Anything - Carl Grimes

xxxv. A way to nowhere

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Carmen’s legs were on fire by now, it felt like her calves were stiff but could snap from a small poke of a sharp object. Her muscles are burning and stinging. So are her eyes, lungs, and hands…so is her heart. She felt her heart breaking with every step she ran away from the prison and the Walkers who followed her. The sun and unusual warmness in the air were only making things worse because of the constant sweat that formed on Carmen’s body. She hated being wet, stinky, and sticky.

Boris, who was running slightly ahead of Carmen, was close to passing out. He’s a fast runner, no doubt. However, damn the damn disease that made him weaker. And damn himself for not being able to stop crying after he watched Hershel die and lose his sister. Neither of the two kids running knew if anyone at the prison survived. Neither of them knew if they’d ever see the group again. Or if they’ll even survive for any longer.

Boris looked back again and realized he couldn't even see the prison anymore and that they seemed to outrun the Walkers. “Stop!” He wheezed out as he harshly stopped running, making him fall to his knees. Carmen took a moment to process what happened before digging her heels into the ground to stop her lightning speed. She bent down and put her hands on her knees as they kept wheezing and catching their breaths. Earlier, when they escaped prison, they didn’t find anyone nearby. After all, Carmen just took Matt’s dirty shit and car toy as a memorial and they escaped through the back of the prison.

Carmen turned her head to check up on Boris who was clutching his chest, his face a little pale and his mouth turned into a frown. His cheeks are stained with tears and his eyes and lashes are watery. She found it almost humorous how she felt slightly jealous at how longer his lashes were than hers and he was a boy. But, aside from that, she couldn't watch him cry. Carmen felt a little heartless because here he was, crying his heart out and she was too embarrassed to do so even though she wanted to. “Stop cryin’.” She wheezed out. She didn’t want to sound mean or annoyed, she didn’t like seeing people cry, especially because she didn’t know how to comfort them.

“Gee, thanks. That really made me feel better.” Boris’ voice was raspy and dry, from crying and running as he wiped his eyes with his sleeves. Carmen didn’t know what to do or to say to make him feel better. She wishes she did, but she doesn’t. Boris stood up slowly, his legs a little wobbly as a few hiccups escaped his mouth. He looked pale and shaky and Carmen’s first instinct- that was more like a reflex -was to reach over and hold his arm so he wouldn’t fall down. “We have to go back for them.”

Carmen quickly turned around when she heard him say that and saw him trying to go back. “No fuckin’ way,” She quickly walked back to him and stepped before him. “We ain’t goin’ back there.”

“My fucking sister’s there!” Boris exclaimed, pointing in the direction of the prison. “You really expect me to just walk aw-”

“My family’s back there too but I ain’t goin’ back. Neither are you.” She spoke in a stern and firm voice. “We ain’t walkin’ away but if there are chances that they may have survived, it’s definitely not back there. If they stayed behind at the prison, they’re dead. And you’re in no condition to go back and check.”

“Listen-”

“I ain’t listenin’. We ain’t goin’ back. End of the discussion.” Carmen put her hand on his chest and held his shirt when he tried to walk past her. “Now you can either stop strugglin’ and turn yer ass back around or I will knock you out.”

Boris sighed and bit his lip, shaking his head slightly. But either way, he took a step back. He didn’t doubt that she’d actually knock him out, especially since she now had an advantage since he was weak ‘cause of the disease he still hadn’t recovered from. “Can you keep going or do you need a break?”