Unbreakable Bond

Young Lust

Sophia was tired and anxious as she rolled around in bed. Her mother still had not come home and she hadn't seen Carl since the afternoon. She couldn't relax, despite her muscles being sore and pained. The pain was excruciating, but she knew it could have been worse if it wasn't for the second most important man in her life. She sure was grateful for him.

He had always been there for her, especially when she needed him most. The name of the second most important man was one of infamy now: Carl Grimes.

She had always shared a special relationship with Carl, from the time her original birth mom found the group in Atlanta. They had been together from the beginning, friends. She was eight when she met Carl and he was nine. Now, she was twelve and Carl was thirteen. It had been four years from the start of the apocalypse, and things were better now than ever before.

Carl had just moved to Hilltop. Although he came to pick up the blacksmith trade from Earl, Sophia secretly wondered if he maybe came for her. She sighed, a shaky breath escaping. He was her first little kid kiss. Hell, they used to sleep in the same bed together, curled up until one of their parents

picked them up and took them apart.

Sophia always felt a special connection with him. He seemed to be the only one that understood her. After her mother, Carol died, Carl was there. He was there when she moved in with her new adoptive parents, Maggie and Glenn. He was there for her when she needed him most, even if it was just sitting in silence, coloring or reading together.

She remembered the day her new father had died, the way her mom screamed, the way she cried. She remembered biting Carl's arm when he pointed a gun at Maggie after she punched Rick. She remembered saying goodbye and feeling even more broken because she was losing her father and her best friend.

She didn't lose him though, but they were apart. They were missing so much, and they even had new friendships, but none compared to hers and Carl's. Although they were apart, she in Hilltop and he in Alexandria, she still felt a very powerful bond with him.

Because of this bond, she felt like he wasn't telling her everything that was happening, and neither was she. She could not explain the intuition, but she knew deep down that there was something off about Carl. She couldn't explain how surreal it felt have him here again, a short walk away, even after the attack. He had saved her, and this morning, he promised to always save her. She smiled softly, hoping he was able to keep his promise.

Sophia swallowed, standing from bed, shakily before going to check on her little brother, Hershel. He was the number one most important guy in her life.

"Hey buddy.." Sophia smiled tiredly as she leaned to kiss his head, the small boy reaching to touch her cheeks. He looked so much like Dad; the thought made her smile. Sophia moved her hands to hold his before she stood up straight again, lowering his chubby hands so that he would not touch her wounds. "So-fa." Hershel cooed, trying to say her name. The way he said it making her laugh. "So-phi-a." She pronounced each syllable, picking up Hershel for a moment.

"Hershel, I've got to go...Tell mom I went to see Carl...Carl Grimes." Hershel babled aimlessly, snuggling on Sophia affectionately. "I love you, Hershel. Bri is just in the other room." Sophia kissed his cheek again, now moving Hershel back into his crib before walking off despite the lingering pain in her body.

She began stumbling outside, the town surprisingly empty for such a nice day. "Mom? Carl! Mom?" Sophia continued wandering, looking around. She couldn't see or hear either of them and this was disturbing. After she checked her mom's office and the garden, she began to panic, now hurrying to the stables.