A Long Way From Home//Carl Grimes

Chapter 10 - Running the Town

*Cassie's pov*

I run. All I do is run. I run outside the fences. I don't know what has come over me, but I can't stop. I'm leaving.

*Carl's pov*

She left. She ran outside the walls. My dad stops me before I can run after her.
"I have to go!" I yell at him trying to escape from his grip.
"You've done enough damage. I'll send Daryl after her." I still struggle to escape him. I yell in frustration and he finally lets me go. I run into my house in anger.

*a week later*

"She's here!" Someone yells. I sprint as fast as my legs will carry me over to the gates. I stand there and stare at a blood covered, dirty, weak Cassie.
"What are you all staring at?! Get back to work!" She yells to the crowd. My dad pulls her aside and she seems to loosen up a little bit. What have I done? She's so rough now.
"Cassandra, can I talk to you please?" I ask. She looks at me for a second. Rick gives her a look and she nods. It was definitely a good choice to call her Cassandra. She walks over to me.
"Follow me." She says sternly. I follow her to a hill that's in a far corner in town. She sits down and looks off into the sky. The sun was setting.
"This reminds me of when you first got to the prison. You and I had watch and we watched the sunset. You looked so beautiful. That's when I knew I liked you." I say sitting down. I have to try to win her back.
"Well, you apparently think Enid looks just as beautiful." She says fiddling with her hands.
"Cass - I mean Cassandra-"
"Call me Cass. I know I alway get mad at you and tell you not to call me that, but I like it." She says looking down.
"I'm so sorry. You have to hear me out. What happened out there was stupid of me. I-I felt something for Enid, but it was some stupid thing. Cass, I love you. I love when you find hope and your face lights up. I love it when you find the best in me. I love it when you kiss me when I'm mad. I love your hugs. I just love everything about you. I am in love with you. I know you're so angry with me and that we aren't dating anymore, but I just need you to know." I start to get up, but she says something.
"Just because I'm mad at you doesn't mean I don't like you." She says still looking at the sky. I look at her and her eyes are glossy with tears.
"What happened to you out there?" I ask her.
"I got attacked by walkers and humans." She says.
"Humans?"
"A man."
"W-What did he do to you?" I swear to God if he hurt her-
"He tried to do that, but I killed him. 3 people. I've killed 3 people." She says in a whisper.
"You had to." I say wiping one of the tears that fell. She finally looks me in the eyes.
"I've been avoiding those eyes." She says.
"Why?"
"Because they make me fall harder." She says. I smile at her.
"Hey Carl?"
"Yeah?"
"I don't hate you."
"Thank the lord."
"I-I love you." She says. She said it. She actually did. Cass looks into my eyes and time just stops.
"I love you too." I say in a whisper. She leans in and kisses me. I kiss back and at that moment I completely forget about Enid. How could I have feelings for her when I have the best girl right here? I'm in love with Cass, and only Cass. I guess it's true when people say you never know what you have until it's gone.

*Cassie's pov*

I gave into him. I know I shouldn't have, but I couldn't help it. I love him. I really do. I went outside the gates to try and clear my mind. I got attacked by a herd and I couldn't go back right away. Then that man got me. I had to kill him. The last person I killed was James.. It's almost been a year since then. A whole year without James. He was my best friend when this all started.
"Cass? Why are you crying?" Carl snaps me out of thoughts.
"I-I'm sorry. I was just thinking of my little brother."
"Don't be sorry. I'm sorry that happened." He says hugging me.
"How many more siblings do you have?" He asks me.
"I had James a-and Becca. I have two more. They're my half siblings. Jason and Kat. Jason should be about 18 and Kat should be 16." I say almost in a whisper. I have no clue where they are right now. Why have I never looked for them?
"We'll find them some day." Carl says giving me a weak smile. I just nod.

-

Carl and I still sit on the hill.
"It's my birthday tomorrow." I say randomly.
"Why didn't you tell me?!" Carl says faking being angry.
"I forgot about it." I say laughing.
"What day is it tomorrow?"
"December 11th."
"How old will you be?"
"I'm going to be the big 1-5." I say smiling and laughing at him.
"Awh you're so young." Carl says laughing at me.
"Well so are you!" I say in defense.
"I'm 16 and technically you're still 14. My birthday is October 24th." He says laughing again. I playfully shove him and I stand up.
"People are probably looking for us." I say grabbing his hand and helping him up.
"Carl?"
"Yeah?"
"Are we like...dating again?" He laughs.
"If you want to be."
"I do."
"Then it's official!" He says excitedly. I laugh and grab his hand again.
"Dang I'm dating a young child."
"Shut up." I say laughing.

*next morning*

I wake up and instantly smile because it's my birthday! The whole town somehow found out about this. Must have been Carl. I walked outside after getting dressed and people were handing me gifts and wishing me happy birthday. It felt good. It felt like I was actually wanted around here. I walk over to Carl's house and knock.
"Cass you don't have to knock." Rick says laughing a little bit.
"I still like to." I say laughing too. He wishes me happy birthday.
"Where's Carl?" I ask him.
"He's on a run with Daryl."
"For what?"
"Just supplies." He says.
"Oh alright. See you later!" I say running down the front steps of the house. Why would Carl leave on my birthday? I wanted to spend it with him.

Everyone around here has jobs to do. I'm going to tell Rick's group today what their jobs are.
"Cassie. I want you to put me on watch. Up in the tower." Sasha says walking up to me.
"Alright then. Your job is to be on watch. Choose your station and be safe. Make sure you're shooting walkers, not people." I say smiling. She nods and begins to walk away.
"And Sasha?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm sorry. I heard about Tyreese."
"Thank you. It's okay." She says and continues on her way.

-

"They're back!" Someone yells to me. I run over to the gates and pull them open. I walk over and hug Carl and then Daryl.
"Why didn't you guys tell me you were leaving?" I ask.
"Because I had to get you something." Carl says smiling.
"But you won't get it until your party tonight." He adds. I roll my eyes and grab his hand. I lead them back to their house because I'm going to tell everyone their jobs. I tell them to sit down once they're inside.
"Alright guys. Everyone here needs a job. I've chosen them for you. Rick will help me lead around here. More of like my second in charge. Noah, Glenn, and Tara will go on runs. Eugene will help the other scientists. Carol will help the kitchen and also will help our doctors. Maggie will help me, like a secretary and also will help the doctors. Rosita will help our doctors as well and will be on watch. Abraham will also be on watch and will help our people build new things. Michonne will be a police officer around here and will help enforce the rules. Daryl will help recruit people for the town. Like what Aaron does. Sound good?"
"What about me?" Carl asks.
"For now Carl you're going to watch over Judith. You can also go on watch, but you're going to have school. Once a week you'll head over to Mary's house and you'll have lessons with everyone." I say. He seems a bit angry about that.
"Why don't you go to school?" He snaps at me.
"I have a town to run Carl." I snap back. I smile to the others and walk away. I was about to open the door when Carl came running after me.
"Sorry Cassie. I didn't mean it like that. I just want to help."
"I'll find something for you." I say giving him a weak smile. He returns the gesture and I walk outside. I'm so glad I have him back.

-

THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR OVER 200 READS. THAT'S CRAZY! I hope you guys are enjoying this story. If you have any questions or ideas please comment. -Lilly