The Girl Next Door • Carl Grimes

Chapter 4: Almost

Carl

I waited in our tent, not leaving until Grace woke up. I heard a coughing noise and I looked over to Grace. She jolted up, looking terrified and confused.

I ran over and gently pushed her back down into a laying position.

"Hey it's okay, you're fine. I'll tell you about it in a moment. Just relax please, it's all okay." I said quietly as I reassured her.

She hoarsely tried to reply but nothing came out, just raspy noises.

Sophia walked in with a little flower and handed it to Grace. Her face lit up, she smiled at Sophia.. She reached in for a hug and Sophia looked at me for approval or something. I nodded, letting her know that it was okay. Sophia then hugged Grace.

"Hey kids lunch is ready. Oh, you're up Grace. How are you feeling honey? Carl, Sophia, go and get your lunch now." My mom said as she entered the tent once she saw that Grace had woken up.

Sophia and I walked out, Sophia looked back slightly concerned. I was worried too, but im sure that my mom had a handle on the situation.

"Is she going to be okay?" Sophia asked with tears in her eyes.

"I'm sure she'll be fine. Mom says she just needs to rest." I said to her.

She nodded and then ran off to her mother.

My dad came up to me and walked me over to the fire pit where everyone was eating. I looked longingly back at the tent and sighed. My dad patted me on the back, handing me food. I ate it, but I didn't enjoy it. It was only good when Grace was there. I like Sophia a lot and all, but it just wasn't the same.

I noticed everyone's head turn to my mom. She was walking out of the tent holding Grace in her arms with a terrified look on her face, and I didn't move. I couldn't move.

My dad, Carol, and Dale ran up to my mom. They took her into the RV as I heard mumbles and the others in the groups facial expressions dropping.

Sofia began to cry as Carol hurried back to comfort her daughter. This was all my fault. I should've said we shouldn't go swimming.

"She's not breathing!" I heard Jacqui shout out from the RV.

My heart began to race. Before I knew it, I had ran to the RV and I tried to push aside the crowd of people that were now waiting outside. I ran up to her dead looking body and I bent over her, hugged her, and cried.

"I'm so sorry! Don't go, don't die! Please!" I sobbed.

Shane pulled me off of her so I hit him and screamed at him. I couldn't just let her be alone in there. She was my best friend. I had my parents, but even they didn't understand me like she did. I threw myself into my tent and cried. I was mad at myself for being so dramatic. I lied in bed and fell asleep, trying to escape my emotions and the reality of it all.

Grace

I woke up to see Carl rushing towards me and he started pushing me back down. My vision was blurry and everything seemed so... off. I heard him speaking, but I couldn't make out the words. I tried to talk but nothing came out.

Even though I couldn't see or hear properly, I knew exactly what Carl was feeling.

"It's not your fault." I mumbled.

I realized that at least a few minutes had passed since I had said that, because I heard Lori's muffled voice.

My eyes were open but they kept rolling around. I couldn't focus my eyes on anything. My breath became short, but my heart beat fast, so fast that I was scared.