The Girl Next Door • Carl Grimes

Chapter 41: Elderberries

Grace

As the sickness ravaged the prison, we tried to stay positive. But once more people started becoming ill and dying by the day, it was hard to keep up.

I was sitting in Carl's cell with Carl as we read a comic book. Beth was put into quarantine with Judith and some of the other kids after they verified that Beth was healthy and wouldn't fall ill. Plus they needed someone older to care for the baby.

I threw my head back and glanced toward the ceiling then I looked back at Carl. I saw his sheriff hat hiding underneath his bed. I almost wanted to say something about how he hasn't worn it in a while, but I decided not to.

Rick walked up to us in the cell, "oh Grace, you're here. Good. I need to talk to you guys. Glad I didn't have to go looking for ya." He said to me.

"Yeah?" I answered. Carl wasn't really paying attention. He was so mad at the world right now.

"I know you're not gonna like this but I need to put you both into quarantine. It's what will keep you safe." Rick told us, "so you can pack up your things into your backpacks."

Carl stood up and rolled his eyes. "Great, I get to go be with a bunch of kids."

"At least we'll be together and with Beth and Judith." I said, trying to lighten the mood.

"Now Carl, I need you to be in charge and help keep everyone safe. If anyone starts to get sick you let me know." Rick told him.

"Yeah? And what if they're already turned when I get there." Carl replied, angrily.

"Then I'll deal with it." I added, gripping onto my gun.

"You'll only fire if it's really necessary." Rick emphasized.

"I bet it will be necessary." Carl scoffed.

Man, was he in a terrible mood. Rick left us alone as Carl packed and I went over to my cell and started grabbing things. Once I was finished packing I saw Carl shoving his hat into his backpack.

"You're bringing the hat back out?" I said, leaning into his cell with my backpack slung over my shoulder.

"Yeah. It's about time. It goes with the gun." He said dryly.

"Yeah I guess it does." I replied.

We walked over to the quarantine area in silence. We were let in and Carl immediately rushed back to put down his things. I followed, but I first went to find Beth.

"Beth! Hey, there you are!" I smiled widely at her, running to her for an embrace.

"Oh Grace! What are you doing here? And was that Carl I saw speed through here just a moment ago?" Beth asked, holding Judith.

"Hi baby!" I smiled at Judith, "Rick thought it would be safest for us if we quarantined with all of you. And yeah, that was Carl. He's in a real bad mood." I told her.

"Hm. I wonder what that's about." She pondered.

I shrugged my shoulders in response and headed back to where Carl had dropped his bag. When I got back there, he was already headed towards the door.

"Where are you going?" I asked him.

"Nowhere." He replied angrily.

"Nuh uh. Don't act like this to me. Quit being such a grump. Let me ask you again, where are you going?" I said sternly.

"Alright alright. I'm going out to keep watch. It's what my dad would want." He admitted.

"Not without me you aren't." I told him, clutching my gun.