Anything - Carl Grimes

ii. blood donator

.

Matt fell asleep and Camren sat by her window, waiting for Maggie to get back. She went to find Rick's wife and Carl's Mom, Lori. Rick was the man and Carl was the boy who was shot. Otis went to the high school to get supplies with the help of Shane, Rick's best friend. Since Carmen first saw Shane, she didn't like him. She wasn't sure why. Maybe it was his creepy smile or she just had a bad feeling. But she knew better than saying that to him or someone else because she didn't want to start any drama or offend him.

She sat on her chair, feet dangling as she buried half of her face in her arms. Sun was already sitting down and she was worried for Maggie. Her worry was pushed away when she saw Maggie coming back with a woman behind her. She was skinny and had a long, dark brown hair. Lori jumped off the horse and ran straight into Rick's arms, sobbing. Carmen felt bad for the woman because she knew if Matt or her were on that bed, Dottie would be in despair. That's probably how Lori feels.

Carmen ran downstairs to find Maggie. When she walked into the living room, Maggie sat on the sofa with her elbows on her knees. "Maggie." Carmen smiled and ran to Maggie, hugging her around her neck. Maggie didn't say anything, just hugged the little girl back. Maggie knew Carmen was never affectionate unless she was worried, scared, or sad. She was a lot like her dad about it. Carmen's dad, Josh, was never affectionate. When they had Carmen, he got more comfortable but not too much. Hair ruffles and piggyback rides were the usual affectionate actions.

"Carmen." She turned around when she heard her Mother's voice. Carmen pinched her eyebrows together in confusion when she saw her Mom's concerned face. "Come here for a minute, please." Carmen nodded, skipping over to the room where her Mom, Hershel, and Carl's parents were. She felt her stomach twist yet again when she saw Carl on his bed, all pale and covered in blood.

"Carmen, darlin', you're blood type is positive A. Same as Carl's." Carmen looked up at Hershel when he started talking. She swayed her body, pressing her nails into her long skirt. "Rick's already given so much blood but we need more," Hershel explained and Carmen stared at her with a tilted head, not sure why was he telling her that. Until it clicked to her and she whispered, "Okay."

She heard Lori sigh in relief and she sat into the chair next to the bed. She felt weird sitting next to an almost-dead person. She stuck out her arm, letting Hershel put the needle in her vein. It pinched for a second but it was alright once she got used to the feeling. Hershel set up everything before leaving the room. "Thank you so much, Lori whispered her hand on her lips.

"It's okay, 'm sorry this happened to ya," Carmen spoke, giving her Mom a reassuring smile before she left. "He'll be fine. Hershel is the best." Carmen leaned back in her chair, swaying her legs. Lori smiled and sat down next to Carl.

"What's your name?" Rick asked softly as he sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Carmen. And you are Rick, Lori, and...Carl." Carmen spoke, pointing to each of them.

"Yeah, got it." Lori giggled, running her hand through Carl's hair. It reminded Carmen of how her Dad used to pat her head. When she was sick or couldn't sleep, he'd rub her back or pat her head or cheek until she did. "I can't thank you enough for this."

"Don't worry 'bout it."

...

It was already night and almost everyone was gathered around the room and Carl's bed. Carmen and Rick have been changing shifts on giving blood and Carmen was getting tired. Not because of giving blood but because she isn't used to being up this late. She leaned her chin on her hand, blinking every few seconds from sleepiness. Lori sat beside her and Carmen held her hand since little earlier. Carmen took her hand because she started crying.

They all heard the front door open and then shut before Maggie walked in with two men. One of them was tall, dark-skinned, and had a blanket around him. He looked sick in Carmen's opinion. And other one was Asian and a little shorter with a cool hat. Carmen guessed that they were Lori and Rick's friends because they looked shocked when they saw Carl.

"Let's switch you two." Hershel said, pulling the needle out of Carmen's hand. Her arm felt numb and sore because they already stuck this needle so many times. She stood up, feeling a little dizzy but Lori helped her steady herself. "Thank you." She mumbled before walking to the living room to meet the other two men.

She walked in and Maggie was cleaning the tall guy's hand like it was cut. She walked over to the table and sat down on the floor next to it. "Carmen, this is T-Dog and Glenn." Maggie smiled, glancing at the two men.

"Why did your parents name you T-Dog?" Carmen asked, looking at the man in front of her. Maggie, Glenn, and T-Dog chuckled at Carmen, exchanging looks. She didn't know what was so funny because it was a genuine question.

"Nah, my name's actually Theodore. But T-Dog is cooler." He explained.

"Why not T-Cat? Cats are cool too." Carmen stated proudly.

"Yeah, but cats are cute. Dogs are badass." T-Dog chuckled, finding Carmen amusing.

"Some cats a re badass too-" She started to argue but Maggie interrupted her.

"Watch your mouth." She warned before her mouth turned in an amused smirk and she whispered the last part. "I don't care but you don't wanna Dad or Dottie to hear you, hon."

"Sorry." She looked down before looking back at Glenn. "You have a cool hat."

"Thanks. Wanna try it?" Carmen hid a grin and nodded, making Glenn smiled and toss her the cap. She put it on but it was much bigger on her head.

"You have a really, really, really, big head." Carmen giggled as cap fell over her eyes.

"Carmen, you can't say that!" Maggie whisper-yelled, trying to hide her grin. Glenn and T-Dog just chuckled.

"Isn't it past your bed time, kiddo?" T-Dog asked, looking at younger girl.

"No, duh." She said, making Maggie scoff to herself. "Plus, I gotta give Carl more blood later."

"If they keep taking blood from your small body, you might die." Maggie joked and Carmen furrowed her brows.

"I ain't small." She said, making three of them chuckle again. She really wanted to roll her eyes and walk away but she didn't want to prove their point in being a child so she just ignored it. She hated when adults were chuckling and giggling at her. She felt embarrassed because they would stare at her in amusement and she didn't even know what she did.

She came to her first conclusion; adults are weird.

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word count: 1113

a/n: I think we all hated Shane since first twd scene tbh. Also first few chapters are a bit shorter but the rest are gonna be lot longer. Hope you enjoyed <3