ribs || carl grimes x reader

sleep patterns - merchant ships

Rick stands at the front gate, giving the entirety of Alexandria a well-needed pep talk. You couldn't quite focus on his words though, your mind was too full already. Cleaning up the town was horrific. Dozens of your neighbours all killed within the same hour, and then buried in another. You knew there were bad, evil people out there; you've even met some of them before. But these people were monsters. They didn't stop at killing, they macerated your friends, making sure there was nothing left to identify them. Remembering those moments sent a chill up your spine, but thankfully you were snapped out of your thoughts. A clammy hand enveloped yours and you look over to see Carl. He gives you a reassuring nod and your grief instantly melts away.

"It's gonna be ok (y/n). I'm here. Just stay with me, I'll take care of you..." his reassuring words from a few weeks ago ring through your head. Having him there made everything a little less scary.

Just then you hear a cracking sound. The crowd of people look up and notice the clock tower from beyond the walls begin to creak and tip over. People begin to scatter as the clock tower crashes to the ground, destroying a part of the wall. Through the cloud of dust emerges a hoard of walkers, stumbling their way into your home.

"EVERYBODY GET INSIDE NOW!" Rick yells to the crowd. There's chaos as people run in all different directions. Carl, still gripping your hand, leads you towards the closest house, Ron's house. You're thankful for Carl dragging you along, because you couldn't tear your eyes away from the sea of walkers gargling and growling towards you. You snap back when you hear Carl's knife pierce into the head of a walker. You let go of his hand and grab your knife so you can help clear a path.

Rick barricades the doors behind you all. You see Carl, Gabriel holding Judith, Jessie, Ron, and Michonne carrying Deanna upstairs. Before you can ask what happened, you're handed Judith.

"Take her for a moment, please?" Gabriel asks as he runs upstairs, joined by Rick.

"Hey I think I have a pop-up crib upstairs for her, follow me." Jessie motions for you, so you and Carl follow her. She sets it up and you place Judith inside.

"Good, she even has some toys. Thank you." you give Jessie a warm smile, thankful you wouldn't have to carry her around for however long you'd have to stay here. She nods before Rick peaks in, motions for her, and they go talk in a separate room. You bend down to tend to Judith, who despite the panic, nibbles on her toy keys with contentment.

"I wish I was as oblivious as her right now. Right Car-" you turn your head and see that Carl is gone. You look back at Judith, smiling.

"I gotta go find your brother. You know how he is..." Judith gives you a cute toothless smile as you stand up and leave. You creep around the house, until you hear Ron's voice faintly in the garage.

"I'm dead Carl. My mom is dead. My brother is. And (y/n)'s dead."

"No they're not. We're gonna make it."

"Your dad. And you're dead too, Carl." Ron says from just behind the door, but you hear the door lock before you can open it.

"CARL? RON?" you yell as you try the door handle to no avail. Suddenly, the garage erupts into commotion as you hear a loud crash and grunts as the two boys fight. You continue screaming and banging on the door, but you know there's no way of stopping what's going on inside.

Just then Rick and Jessie stumble downstairs and join you in banging on the door and screaming for the two.

"Stand back!" Rick says before he swings his axe down on the door handle, eventually smashing it. The two jump out from behind the door before hastily slamming it again. A huge group of walkers has begun streaming into the garage. Four of you try keeping the door shut as Rick goes into the living room. He comes back with a couch and props it against the door. Michonne and Gabriel look for more objects while you, Jessie, Rick, and Carl hold the walkers back.