» Time Is Dancing « | » Carl Grimes «

» A NEW BEGINNING PT.1 «

I'm No Clint Eastwood, That's For Sure

My eyes fluttered open as the sun peeked through the thin curtains, giving me the wake up call I needed. I yawned heavily, my arms lifting above my head in a stretch as I shook myself awake.

I flipped onto my stomach, the purple sheet wrapping around me as my eyes connected with the alarm clock, the seconds hand ticking closer and closer to its destination.

I breathed in a deep sigh, preparing myself just like any other other morning.

'Three, two...'

Loud and incredibly high pitched wails sounded from the office room, seemingly bouncing off the walls and into my ears.

6:17 on the dot.

"I'm coming, hold on." My feet shuffled out of bed and I stood up, wobbly at first after the long night. I took slow steps into the next room, converted into something that could resemble a nursery with its busy yellow wallpaper and toys strewn across the carpet.

In the corner of the room was a baby, bright blue eyes scrunched up as she screamed for attention. Her fingers gripped the side of the crib, mouth wide open as she impatiently bounced on the mattress.

My hands reached down and grabbed her, fitting her snugly in my arms like she was made to be there. I cradled her gently, brushing a finger against her damp cheek as I smiled down at her.

"Didn't I say I would be here?" She held my finger softly, biting down on it with toothless gums as she gurgled.

There was a knock on the door and I spun to face it, Maggie's head poking in with a smile.

"We're leaving in ten."

»« »« »« »«

I thought learning all of modern medicine was hard until I finally got on a horse. Don't get me wrong, it was a lot of fun, riding at speeds a car couldn't match in this world. But I had been thrown off enough to know you don't mess with this kind of animal.

I assumed Rick's past experiences as a small town police officer were useful now as he dashed ahead of the group, his club swinging out as a walker crossed his path. He circled around the body, rejoining us as we trotted at a slower pace.

He met my eyes before his gaze drifted to my head, a smile on his face. He may have looked different, with his gray hair and prickly beard, but his smile would always stay the same.

"Sometimes when I see that hat, for a split second I think it's him." He told me, his eyes soft. My fingers reached up for the stiff material, curling around the edges.

"Well, I just thought while it doesn't fit her, I might as well." I shrugged casually, my tone light.

"And how is Heather?" He asked kindly, slowing to my speed.

I couldn't stop my amused chuckle as I replied. "Every morning she wakes up at 6:17, every single morning. And I know it's just because she's needy. She never needs changing or feeding or washing. It's always the same."

He laughed boldly, his lips spread in a grin. "Kids are like that. You'll get used to it."

The rumble of a motorbike stopped and I knew we had arrived, the group waiting outside a towering structure of white marble and stone.

We tied our horses to the carriage outside, taking quiet steps into the Washington DC Museum.

"I've never been here before." I muttered to Enid, waiting for any walkers to show themselves.