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Juliet
"Are you sure you don't want an extra pair of hands?" I used my best pleading eyes. "You of all people know how quick I am on my feet."
Sadly my devilish charm wasn't enough for Glenn as he chuckled with a head shake, "Like I said last time, no."
I huffed, "Come on. I could be a big help out there. I mean I used to help you guys all the time on runs. Why is it different now?"
"Well for starters you still have a broken wrist," he poked my casted right hand. "Pete said to take it easy still. No need to break it any further."
"I can still handle myself. I mean I spent all that time out there already with a broken wrist. Now that it's covered I could do a lot more," I glanced at Maggie who was leaning against the wall. "Maggie tell him."
She chuckled, "I'm sorry Jewels, I'm on his side."
"Wha- why? Is this age discrimination? I survived a full winter on my own at fourteen," I defended myself. "Why is it different now?"
"Because things are different now," she ruffled my hair. "You don't have to go out there now. That's why we did all this."
I groaned, "But I-"
"No buts," Glenn put a finger up. "We can talk about it becoming your job one day but for now just take a breather."
I look him up and down, trying to find any logic to the sentence before asking, "You're scared of Rick and Michonne, aren't you?" I crossed my arms.
"Yep!" He smiled before messing up my hair once more, "Have fun at school for me, kid."
Glenn then reached over and cupped his wife's cheek so he could pull her into a gentle kiss, "I'll see you later."
Maggie chuckled as they parted, "Stay safe. That goes for all of you," she leaned over and told the others getting inside the van.
Tara winked as she pushed Noah inside, "No promises!"
Glenn then sauntered over towards the truck before the group went out of their run. I let out another huff as Maggie placed a hand over my shoulder, "Come on, it's almost noon and you have school."
"Or..." I gave my best pleading smile, "I could shadow you today? I'm sure Deanna wouldn't mind."
She mocked my smile and leaned closer, "Oh she would most definitely mind. She's the one who put you in school and that's where you have to go," she gave me a pat on the back before sending me on my way. "I trust you don't need to be dragged there."
I rolled my eyes as she went inside, leaving me alone. As I planned on an escape from this place a certain red headed man could be seen walking towards the gates, "Perfect," I smirked before running after him. "Abe! Hey Abe, wait up!"
He glanced back with a smirk, "What's up Little Lady?"
"Just wanted to check up on yea'," I flashed my teeth. "How's the construction going?"
He shrugged, "Pretty fine so far but we've got a lot of work to get through still. Some of these bastards can't even lift a 2x4."
I hummed, "Yeah. Yeah, that's good... need any help?"
His brow raised, "Excuse me?"
"I was wondering if you wanted any help? I mean I can't really lift that much still but I could be like a Foreman or something. I hear they don't do much," I tried to convince him.
But it seemed as if my charm wasn't good enough as he chuckled, "Shouldn't you be in school or something?"
"Who needs school when I can learn actually important things from my best buddy," I playfully punched his side. "Plus who doesn't like to boss around some people, eh?"
He looked down at me with a smirk, "Your best buddy that's still in shit because he gave you a beer."
"Hey, it was a good beer," I grinned, still trying my best to convince him.
"And that good beer put me on Rick's shit list. I'm on cleanup duty for a month, kid," his smile vanished as he still used his playful tone. "So get yer' ass to school before they put me on night watch."
My face slightly scrunched up as he gently pushed me aside so he could join the rest of the construction crew. My hands went into fits as I tried to control my anger. I hated school. For it was just like before.
All the kids looked at me funny thanks to Shane. They thought me being upset with the curriculum was weird and my takes on society were a little "appalling". Besides Enid, the girl who only spoke in grunts and had also lived on the outside, I don't think any of these kids could handle it out there. Especially considering I watched Ron clutching his stomach after our jog the other day.
Stomping towards the stupid garage I suddenly caught sight of another familiar face. My smile brightened as I went to try and speak to her, "Sasha! Hey, Sasha wait up-"
I didn't even get to speak before she had grabbed the top of my head and forced me to turn around, "School. Now," she pushed me towards the house before walking off.
