Condemned. Sequel to 'Don't Look Back'

Chapter 18

Rayne's pov

We all stayed in the same house that night, Rick said something about not wanting to split up, which I agreed with. I wasn't comfortable yet with this place, along with multiple others, but hopefully I'd warm up to it all, if it's what it seems like.

"They said explore, so go explore." Rick said as he stood on the porch.

We all took off, some of us going one way, others going another. I stuck with Carl and Judith, knowing I'd be safe. We walked around the complex, seeing huge house after huge house. People watering their lawns and laughing with one another, it just seemed foreign.

"Well, if it isn't the new arrivals." I heard someone say to my right. I looked over and there sat an elderly couple on rocking chairs. Carl got Judith out and all three of us walked up to them.

"What are your names?" The old lady asked

"I'm Carl, this is Judith." He smiled.

"I'm Rayne." I smiled and shook their hands.

"Well, aren't those just adorable names. I'm Natalie, and this is my husband Bob."

"Nice to meet you." Carl said, and I plastered a smile on my face. I saw Rick appear with Jessie, and we made eye contact. I could tell Rick was worried, and he knew I was uncomfortable.

After Natalie and Bob got tired, we walked off.

"Quite the social skills you have there." I teased Carl as we walked down the steps. He smiled and put Judith back into her stroller.

"Unlike you, miss, I look like I hate myself." I shook my head with a smile as Rick approached us.

"Jessie wants you to meet Ron and Sam." We followed Rick, and he took control of Judith's stroller.

"We're here almost always after school, so you can come on by." Ron said and I rolled my eyes.

"Not that shit again." I said referring to school, they ignored my comment and Carl said,

"You guys go to school?"

"It's in a garage, little kids in the morning, us in the afternoon. I mean, probably you too, right?" Ron asked and I shook my head.

"I'm not going." There was no way anybody was changing my mind either.

"I probably will." Carl said, and we followed Ron down the long hall when he opened a door on his left.

There were kids our age everywhere, including Dean and Kaylee.

"Hey Rayne." She smiled and I weakly returned the gesture. The girl sitting on the bed seemed less than enthusiastic, which I could relate to.

"This is Mikey, and Enid." Ron introduced.

"Hi." Enid blandly greeted us. Mikey stood up and greeted us. He looked me over and smiled, not even acknowledging Carl.

"I'm Mikey, it's nice to meet you Rayne." He went in for a hug, but I dodged it. I put my hand our for a shake, and he took it quickly. I ripped my hand from his after he wouldn't let go, and stood closer to Carl, who was looking at Enid with curious eyes.

"Uh, you guys want to play some video games? Or Mikey's dad has a pool table, he's kind of strict about."

"It's ok, he's at work." Mikey said and smiled at me. I don't like him at all.

"Um.." Carl was struggling for words, and I knew he was having trouble, just as I was.

"I guess we kind of came on strong. We can just hang out, you don't even have to talk if you don't want. It took Enid three weeks to say a word." She looked over at us and rolled her eyes,

"Pull it together." She whispered and I shifted my stance and glared at her. Carl glanced at me and I took his hand, knowing it would calm us both down.

"Let's um, let's play some video games." Carl said and I followed behind him, but stood over in the corner, watching everything happen. Inside these walls, I felt like an outsider. Everyone was so trusting, and I couldn't wrap my head around this concept.

It was all just too overwhelming for me, and I quietly snuck out and went back to the house we were given. I closed the door behind me and made my way up the stairs and into one of the bedrooms. I sat down on the edge of the bed and I was overtaken by some kind of freak breakdown.

My hands started to shake and tears erratically fell, I lost my composure. I couldn't live like this, I just couldn't. It's too much like Terminus for me. Everyone was too nice, and too giving. I heard the door open downstairs, but I didn't care.

The door to the bedroom opened and Daryl stood in the doorway. I looked up to him through foggy eyes and he just nodded. He sat next to me and I lost it again.

"I can't do it." I sobbed and he cautiously put his hand on my shoulder.

"It's, it's just too much."

"I know." He whispered.

"And, and I told Deanna. I told her about everyone I killed. Sophia, the prisoner, the little girl and Gwen." I sobbed uncontrollably.

"And she, she just nodded like it was completely normal. It's not normal." I said.

"It's hard for me too." He admitted. My hands were still shaky, but the tears had stopped.

"Am I insane for this? Not being able to function is a stable community?" I made eye contact with Daryl, whose eyes reflected my own.

"Nah, you're jus' adjusting." He said. I wrapped my arms around Daryl and he stiffened, but let his arms find their way around me.

After Daryl had left. I laid on the bed in silence. Carl walked in and saw me.

"Are you ok?" He sat on the edge of the bed and I sat up.

"I'm not sure." I said and he nodded.

"It's going to be ok." He said.

"Easy for you to say, you fit in. You're accepted. I'm not. I'm the weird girl who just stands behind you and never says anything. I'm not, I'm not what they wanted." I met his eyes.

"It's not easy for me either. I'm terrified of this place, but sometimes you just have to fake it, they can't tell the difference." He laid down, and I followed suit. We laid there in silence until Rick walked in.

"How was Ron's house?"

"What do you think of this place?" Carl asked. Rick sat on the foot of the bed.

"I think it seems nice."

"Yeah, I like it here, I like the people. But, they're weak, and I don't want us to be weak too." Carl admitted. People here were very weak, and I think that's one of the reason's I can't fit in.