Love Like This (Carl Grimes Love Story)

Chapter 5

Carl's POV

The sun beat down my back as the day goes on. We had been walking down this same road for hours now. Dad said he knew where the most convenient store was, since we didn't find anything yesterday but a girl in an old house. Which I can't say that's a good find. Nor can I say it's a bad find. There hasn't been enough time to see whether she was friend or foe.

After her and I had our talk, dad called everyone down for a meeting. One of which we discussed where we were taking our run to, what we would get, and how long we would be.

They make plans to much. You can never be to sure if you can go out with it or not. Anything could happen, and then you have people back at camp dangling on by a string just waiting for you to get back with the things they need.

I turn to look back at the small group we had brought for our journey. There was six of us. Each person was doing something different.

Dad was ahead of the group. His watchful eyes looked out at what was ahead of us to see if any harm could come to the ones he cared for.

Daryl was in the back. His steps quite, soft. His body moved with ease as he gripped the stringed weapon in his hands. He too was watching the surrounding area.

Glenn and Maggie. You couldn't classify them as two different people for the majority of the time. It was normally if you saw one then you saw the other. Their hands were held together, not letting go for a second as they walk in sync.

And then there was her. Sydney. I wasn't exactly sure what to think of her. Was she an asset to this group? Or was she bad news for all of us?

She, also like Daryl, walked lightly. Her steps were clean as she picked up one foot after the other. Her breathing was calm. Her chest softly arose then fell. She was calm, unlike the first night we had met. It might have been from the security of a group by her side or the fact the she was trying to stay quiet.

"Hold up." I look forward to see dad hold his hand out as we reach the clearing. On the other side was a paved road and houses that connected to it by grey gravel.

It was quiet. The only thing that could be heard was the wind blowing past your ears. The only thing that could be seen was the dry leaves falling from the trees that once supported them.

"Alright. There's a store right down the road from these houses. It could be roaming with walkers or it could be clear. Be on your guard at all times. We are going to split into groups." Dad looked around the group as he announced what was to come. "Daryl's going to come with me on the left side of the store. We are going to grab jackets and shoes for everyone. Maggie and Glenn, you two are going to be in the center. You're going to grab some essential things. Toilet paper, tooth brushes, or anything else that might come in handy. Carl, you and Sydney are going to take the right side of the store. You're going to get food."

He looked at me with a warning look. His eyebrows were raised as he stared me down. I nodded my head, understanding that this was a big task ahead. Even if I did have to do it with her.

"Alright. Be safe now. If any trouble, we meet back here." He pointed to the exact spot we were standing. Everyone responded with a head nod or a yes. "Let's go then." He whispered.

The dry leaves crunched under my feet as I walked into the clearing. My gun was out in front of me as my sweaty hands gripped the wooden handle.

Each step taken was one closer to a mistake or a blessing. The place could be stocked full to the roof, or there couldn't be a crum left on the dusted floors.

A shoulder slightly bumped into me, causing me to look over at the clumsy person with anger.

"I-I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to." Sydney held her small gentle hands up as she went wide eyed. Her chest arose and fell as her breathing picked up. She took a few steps away from me to give me my space as I puffed out the air in my chest.