Don't Go Home Without Me [Carl Grimes/The Walking Dead fanfiction]

Alone

It's been a few days since our escape from Terminus. Rick decided we should rest for a little while before getting back on the road, but that time had passed and we were currently walking along the train tracks.

"Hey, Cassidy, I've got something for you." said Rick.

Puzzled, I jogged over to where he was. Carl was standing next to him, holding something.

"I managed to grab your knives when we were back at Terminus. I actually forgot about them until just now when Carl pointed them out in the bag."

My eyes widened. "No way! Really? Oh, thank you! Thank you so much!" I gave Rick a big hug and he chuckled.

Taking the sheathes, I strapped them back to my thighs. It felt so weird without them. Carl handed me each knife and I put one of them back in its proper place. The other I had a little fun with.

Standing about fifteen feet in front of a nearby tree, I looked around. "Okay, I haven't done this is a while, but here we go... Stand back in case this doesn't work."

Everyone took a step back, even Michonne who was already far enough away.

I pinched the sharp blade between my thumb and forefinger and skilfully threw it at the tree. I was surprised it actually stuck. Everyone cheered for me, except Michonne, who said, "Guess I'm not the only badass blade wielder anymore."

We all laughed, only to be interrupted by screams from nearby. Everyone froze, except Carl. He dashed past me, grabbed my knife from the tree, and headed into the unknown.

"Carl," Rick shouted.

The father raced after his son, and I after him. The others followed suit until we regrouped by a small pack of walkers surrounding a man on top of a large rock. Carl was busy, stabbing away at the walkers, so I joined in with my other knife.

After the area was clear, Rick helped the man off the rock and patted him down. He was a preacher that looked scared to death and slightly ill. I took a step back, bumping into Carl right as the man lurched forward and vomited on the ground where I had just been standing. Ew.

"Are you alone?" Rick asked after the man had composed himself.

"Y-Yes, alone. Completely alone."

After a few moments of intense silence, the preacher added "I-I have a place, not to far from here... I c-could take you there?"

Rick nodded and allowed the man to lead us to his place. We didn't walk very long; maybe five minutes, before nearing a small church. It was quaint and cute, hidden behind all the trees and nestled in a small clearing.

We walked in and I immediately took a seat on one of the back pews. I watched how Rick talked to the preacher. I kinda felt bad for him because he seemed so timid and scared, although I didn't blame Rick for being more harsh towards people we didn't know. Terminus made everyone a bit skeptical of people's true intentions.

My line of sight moved from Rick and the preacher to Carl and his sister. I had no clue why I even liked hanging out with Dean when I was at Woodbury. He was weak, but Carl was strong and I liked that about him. We didn't talk that much, but I hoped to change that.

Suddenly, I snapped back to reality and saw that Rick and a few of the others were gathering their weapons. Michonne walked over and let me know that they were going into town with the preacher for food. She asked if I wanted to go with them, but I shook my head.

"I'm worn out. If I push myself too much more I'll crash and it'll be bad."

"I know that feeling. Carol and Daryl left to look for cars but Tyresse, Abraham, Eugene, Rosita, Tara, and Carl and staying so you won't be alone."

After Michonne and the others left, I stood up and moved a few pews up, to be closer to the action. Tyresse and Bob were both relaxing while Carl held Judith. I'm not sure exactly where Carol and Daryl were, or when they'd be back. All I knew was what Michonne had told me.

"Whacha doin'?" Carl asked.

"Oh, not much. Just what ever the regular teenage girl does while corpses walk around outside."

There was a awkward pause and I mentally slapped myself for what I said.

"I see... How's your side?"

"It's starting to heal up. Luckily the cut wasn't too deep and Carol had those supplies."

Carl turned back around as the conversation died off. I wanted to keep it going but I didn't know what else to say.

Suddenly and out of the blue, I cussed. "Shit."

Everyone turned and looked at me. Even Judith, and she probably didn't even know what I was saying.

"What's wrong?" asked Carl.

"I just realised-" I pulled my backpack open and reached inside for something I should've given back a long time ago. "-that I still have your shirt." I went to hand it to Carl, but he stopped me.

"Keep it. I have another one, plus it looks better on you."

Tyresse cleared his throat and I slowly pulled my hand back. I was caught off guard by the compliment and froze. "Uh... erm... Thank you!"

Carl nodded and the corners of his mouth turned up into a very tiny smile. I felt my face redden.

I overheard Tyresse snicker and I scooted uncomfortably in my seat. Half of me wanted to jump up and scream for joy and the other half of me wondered if I really wanted to let myself develop feelings for Carl. I mean, I've already lost a lot and I'm sick of it. I don't want to lose anyone else. Plus he probably doesn't even like me. Hell, I don't even know if I actually like him! It's just all so confusing.

Standing up, I glanced around the room and spotted some doors. "I'm just gonna go look around a bit, okay?"

Tyresse and Carl nodded before I walked away. I didn't find much while on my little adventure, but at least it was something to do.

The first door led to Gabriel's office and bathroom while the others led to three small Sunday school rooms. I decided I'd poke around in the kids room to see if there was anything Judith might like to play with.

"Ooh, checkers!"

I picked up the checker set along with a small stuffed toy and made my way back to the others. "I found checkers and a little something for Judith!"

After approaching a sitting Carl, I kneeled down and handed the little bear to the baby. She happily took it from my hands and shook it up and down while cooing.

"I think she likes it." said Carl.

"I think so too. Wanna play checkers?"

Carl hesitated, but when Tyresse offered to take Judith he nodded. "Sure."

"I should give you fair warning. I'm the queen of checkers."

"Hmm, let's see about that."