Chapter Five // {jordan's pov}

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"What? Who?" I demanded, sitting up quickly in bed, almost hitting my head on the bunk above. Rick put his hand on my shoulder to steady me. He squatted down to my height.

"Carol," he whispered, his eyes suddenly appeared to turn to glass.

Everything seemed to go in slow motion.

Carol..

Dead.

Murdered.

Someone in this prison, our home, murdered her.

She was like a mother.

She was strong.

She cared about us all.

She loved us like family.

And now she's gone.

Forever.

I sat on my bunk and just sat there. I didn't want to cry but eventually, tears fell. I didn't know her for long, I didn't have to. She showed me what a real mother was like during the short period I had known her for. That meant the world to me.

I felt the bed dip and someone's arms wrapped around me. Their own tears falling onto my shoulder. I glanced up and saw Rick, crying himself.

"She's gone..." I mumbled into him.

"I know, shh, we'll get through this," Rick whispered into my ear.

I sat in Rick's arms, crying until I had no more tears to cry.

›››‹‹‹ {two weeks later}

It's been two weeks since Carol's passing. It was slowly getting easier, thanks to Rick. He's been there for me since I was told the news. It helped us grow closer as friends. Considering I wasn't a people person, probably due to our careers, we clicked. He was easy to talk to and to understand.

We haven't found out exactly who killed her yet. Although, we have some suspects. Our main one being this new kid, Johnny, he is a typical teenager. Thinks that he is really good. His ego is bigger than his brain. We found him on a run, seemed nice, skilled so we allowed him to join the team. I've never trusted him. Something is off putting about him. The second being a man from Woodbury. He was fairly close to the Governor and worked with him daily. He would always insult Carol about something. Never knew why. The last one who I least suspect is a child, also from Woodbury, Lizzie. She was last seen with Carol.

A kid wouldn't kill Carol. Well, I'd like to think not.

I walked into the council meeting room. After Carol passed, I had stepped in to her position. I wanted to do her proud. I looked around noticing that Glenn, Rick and Sasha are the only ones here. We still had to wait for Hershel and Glenn.

I take my place next to Rick and Sasha. I smile warmly at Sasha. A rather large hand grabbed my own from under the table. I turned to look at Rick with a puzzled expression. He's smiling like an idiot.

"Why're you smiling?" I asked him, chuckling a little. He shrugged. He seemed too happy. Did Carl give him some of those weird mushrooms from outside the fence?

"Am I not allowed to be happy to see you?" Rick questioned. I shook my head while laughing a little. I realised that he is still holding my hand. I can tell that I've gone red in the face.

Rick chuckled at my clearly red face. I playfully punched him. I heard footsteps behind me, I turned to see Hershel and Daryl. Daryl glared at Rick. His glare turned into a scowl.

"Good morning, y'all!" Hershel greeted cheerfully. I was still puzzled by Daryl's reaction. I don't even know why Rick and I are holding hands to be honest. We were best friends and all, maybe that was what best friends do? I wouldn't really know.. Hershel and Daryl took a seat across from us.

"Alrigh', so we've got a lot of stuff and thangs to discuss," Rick announced from beside me. We all nodded.

"Startin' off with Carol, anyone asked about where she is?" Hershel carried on from Rick.

"A few have asked. I've just replied that she's on a long run for medical supplies," Glenn replied.

"Same," I added, nodding.

"Any word on the suspects or on anyone at all?" Hershel asked. I shook my head, but then I thought of an idea.

"No but, I have an idea. Why don't we check everyone's cell? We know the difference between human and walker blood. So, we should go into the cells, require them to hand over all weapons for inspection, check the cell and if you find anything that may contain human blood on, give it to Dr. S. Yes, her death was awhile ago, but it may help," I suggested. Everyone looks like they're deep in thought.

Rick squeezed my hand, causing me to look up at him.

"Good idea," he whispered. I blushed again, looking away from him. Unfortunately, I catch Daryl's glare.

"That's actually the best idea that we've had. Dr. S will be able to tell the date of the blood, I remember him mentioning that in Woodbury, awhile ago," Sasha chimed in.

"Then it's settled, we'll do it tomorrow morning. Starting in cell block D, moving to cell block B and then finishing up with C," Hershel wrapped up.

"We need to talk about training people," Glenn spoke up. We all nodded as if to say, 'go on.'

"I reckon that we should get a few of us, those skilled with melee weapons out in the yard and teach the younger people to kill walkers efficiently. Somehow, we could make dummies out of wood or something so they can practice. I would suggest teaching them how to use a gun but we shouldn't attract walkers or waste ammo," Glenn suggested.

"You've seemed to of worked all of this out, Glenn," Hershel said with a chuckle. Glenn gave us a big goofy grin showing us that he's proud of his idea.

"Daryl and Jordan, would you like to help me on that? You can teach people how to make a bow and arrow!" Glenn said excitedly before adding, "I may join you on that lesson too." I chuckled before nodding. Daryl huffed. I looked at him blankly.

Great! I have to work with him and he is in an awful mood about something.

"Perfect, I'll tell you the plans tomorrow after we search all the cells," Glenn declared. We all nodded before dispersing and leaving the office.

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Sitting outside and creating arrows is probably the worst thing ever. It needed to be done though, especially since I had lost all of mine. Daryl came to join me a few minutes ago, he has said nothing to me. Nothing at all.

"So, what's your problem with Rick?" I asked quietly. I looked over to read his facial expression, frustration, anger maybe. I could never quite pinpoint how he was feeling sometimes.

"Seriously Daryl, you have a scowl planted on your face permanently. When I first met you, I called you scowl face in my head. Then you changed, became a really good friend but now, you're distant as hell and I don't know why you're pissed at Rick!" I ended up yelling the last part, causing people to look over before getting back to doing what they were doing. I had an issue with getting frustrated easily.

"Damn ye, Jordan!" he snapped before grabbing his thangs and walking off to only god knows where. I shook my head with annoyance, continuing with the task at hand.

I don't understand him.

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