A Spark (A Carl Grimes Fanfiction)

Drained

Carl's P.O.V
The days are always the same; nothing new. We've created a daily routine for ourselves and we stick to it. It's boring, but it works. It's better than worrying if today will be our last. It's better than living day to day checking over our shoulders for danger, whether the danger is in walkers, people, or even animals.

But that'd be the way to die, wouldn't it? A world full of deranged people and flesh eating corpses, and an animal of some sort takes you out.

Alexandria is safe.. Well, it was. They feared nothing, they have tall, strong walls. Why would they? Why should they worry with fear when they can hide from the rest of the world behind these walls?

The ignorance the people here had would've gotten them killed if we hadn't had came when we did. We saved them. They've finally woken up.

Now we're all worried, we're all scared. We don't have enough food or water, we don't have near enough medical supplies or ammunition to keep the community alive and well. To keep them safe. The big question everyone is thinking, but too scared to ask is: How the hell are we going to give Negan supplies if we don't have enough to support ourselves?

If we don't provide, Negan will begin to punish us. And I have this funny feeling that our punishment will death. I have a feeling that he'll kill one of us each time he shows up and we still can't provide. And eventually, who knows, he might decide to wipe us out due to our lack of payment.

Alexandria could cease to exist.
And that is a very terrifying thought.

"We can't continue to avoid this. We have to talk about it," Olivia pushes.

"I'm well aware of that, take a seat," Dad motions to the couch as he sits, "let's talk now."

They both sit on the couch in the living room. I'm hovering behind them, looking mindlessly out of the window.

"If we ration, we just have enough to last us five days at the most," Olivia states.

"How much do we have to give to Negan?"

"None. Unless you want to give him the rest of our food?"

Dad looks at Olivia rather annoyed. "Of course not, continue."

"Well, that leaves us with ammunition and medical supplies to consider. We are dangerously low on both," Olivia explains, "Denise has taken inventory, and she says we don't have the resources to save a life in an emergency. Carl was the last to get a full benefit. As for ammunition, well let's just hope Negan doesn't get too pissed off about the lack of supplies he's receiving."

"Yeah, let's just hope no one else gets shot in the eye either," I add.

Now it's my turn to receive an annoyed look from Dad.

"There's not much we can do then, huh?" Dad asks Olivia.

"Evacuate Alexandria. If the need be, of course that would be a last resort. We make sure women and children are sent to The Hilltop, the men can stay and fight," I suggest.

"What about The Hilltop, they can give us supplies!" Olivia exclaims.

"I doubt they will. Would you hand over supplies to a community only for them to hand it over to another community who absolutely does not deserve it?" Dad points out.

"It's worth a shot," I suggest.

"How are we on gasoline? Can we get there and back?" Dad asks.

"Yes, but without detours. Straight there and straight back. Rick, if we don't do something soon, we'll starve."

"I'm quite aware, but how? It's winter, crops aren't growing and animals are hibernating," Dad questions.

"Well.. Terminus got by with —"

"Shut it, Carl."

"Joking," I say annoyed, "Man, no one knows how to take a joke these days."

"Go find Michonne. She needs to be part of this. She's on patrol duty. Check at Glenn and Maggie's, I saw her walking in that direction earlier today."

I sigh and head towards the door, opening then closing it behind me. I don't mind wondering around and looking for her, it's always nice to get out of the house.

I like walking around alone, it gives me a chance to think and clear my head.

                           _________

As I walk up their front steps and up onto the porch, I hear muffled yelling. I know I should walk away and give them their privacy, but I let my curiosity overcome me. I press my ear to the door and strain as hard as I can to catch every word being said.

"...can't leave! That's ridiculous! We just got Carl back and Enid has just moved in with us! Where would she go? I'm not leaving here alone!" Maggie yells.

"I'm not saying we leave her! I wouldn't dream of doing that; she can come with us!" lowering his voice, Glenn continues, "Maggie just think about it. The Hilltop is better off than Alexandria, it's safer. Our..." but the rest of the sentence was drowned out by a voice behind me.

"What are you doing?" Enid asks.

"Shh! Come listen," I whisper, pressing my head to the door again.

"...safer there! We could be happy and worry free. Our family would be safe," Glenn finishes.

I give Enid a puzzled look, she shrugs in response. With both of us pressing an ear to the door, we return our attention to the feuding couple.

"I understand what you're saying, it makes sense. But we can't leave Rick and the rest of them. It comes down to loyalty, Glenn."

"Loyalty? Are you suggesting —"

"No, I'm not. We've been with them since the beginning. We can't leave, not with a threat like Negan out there."

"Maggie, you need food. You need prenatal care. You need a safe and stable environment."

"I need time to think this through, that's what I need," Maggie finishes.

Glenn seems to understand the conversation is over and doesn't reply, or at least doesn't reply loud enough for us to hear it.

"Maggie's pregnant?" I whisper to Enid.

Evidently she didn't know either. Her expression is just as shocked as mine, mixed with a little fear.

"Uh.. I should get going. I'm supposed to be looking for Michonne and she obviously isn't here," I say backing away from the door.

"Do I go in and act like I haven't heard anything?" Enid asks worriedly.

"This one's on you," I respond amused.

"Carl, we shouldn't repeat what we've heard, not until they're ready for people to know."

"Don't worry, I won't. I'll see you later," I say before walking away.

As I reach the road, I turn and see Enid entering the house.

Maggie's pregnant. Their having a baby.. Wow.

Beth would've been so excited, Hershel too. They would've loved this.

A.N.
I forgot today was Friday, I'm sorry I know I usually post in the mornings.
In English, we've been writing papers back to back about different short stories and it's a lot of work when you take into account that you have to balance all of that out with all of your other school work. I seriously need a breather. I'm so emotionally tired it isn't even funny.. I almost had a panic in class Wednesday because it got so bad.

Anyways, I hope y'all liked this chapter! I always like mentioning dead characters. (Still not over Beth's death tbh).
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