Sweet and Salty ~ Carl Grimes

Never Existed - 090

Brooks had fallen asleep on the rug of her bedroom. She was laying on her left side, arms curled in front of her, her knees up slightly. Carl was behind her... Spooning her... His left arm up around by her chest, holding her right hand in his left one, his soft and calm breathing was warm on her neck. It was steady, and even. Carl had always been a peaceful sleeper, seemingly in a perfect slumber.

She smiled slightly, enjoying the moment, but knew it couldn't last. She knew Carl had to go back to his room before they were caught. So, she stretched and yawned, pulling herself to sit up as she rubbed her eyes. It was a strange phenomenon, the only nights she wasn't haunted by nightmares were the nights Carl spent the night with her. Brooks didn't understand it, but she didn't want to push to deeply into it, she just enjoyed the full night's rest that she got.

Leaning down to kiss his cheek as he groaned awake, Brooks smiled to herself. "Mornin'." She whispered.

Carl huffed out, trying to pull her back down. "No, let's go back to sleep."

"No can do, Grimes, big day ahead." Brooks replied, pulling his arms from around her before standing to her feet. "Me, Cam 'n' Soph are plantin' more in the garden today. Seems borin', but they're excited. They're all about all the plant crap."

Carl chuckled in his sleep, finally pushing himself to wake up. "Yea, you're right."

On her desk, Brooks noticed a piece of paper that hadn't been there the night before. She grabbed her glasses next to it, and put them on her face before opening the folded up note.

Brooks, my mom doesn't know I'm writing this so I have to be quick. She's making us leave, because she says it's not good for us. She says she can sense something is coming and wants me to take no part of it, because she doesn't want me to kill anyone. I think this is bullshit. She hasn't even told Merle, she's left a note telling him to not let anyone come after us. Do not listen to her! I don't want to go, but I don't want to break her heart. She's clearly going through something right now so I'm going to do my best to talk to her. I can't leave her like this, and I knew just stopping her tonight by waking everyone up wouldn't stop her for good, I need to actually help her, but I need you to help me. Please do not let us go for good. I want to come back. I want Merle. I want you. I want Judith. I want Cam. I want Alexandria. I want Enid. Please, Brooks.

Remember I love you xxx

Brooks' lips parted in shock as her fingers slowly clenched around the letter. In the distance, she could hear an angry yell from Merle, and loud footsteps, he was yelling. "Carol! My love! Carol! Sophia!" Just over and over, searching for them as if this was all a bad dream.

Tears burned Brooks' eyes, as Carl walked over, immediately sensing something was wrong. He took the paper from her hands and quickly scanned it. "Oh my god." He muttered.

"We need them back." Brooks said with a shaky waver in her voice.

Carl pulled her in for a hug, he didn't need her to say anything else for him to know she needed him. Carl didn't want to cry, but he was fighting off tears. Sophia was his best friend, Carol was always there for him when he needed a mother figure, and now he'd lost them both. Brooks lost her best friend, too, Sophia was a central part of both teenagers lives. "We'll get them back, it'll be okay." He whispered, running a hand up and down her back. "We'll get them back, River, don't worry." Carl kissed her forehead, letting his lips linger there as he closed his eye. The thought of Sophia struggling out there, practically on her own as Carol was clearly going through something, was a terrible thought.