A World Like This [1]

[8]

Edited 12/19/16

I woke up the next morning still in Carl's arms. I smiled a little to myself. I was wide awake but I didn't want to get up. After Carl came in my room I didn't have a problem with nightmares. Carl protects me in real life and in my dreams. This doesn't help the crush that's been forming since we met. No I don't have time for boys, I have more important things to worry about then his gorgeous blue eyes, his white smile, or his laugh that just makes me happy when I- No stop, he's just a boy and you don't need a boy's help.

I couldn't do it, I couldn't convince myself that I don't like him. Instead I buried my head in his chest. His arms tightened around my waist. I closed my eyes and tried to go back asleep but I couldn't so I just laid there wanting this moment to never end.

After about twenty minutes Carl woke up. "Hey sleepy head." I said as I began to play with his hair. He smiled down at me.

"How long have you been awake?" He asked, his voice croaked.

"Not long" Carl smiled at me again. "Do you want to go outside?" I asked.

"No, let's just stay here a bit longer." I felt his arms tighten around my waist and Carl leaned his head in the croak of my neck, causing butterflies to form in my stomach. I smiled to myself. "Ava?"

"Yeah?"

"What was your dream about last night?" I sighed. I was hoping Carl wouldn't ask about my dream, I really wasn't in the mood to talk about it. "If you don't want to-"

"No, no it's okay. I should probably talk about it anyways." I said signing. "I was in the woods and my mom and brother came out. They told me that they never died, that they escaped the walkers. I guess I just wanted to believe it was true, anyways they turned out of nowhere and I couldn't bring myself to... to... you know."

"I'm so sorry Ava." Carl began.

"It gets worse." I whispered. I really don't want to talk about the rest but I trust Carl and I want to be able to talk about stuff like this with him. "They were tearing me apart, I looked past Asher's, my brother's shoulders and more walkers were coming. But I knew them. They... they were Aiden and people I met here, Maggie, Glenn, Daryl, Beth, Carol, Rick, and even you." I felt tears streaming down my face now. Just saying that they were walkers makes it seem too real and it hurts. I hid my face in Carl's chest so he wouldn't see me cry.

"Hey, hey, hey that will never happen." Carl started to rub my back gently in attempts to calm me, it didn't help though It just felt too real, like it was really happening in front of my eyes. "I promise I'll protect you." I looked up at Carl tears still steaming down my pale face. He leaned forward and wiped the tears away.

"I wasn't upset or scared because of what happened to me, it was because I didn't want anything to happen to you..." I realized what I said instantly. "Or anyone else here." I added quickly hoping he wouldn't notice.

"Ava that won't happen, I promise." He told me. I smiled at him. Carl makes me feel safe, it probably not a good idea to get too attached to anyone in this world, but I can't help it.

"Carl, can I talk to you about something?" I ask.

"Of course."

"Well when my mom died she gave me this locket, she told me to find my dad and to show him this." I now held the golden necklace in my hand.

"And you think I'm your father?" Carl jokes. We were both laughing and I shook my head at him and went back to being serious, or at least trying my best to.

"I never told you my last name..." I began, I really wanted someone to get this but I don't think anyone in the history of the world has ever been in a position like this.

"If you're telling me your last name is Grimes and your my long lost sister then-"

"No Carl be serious!" I said lightly punching his arm.

"Okay, okay continue."

"Well anyways back to my locket." I opened it and showed him the pictures. "It's Daryl... Daryl Dixon."

"Your last name is Dixon?" He asked, stunned at the new information being presented.

"If it wasn't do you think I'd be talking to you about it?" I asked. He shook his head.

"Well maybe you should show Daryl." Carl told me.

"He's gonna think I'm crazy. Or he's gonna be upset."

"Why would he be upset?"

"Because he's gonna be stuck with a daughter he never even wanted... and then he's going to feel like he's going to have to protect me he'll hate me and—"

"He won't. Just talk to him." Carl spoke, cutting my words short. I nodded my head and got up off the bed. "Where are you going?" Carl asked.

"You told me to talk to him..."

"Yeah but not this second." He said laughing.

"I need to know Carl." He nodded his head and I ran out the door. Luckily Daryl is on watch this morning, not that we really need anyone to 'keep watch' it's not like anything is going to get past the high fences we have anyways.

I ran outside and straight to the guard tower. Once I was there I opened the door and rushed up stairs. "Daryl?" I called.

"Yeah?" He called.

"Uhh can I talk to you about something?" I could see him now, his mouth pulled into a smirk.

"Wha' you need boy advice? Bout Carl? Cuz I'm no good at stuff like-"

"No, no nothing like that. I don't even like Carl like that and-"

"Mhmm sure..." he said, dragging out the r in sure. I laughed and rolled my eyes.

"Anyways, this may sound strange but... umm I think you knew my mom..."

"Why do ya say tha'?" I took my locket off and handed it to him. His eyes widened when he saw it, it was like he knew exactly what it was. I watched as he opened it. A single tear streamed down his face when he saw the picture. He quickly wiped the tear away, not wanting to show vulnerability. "I- is... she dead?" He asked. I felt a pang of guilt and sadness in my chest of what I was about to tell the blue-eyed man.

"Yeah..." I said sadly. He didn't say anything he just stared at the picture. The worst part is I have to continue about how I think he's my dad. I'm going to sound crazy, I don't even know how to word it. "There's one more thing..." He looked up from my locket and look at me. "My mom told me to find you for a reason."

"Wait she told ya to find me? Why?" He asked. Damn it I forgot to mention that part, I guess this just makes it more awkward. Umm you're my father? Yeah how would he react to that? How would anyone react to that? You're a crazy bitch that's how...

"I... I... uhhh I think you're my father."

"Why do ya sat tha'?" He asked, I could hear the confusion in his voice. Yeah, you're in a picture with my mom so I instantly think you're my dad.

"My names Avery Dixon..." The expression on Daryl's face changed quickly. It went from sadness to I don't even know. "My mom gave me this locket before she died; she said to find my dad. She said he'd recognize this locket." Daryl rushed over to me and pulled me in for a hug. I now know what his expression was, happiness. I wasn't expecting to be hugged, especially from Daryl Dixon but I hugged him back. "Do you recognize it?" I asked, still in his embrace.

"I gave it ta her fer her birthday when we first started dating." He confessed. I closed my eyes and felt his arms tighten around me. This all felt too good to be true. I have a dad. I have a family, and I'm not gonna let anything take it away from me, not this time.