Condemned. Sequel to 'Don't Look Back'

Chapter 19

"Because we actually know what we're doing out there." Glenn clarified, and Aidan threw a punch, but Glenn ducked.

"Hey!" Deanna yelled at the two. The other guy that was with Aidan advanced, after Glenn laid Aidan out. Daryl jumped into the action and tackled him.

I heard the gates close and saw Carl and Rick rush in. Daryl was on top of the other guy, strangling him while Rick pried him off. Alexandrians all around were gasping as if they've never encountered violence before. I for one, thought this was a golden moment to prove what we're not afraid to do.

Aidan got up, but Michonne got up in his face, making him back down. Daryl paced back and forth, wanting to end what he started. Carl looked at me with a confused expression and I motioned for him to come to me.

"What the hell happened?" He asked, putting his bag down.

"Glenn went on a run with a few Alexandrians, and apparently something went wrong. Aidan started the fight." I gestured towards the scene.

"Rick and his group are a part of us, as equals." Deanna roared after the fight had stopped.

Everyone dispersed and I looked over Carl, seeing blood all over his arm.

"What happened?"

"I um,  was outside with, um, my dad and we ran into some walkers." He nodded. It was unlike him to stumble over his words, and he looked over my shoulder where Enid stood.

On the outside I'm sure I looked fine, but on the inside, a fire had been ignited. Carl walked away to clean himself off, but Enid stood, where I sized her up. I glared at her and walked away. Something was definitely up with her, and I didn't like it one bit.

"Hey." Deanna pulled me aside as I was walking back to the house.

"Yeah?" I asked her.

"I have something for you. Follow me." She led me to the house where we were interviewed, and closed the door behind us.

"Now, Daryl let it slip in his interview about your love for bows, and how you'd lost yours. As a gift, I'm letting you have full time possession over ours. It's a PSE Carbon Air. You can carry at all times with the ammunition. I trust you." I was astonished. I smiled widely as she handed me the sleek black bow.

It felt so natural in my hands as I looked over it. I grabbed the arrows from her and smiled.

"Thank you, but, why let me carry this?" I asked her and she took in a breath.

"Because I know if the event happens, you'd protect everyone."

"How do you know this? I barely even talked to you."

"Because almost everyone spoke highly of you, especially Carl." She said and I nodded.

"I trust you, you're valuable." She said and patted me on the back.

"Thank you." I said and shook her hand.

I walked out of the house and saw Ron, Mikey, Kaylee, Dean, Enid and Carl out in a field. I weighed my options, but in the end went over to them.

"Hey." Mikey smiled at me, but it faltered when he saw the bow in my hand. I smiled back at him, more confident with myself.

"Why, why do you have that? It should be in the armory." Ron stuttered. Kaylee and Dean looked over at me with curious eyes,

"Deanna gave it to me." I said, and everyone nodded.

"Did you hear about the party?" Ron asked me, and I shook my head.

"No."

"Oh, well, Deanna's hosting a welcome for all of you, she wants everyone to be there."

"Ok, thanks for letting me know." Ron smiled at me and I felt like they might be warming up to me.

"So, what do you guys wanna do?" Ron clapped his hands. I saw Enid step closer to Carl and my grip tightened on the bow, but I knew I'd never use it.

Later that day, I was getting ready for the party.

"Deanna told me to give this to you." Rick said and handed me a dark blue silk shirt.

"Oh uh, thanks." I said and went upstairs to change into it. I laced up my black boots and looked at myself in the mirror. I looked pretty good, it's not what I'm used to, but it's good.

I walked down the stairs and saw Rick with Judith, but no Carl.

"You look amazing." Rick complimented.

"Oh stop it." I shrugged and we walked out of the door.

"Where's Carl?" I asked.

"Oh, he went with Ron to the party earlier."

"Oh, ok." I said as we made our way down to Deanna's house.

People were already there, most dressed up.

"Ah, Rick, Rayne and Judith, come on in." Deanna waved us over. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Carl laughing with Ron.

"Hey, Rayne, come on over." Ron invited me. As I made my way over, both of their eyes looked me up and down.

"You're looking pretty good." Ron said as I sat down beside Carl.

"Uh, thanks." I said, and I caught Carl glaring at Ron.

They went back to talking about some comic book, I didn't really pay attention to what they were saying, I was focused on everybody else. The Alexandrians were all laughing like it was a normal day, messing with fancy looking necklaces and drinking. They had a buffet table set up. A buffet table. Full with tons of food, it was crazy.

"That's what you people worry about?" Sasha yelled and broke the conversations everyone had. Sasha looked bewildered before running out of the house. I sighed, knowing the feeling. I felt a hand on my leg, and I looked up to see Carl, who gave a weak smile.

I returned the smile, though halfheartedly.

"I'm going to go get some water, want some?" Carl asked me and I shook my head,

"No, I'm good." He left, leaving Ron and I alone.

"So like, you two are together?" I scrunched my eyebrows together.

"I thought it was obvious." I shrugged.

"So there's like, no way you'd be willing to give him up?"

"Not in a million years." I said. Ron scooted closer to me and reached for my arm. I stood up and yanked my arm from his reach.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" His eyes were wide, surprised by my outrage.

"I don't know, I was just-"

"Just doing nothing, I hope." Carl reappeared by my side.

"Listen man, I wasn't-"

"Save it." I said, turning as I left the room. Through the curtains, I could see the moon high in the sky. Carl grabbed my hand and shrugged,

"Well, do you wanna go back?"

"Yeah, I'm getting tired."