ribs || carl grimes x reader

watching him fade away - mac demarco

You watch the sun fall, and dusk slowly starts to take over the day. Rick leads you to a clear spot near the pond and you all stop to take a moment. You and Carl stare at each other, but you suddenly feel a pair of hands on your shoulder. You turn around to meet eyes with Ron. 

"Are you ok?" he whispers very lightly. You silently nod, and turn back around. you can't help but think about what happened earlier between Ron and Carl. You knew Ron had been struggling with stuff lately, but to think he would go as far as to kill... Just then you notice Gabriel march off towards the church with Judith, feeling some relief that she would be kept safe and sound.

"Alright, let's keep going." Rick's gruff voice hums as he takes, Sam's hand. Jessie takes your hand, and Carl takes a hold of yours, then Ron and Michonne follow. You continue watching the sky grow darker, until finally you're all plunged in complete darkness. The plan seems to be going really well, until Sam suddenly stops. Jessie begins quietly pleading, asking him to keep going. Your heart drops as Sam beings to have a full meltdown. He lets go of Rick and Jessie's hands and begins crying and yelling loudly. Everyone begs him to be quiet, but it's too late. You watch as 2 walkers snatch him and tear into his flesh, his blood pouring out onto the ground. Jessie watches in terror, but you beg her to continue. 

"Jessie, please. Let's keep going, we need to go NOW." you whisper yell to her, but her crying is also too hysterical. Over her shoulder you watch 2 more walkers attack her, pinning her to the ground, and eating her. It takes everything in you not to freak out, as her dead lifeless hand still grips tightly onto yours. You try pulling away, but her muscles are frozen in place around your hand. Rick sobs to himself as he watches Jessie get torn into. He finally looks up and sees her stuck to you. He reluctantly takes his hatchet and swings it down onto her wrist. Twice it crashes down until you're finally free, and you all begin to slowly move in terror. That's until you hear the click of a gun. You all turn around to see Ron pointing his gun straight at Rick's head. 

"This is all your fault." he whispers angrily. You brace yourself for the bullet, but instead you hear Michonne's sword slice right through Ron's stomach. His gun goes off, but in a different direction, and Ron collapses to the ground. You want to cry, but your body is shocked with fear, leaving you shaking and your stomach in knots. Michonne steps away as walkers begin to devour Ron's body. Everyone looks at each other, ready to make an escape, but when you look at Carl your heart drops.

"(y/n)?" he looks up at you, his hat uncovering his face, and you see a gory mess where his eye used to be. The world felt like it moved in slow motion as Carl collapses into your arms. You gingerly prop him up, staring into his face. 

"Carl-" you whisper in agony. Just then Rick scoops him up out of your arms. He motions to the infirmary. You and Michonne take the lead and begin smashing walkers left and right in order to clear a path. You try and focus on the walkers, but the vision of Carl's wound is seared into your mind. You think on what Deanna said, and feel the instant burn of regret she was talking about. 

The door to the infirmary opens and everyone begins rushing around. 

"Please save him." you plead to the group and Denise begins making orders like a drill sergeant, but you're just stuck in place in the corner of the room next to Rick. He looks down and locks eyes with you, his being red, puffy, and overflowing with tears. You take a deep breath and finally let the tears roll out. Your tears turn to sobs as you feel your face heat up and your chest burn. Rick takes off his walker camo before also sliding yours off as well. He pulls you into a tight side hug and you accept the comforting warmth for a second. Suddenly, Rick hastily pulls away and heads back outside with his axe. The others call to him, pleading for him to stay in case they need his blood, but he can't hear them. You watch him outside, slashing his axe like a maniac, killing walker after walker. You look back at a few others, before you pull out your machete and run out there after him.