With You || Carl Grimes x Reader

S E P A R A T E D

It has been two weeks. Two weeks since you had last stepped outside of the motel room your mother had brought you and your sister to. The door leading outside was blocked by the dresser that once held the TV, and the windows were covered with the sheets that were on the bed.

At first, your mother would only do these things at night, but paranoia had fogged her mind, and she started to permanently keep everything covered and blocked. That all started a week ago, and since then, you hadn't truly seen anything outside except for the occasional glimpses you'd get from the small window in the bathroom that your mother couldn't cover up.

And, midway through the second week in the motel room, you all were almost completely out of food. Your mother shortened the amount of food you all ate to one meal a day, and she refused to go outside of the 'comforts' of the room you were staying in. You could see the three of you were thinning, and you built up the courage to speak to your mother about it.

"Mom, I think it's time that we go out and get some food. We're almost completely out, and I think the three of us could use some... time outside." You spoke hesitantly, trying to change your mother's perspective on the subject.

"It's dangerous outside [Name], walkers are roaming around as we speak. One of us might get hurt." Your mother replied curtly, seemingly upset about you even suggesting the idea. Your mother was currently reorganizing everything in the drawer that blocked the door. She had done this constantly, busying herself with things that she had already done before.

The only time she didn't do this was when the sun set and the moon shone. This was the only time she would uncover one of the windows in the room, staying up throughout the night to watch the front of the motel for any 'dangers'. It was obvious that she did, even tho she denied it. You could see the dark bags under her eyes, how she slept in, and how sluggish she looked.

You let out a quiet puff of air, getting off where you sat on your bed. You inched your way to your mother with your hands clasped behind your back. Once you reached her, you slowly put a hand on her shoulder, rubbing gentle circles on it.

"I understand that mom, but without food, we'll starve." You replied to her words awkwardly, trying your best to reason with your mother. She stopped what she was doing, placing down the clothes she had been folding, and turning around to look behind you. You turned and saw she was staring at your sister as she played with your cards on your bed.

"I just don't know what to do... I mean, what if we go out there and get separated? I don't know what I'd do if I lost you or Olivia." Her voice was close to being brittle, and you heard the strain in her words. She was worried, and with her current state, you wouldn't blame her.

Your sister turned her attention to you and your mother once she heard her name, waiting to know if she was needed. You continued to rub reassuring circles on her shoulder, trying to calm her thoughts.

"I get that you're worried, but we need to do this. We either risk it and take what we get, or we stay here and... die." You tried your best to sound certain, but you didn't know how to properly put the words you wanted to say in a sentence. Your mother wasn't in the best condition, and you felt that a single wrong word could set her off.

All you got in reply was a sigh, as she started to rub her temples. Her focus was on the floor now, seemingly contemplating what you said. She let out another sigh as she stood up, using the drawer as support, and you quickly rose with her. You offered your hand to help her, but she swatted it away as she went to sit on her own bed.

"You're... right." She concluded, laying down on her back with her hands clasped on her stomach. You swiftly sat next to her laid form, putting your hand over her hands and giving them a slight squeeze.