Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Cali and Sophia had waited for what felt like hours in the small space, but the teen was sure it had only been a few minutes. She was trying to stay calm not wanting to panic and upset Sophia even more.
But the longer they waited without any sign of her father returning the more worried she got. It was going to get dark soon and she knew it wouldn't be safe for them to stay out there all night.
They needed to get back to the highway.
With a small sigh, Cali slowly and quietly began to move out of their hiding place. As soon as Sophia realized what the girl was doing she freaked out and clamped onto the teen's arm.
"No no no!" She cried trying to pull the girl back in.
"Shhh, it's okay!" The Grimes girl soothed her. She softly grabbed Sophia's hand a began to pull her out. "We have to get back to the others."
"Rick said to hide."
"I know but something must have happened or he would have been back by now." Cali replied trying not to think the worst. "He told me to head back if he couldn't make it back to us."
"I don't want to." Sophia's head shook rapidly. "I'm scared Cali."
"I know Soph, but I need you to be brave for me okay."
"I want my mom!" She sniffed holding her stuffed animal closer to herself.
"It's okay." Cali pulled the child into a hug, kneeling down to her level. "If we head back now you'll get to see your mom again."
"But what if there's walkers?"
"I'll take care of them." The teen promised, brushing a strand of hair out of Sophia's face. "All I need you to do is stay behind me at all times. You can't let go of my hand okay? We can't split up and get lost or we'll never make it back to the group."
Sophia hesitantly nodded her head, gripping tightly onto Cali's left hand.
The teen held her knife tightly in her right hand, ready to strike if necessary, while she led Sophia back the way they came. Cali tried to be as quiet as possible as they moved through the woods but she could hear Sophia's soft cries from behind her. She was torn between comforting the child or pushing ahead. Cali didn't want to see Sophia upset but she knew they needed to hurry back to the road before it got dark.
"Cali... I can't." Sophia cried out, stopping abruptly.
The teen sighed turning around to reassure the child but was met with the sight of a walker stumbling towards them.
"Shit." She cursed immediately pushing Sophia behind her. As soon as the child saw the dead she freaked out beginning to cry even louder. She attempted to pull Cali away but the teen headed towards the walker ready to kill it.
Cali wished she had a gun or crossbow like Daryl, it would make killing the walker much easier, but she had to get close enough to it to stab it. The walker's bony arm reached out towards her as she inched closer. It's decaying hand latched onto her arm pulling her closer. As it snapped it's teeth hungrily at Cali she raised her right arm, sending the end of her blade straight through the center of the walker's head effectively killing it.
The Grimes girl stood over the dead for a moment feeling proud of herself. This was the second walker she had ever killed and she did it without any help and on her first try. She couldn't wait to tell Shane that she'd faced her fears after Jade and protected herself and Sophia.
"We're safe now Soph." Cali breathed out in relief turning towards where she had left the child.
Sophia was gone.
• | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | • here's chapter fifty five its a short but important one please let me know what you guys think vote/comment • | | | | | | | | | | •
