The Girl Next Door • Carl Grimes

Chapter 21: Are We Still Friends?

Grace

I remember passing out. I remember Carl saving me from walker Shane. I cant remember what happened before that, but I think I do remember that I killed Shane.

I feel like that's a part of why I passed out. The adrenaline had stopped flowing and I felt totally drained.

I do remember the feeling of my body in Carl's arms, it's hard to explain. I could feel more of him than I could of me. Like I was drowning in it.

I regained consciousness when we got to the house, and that's when I saw the walkers getting closer.

It was a lot of them, well a lot more than we have encountered ever before. I don't think anyone with us had seen this many at a time and been able to handle it.

"They haven't reached the fences yet, and those will slow them down for a little bit, and they still have a while to get to us, the cars, and everything." I told everyone

"We gotta get in the cars and leave." I suggested.

Half of each group agreed with me, but the other halves didn't.

"This is my farm, and I need to stand by it!" Cried Hershel.

"Wait, where's Dad? He was right behind us!" Carl shrieked.

I looked outside in a panic, and saw Rick running to the barn with walkers not so far off of his tail.

Carl saw this, and immediately ran out into the night.

"CARL NO!" I shouted.

As I was about to run out of that door, and follow him Lori grabbed me. I kept fighting her back but then I felt Glenn and Maggie start to do so too.

They made me stay, and I hated them for it. I just knew Carl kept looking behind him to see if I followed.

So, I took my opportunity. I got up quick, and snatched Lori's gun off of her pants, and ran out the door.

"I'm sorry!" I shouted.

I was running with all I had to the barn, but there were already walkers very near to it.

I had to book it. I ran so fast that I was tripping over myself.

I made it past the walkers, except one.
It grabbed onto me, but I managed to escape its clutch. I didn't want to drag a ton of walkers towards the barn, so I grabbed my knife and stabbed this one.

I saw Rick, closing the barn doors as I slid inside right before he shut them.

"Grace, what the hell are you doing here?!" Rick quietly yelled at me.

"I couldn't just sit around, a sitting duck in that house is all I was. We have to try to stay alive, otherwise we are just like those things banging on these barn doors right now." I said while climbing up to the hayloft where Carl stood.

"You know, I was wondering if I'd ever see you again." He said.

I nodded, "Me too."

It was hard to focus on him when there were hundreds walkers banging at the barn door.

"You got your lighter Carl?" Asked Rick, as Carl showed him the lighter.

"You guys stay up there. No matter what. I gotta pour gasoline down here, then I'm gonna open those doors. Stay up there." Rick said very firmly.

We both nodded, but I was confused. Why was he going to let the walkers in, and why was he going to burn the very place we were taking asylum in?

Rick poured the gasoline.