Anything - Carl Grimes

xxxi. Storytime

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"Yeah, I know," The air felt thick with unsaid wants. They didn't want to go. Both of them had better stuff than sitting on the floor and listening to books from kindergarten. But that does not mean that they aren't curious. But their pride and ego are too big for that. "We obviously won't go."

"Nope, that's for kids," They both looked at each other, pink blushes burning their cheeks. "Unless you wanna go."

Carmen let out an awkward, suppressed laugh and scoff. "No way... Unless you wanna go?"

"No way."

...

They did, in fact, go to storytime.

"The children fastened their eyes upon their bit of candle" The curiosity got the best of them. Carl and Carmen don't enjoy storytime, but they are curious about how things are going there. The two slowly and quietly walked in, hiding behind shelves. At the same time, Lizzie and Mika's father, Ryan left the room. "and watched it melt slowly and pitilessly away. Saw the half-inch of wick stand alone at last. Saw the feeble flame rise and fall. Climb the thin tower of smoke. Linger at its top a moment and then..." The moment Ryna left the room, Carol closed the book.

She sat up off the box she sat on and Carl and Carmen walked closer, still hiding. "Ma'am, should I take watch now?" Watch? For what? Carmen wondered.

"Yes, Luke, you do that," Carol told him and took something from the box, placing it on the floor. "Today...we are talking about knives-- how to use them, how to be safe with them, and how they could save your life." The scene in front of the two kids made their brows furrow and their brains fog. That's what they do in storytime? No storytime, just practicin' how to use weapons? And the thing that creeps Carmen the most? Matt was also there.

"Ma'am, may I be dismissed?" Patric asked.

"What is it?"

"I'm not feeling very well," He told her.

"Sometimes you're gonna have to fight through it. What if you wind up out there alone? You just give up because you're feeling bad?" Both Carl and Carmen were still shocked at what they were seeing.

"No, it's just I don't want to yack on somebody."

"Go." She told him and he quickly got up and left the room. Carmen and Carl exchanged looks before slowly walking closer. "Okay, today we're gonna learn how to hold a knife, how to stab and slash, and where to aim for..." The woman paused once Carl and Carmen finally left their hiding place, making her freeze. "Please, don't tell your father," Carl sighed and left the room. Carmen cleared her throat awkwardly and followed him. Of course, after taking one last glance at Matt. She wasn't afraid of leaving him there, just a little creeped out Carol was doing that. But, Carmen knew it wasn't the worst thing to happen.

"That's so unfair," Carmen mumbled to Carl once they left the room. "We ain't allowed to use weapons but they are. Every day."

"If Dad knew he'd tell her to stop," It was obvious Carl was irritated.

"Maybe we shouldn't tell Rick," That made Carl stop walking and stare at her. She turned around once she realized he stopped. "What? Carol wouldn't be doin' it if she didn't know they needed it. What if somethin' happens? What if the prison is attacked or we're all separated and the other kids no nothin' 'bout defending themselves?"

"That won't happen," Carl told her firmly. “Plus, we’re trying to move on.”

"You can't be so sure," The girl just shrugged. "And anyway, they still need to know how to defend themselves."