Hell, I didn't even get to question it as I felt another presence behind me. Glancing back I could see Michonne in the distance, in her very flattering officer uniform, holding up my backpack. I let out a scoff as she held it up in the air for me to grab.
"You're evil. You know that?" I grumbled as I dragged my feet towards her.
Her smirk never wavered, "Evil and proud," she chuckled as I snatched the bag from her fingers. "I packed you lunch. It better be eaten when you get home."
"Have I ever turned down food before?" I deadpanned as I placed the bag over my shoulder.
She simply chuckled as she pushed me towards the garage, "Good luck and please try to be a little more friendly with those kids. They're gonna be around for a while."
I rolled my eyes as I started to walk, screaming out, "I'll be friendly when I see them kill a bloody walker!"
God I hated school.
After a few hours of pure torture I finally stepped inside my home. Michonne was still on parole while Daryl was on assignment with Aaron, trying to find new people, leaving me alone with the Grimes duo.
A small melody could be heard as I entered the living room where I saw something that almost shook me to my core. There in the middle of the room Rick was dancing with his toddler. Smiling as what appeared to be the Beauty and the Beast soundtrack played on our CD player. Judith giggled as her father sawyed her in his arms, singing along to the tunes.
It felt kinda strange seeing this man acting like this. I mean I was still so used to the bushy bearded man who killed anybody who crossed him. So watching him adjust to happy dad kinda freaked me out.
Still, I couldn't deny how cute it was. I was gonna have to thank Shane the next time we spoke to thank him for that CD.
I felt myself start to smile as I quietly made my way upstairs towards my room and shut the door. I didn't feel like interrupting their moment with my daily rant over school.
Throwing my bag to the side I grabbed the comforter off of my bed and brought it towards my corner and prepared myself for a nice snooze. Allowing the sounds of the music downstairs to help me reach my slumber.
At least until I heard a knock at the door. Jolting awake I could see Rick poking his head inside, "Hey. Sorry I didn't think you were asleep."
"No, no. It's okay. Come on in," I yawned, rubbing the sleep from my eyes as he closed the door behind him.
My roommate walked over and sat himself on my sheetless bed, "Didn't even realize you were home at first. I thought I heard footsteps but my mind was telling me it was just an old habit."
I lightly chuckled, "I saw you were busy and I just didn't want to disturb you."
The man smiled, "Yeah, thanks for that. Seems like music is the old thing to get Judy to stop crying now."
Bullshit, "Yeah. Sure."
He picked up on my sarcasm and chuckled before asking, "So how was school today?"
"Honestly?" I cringed, "Boring."
"Nothing interesting?" His head tilted.
I shrugged, "I learned some fat king killed some of his wives for not having a son."
He nodded as I watched his hands run over one another, fiddling with his wedding ring. Something I've learned recently was a nervous tick he obtained, "Everything alright?" I asked.
"Yeah. Yeah I'm great," he sighed. "Have you talked to Ron at all today?"
"Yeah?"
"Did he... finally get the right answer on your injury?"
I shook my head, "Today he thought it was the drawback from Daryl's crossbow."
Rick nodded as his fingers continued to play with the line of silver, "You trust me, right?" He asked after a beat of silence.
Now that question caught me off guard, "Yeah? Why wouldn't I?"
He sighed as he made sure he was giving me his undivided attention, "I'm just making sure. I'm just making sure you know that if anyone ever tells you anything or if you know something, you know you can come to me, right?"
I nodded, "Yeah?"
He reached forward and lightly grabbed my shoulder, making sure I was giving him my full attention, "Juliet. I need you to promise me something, okay?"
I nodded, "Okay."
I noticed a pain in his eye as his voice dripped in the bitter tone he exclusively used on the road, "If a man ever and I mean ever puts a hand on you... I want you to beat the shit out of him."
I blinked a few times as he went on, "I don't care if he says it was only one time or that he will never do it again, he's lying. He will. They always will. Trust me," his grip tightened as his tone became more serious. "So if you can, you fight back. If you can't, you get out of there as quickly and safely as you can and you get me. Okay?"
