can't help falling||c.g DISCONTINUED

thirty three

"Don't leave something good to see if you can find better. Once you realize you had the best, the best will find better."

***

"I-I-I can't," I stuttered out.

Memories of that night flooded back.

Looking down at what I've done. Her face was a bloodied pulp. Nothing left except for a crimson pile of brains. It was terrible to look at and even worse to think I did that.

"What happened back there?" Carl asked me, obviously concerned.

I haven't been outside, and I don't want to leave my bed.

"I killed someone."

"You've told me that. We've all killed someone. It was for survival," Carl said, trying to make me feel better.

"But I didn't stop. I could have stabbed her once, and she would be dead. I-I kept going. When I stopped, it was—,," I trailed off while starting to cry.

"She wasn't the only one. We also burned people alive!" I exclaimed, really getting upset.

"Every night, I hear screams. They are just taunting me. The things I did back there, I just can't believe it. I want this to be over!"

"We've all done things that we aren't proud of. Things to survive. Things to protect the ones we love. This is how the world is. I know it's scary. I'll help you through it. I'm always here for you," he said into my ear, his breath tickling my neck, sending shivers down my spine.

I nodded and let out a deep breath. I thought I could do this. I thought I could kill to survive. I can't. I'm not strong enough. This place is making me weak. He didn't say anything, just stroked my hair and held me close to him. I flinched as he was holding me tightly.

"What? Did I hurt you?" He asked and pulled away.

"When I was back there, a man hurt me. Just kicked me. I'm fine," I said reassuringly.

"No, I'm taking you to Denise," he said while helping me up.

"Really, I'm okay," I said.

"No. come on," he insisted, and we walked to the infirmary.

"Why didn't you come sooner? How did you deal with the pain?" Denise asked while studying where the man had kicked me in the stomach and ribs.

"You broke two ribs," she said while gathering supplies.

"I did?" I asked, a little surprised.

"See? You should've come sooner, Sky," Carl said.

"You'll need to rest. Just try to ice it and restrict too much movement," Denise smiled at me.

"Thank you. I appreciate it," I said, and Carl left the room to get something.

"So, how are you and Tara?" I asked and wiggled my eyebrows.

"We're good. She said she loved me, but I didn't answer," she said sadly, disappointed.

"Do you love her?" I asked. She nodded.

"I really do."

***

"Daryl, hey," I said while walking up to him.

"Oh, hey," he said to me.

Carol and he were sitting, and both were smoking a cigarette.

"Nice bike," I complimented, and he nodded to me.

They were talking about when a while ago, people tried to take Daryl. I wasn't paying much attention. Carol got up and started to leave.

"Hey. What did the guys who took you, Sky, and Maggie do to you?"

"To us? Nothing."

***

"Faith got me through the death of my daughter," she said back.

I looked up, confused.
Carol had a daughter?

"Carl," I said while waking up.

He turned to me and smiled.

"Morning," I said and stretched.

"How'd you sleep?" He asked while fidgeting with a gun.

"Good. I have a question," I said, thinking back to when Paula held carol and me.

"Did Carol have a daughter?" I asked quietly. His face dropped.

"She did. Sophia."

My heart dropped.

She did.

"Wh-what happened?" I said, nervous to know his answer.

"I met her when we were leaving the city. It was the beginning. We were best friends. She reminded me of you. Then she got lost. When I was shot, Hershel fixed me, and Glenn found something in the barn," he said, speaking in almost a whisper.

"You don't have--"

I was interrupted.

"Walkers were in the barn. Hershel used to believe they were just sick people. Then Sophia walked out. She was in the barn the whole time we were there," he finished, a few tears slipping out.

"I had no idea. I'm so sorry. I didn't know you had been through all of this," I said, trying to comfort him.

"I'm sorry."

Sorry, this chapter is all over the place. I just wanted to fit a few ideas into one chapter. I hope you enjoyed it :)

Ellen Rose