A Rick Grimes Love Story

Chapter 9

Realizing that the sounds are coming from the house, both Carl and you run as fast as you can. As soon as the domain is in sight, you see that there are Walkers lining the side and, more importantly, the entrance to the house. Panic is the source of your speed now, its the only thing that's keeping you going. Faith has left a long time ago.

You can't loose Jessica again, especially since this time it will be forever. Your heartbeat rings through your head and adrenaline boosts you forward. The knob to the front door is unlocked, shit. Tears start to form in your eyes as you call for Jessica. A Walker comes up from behind the door and moans in your face. You grab the your gun and smash the slobs face in.

Carl comes up behind you and pushes you  into the house. He barricades the door with the couch and chairs that lay around the living room. Another Walker is intrigued by the noise that Carl is making, and like the other one, you bash its head in. Soon enough, there is at least 7 Walkers in your presence. You kill them off one by one.

Memories flood back to you again, you flinch in between each blood splatter.

Your brother is screaming from his room. Mom and Dad are with him as you can hear their screams too. Jessica is tightly in your arms crying her eyes out. There are multiple riots going on outside, angry activists and patriots fight about the sanity of America. Jessica screams and pulls your attention forward to realize that there is a pool of blood seeping through the crack of the door. You pull her into you and close your eyes, the noises pull you into a separate state of mind.  Jessica grabs your arm in fear that if she lets go, she will end up like her daddy and mommy.

"Are you okay?" Carl places a hand on your shoulder and looks at you.

"J-just fine." You lie.

"Let's go find your sister." Carl walks off.

You follow him upstairs shaking really hard. Carl goes to the left into a bedroom and you stray to the right into the hallway bathroom. You open the door and peer inside to see blood everywhere. Pictures and jars are broken everywhere. Tears start to form in your eyes as you investigate the bathroom. Nothing seems to really pop out at you, nothing that would scream "Jessica."

Walking out relieved, you look down the hall and see Carl jaunting down the hall with Jessica by his side. Your heart swells and joy over rides you. It would be the end of the world (again) if Jessica got bit. Just the thought of her enduring the pain that her brother, parents, and peers suffered hurts you so much. You run up to her and smile when she hugs your leg. A single tears falls down your cheek and you pick her up. She rests her head on your shoulder and whispers something inaudible.

Carl smiles at the heart warming sight and you smile back. He looks at the ground, and you could have sworn he winced a little. You open your arms to him and he looks at you. Honestly, he's done more for you and Jessica than your real brother has ever done for you.

"Come here you little booger." You joke and open your arms.

Carl looks up and smiles then walked into your side. There's a familiar feeling lingering around you, one that you haven't felt in a while. You feel safe. Safe, and sound.