Looking into a game

[notaafraidanymore]

-.....Don't

Don't look at me that way!

[She crosses her arms and glances away. Her eyes falling off into the distance before she whispers]

You and I both knew it was going to end in devastation....

Comments

[dirtyredneck]

So if I asked if you were okay, would you lie to me and tell me you were? Or you gonna be honest this time around?

[notaafraidanymore]

[She tries her best to give him a little smile but this time it's a bit more difficult]

I'm always honest with you.

[dirtyredneck]

Uh huh.

[Daryl's brows rose and he ran his tongue along his teeth.]

So what happened?

[notaafraidanymore]

Lotta things happened.

[She replies as she brings her hand up slowly to her mouth, only to gently bite down along her thumb now. Everything and everyone has been so overwhelmed with what had happened. Walkers bursting in, the death of more innocent people, banning together to fight.

If even she's feeling a deep rage of guilt. Mostly for little Sam, what she had said to him, the horror story she had scared him with that was to suddenly became real. Now he was just another innocent child gone. Then there was the remaining wolf she had killed and Morgan...

After a moment of silence she glances over to him]

I'm glad you're finally back.

[dirtyredneck]

[There was a lot left unsaid there. They came back to shit going down in a big way and pretty much no explanation. Glenn wasn't sure, either, and he'd been there longer, trying to find a way in to get to Maggie.]

Sorry we were late.

[notaafraidanymore]

Better late than never.

[This time she is able to smile a little before her arms go up to wrap around herself]

Those people, the people of Alexandria were strong, they stood by us, we banned together. Rick needed that, we all did.

[dirtyredneck]

Good.

[One of the arguments he'd had with her and Rick not that long ago. Felt like forever with all that happened, but of the three of them... when Carol brought those guns out at the start, when they were supposed to be trying, he felt like the only one doing that. He didn't really blame either of them for being wary. It was just that... they'd taken so long to figure it out. And he hated being on the outs with them. Even if it was just a difference of opinion.]

So you finally starting to realize they're ours? That they been ours?

[notaafraidanymore]

It doesn't mean anything. They need to ban together, they need us like we need this place. I think they are all starting to accept that they aren't as weak and naive as they thought? Maybe that's something we're accepting too?

[Still there is a sadness about her as her eyes fall along the place Jessie and her family once lived, her eyes falling along one of Sam's toys left outside]

[dirtyredneck]

If we all need each other, then don't it mean they're ours? That's not nothing.

[Daryl crossed his arms and leaned against the brick wall.]

Why you tryin' to fight it so hard?

[dirtypizzaboy]

Carol? Hey.

[He approaches quietly other than her name; wanting to offer support. He wears a gentle smile. There were a few optimistic things floating through him to say, but he kept them at bay - hoping that he could just be there for her in presence.]

[notaafraidanymore]

Glenn?

[Just seeing him was enough to bring a smile on her face. Like the others he had been gone for a pretty good while]

You're safe.

[dirtypizzaboy]

[The smile turns in to a grin, and he gives a little shrug.]

Yeah, pretty safe.

How're you holding up?

[notaafraidanymore]

[She can't help but smile a little brighter. It was a huge relief to see that he was alive and well. Like the others who had been gone awhile, she had been rather worried something unthinkable happened.]

I'm alright. [Which she wasn't fully]

You? You've been gone awhile.

[dirtypizzaboy]

Yeah, awhile is right.

[He lets out a sigh, thinking over his experiences.]

I'm home now. We can start to rebuild. Work towards the future.
[He tilts his head.]

You sure you're okay?

[notaafraidanymore]

[Funny how a simple "awhile" can seem like a lifetime when so many eventful things start unfolding all at once. Like a huge wave from the ocean rushing to drown a small town]

Always am.

[dirtypizzaboy]

So...

What exactly happened while we were away?

[He doesn't pry further, having his own issues he would discuss later - but for now? He was just glad to see her. Still, he did move closer to her, bumping his shoulder against her's as he leaned in to the wall. He gave her a little smile again.]

[notaafraidanymore]

[She gives another little smile at the gentle bump. It's typical Glenn and it's a gentle side of him she's glad this world hadn't stolen from him]

It's complicated. [She told him softly]

This group, group of people got into the walls some how. Killed a lot of the Alexandria people. Hopefully all of them have been killed now. [She nods over towards the wall]

The tower fell, the herd was quick to move in.

[moretolife]

It could have been different.... Dont'cha think?

[notaafraidanymore]

Lot of things could have went differently.

[moretolife]

[ Carl's not aware of what's about to happen to him, he's still in shock over the Wolves getting in... If only he had known what was to happen. ]

I think we all did what was for the best. We're still here. We're still all safe.

[ He nods as he talks. ]

We just gotta keep going. Like we always do.

[notaafraidanymore]

[Oh Carl, if you only knew]

These people are far to naive, they don't get it. [She replies lowly]

We can't protect them forever. We can only stay "safe" for so long.

[moretolife]

[ He'll survive... He always does ]

We can teach them. We can show them 'till they get it

[ Nodding his head as he responds to her. He has faith in you Carol, you changed so much from when he first met you, you can help these people do the same. You're a great tutor.

A smile. ]

We won't have to. I think they'll be alright.

[notaafraidanymore]

[You've always been a fighter Carl and you'll get through what happens next. It's a good thing you do because Rick would be so lost without you.

She gives him a little smile. She can only hope he's right. These people have been sheltered for so long]

We can hope. They weren't prepared for that attack, God knows what all could have happened if we weren't here but I think this has been the wake up call they needed...

[moretolife]

[ Yeah... Don't want to go through healing from another wound, especially like that one... But it's inevitable. I'll stay strong, for Dad, for you, for us all. ]

There's more to life than just surviving. I think, once they realize that, they'll be fine. You'll see.

[notaafraidanymore]

[It could have been much worse couldn't it? The important thing is you survive. Carol doesn't even want to begin to think of losing yet another person from their group, that alone a child.]

Mmm. [She moves to cross her arms over her chest]

They'll learn I suppose. [She tilts her head slightly] You seem very set on this place.