The Girl Next Door • Carl Grimes

Chapter 86: Ignorance Is Bliss

Grace

I stared into the eyes that I once knew. The eyes that used to tuck me into bed every night. The eyes that made me a warm glass of milk when I couldn't sleep. The eyes that taught me how to ride a bike. The eyes that visited his best friend in the hospital every single day after he had been shot. The only thing was that those weren't the same eyes. I didn't recognize the person in front of me.

I'd spent all this time thinking that my dad was dead. I always wished that he wasn't dead, but now that he was standing in front of me, being a part of the worst day of my life, I wanted him to be dead again. I wanted him to remain a hero in my mind. But this man was no hero, this was a villain.

I saw the shocked look on Carl's face. I then looked over at Rick who was kneeling right in front of my father. He couldn't believe it. None of us could. The only thing was that nobody else in the lineup knew who that man was. It was only the three of us.

My dad's mouth opened like he wanted to say something. But he didn't. I'm glad he didn't. Who knows what Negan would have done if he knew I was his "left hand man's" daughter.

The gravel that was digging into my knees was starting to hurt.

"Oh, come on guys. Don't be scared of little old Jeff here. He doesn't talk much, he'll probably only talk about finding his damn kid or something." Negan laughed then looked back to Rick who looked angrier than ever.

"I'll be right back," Negan grunted as he pulled Rick by the shoulder, "Maybe Rick will be with me." Negan said as he dragged Rick over to the RV and threw him inside.

Everyone gasped and started crying in horror. Negan couldn't kill Rick. He couldn't! Not after he just killed Abraham and Glenn. That's when I started to sob. It almost sounded like I was screaming. It hurt so bad, I could hardly believe it.

I felt so many things at once. And my father just stood in front of us as I cried. He looked like he wanted to come over and comfort me, to be a father to his baby girl. But I think he knew that I wasn't his anymore. Not after what had happened.

I dropped my hands onto the ground so I was sitting on all fours, my legs growing too weak and tired to hold up the rest of my body. I was letting out the most heartbreaking sobs. Everyone in the lineup turned to look at me and they all just cried with me.

"Grace, baby-" Maggie looked over at me, tears streaming down her face.

"Oh my god. No, no." I wailed.

Carl placed his hands on my back and pulled me back up into a sitting position.

"Grace? That your name?" Simon crouched down in front of me with a creepy smile.

"Why do you care?" I furrowed my brows and scowled at him.

"Jeffy over there's always talkin' about his daughter. Grace." Simon smirked at me.

I didn't respond. I looked back at the gravel and I balled my fists up, swallowing my words.

"Cat got your tongue?" Simon placed his finger under my chin and tilted my face up.

"Just leave her alone." Carl shouted.

"Was that back talk? Come on Jeffy, I think you ought to make an example outta him." Simon looked angrily at Carl.

"They're just kids! Leave them out of this." Aaron said in our defense.

"Yeah, well that shit doesn't matter anymore." Simon said as he handed a knife to Jeff.

"That's enough, Simon. They're just kids. Negan wouldn't actually want you to hurt a kid." Jeff pushed the knife away.

"You never had a problem with hurting anyone before. Wait, shit! Is that your daughter? Is that the Grace?" A sickening evil grin plastered upon Simon's face.