T U C K E R × twd

twelve

.twelve
NOT SO HAPPY REUNION

I DIDN'T SLEEP THAT NIGHT, I couldn't. Rick and Glenn had removed the bodies and burned them outside, but still, I stayed staring at the spot Gregg met his demise. His blood that caked my body was a clear reminder of what I had done, but I didn't move to remove it from me. My body ached, my jaw and swollen eye hurting the most. My throat felt raw from screaming, bruises on the flesh feeling tight and inflamed.

Many of the group had come up to try and talk to me, get me to move, but for some reason, I couldn't force myself to reply. I didn't know it was morning until light the pooled through the windows hit my eye, making me squint to try and stop the discomfort. I heard someone step up to me again, seeing Glenn crouch down next to me from the corner of my eye.

"We're all saying goodbye to Bob" he started, his voice comforting me, "I thought I should tell you, just in case you wanted to talk to him"

It took all of my willpower but I forced my head away from the blood stain and looked at Glenn, who was staring at me shocked. I nodded my head, "Thank you" I whispered, my voice hoarse and scratchy from the night before.

Using the wall next to me I pulled my self to stand, my knees screaming in discomfort from the sudden movement. When I stumbled slightly, Glenn grabbed my shoulders and helped me finish standing. Glenn walked with me to the room that Bob was situated in, keeping a hand on my arm to support me.

We had to wait outside as everyone slowly made their way to us, each of them shocked that Glenn had got me to move. Glenn shook his head at some of the members that tried to talk to me, warning them that I was still incredibly tense. I stepped into the room, Sasha turning around to face me with tears in her eyes.

"Tucker?" Bob asked, his voice weak and breathless. Sasha moved from her seat, allowing me to see Bob lying under some blankets, he was sweaty and looked in pain despite his smile trying to mask it. He moved his hand, motioning towards the space that Sasha had made and I made my way to the bed, Glenn staying at the door. I awkwardly sat down, looking down at my hands as I tried to think about what I was going to say. I mean, what could I say? It was my fault.

I sucked in a breath and let it out, the exhale shaking and wavering slightly. Bob waited patiently, looking at me through his drooping eyes, with a weak smile on his face. Why was he smiling? I'd done something wrong and he still smiled at me, I didn't deserve that.

"I'm sorry" I whispered, finally looking at Bob who frowned at me.

"Why?" he asked, genuinely confused as to why I was apologising. I shook my head and glanced at Sasha, who was staring at me with tears falling down her face from the sad atmosphere. "Why are you saying sorry, Tucker?"

"You didn't deserve this, and I should've helped you" I finally confessed, sniffling sightly

"This isn't on you Tucker, never could be," Bob said sincerely, his eyes bearing in to mine making me have to look away from him. I wasn't good with shit like this, something that ran through my family. "Hey, it isn't"

I gave Bob a small nod, my nails scratching at the blood on my hands. It helped my conscious that Bob didn't think this was my fault, but I still didn't believe him.

"I haven't known you for long, but I know you're a good kid" Bob confessed, making me frown at him and try to see any signs of him lying. He wasn't lying, I could read the truth on his face. Bob chuckled slightly, it quickly turning into a cough "Daryl has a reason to be proud of you, especially after all you've had to put up with. An adult couldn't deal with it like you have. Now, I want you to stop blaming yourself and talk to people"