The Girl Next Door • Carl Grimes

Chapter 7: CDC 1

Grace

I was sleeping peacefully only to be violently shaken awake by Carl.

"Carlllll!" I yelled, annoyed by the way I was awoken.

"Grace we're here. We need to go." He said stubbornly.

"Ugh fine, but why are you so grumpy?" I asked, very annoyed.

"I'm not." He snapped.

"Loosen up Carl. Unwind and find your inner zen." I said jokingly.

He rolled his eyes. He really was mad. But why?

We all were close together as we ran past walkers to get to the front doors of the CDC. Rick started screaming at the intercom as he pounded on the door when we realized it was locked. Everybody was convinced nobody was there, and we were all beginning to be surrounded by walkers. That was until someone started speaking through the camera.

"But once you come in you can't exit." Said the voice on the intercom.

We all nodded in understanding, desperate for safety.

The doors opened and we all ran in fast then shut them. Each member of the group was checked for bite marks. We were all clear.

The inside had working lights, food, water, beds, and even running hot showers! We were all so excited. I went to some rooms and Carl and I decided to bunk together on the pull out couch in Lori and Rick's room.

I walked out to where everyone was eating. It was so good. They had lots of wine and all of the adults were happy.

"Hey it's the end of the world he can have a sip." Rick said, pointing at Carl.

Lori agreed.

"Grace would you like to try it too?" Lori asked sweetly.

"Well I like grape juice..." I nodded.

Carl looked at me and nodded. We both took a sip at the same time with everyone at the table laughing. "Ewwwwww." We both shouted. Laughter erupted.

"That was nasty!" I yelled.

"It tasted like rubbing alcohol and an expired juice box!" Carl added.

I laughed so hard that my stomach hurt.

"Okay kids, we're gonna stay out here a bit longer, I'll walk to to the shower rooms." Lori said.

I walked down the long hallways laughing and smiling. A hot shower! This was heaven!

"Okay here's your shower." Lori said

Right in front of us was a single shower.

"But this is just one shower?" Carl said.

"I know, but you can only use one at a time and you kids will have to hurry so you can get to bed." Lori said.

I didn't say anything, but I was kind of looking forward to a shower and getting to take my time, and not having to share a bathroom with Carl.

I had been so excited to shower. Now I wasn't.

"Okay..." the both of us groaned.

"You can go first. I'll go after you. I'll be in the other room just let me know when you're done." I said as I started to walk away.

"Uhhh no looking." Carl said awkwardly.

"I have no desire to look and neither should you." I said as I turned around and kept walking, confused by why he would have said that.