I nodded again as he let out a long sigh and pulled me in for something that made me full on freeze, he hugged me. Like actually two arm hugged me.
But just as quick as it started it ended as he patted my back and got to his feet, "Alright, I gotta start on dinner before Michonne throws a fit. Pancakes good for tonight?"
"We have pancakes?" My jaw dropped.
"I'll take that as a yes," he chuckled as he walked to the door. "I gotta make 'em though... wanna help?"
"Hell yeah," I got out of my blankets and jogged over to him.
As we made it downstairs Judith was already set in her highchair with her cold teething ring as the two of us started to prepare dinner for the lot of us.
My mind couldn't help but start to wander as the smell of fresh batter filled the kitchen. When I was much younger mom made pancakes all the time for dinner. Knowing about money now I can tell she made them because of how cheap and filling they were, but I still couldn't help but smile at the memories.
And as I helped the Grimes duo I couldn't help but keep said smile. I'm sure my mom would be thrilled to see where I've ended up.
"Help! Somebody help us!" Our heads turned as the screaming broke through our conversation.
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For the first time since I've been in Alexandria I'd seen the citizens looking mellow. Everyone wore dark colours as most stayed off of the streets. I guess it was a blessing in disguise that Glenn denied my request to join them on their run since it ended in two deaths and a serious injury.
Noah had died, as well as one of Deanna's sons. From what I overheard Glenn was holding his hand before the walkers got ahold of Noah, eating him alive in front of a trapped Glenn Rhee.
A terrible way to go. One that I had feared would happen to me when I was alone.
I wasn't the closest with Noah but I couldn't help but feel bad for him and the Rhees. Ever since he joined us the two had taken Noah under their wing, kinda like how Michonne had done so for me.
It didn't end there though considering Tara had severe head trauma and still hadn't woken up. Rosita hadn't left her side since and thanks to school getting cancelled I was able to sit with her for the night.
Though when the morning came I decided to give the girls some space. My original plan was to explain what happened to Shane but when I got home I realized how much of a failure that run was and decided against it. After all, Shane's leader wanted strong support. If I called up asking for supplies I knew that would only prove their point. So I just left my walkie for now.
My original plan was chill inside and watch Judith, but Maggie had already snatched the babe up saying she needed her for moral support.
And that's what led me to my current predicament. Staring up at the metal wall, hands clutching the cool metal as I mentally debated whether or not I should go through with this.
I hadn't been outside since we arrived. Deanna had an age requirement in order to leave out the front gate. One that for some strange reason Rick implored.
I knew it was wrong to do this. I knew if anyone found out I would be in a heep of trouble, especially considering what had just happened last night, but I just couldn't take it anymore. I needed a break to clear my head without at least five people walking around asking me how I was doing.
Besides it wasn't like it was that bad outside Alexandria. I mean Shane came and went as he pleased. I should be fine, right?
"You're going to get hurt. You know that right?" My body tensed up as I quickly glanced behind me, expecting to see one of my friends.
But to my surprise a girl who could only be a few inches taller was staring at me. Her brown hair was slightly frizzy and long, covering her washed out long sleeve shirt. Her name was Enid, or at least that's what she wrote on my cast.
I was a little surprised to see her out and about. From what I could tell the girl was rather secluded. Always cooped up in her house she shared with Deanna's family, sucking face with Ron or giving snarky answers in class. From the one worded answers she gave me I didn't think she liked me at all.
I took my hands off the metal and simply stared at her, "Uh..." I trailed off, "I was just checking the quality of the wall. Never know how long these things will last, you know?" I banged on the side.
She simply looked me up and down with that blank stare I had grown used to, "You're a terrible liar, you know that right?"
"Uh... thank you?"
She slowly huffed as I watched her reach into her backpack, "You're gonna get caught-"
"Okay look," I quickly cut her off. "I get that you don't like me but please don't tell Rick or Deanna. They're a little on edge right now and-"
"You really like to run that mouth don't you," Enid chuckled as she pulled out two pieces of metal that could only be a foot long each. "If you do it like that you'll slip and get tetanus or something."
