Surviving

Chapter three

I wake up screaming to the sounds of my family screaming my name in my sleep. Carl runs in and drops at my side. "Are you okay?" He asks checking me for bites. I don't get why because clearly there aren't any walkers in the room. "Carl. There aren't even any walkers in here." I say laughing and pushing him back lightly. He falls back and gives an exhausted laugh. Rick walks in next. "You two okay?" He asks stopping in the doorway. "Yeah. I just had a nightmare. Still haven't gotten over my family." I say laying back down. "Dad." Carl speaks getting up. "Yeah Carl." He says tiredly. "Can I stay in here with Ashlyn in case she has another nightmare? So..so I can get her back to sleep." Carl asks hopefully. "If it's fine with her, I don't mind." He says as they both look at me for the final answer. "I'd love some company." I say smiling. Carl hugs his dad. "Night dad." He says letting go. "Goodnight Carl. Goodnight Ashlyn." Rick says walking back to his cell. Carl starts climbing on the top bunk. "Carl." I say as his feet disappear from my sight. "Yeah?" He asks dropping his head down over the side of the bunk. "Can you sleep down here?" I ask timidly. "On the floor?" He asks unsure but willing. "No. On the bunk. With me." I say looking up at him. "Uh. Sure." He says jumping down with his pillow and blanket. He climbs behind me and puts his arm around my waist. "Goodnight Carl." I say snuggling as close to him as I can. "Goodnight Ashlyn." Carl says pulling me closer. I wake up to the sound of a camera clicking. I open my eyes to see Rick and Glenn standing in the doorway smiling at the picture in Rick's hand. "What's that?" I say getting up and walking over to Rick and Glenn. Rick looks up at me bringing the picture closer to his chest. "Can I see the picture?" I ask putting my hand out. Rick places the picture in my hand and I look at it. I see Carl and me snuggled close and Carl's arm across my waist holding me tight. Now I know why they were smiling. "You wanna keep it?" Rick asks. "Please." I answer. I look down at the picture and feel a smile spread across my face. Rick laughs noticing my smile. He walks over to me and gives me a hug. "Breakfast should be ready in about 30 minutes. Will you wake Carl up for me?" Rick asks. "Sure." I answer putting the picture on the table by the bunk. I walk to the bunk and place my hand on Carl's shoulder. I shake him lightly and call his name softly. "Carl. Carl." He doesn't wake up so I turn to find something loud enough to wake him. I feel a hand on my wrist and as an instinct reach down for my knife. I calm down as I remember I'm in a safe place. I don't need my knife. I turn around to see Carl looking up at me smiling. "Morning sunshine." I say smiling back. "Morning." Carl replies getting up. "Breakfast should be ready in about 30 minutes." I say. "Okay. I'm gonna go get dressed." He says walking to the door. "Okay. Come back and we can go to breakfast together." I suggest hopefully. "Of course." Carl says smiling as he walks out the cell. I put on the extra clothes Rick gave me and put my hair up in a ponytail. I pick up the picture and stare at it. "What are you looking at?" Carl asks as he walks in. "This picture your dad took of us this morning." I answer turning around to show him the picture. "Oh my gosh." He says taking the picture and running out of the cell. I run after him. "CARL!" I scream as we run out to the main area. He runs to where his father is standing next to the grill. "DAD! Why did you do this?" Carl asks laughing and showing the picture to his father. "I went in to wake you two up and you just looked so cute so I took a picture." Rick says smiling as I run up behind Carl. "I guess he is pretty cute." I say playfully. I look at Carl and laugh because he starts blushing and his face is so red. "Awe Carl." I say smiling. "Shutup." He says hiding his face. "Awe my little baby has his first girlfriend." Rick says teasing us. I feel my face grow hot and I turn around. "Awe Ashlyn." Carl says teasing me. I decide to have some fun with Carl. "Yeah and I have to say I'm a pretty good girlfriend. Or at least to your dad I am." I say walking closer to Carl. "Well I won't believe your dating until you kiss." Rick says making Carl's face even redder. "Okay." Carl says shocking us both. "Okay." I say grabbing his face. We lean in and our lips touch. Carl grabs my waist and pulls me closer. I grab his neck and go as close as I can. We pull apart and see a shocked Rick. I look to my other side and see Glenn looking down at a picture. I walk over to him and he hands me the picture. Carl walks over and smiles at the picture. It's a picture of our first kiss. "I'm keeping this." Carl says.