Chapter Fifty-Three // {jordan's pov}

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I pulled Carl by the arm while Enid followed closely behind him. They both had left Alexandria without even telling anyone. I can't risk anyone dying, especially Carl. I had never personally spoken to Enid until now.

"Your Dad will be pissed," I muttered under my breath just as the gate came into sight.

"We were fine, Mom," Carl grumbled.

"Mom?" Enid questioned, clearly seeing that there's no resemblance. 

"Yes, Mom," Carl snapped at her. 

I didn't say anything. Carl was quite defensive over it. I bit my lip nervously, wondering if Enid would reply. She didn't.

We made it to the front of the gate and I noticed I had hardly killed any walkers, however I did look absolutely disgusting. I had a close call which Rick will be angry with me about. The walker was honestly the largest one I've ever seen. It fell on top of me, but luckily I shot it just in time before it could sink it's teeth into me. Unfortunately my machete went straight into it stomach, putting all the blood and guts all over me. The gunshot caused Carl and Enid to stumble upon me. He probably regretted that.

"Open the damn gate," I yelled out to whoever was on the other side. Eugene pulled open the gate, allowing us in. I threw him a quick smile before dragging Carl with me.

"Enid, go home and don't even think about leaving again. It's dangerous out there," I told her sternly.

"You aren't my Mom," she answered back. I stopped and turned towards her frowning.

"Yeah, you're right, but at least I still care about your safety. Just don't leave," I replied before leaving her alone. 

"Dad's literally going to kill me," Carl muttered as we approached their house. I rolled my eyes.

"Damn right, he should be. Why did you even leave?" I questioned him as I pulled him up the stairs on the porch.

"I saw Enid climbing up the wall so, I followed her," he stated. My eyebrows knitted together in confusion.

"Climbed the wall? So, she's sneaking out?" I asked him. He nodded in reply. I pushed open the door and greeted with warm air. Beth poked her head around the corner.

"Hi," she greeted, smiling at us both. She glanced at my bloody clothes.

"Hey, do you know where Rick is?" I asked the blonde. She looked as if she was thinking.

"I believe he's upstairs," she replied with a small smile. I returned the gesture and starting going up the stairs with Carl behind me.

I walked over to Rick's bedroom and gently knocked on the closed door. I heard him call out 'come in.' I opened the door, pulling Carl in with me. I closed the door behind me before letting go of Carl's arm. Rick was sitting down on the bed, cleaning his colt python. He looked at us suspiciously. His eyes looked me up and down, probably worried about the blood all over me and my face.

"He decided to go outside the walls with Enid. They climbed the wall," I stated, glancing at Carl. He sighed.

"I only went because I didn't want her to get hurt."

"You could've gotten someone to come with you. You didn't even have a gun with you," I frowned at the boy. He sighed and nodded.

"I was just worried," he mumbled.

"Oh, someone besides Daryl has a crush!" I smirked at him. Carl's eyes snapped to mine. His cheeks were lightly tinted pink. I chuckled at him whereas Rick remained smirking at his son.

"Carl, take a gun next time and at least tell someone," Rick replied, still smirking. Carl grumbled and left the room.

"What happened to you out there?" Rick questioned, standing up and walking over to me.

"Do I look that bad?" I asked, looking down at my clothes. I bit my lip, realising really how bad I looked. He nodded, eyeing me suspiciously.

"I just had a close call, I'm fine," I informed him as I placed my bow and sheath on the floor beside the door.

"Close call?!" Rick exclaimed, frowning at me.

"The walker was slightly too big... I'm only small," I mumbled giving him a small smile. He sighed deeply, rubbing his forehead.

"Hey, I'm still here... I'm fine," I assured him, placing my hand on his forearm.

"You worry me a lot," he mumbled sadly. His eyes met me and you could tell that he didn't want me to leave anymore.

"You don't have anything to worry about, I'll always come home to you, I promise," I said, promising him something I probably shouldn't be promising, "I would hug you right now but I don't want to ruin your clothes," I added, smiling at him.

He chuckled, "go get cleaned up."

"Will do, Sheriff."

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After I had showered, I decided to go apologise to Daryl.. I didn't even mean to lash out at him, he just was in the firing line.

I could see him standing near the front gate with Aaron. I jogged over to the pair. Aaron gave me a small smile before walking off. Daryl straight up glared at me. I sighed.

"I didn't mean to yell at you, I'm sorry... My Dad... he accused me of killing my brother, but he was bit! I had to.. He doesn't understand that," I explained, sadly, "it's not an excuse though and I'm sorry."

Daryl's glare softened and he nodded.

"Yeah, I'm sorry for yellin' at ya too," he apologised. I offered him a small smile.

"Are you leaving?" I asked him, frowning slightly.

"Rick told Aaron and I to go out and find the quickest route to this place he found," he answered, throwing his crossbow onto his back. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.

"What place? He never told me anything," I questioned, looking towards Aaron who was speaking to Rick.

"He didn't tell ye?" Daryl asked, his eyes widening.

"No. Where are youse going?" I repeated.

"Some chasm. Bunch of walkers in it," he replied. It was now my turn to widen my eyes. A whole chasm full of walkers and I wasn't even told? So much for 'second in command.' Pfft.

"Be careful, please... Even if I didn't," I smiled cheekily. He chuckled before getting onto his bike. I strode over to Rick who was just handing Aaron a map. 

"Rick..." I greeted, frowning at him. He glanced at me briefly and said goodbye to Aaron. Aaron waved at me, in which I returned the gesture. Nickolas opened the gate for Daryl and Aaron, they both drove out and went to wherever this chasm was. Rick slowly started to walk back to the house. I jogged to catch up with him.

"You didn't tell me," I stated. He sideways glanced at me.

"I don't want you going," he replied, looking forward again.

"We're not doing this again, Rick, remember last time you told me you didn't believe in me?" I questioned glaring at him.

"It's not that I don't believe in you, I just don't want to risk you getting hurt," he admitted, furrowing his eyebrows. 

"I know better than that, I won't risk my life," I argued back, wanting to help. He sighed.

"You have before and look where that got you," he retaliated, stopping once he realised what he said. I stood there in disbelief. 

"So, I'm the reason I killed our baby, right? I'm not pregnant so, I guess I can go," I replied with no emotion. I started walking back to my house. He caught back up with me, I didn't even glance him. Tears started to pool in my eyes. Does he really think I purposely killed our child?

"Jords, I didn't mean it," he said as soon as he stood in front of me. I crossed my arms over my chest.

"Oh really? Certainly sounds like you did just a second ago," I growled, frowning at him.

"Look, there's easily over a thousand of walkers in this chasm. We're going to have to lead them away. I just.. can't risk you being there if everything goes wrong... One sound and the herd will move off course. I just can't take that risk," Rick explained. I was no longer frowning, yet I'm pretty sure my jaw was hanging in shock.

"...and what about you? I can't risk you getting hurt!" I exclaimed, anxiety instantly flooded me like a tsunami. Over a thousand walkers and he was planning to lead them all away.

He put his hands on my shoulders and bent down a little so he was my height.

"I promise you that I'll be okay." I shook my head rapidly.

"No, no, no... You're not doing this alone, Rick. I don't care if you want to be mad at me for wanting to go with you. We're a team, we agreed on that together," I answered in a rushed voice. He furrowed his eyebrows and sighed. He stood up to his full height.

He had given in.

"Fine, but you're staying by my side."

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a/n: aw i love daryl