Savior

Chapter 4: Babysitter

Chapter 4: Babysitter

I jump as I hear a loud scream echo from Carl's house. I snatch my knife from my bag and rush to his house. When I get there the door is wide open. Enid rushes up behind me and we slowly walk inside. Rick comes running in." What's going on?" He asks no one in particular." I don't know, we just rushed over from Enid's house." I answer as I walk up the stairs and look around. I hear another scream make it's way from Carl's room. I grip my knife and rush in. No walkers or any sort of threat is in the room. Carl's thrashing around on his bed and his eyes are clenched shut. I drop my knife and rush over. Tears are streaming down his red face. I push him onto his back and sit beside him and grasp his hands." Carl..." I whisper. He doesn't stop. I gently put my hands on his cheeks." Carl..." I whisper. I gently begin to shake him." Carl..." I say a little louder. He let's out a gasp and jumps up, finally awake." Tia...?" He asks, I nod." Are you okay?" I ask putting my hand on his arm. He nods," Yeah... it was just a bad dream." He says shakily." Wanna tell me about it?" I ask. He shakes his head and starts to roll over. He let's out a yelp and lays on his back." How about I take a look at that?" I ask. Carl nods and I move back. I take the bandages off and start to examine it." Everything's fine, it's just sore. It should be okay to take the stitches off next week." I tell him. I get new medical wrap out of the bathroom and get my knife off the floor. I rewrap his leg and make sure he's okay." Tia...?" He calls as I'm about to leave." Will you stay with me?" He asks shyly. I smile and nod." Sure, Carl. Hey, give me five minutes and I'll be back up. I need to tell your dad the good news." He nods and I go down stairs." Rick, Carl's okay, he just had a bad dream. I also checked his injury, it's healing amazingly. The stitches should be okay to come out next week." I tell him cheerfully. Rick smiles," That's great!" Then his smile disappears." Normally, I'd get Carl to babysit, is there anyway you can? I know it's short notice, but can you?" Rick asks, I smile and nod." Of course, Carl wanted me to keep him company anyways." I tell him. He hands Judith to me, tips his new hat, and walks out the door. I carry Judith into the kitchen and sit her in her highchair. I get a plate, some bread, jam, and peanut butter from the cabinets. I also start on Judith a bottle. While her bottle's in the bottle warmer I start on Carl's sandwich. Once I finish the sandwich I get Judith's bottle. I check to make sure it's not to hot, it's not. I hand Judith her bottle and she begins to drink it herself. I pick her up and grab Carl's sandwich along with two bottles of water from the fridge." Let's go give Carl his lunch." I tell Judith. Before we walk out of the kitchen I grab a plastic bag full of toys off the counter. With my arms full I walk up the stairs once we get to Carl's room I set Judith down on the floor with her toys and I hand Carl his sandwich along with a bottle of water.

I've been talking with Carl all day now, it's already five. Out if nowhere, Carl stops laughing." Is my dad here?" He asks, I shake my head no. His face suddenly flushes." Why?" I ask, what's going on?" Um, I kinda, sorta, need to use the bathroom..." he says awkwardly. Oh no." Uh... I can help you get in the bathroom and you can lean up against the cabinet next to the toilet?" I suggested. He nodded," While you think it over I'm going to lay Judith down for a nap."