Anything - Carl Grimes

xv. side by side with death itself

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Carl and Carmen walked back into the cell block. Carl carried the supplies in the big black bag as Carmen locked the door behind them. They were both immediately met with Glenn's questioning face. "Thought you were organizing the food?"

"Even better," Carl smiled proudly as two kids walked to the cell. Carmen was still slightly shaken up by the previous events, not able to get the picture of the Walker out of her head. "Check it out."

Carol gasped as they opened the back and started taking out the bandages. "Where did you get this?" Lori asked, looking at the bag in confusion and concern. Carmen glanced up at Dottie who had a frown on her face, looking at Carmen in disappointment.

"From the infirmary," Carl replied proudly. "Wasn't much left but we cleared it out."

"You two went by yourselves?" Lori asked and Dottie just rubbed her face in frustration.

"Yup," Carmen nodded proudly, making everyone stop to look at them in concern and shock. She wasn't all that proud of herself and she was still very scared of what happened earlier but she was putting on an act to piss Dottie off. She can't lie and say she isn't provoking Dottie but in her defense; 'I'm only doin' it so she'd give me a reason to snap and make her listen.'

"No big deal." Carl shrugged, still proudly smiling. "Carmen killed a Walker." Carmen eyed Carl for a second, trying to figure out why he'd lie about that. Maybe he caught up on my plan to piss Mom off and wants to help, Carmen thought.

"Oh, my Lord. You-" Dottie started but was left speechless as she brought her shaky hands to face.

"Alright, do you see this?" Lori understood Dottie's frustration and stepped in, pointing at Hershel. "This was with the whole group."

"We needed supplies, so we got them," Carl argued.

"I appreciate that-" Lori raised her voice but Carl shot back even louder.

"Then get off my back!" Carl leaned forward slightly as he exclaimed.

"Carl!" Beth stepped in, making him look down at her. Carmen felt uncomfortable being in the middle of the whole situation so she looked down at her hands, picking the skin off her fingers. "She's your mother. You can't talk to her like that."

Carl sighed, not arguing anymore. "Look, I think it's great yo-" Before she got to finish the sentence Carl ran out of the room, leaving the uncomfortable silence between the group. Carmen was still looking down at her hands, her cheeks slightly reddening at the situation.

Dottie pushed herself off the wall she was leaning at and walked out too. Carmen didn't want to look anyone in the eyes, feeling disappointed in herself. It was a new feeling she didn't quite understand.

...

Dottie slowly walked up the stairs and to Carmen and Carl's shared cell. She held onto the railing as she slowly walked. Dottie got to their cell and noticed Carl sitting on the lower bunk bed, leaning his arms on his knees. She crossed her arms and despite his head hanging low and his hat covering his face, she could still feel Carl eyeing her. "Can I come in?"

He stayed quiet before muttering. "Sure." Dottie heard his mutter and walked in, sitting beside him on the bed and placing her arms on her knees. They sat in silence until Carl sighed. "We just wanted to help."

"Lori is aware of that and so am I.” Dottie rubbed her forehead before sighing and continuing. "We ain't mad at ya for tryin' to help but for runnin' off on yer own and potentially gettin' hurt." She stayed quiet for a moment, waiting for one of his sassy remarks but once he stayed quiet she continued. "Lori and I would never be able to forgive ourselves if you got hurt or even worse. Tell me, Carl, once yer baby brother or sister is born, would you want them puttin' themselves in danger by bein' careless?"