The Girl Next Door • Carl Grimes

Chapter 10: The Highway

Grace

I sat in the RV looking at all the abandoned cars on the highway as we came to a stop. I looked out to see many cars ahead that we wouldn't be able to get through.

We all got out of our cars. We began looking through the abandoned cars for supplies.

Carl and I were searching a car when we heard a hoard of walkers coming. Rick instructed us to hide underneath the cars. I hid under a car with Sofia. I shut my eyes hard. This was terrifying.

Once the walkers stopped coming I saw Carl smile from under his car. I smiled back as Sofia started to emerge from under the car.

A walker saw her! It bent down and tried crawling under the car as I rolled out. I got out in time since I was on the opposite side of the walker.

I ran up the highway and as far away from that walker as I could. I saw Sofia jump over the rail and Rick run after her. I had lost the walkers and Shane came and brought me back to the group.

"Where's Sofia?" I yelled.

Lori cupped her hands over my mouth, "Shhh the walkers are still out here we don't want em comin back."

I nodded.

A bit later Rick came back. No Sofia. He asked if she'd come back and we all shook our heads no. Carol was mad. Carl was sad. I felt guilty.

I blamed myself. Carl tried to talk to me but I ignored him. I didn't want to talk about it or anything for that matter. Maybe if I had helped her out from under the car she would be safe.

But she was all alone and it was my fault.

"I know why you're ignoring me. But it isn't your fault I promise." Carl said, hugging me. I didn't hug back I just cried.

In that moment I remembered your birthday was tomorrow. Which meant it was Carl's birthday today. You couldn't  celebrate it. It was too sad.

You finally decided to hug back. "Hey Carl?" I said.

"Yeah?"

"Happy birthday." I whispered, knowing he wouldn't want anyone else to hear during this time.

***

It started to grow darker, we went back into the RV and I hopped into the bed and Carl hopped in too. I hugged him then fell asleep holding each other. It was comforting. I felt guilty about it since Sofia was all alone and scared right now.

                              Carl

We had been looking through the cars for a while now until we heard walkers, it was too many to fight so we had no choice other than to hide.

My dad motioned us all to get under cars. Grace and Sofia hopped under the same one and I felt my heart drop to my toes when I saw the terrified looks on their faces.

The walkers had stopped coming so I let out a big grin. Then Sofia began to emerge from the car.

She started screaming. A walker saw her and was trying to crawl under their car. I gasped.

Grace rolled out right away and began to ran as she encountered another walker and kept running down the highway.

Sofia jumped over the rail and the walker that was chasing Grace began chasing her. My dad then ran after Sofia and my mother held Carol back.

Shane ran down the highway to bring Grace back safely. "Where's Sofia?" She yelled.

My mom cupped her hand over Grace's mouth. "Quiet hun, the walkers could still be near." She nodded as a tear rolled down her cheek.

My dad had came back, but alone. I could see the sad look on everyone's faces. Of course they were glad my dad was okay, but Sofia....

I could tell this was tearing Grace apart. I have known her for almost 14 years. Wait. I just remembered her birthday was tomorrow. Mine was today! It's been crazy and I don't expect anyone to keep track of the date.

I had kept trying to talk to Grace that night but she kept ignoring me or looking away. "I know why you're ignoring me. But it isn't your fault I promise." I said as I hugged her.

I didn't feel a hug back I just felt her face in my chest as she cried. I felt so bad for her. She finally hugged back.

She then whispered, "Happy birthday, Carl."

Sooo they were only 13 for a little. This is better this way so I can talk about more mature themes and allow the story to go the way I want without it being weird because they would have been like really young when all of this started lol. I hope y'all liked the chapter. Once we get past the early season stuff there's a lot of character development and the story gets more interesting I swear, it just needs to build up for now!