Stay and Fight

Half the group smiled my way (including a smile from Daryl, something I didn’t see everyday) but the other half rolled their eyes and scoffed.

“We can’t really stay Rick. We’ll—”

“We decided. We’re going to stay.” Rick cut his wife short and turned to the group. “Get the guns and do it fast. We’ve got a farm to protect.”

Most of the group rushed into the kitchen where the gun bag lay. I moped in the living room with all the women excluding Andrea. I was regretting leaving Shane behind.

Carl was now in his mother’s arms, whimpering and pleading her to leave. Lori quietly shushed him, telling him that they couldn’t before looking over at me and giving me a glare I could only describe as pure hatred. I sort of felt bad for making the final decision to stay, but I wanted to stay for Shane. I wanted to survive through the night so I could go back and bury his body with the rest. I wanted him to be remembered in a good way; not in the way Lori had treated him. And if I died in the process, that was fine by me. I had lost him. I had lost everything.

I rolled my eyes at her before looking back at the group in the kitchen. I was about to join them when Rick called out to the people in the room.

“All of you need to get food and go into the basement. It’s not safe for any of you up here.” He addressed the women and Carl.

“Dangerous for us? It’s dangerous for you too!” Maggie exclaimed. “I’m not leaving my daddy and Glenn up here!”

“I agree,” Lori said quietly, separating herself from Carl to take Rick’s arm, “I know you do what you think is best but… we can’t lose you again.”

“I’m sorry but you’re gonna have to. It’s the only way to keep Carl and the baby safe. You have to go, no arguments. We’re wasting time.”

Maggie opened her mouth to argue with Rick, but Glenn had rushed up behind her and they had a heated talk. Lori sighed and took Carl by the hand as Rick rushed to the kitchen. I saw him grab a box and start filling it with canned food and bottled water. He came back into the room and handed it to me, but I didn’t take it.

“Lin, c’mon now, no time to argue. Take the box and go downstairs with them.” He motioned to the basement. Beth and Patricia were already making their way downstairs. Lori and Carl were behind Rick waiting to say goodbye while Maggie was now being practically pushed down the stairs by Glenn.

I stared at the box in his hand and a thought crossed my mind. Would it be better to…

Go Downstairs

Stay Upstairs