A Long Way From Home//Carl Grimes

Chapter 19 - Trust

Cassie's pov

I look into the eyes of the tall, dark eyed boy. He looks about 17 years old. Just like Carl. He doesn't look scared. Not even a little bit. Even though he's surrounded by brand new people staring at him. He's covered in dirt and blood and looks as if he hasn't eaten in weeks.
"Carl, please take Liam to get something to eat." I say, smiling. Liam looks at me, but he seems too shy to keep my gaze.
"I-I can't eat your food." Liam chokes out. It seems forced, I can tell he wants food.
"You're one of us now. It's your food." I say with a kind smile. I know how hard it is being the new person. I felt the exact way when I first got to the prison. Luckily, I had Carl to help with that. I'll try and be the one to help out Liam.

Liam looks at me and nods, uncomfortably. Carl starts to lead him over to our pantry.
"Carl, send him by my apartment when you're done." I say, quietly. Carl nods and keeps walking.

-

I hear a knock on my door and I get up to answer. When I open, I see Carl and Liam.
"Take a seat." I say to Liam. Carl begins to follow, but I put a hand on his chest to stop him.
"No. I want to do this alone." I say, sternly.
"Are you sure? He could be dangerous."  Carl says, looking directly into my eyes. "I'm pretty sure if I was dangerous, I would have done something already." Liam says. That's the first time he's truly talked. Carl rolls his eyes.
"I'm sure, Carl." I say, stubbornly. He looks at me for a second before kissing me goodbye. While he's walking away, he looks back once more. I give him a reassuring smile and close the door. Liam is sitting down on a small chair near the corner of the room. I take a seat closest to his and look at him for a second.
"I know how hard this is."
"Do you really?"
"I was in the same situation. Back about a year ago. I found Carl and the others at a prison. I was the new person there."
"Yeah. I guess you do get it."
"Where are you from?"
"I don't want to talk about it." Of course. But, I need him to talk. So, I continue on.
"Just talk to me. That's all I need."
"You don't understand what I've been through. I lost everything."
"So have I. You and I are very similar." Liam looks down and tries to avoid my eyes again.
"I like to be outside. I don't like being enclosed in one area." He says, quietly.
"We could go out there right now if you'd like." I say. He looks up and his eyes flicker with excitement. I nod towards the door and he gets up to follow. I lead him back towards the gate and get many odd stares from curious Alexandrians.
"Can you stay here with Rick for a second?" I ask Liam and he nods back in agreement. I can see Rick look at Liam suspiciously. I walk into Carl's house and find him sitting in the large living room reading a comic book.
"I'm taking Liam outside the walls." I say, pulling my sidearm out of it's holster.
"No way." He says, putting down the comic book. He's babying me again. Carl tends to do this. It happens to be the root of most of our arguments.
"Yes. I am. I need to find out who he is." I say, angrily.
"Then let me do it!" He says. I shake my head no.
"I'll be back by 7. Don't worry. I still have your present." I snap. He never can understand me and that's a very big problem. I walk outside and look at Liam. I nod my head towards the gate and he follows me again. Rick opens it for us and he pulls me into a hug.
"Be careful. Be safe." He says, pulling away. I nod and turn my head back towards Carl's house. I see him standing at the window and he puts his hand on the thick glass. I can see him mouth 'Be careful' and I give him a small smile. He's learned to not come after me when our arguments happen like this. I then take a deep breath and walk outside the gate. I haven't been out here in a while, but it feels good. I'm finally free.
"Who did you lose?" Liam asks me. Now he wants the answers.
"My mom and dad. They got eaten. My little brother, James. He got bit too. I had to do it before he turned. My sister, Becca, got bit too. Fever killed her. Kat and Jason are my siblings too. I've lost people in this group along the way. So many people. But I've learned to live with it." I say, quietly. I can see each and every single one of them dying, like I'm reliving it.
"I'm sorry." He says, looking over at me. I look back and see that he's a lot taller than me.
"What about you? Who did you lose?"
"My parents. Friends, I guess. But mainly my parents." He says, quietly. I just nod my head. I get what he feels. I've been through it a bunch of times.
"Crap. There's at least 10 walkers up ahead. I'll lead them away." Liam says.
"No way. I'll help."
"No. I'll be right back." And with that, he takes off running towards the small herd. I shake my head and watch as the walkers slowly drag their feet towards him. Suddenly, I feel a hand on my shoulder and I whip around to see four walkers staring at me like I'm a feast. Then, my eyes grow wide as I see the closest one put it's teeth on to my thin flannel shirt.

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AYE CLIFFHANGER. I'LL START WRITING MORE CHAPTERS AS SOON AS I GET MORE READS AND VOTES❤️ -L