less fighter short," Montana added, returning to her matter of fact tone. "We need to know what happened when you were away, and we need to know now."

"A fight broke out in Woodberry when we went to retrieve Glenn and Maggie," Ameena replied. "There were gunshots and all sorts. We lost Oscar."

"The Governor isn't going to be happy that we took Maggie and Glenn back," Montana said. "Where's Rick?"

"With Carl," Glenn noted.

"Let Maggie and everyone else get some rest," T-Dog suggested. "Ain't easy, what they've been through."

There were no disagreements. Everyone scattered off, going to their own part of the prison. Montana rubbed my shoulder, then went off to talk with Wayne. Elaina stood for a moment with Ameena, thinking about everything that had changed.

"What is this going to mean for us?" Elaina asked quietly.

"Conflict, Laina, but don't be scared," Ameena reassured her.

"How can I not be?" Elaina frowned. "Daryl is gone. We need him now more than ever."

"Hey, it's okay," Ameena nodded. Elaina wondered if she was hopeful, or just trying to be hopeful for Elaina.

"It's doesn't feel like it," Elaina said. "It's one thing after another."

"We will deal with it, Laina," Ameena nodded, putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "It's not bigger than us."

"You barely got out of Woodberry."

"And if they bring a fight to us, we will give them hell."

Elaina sighed deeply. She couldn't help but think about what was going to happen. There was an unsettled feeling in her stomach. She wondered if Carl knew everything. If he knew what had happened. She felt the urge to go and find him.

"I'm going to find Carl," Elaina said softly. "I'm glad you're back."

"That's a good idea," she said, encouraging me. Elaina took her bow and arrow and headed outside, looking for Carl. She found him walking beside Rick, who looked exhausted. She crossed the playground, thinking about Woodberry. Thinking about how he would react to the new prisoners. She decided not to talk. She only needed to see Carl right now.

"Elaina," Rick said, a tiredness in his voice.

"Are you okay?" She asked. "I heard about Daryl and that guy Merle."

He shrugged. "We did what we could to make Daryl stay, but it didn't work."

He had an "it is what it is attitude", probably adopted by the apocalypse. Elaina nodded, but couldn't help but feel sorry for Rick.

"I was wondering if I could talk to Carl?"

"Go ahead," Rick nodded, patting him on the shoulder. "Stay safe, the both of you."

With that, he left, heading towards the ward. Elaina looked at Carl, who was already looking at her. Elaina began walking to their usual spot at the top of the stairs. When they got to the top, Elaina frowned over at him. He sighed. The silence spoke for them.

"Things are changing. I can feel it," Elaina said, bringing her legs close to her chest.

"Me too," Carl admitted. "Dad told me Daryl is gone. He left with Merle. Carol was devastated."

"I know how she feels," Elaina admitted, thinking of Luke. "But you have to keep going."

Carl nodded, understanding her. "Why do you think the Governor kidnapped Maggie and Glenn?"

"Maybe he didn't expect for there to be other survivors," Elaina suggested, picking at a weed that had grown between the cracks of the pavement. "Maybe he doesn't like that idea."

"I can't see us ever joining that community anytime soon," Carl admitted.

"Are you afraid?" Elaina asked.

"No," Carl said, looking back at Elaina. "You don't need to be either, Laina."

"I am," Elaina sighed. "I wish I was braver."

"You're still brave even though you're scared."

Elaina looked over at Carl with a gentle look in her eyes. Maybe he was right? Maybe Elaina was too hard on herself. What made you brave? Existing did maybe. Trying. Remaining hopeful even when the world had attempted to take it away.

"Thank you, Carl," Elaina said softly.

"No problem, Laina."

They shared the silence for a few moments. Elaina thought about Shane, who probably wouldn't have agreed with Carl. Kindness made you weak. Opening yourself up to people like that. At the end of the day, Carl and Elaina were the ones that lived. Shane's words were not written as truth. You could write whatever you needed. It was your life.