I blinked a few times as she pushed me aside and placed the first one inside one of the metal holes, making a step before she reached up and placed the next one a little higher. I watched in awe as she pulled out a blanket from her bag and draped it over the top before slipping over the wall.
I stayed still for a moment, processing how easily she did that before she called out to me, "Well are you coming or not?"
I snapped out of my stupor and quickly climbed over the wall, struggling slightly with my cast as I slid down the support beams on the outside. Once I hit the ground Enid hummed, "Took you longer than I thought it would."
I huffed as I dusted off my jeans, "Sorry. It's a little tough with my broken wrist."
The girl rolled her eyes, "I meant sneaking out. You go on and on about how we need to be prepared in case we're out here, yet I never see you."
My head tilted, "You come out here a lot?"
She shrugged, "Almost every day," she stated before sprinting off in a random direction.
I watched her run for a split second before deciding I had nothing better to do than follow her. It took a moment to catch up as she was much faster, taunting me, "You coming or what?"
I picked up the pace as I eventually got past her, only for her to slightly push me and gain the lead. The two of us each spent a good portion trying to outrun each other as my energy increased. My lips curled into a smile as the familiar feeling of adrenaline pushed through my veins, this had to be the most activity I had in weeks and it was awesome.
Though the moment I heard a walker I let out a small gasp and grabbed Enid by the backpack and pulled her back. She gave me a confused look and was about to say something until I put a finger to my lips and gestured to the walking corpse.
I was about to reach for my gun Shane gave me but Enid beat me too it. Grabbing a cooking timer from her bag and threw it in the distance, distracting the walker as she grabbed my arm and pulled me along with her. The two of us giggling the entire time.
Eventually the two of us started to pant as we basically collapsed against a fallen log. Though even as we sat down I continued to laugh. I hadn't felt that alive since I entered Alexandria.
Enid smiled as she leaned against the log, "We're supposed to be out here. We're supposed to feel like this."
I grunted as I rested my head against the ground and looked up at the clouds, "Is it bad this log is more comfortable than my bed? It's not that the beds are uncomfortable it's just..."
"Not what you're used to?"
I snapped my fingers, "Exactly."
"You ever scared about that?" She asked.
My brow raised, "What do you mean?"
"Getting used to it?" She asked, "I am. I don't want to forget it."
I thought of it for a moment before signing, watching the clouds move over the horizon, "I don't think I can forget. I dream about it. Being in the forest with them."
She sighed, "I do, too."
"But..." I sat up, "At least until the inevitable we have people, right?"
She shrugged, "You seem to have more than me."
"What are you talking about? Everyone here praises you. Not to mention that boyfriend you've got," I elbowed her. "Ron's a good guy."
She blushed slightly, "He is."
I chuckled, "Do any of them know you guys come out here with you or is it like a big secret you guys keep from Deanna?"
Enid pulled out her blade and started to play with it, "Ron doesn't exactly know I come out here..." she cringed.
My eyes widened for a second, "Does anyone?"
She froze for a moment before shaking her head, "No, I... nobody here would understand. Ron especially, he wouldn't understand."
As she played with her knife I could tell she had a past. Being the only other person in the entire community who was actually outside of the wall I could tell she had seen things, "Was it bad out there for you too?"
"Isn't it for everyone?"
I looked down at my cast and nodded, "Yeah. Yeah I guess it was-" multiple snarls could be heard further in the distance.
We both quickly got to our feet as a small cluster of the undead could be seen waking straight towards us, "We gotta go."
I glanced around before pointed to a tall tree, "Up there. Let's go."
With a small boost Enid helped me up the tree before I gave her a hand up as well. The two of us sat there for a good while as the herd past under us into the unknown distance.
"It's their world," Enid told me. "We're just living in it."
And I had never heard words anymore true.
°˖✧✿✧˖°
I laughed as we walked back to Alexandria, "I'm sorry a turtle?"
"Okay, don't laugh," she laughed herself.
"I'm sorry but you didn't at least cook it? Like at all?" I snickered.
Enid pushed me, "You're the one who ate a dog. I don't see how you can judge me!"
"That's because we cooked it," I pushed her back. "I didn't go up to a reptile and just knaw on that bitch."
