A Long Way From Home//Carl Grimes

Chapter 9 - Familiar Faces

*Cassie's pov*
3 months.
28 days.
Without him. A lot has happened since that day. I ran away from those walkers, but I couldn't find my way back. I searched for so long, but I never found them. I miss him so much. I miss the group so much. When I couldn't find the group, I decided to look for others. Family members I forgot about. I found my 18 year old cousin, Matt. I found him outside of Atlanta. I'm so glad I found more family. I thought I had no one left. Matt helped me look for Carl and Rick for so long. I'm so grateful that he hasn't given up on me, but we still haven't found them.

We ended up running across a small town and it was almost untouched. Matt and I, with the help of some others we found, put big walls up around it and now it's home. For a lot of people. People found this place and we started letting them in. We've grown very strong. The name of our town is Alexandria. It's located outside of Atlanta.

*present time*

I wake up and the sun is shining through my window. I look at the clock next to me and it's 9:30.
"Crap! I'm late!" I say to myself. I throw on my long sleeve shirt, jeans, boots, and jacket. It's December, so it's pretty cold. We're supposed to have a town meeting today and since I'm the leader of Alexandria, I'm supposed to be there already. Matt helps me if course, because being 14 and running a town alone doesn't sound very logical. I run as fast as I can out of the door of my small apartment. I leave the houses for the big groups that come into town. I sprint across town to the meeting hall and I walk up to the front of the room. Everyone is already seated around me.
"Thank you all for coming today. I just got word from Aaron that he found a pretty big group. They're on their way right now. I just wanted to warn you all of that. If you don't feel comfortable being there to greet them then I suggest you stay inside your houses. That will be all." I say smiling at everyone. They all rush out of the meeting hall, leaving just me.
I start to walk out of the hall when I hear Matt yell,
"Cass, they're here!"
I run over to the gates and help open them. The group walks in and when I see them, they look extremely familiar.
"R-Rick?" I stutter out. It's them. After almost 4 months I found them. He runs over and gives me a huge hug. I found them. I actually found them. No more searching every building, house, or car we pass. No more looking at bodies of the dead to see if it's them. They're right here. In front of me.
"Where is he?" I ask.
"He's in the car with Judith." Rick says smiling at me. I greet and hug everyone else. They're all here. I start to walk over to the car and the door flies open. Carl stands up and just looks at me.
"Cass?" He asks. I just nod and he sprints over to me. He hugs me so tight that I can't breathe. I can feel the warm tears on my cheeks and I see that he's crying too. He pulls away from the hug and kisses me. In front of everyone. I don't even care anymore. I pull away and I hug him again. I look back at Matt.
"I'm guessing these are the people we've been looking for for the past 3 months?" He asks, laughing a bit. I nod and grab Carl's hand.
"I'm never letting you go again." He whispers to me. I smile and we start to walk inside the gates. I'm in complete shock.
"Where's your leader?" Rick asks me.
"I'm the leader." I say smiling.
"But I want you to take my place." I add.
"No. I can't do that. This is your town. You should run it." He says.
"Rick, I'm 14 almost 15. That's a little young to be running a whole town full of people. I want you to help me." I say.
"Alright. I will." He says smiling at me.
"Everyone! Rick will be helping me run Alexandria!" I yell to the crowd of people who were waiting for their arrival. Everyone seems like they agree with my decision. They know that if I trust him, they can trust him.

"I'll show you to your houses." I say. I walk up to two of our biggest houses.
"You guys can choose which one you will sleep in. It's up to you." I say smiling.
"Where are you staying?" Carl asks me.
"I live in that apartment building right across the street." I say. He smiles at me and grabs my hand again.
"Cass we need you!" I hear Matt yell.
"That's my call!" I say squeezing his hand and running off towards Matt.

*Carl's pov*

I cannot believe we found Cass. I was so scared that we would never find her again. I'm so glad we're together again.
"When did you and Cass get together?" Daryl says, smirking at me.
"After the prison was destroyed." I say looking down.
"You better not hurt her." Daryl says letting out a low chuckle. I turned away because I feel guilty. There's a girl here that I noticed. She's beautiful. She was in the crowd who greeted us. But, I have Cass. I can't believe I even thought about that other girl. I decide I'm going to take a walk to clear my mind. Instead of clearing my mind, I overflowed it with thoughts. I see that girl and she looks at me. She begins to walk over.
"Hey! What's your name?" She asks smiling at me.
"C-Carl." I stutter. What the heck am I doing?! I'm dating Cass.
"I'm Enid." She says smiling yet again.
"Carl?" I hear Cass behind me. Crap.
"Yeah?"
"Can you come here for a second?"
I walk over. What if she can tell that I feel something for Enid? What am I saying? Do I feel something for Enid?!
"I want you to stay away from Enid." She says sternly.
"What?! Why?" I ask angrily.
"She's going to use you. I've seen her do it before." Cass says.
"You can't keep me away from someone I like." I say without thinking. No. What have I done? I always screw things up. I never think before I speak. What did I do?
"Y-You w-what?" She has tears in her eyes now. How could I have done that? I love her. I really do. I love her so much. I don't know what I was thinking.
"Cass, I-"
"Save it. Don't ever call me Cass again. Only people who I trust can call me Cass." I stand there, full of shock. Why am I such an idiot?
"We're done. I hate you Carl Grimes. I hate you." She says running away. Oh God. What have I done?

~

Okay so I changed up Alexandria a bit. It's outside of Atlanta and Cass is the leader! She leads with her cousin Matt by her side, but now Rick is taking over and she'll help! Just to clear that up! I'll update again soon! ~Lilly