I Saw The Lights Go Out - Carl Grimes

"Time for a reality check." Abraham called out over the murmured worries of the group. I lifted my heavy head off of Carl's shoulder at the sound of his voice and peered through the gloomy room toward the aisle where he stood, his stance powerful. "We all need to leave for DC, right now." He demanded while adjusting his grip on his rifle. Everyone stared in silence, the only movement coming from Rosita who immediately obeyed and began packing her bags.

"Daryl and Beth are going to be right back. We're not going anywhere without them." Rick stopped what he was doing and stared confused at Abraham.

"I respect that, but there's a clear threat here to Eugene. I need to retract his ass before things get any uglier. So if y'all won't come, good luck to you. We'll go our separate ways." Abraham's quick and nervous voice dismissed. He swiftly turned around in the aisle and walked closer to the door, ready to leave at that moment.

"You leaving on foot?" Rick asked Abraham with eyebrows raised. He turned to face Rick, an annoyed and impatient expression plastered against his features. I looked between the two men. This was not the time to fight.

"We fixed that damn bus, ourselves." Abraham's voice sneered past clenched teeth. My mouth opened to intervene and defend that I kind of helped too, but I forced my jaw closed as Rick interrupted.

"There are a lot more of us." Rick stated matter of factly as he sauntered down the aisle toward Abraham. His eyebrows stayed raised just begging for Abraham to try and disagree.

"You want to keep it that way? You should come." Abraham sang with an attitude trying to show Rick the severity of the situation.

Shouldn't Rick be reasoning with him, convincing him that we shouldn't split up, that the rest who stay behind won't have a vehicle if they leave? My thoughts raced as my mind and heart fought the different sides of what to do. I agreed with both Rick and Abraham. I didn't want to split up, I'd love to leave and get away from those cannibalistic freaks but I could never in my right mind leave people behind.

"Carol saved your life, Avery saved your life, we saved your life." Rick spat growing protective and letting Abraham get a rise out of him.

"Well I'm trying to save yours!" Abraham's voice boomed over Rick's. "Save everyone's!"

"We're not going anywhere without our people." Rick growled back as the conversation picked up speed.

"Your people took off."

"They're coming back."

"To what, picked over bones?!"

"You're not taking the-" Suddenly Rick tried to grab hold of the bus keys dangling from Abraham's chest pocket.

"Do not lay hands!" Abraham roared loudly, successfully blocking Rick and pushing his arm back.

"Abraham!" Rosita's stern voice called out. Glenn ran to step between the two men fighting, yelling for them to stop, too.

My nails dug into my palms. Carl gently placed Judith back into her bed with a clenched jaw. Thankfully, she remained asleep throughout the shouting and scuffling. Carl stared down Abraham with icy blue eyes. His hand reached to his side ready to grab for his gun.

I quickly unclenched my fists and placed my open palm on his leg. He looked down at me, his face immediately softening when he looked into my brown eyes. His face turned to concern almost forgetting what he was angry about.

My eyes flicked down to his hand wrapped around his holstered gun and back up into his eyes. I shook my head at him trying to convince him that it wasn't the answer. His hand immediately retracted from his gun, fingers spread wide.