Broken (A Walking Dead FanFiction)

Chapter 15 - The Church

After a day of walking, we heard screaming. It was a man. A priest. We found him on top of a car, surrounded by walkers. Carl pleaded with Rick to save him.

And, of course, Carl wouldn't take no for an answer. In fact, Rick didn't even try to argue with him. So after we saved the priest, he gave us his thanks by providing us with protection from his church.

The church was like most churches. White, bell tower, tall, everything you would expect a church to look like. The priest's name was Father Gabriel. He was of African-American origin and he has never killed one single walker in his entire life.

At least he is faithful, I thought.

Carl and I walked into the beautiful church behind the group. It was huge. Bigger than my church, at least. Bigger on the inside than it is on the outside.

The first night was the hardest. I have trouble sleeping in unknown or new places because I feel like I don't know if it's really safe. I just have this feeling that a ton of walkers are gonna come at me in my sleep and I won't have time to save myself.

After hours of tossing and turning, Carl finally spoke up. I didn't know if he had the same phobia I have or if I kept him awake. A wave of guilt rushed over me.

"Having trouble sleeping?" He asked.

"Isn't it obvious?" I groaned.

"Here." Carl gave me a few nuts from his pile of food.

What the heck? Being hungry or starving isn't the same thing as being alert.

"Uh...thanks?" I said.

"Maybe food will help. Food always resolves everything."

I laughed at that. Then, I realized people were still sleeping and I tried to silence myself. Carl was smiling at me.

I wondered if I was Carl's happiness. If he was always this happy before me. Probably. Maybe. I don't know. I know everything isn't always Amelia, Amelia, Amelia. Of course. I'm not that self-centered or stupid. It's just Carl's been through a lot.

Losing his mom, losing Sophia.

Having nothing but his dad. And me. But I'm almost positive he doesn't think of me all that often. Not more than a friend.

I put the nuts in my pile in my bag and tried to go asleep once again. I remember reading The Fault In Our Stars before all of this happened.

I fell in love with him the way you fall asleep...slowly, and then all at once.

•

I woke up in the early morning because I heard whispering. Quiet, but not quiet enough that I couldn't hear them.

"Dad..."

Carl.

"I think I'm in love with her."

What?

And then came the familiar voice of Rick Grimes.

"Son...don't fall in love. Not in this world. Listen, you're not a kid anymore so I trust you to know that the shit that's happening out there won't stop. Got it? People are gonna die...just like mom. I'm gonna die. And someday she's gonna die. And you. This feeling that you have right now...it's gonna fade away if you just give it some time. Some space."

Ouch.

"Glenn and Maggie did it. They survived. And I'm sure as hell they wouldn't have survived if they didn't survive together," Carl whispered.

"You are not safe. No matter how many people you're around...no matter how clear the area looks, no matter what anybody says...no matter what you think. You are not safe. It only takes one second. One second. And it's over. Never let your guard down. I want you to promise me."

At first, I was shocked that Rick didn't yell at Carl for cussing. But, what Rick was saying was true. Yet, so was Carl. You shouldn't let your guard down, but sometimes it's better to let your guard down. Especially if you love them.

You don't just give up on the people you love.

"I promise."

Author's Note:

GOSH! I loved writing this chapter so much. And....2 MORE DAYS UNTIL THE WALKING DEAD!

Xoxo,

Grace