The herd seemed to be much bigger than Enid and I had originally expected, meaning the two of us were up in that tree for a good hour before attempting to escape back home. Leaving the two of us a good amount of time to simply talk. At first we were just having boring small talk until we started playing twenty questions and ended up finding out a lot of funny information about each other.
For example, the strangest thing I ever ate was a dog while hers was a bloody raw turtle.
"The next time we go hungry I'll make sure to get you a nice dog to chew on, Julie," Enid smirked as I matched her energy.
"Yeah and I'll find a turtle and hold it up like the Lion King for you," we laughed before a new voice changed our entire moods.
"Juliet Anne Capulet!"
We both froze as we saw a very pissed off Michonne in the distance, "Oh... no..."
Michonne, all dressed up in her work uniform came stomping over with an expression that would make Rick quiver, "I have been looking for you all morning. Hearing Enid was gonna and I thought, oh she must be having some girl time. Come to find my kid outside the fucking wall without telling anyone. Are you even armed- no why are you even out here in the first place?! Don't you have any idea what could've happened?!" Her arms flailed as the anguish and rage took over her voice.
I started to embarrassingly blush as I looked at the ground, "I'm sorry. I just wanted a small break from the walls. I didn't think anyone would notice."
"No one would notice?" Her head tilted, "Of course I would notice!"
"Michonne, I'm sorry. I just needed a little break. I was fine. We were fine," I gestured to Enid and I. "I've been on my own for a long time before you took me in don't forget," I tried to calm her down.
Her rage didn't subside as her breathing tried to steady, "Juliet, we can talk about this inside. You don't realize just how dangerous it is to be out of any of our sights. I've been through this too many times. I will not lose a third. You are so ground-" before she could continue scolding me a loud clatter of glass could be heard inside the walls.
"Shit," Michonne huffed as she glanced back at Enid and I. "Both of you get back to your houses, I'll deal with you after," she stated before rushing to see what was going on.
I glanced at Enid as she asked, "Are we checking out what's going on or...?"
"No shit," I told her before we both rushed inside the walls seeing something I was actually not expecting.
Rick all bloody and screaming as he was tussling on the pavement with Ron's father, Pete, "What the hell?" I gawked as a crowd started to form.
People were screaming at them to both stop as I assessed the situation. Seeing as Rick was not only my leader, but also was the man who only attacked within reason considering what was at stake in the community I saw no reason to yell at him to stop.
Instead I cheered him on as Enid and a few others looked at me with concern.
"Stop it!" Deanna screamed at Rick, "Stop it right now."
Rick however didn't listen as he whispered threats at Pete, "You touch them again and I'll kill you."
"Damn it, Rick! I said stop!"
Rick then threw a bleeding Pete to the side and pulled out a small gun and pointed it right at Deanna, "Or what?"
I slightly tensed up as the man, drenched in other's blood waves around the small revolver, said, "You gonna kick me out?"
"Put that gun down, Rick," Deanna asked calmly, even though I could tell she was anything but calm considering how she shook.
Rick panted slightly as he looked around the crowd, "You still don't get it. None of you do! We know what needs to be done and we do it. We're the ones who live. You, you just sit and plan and hesitate. You pretend like you know when you don't. You wish things weren't what they are. Well, you want to live? You want this place to stay standing? Your way of doing things is done. Things don't get better because you-- you want them to. Starting right now, we have to live in the real world. We have to control who lives here."
Deanna's eyes darkened as she kept her eyes firmly on the weapon pointed at her, "That's never been more clear to me than it is right now."
That's when a crazed Rick started to chuckle, "Me? Me? You-You mean... you mean me?" His laughed quickly disappeared once he realized she wasn't joking, "Your way is gonna destroy this place. It's gonna get people killed. It's already gotten people killed. And I'm not gonna stand by and just let it happen. If you don't fight, you die. I'm not gonna stand by-" his latest monologue was quickly cut off as Michonne came into frame and sent a strong enough punch to knock him out.
I might need to contact Shane about this one, for I don't think this community is gonna keep us for much longer.
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