Condemned. Sequel to 'Don't Look Back'

Chapter 20

Rayne's pov

Carl opened the door for me, and I entered the dark house.

"It's so quiet in here." I said, my voice echoing throughout the house.

"Let's go upstairs." Carl lead me up to our bedroom.

I sat on the edge of my bed as Carl took off his flannel.

"What did you think of the party?" I asked, and he ran a hand through his long hair.

"I mean, it was good, up until Ron tried to grab you."

"I'd never let that happen, and you know that." I said and he nodded, making his way over to me.

"I know."

"What's up with Enid though?" I asked, the jealousy feeling creeping into me.

"What do you mean?" He asked quickly, and I raised an eyebrow.

"I don't know, I just don't trust her. I saw the way she was looking at you."

"Are you jealous?" He teased me.

"Are you?" I fired back playfully.

"Well, only a little." I laughed and ran a hand through his hair.

"You know I'd never leave you, and I know you'd never leave me." I said, and leaned in for a kiss. I heard Carl's boots hit the floor, and he moved so that we were both comfortably facing each other.

He broke away and laid down,

"Come here." He said and reached out for me. I crawled so that I was on top of his lap.

"What is this?" I asked,

"Something new." He said.

I laid down on his front, my ear right above his heart and I listened to the rhythmic beating.

The next day was spent lazily, Carl and I on the couch next to each other, going through some comic books Dean gave to Carl.

"You're just the cutest when you geek out over comics." I said, standing up to get a glass of water.

There was a knock on the door and Rick came down the stairs,

"I got it." He opened the door and Jessie's husband was there. I walked back to Carl and he took a sip out of my glass. I gave him a small, teasing glare, and he just smiled.

"Hey Rick, was havin' a beer, thought I'd bring you one, for helping out my wife today."

"Um, I'm good, but thanks." Rick said, but he just wouldn't give it up.

"Don't tell me you're still on duty." He argued. I gave Carl a look, and he nodded in understanding. Something wasn't quite right with this guy and I didn't like it.

"I kind of always am." Rick responded with a firm nod. I leaned over to Carl and asked,

"What's his name?"

"Pete."

"Well, he's seems like an asshole." I whispered back and Carl nodded. They talked some more, and I could feel tensions rising.

"I'm sorry, I heard you lost your wife." Pete said. Carl stiffened beside me, and I had my glare trained on Pete.

I grabbed Carl's hand and I stood up. He followed me upstairs and I sat him on the bed.

"It's ok." I whispered, feeling his distress. He ran his hands over his face and sighed.

"I know, it's just that I hadn't thought about her in so long, and he just throws it out there like it was nothing." I saw his eyes watering a little bit, but I knew he wouldn't admit he was going to cry.

"She would be proud of you, you know. You're strong, and you're caring." I said in a light voice. I stepped over to him, and he wrapped his arms around my middle, and buried his face in my shirt. I lightly ran my fingers through his hair to calm him.

I knew he was trying to get past this, I knew he hated showing weakness, and being emotionally vulnerable wasn't something he was used to. I felt something wet soak through the front of my shirt, and I knew he had lost control over his emotions.

"It's ok." I whispered.

He held me tight, almost to the point where it was hard to breathe, but I was ok. I was what he needed right now, and so I'd give him everything. He sniffled and looked up at me, his eyes slightly bloodshot.

"I love you, so much." He said.

"I love you too." I said, and we sat there in comfortable silence.

"Do you want to go for a walk?" I asked and he nodded silently.

I shut the door behind us, and I grabbed Carl's hand and walked down the stairs. The sun was beginning to set, and it seemed like the day had gone by so fast, granted, we sat on the couch for most of the day.

I saw Ron, Enid, Kaylee and Dean in their usual field, talking it seemed like.

"We don't have to go over there." I said and he nodded, and led us away from them, and back into a remote little corner.

"How'd you know this was here?" I asked.

"I just found it when I was looking around."

We sat with our backs against the cool metal walls, and it looked as if Carl was getting over his sadness.

"So, we've been here for what? A week or so, how do you like it?" I asked and he sighed.

"Well, I don't really care for Ron, Mikey is just weird, and Enid, well, she's..." He trailed off, and I felt the fire reignite itself.

"Different." He finished.

"Different how?" I asked, it sounding harsher than I would have liked.

"She's just, well, quiet and keeps to herself." He said, and I nodded. I've never even spoke to her, and I hate her. I've never really been the jealous type, but she's surely making that side of me show.

"Well, I think she's untrustworthy, something about her just isn't right."