No Rest For the Wicked ~ A Walking Dead Fan Fiction

Chapter 41 Family Tradition

Chapter 41

Family Tradition

Third Person~

Kate sat on the floor with her back resting on the wall, a warm bowl of oatmeal in her hands.  Elsie sat next to her, moodily prodding at her food.  She would have been sitting with Carl, would have been plastered to his side after what happened with his mom, but it seemed he didn't want her there.  Since they talked about God, he hadn't said more than two words at time to her.  She'd tried to comfort him and clearly she'd failed, since he was now pushing her away.

The thing she noticed was how lost she was without him.  When was the last time they hadn't been within spitting distance?  God it was lonely without someone to talk to.  Sure the adults were around, but they always had something to do and it just wasn't the same as having someone her own age.  Briefly she'd considered an alternative fate, one where Carl had died after being shot.  She would have been alone, all that time.  What would that do to a person?  It couldn't be healthy.  How different would she be right now?

She stared at the back of Carl's head.  He was looking down into his own bowl, hardly eating.  Suddenly the heavy silence that sat over the group was broken as the metal door clanged open and a very clean Rick stepped in. 

"Everybody okay?"  He asked, all eyes going straight to him.

"Yeah, we are."  Maggie answered.

"What about you?"  Hershel asked as Rick slowly walked into the room, scanning the faces of his group.  This was the first time he'd seen Carol and Olivia were alive, dropping them both a nod and actually breaking a brief smile before looking to Carl.

"I cleared out the boiler block."  He informed him, not answering as to whether or not he was actually alright.

"How many were there?"  Daryl asked from his seat on the stairs.

"I don't know.  A dozen, two dozen."  Rick shrugged.  Kate could guess he hadn't been keeping count as he went.  "I have to get back.  Just wanted to check on Carl."  He patted his son's shoulder, who didn't respond.  He made no mention of the daughter he was yet to even hold.  The daughter Lori never got to hold.  She would never see her or Carl grow up.  Kate wondered if she even knew the baby survived before dying.

"Rick, we can handle taking out the bodies."  Glenn said, getting to his feet.  He was really concerned about him and dragging dead bodies into the burning pile wasn't an activity that exactly encouraged mental stability.  "You don't have to."

"No, I do."  Rick said certainly before striding past the young man to Daryl.  "Everyone have a gun and a knife?"  Kate was worried too but figured he needed time to grieve however he chose to do that.  If he didn't have his shit together in a week she would have to do something about it.

"Yeah.  We're running low on ammo, though." 

"I was planning on making a run this afternoon."  Kate told them both.  "Found a phone book with some places I can hit, look for bullets and formula.  And yes, I know what formula looks like now."  She glanced at Maggie as she added the last part, a smile pulling one corner of her mouth up.

"We cleared out the generator room."  Daryl said.  "Axel's there trying to fix it in case of an emergency.  We're gonna sweep the lower levels as well."   Thankfully he had a plan since Rick wasn't around to give them one.

"Good, good."  Rick nodded, liking that he was able to disappear for extended periods of time and get away with it.  He strode towards the door.

"Rick."  Hershel called him.  Well, almost get away with it.  He ignored the old man and left.  Hershel sighed.  "You should take someone with you on the run."  He looked to Kate where she sat cross legged on the floor.