Judith Grimes , a love story

Family

We arrived at the island in no time , so much quicker than the journey there. Dad checked the area before we got out of the car , he's always so protective, no matter what. When it was clear we made a dash for the woods to our left , we had to get to the concealed entrance quick , without leaving a trace. My dads made too many mistakes and been far too unlucky to be sloppy about hiding .
The boat was exactly where we left it , hoisted up a tree by the waters edge. Dad paddled  as I kept watch , it had become a ritual , when we went out on our trips. Ever since I was a little girl , dads always wanted to teach me about what life was like before,  about my family , my mom , my grandma , what their life was like before the walkers.He wants me to know who I am .
Flashback
" Daddy , I'm scared ." I squeezed my daddy's hand and he squeezed it back as we crept down the hallway of the house. My daddy checked every room we got to , when we came to the last , he swung it open. A monster crawled out , snapping it's  teeth at me , I clutched my knife in my hand , and squeezed my daddy's hand stronger with the other. I was about to kill it , like Carl showed me , but daddy got it . Once he checked the room again he led me to a big wardrobe in the corner of the room , Right next to a picture on the wall. The picture was of a lady , a pretty one. She had a little tiny baby in her arms , and a man had his arm around the pretty lady. The man looked like my daddy , but he had brown hair , not grey hair. I turned to look up at my daddy , he was looking in the wardrobe. " Daddy that looks like you !" I said to him , he smiled at me as he pulled out a big box from the wardrobe. Looking at the photo , he picked  me up so I could see it better , he pointed at the man . " that's me " he pointed at the lady " and that's your momma " he pointed at the baby " and that's Carl " . I laughed , looking at the tiny baby " that's not Carl ! That's a tiny baby , Carl's a big man ! And the baby has his eyes !!!" Daddy laughed at me , " Sweetie Carl was a baby once , just like you were . Judith , Carl lost his eye when he was a little bit bigger than you , once he had two eyes " Oh . Carl was a baby ! I hope I grow up to look big and grown up like he does one day, but with two eyes. I look up at my daddy again , confused about something . " Dada , when did mommy die ? " . Daddy was quiet for a minute . " Your mommy died when she was having you . She died because only you or her could live , and she picked you to live , your momma was very brave . But she lived her life , she was happy it was her instead of you . It's not your fault she died . She lived such a good life , look at these pictures ." Daddy carried me to the bed and put me down , then he put a big box next to me , opening it , he pulled out loads of little pictures . One was of  Dada and Momma , they looked really happy . " Here's momma on our wedding day , see her white dress , wasn't she so pretty?" I took the photo from Dada , staring at it . Then he gave me another , it was of Carl , I recognise him now , he looks the same , but smaller . Moma has her arms wrapped around him , and she's giving him a big kiss . " that's your big brother Carl's first day of school . He was so afraid , that your momma insisted on walking him to his room , and making sure he was sitting next to someone nice . She would of loved how brave you are Judith ." Daddy was crying , I got up onto his lap and wrapped my arms around his neck, looking around the room ." Was this out house Dada? It's a nice house ." , daddy laughed " yes it was a nice house , I was still paying off bills when the world ended ." I didn't understand that , so I just laughed . " Judith this was our family home , it's where we made all our best memories before this . Now we can't live here , because you won't be safe , but I wanted you to see it . So you could have these pictures , and know what your momma looked like . Judith I won't live forever, now don't get upset , I'm not going anywhere for a long time , but I'll die one day . Then it'll just be you and Carl , and Judith , I need you to live . I know it's a lot to ask in this kind of world , especially to a five year old , but you need to live . You'll survive this , I know it , I see it in you every day , your so strong Judith , you really are.
End of flashback.
Michonne opened the gate for us , grinning . I ran forward and she gave me a huge huge , before she kissed my dad . I went off to find Carl , he wanted me to tell him what the prison looked like , what's moms grave looked like . My brother wouldn't come , he said the memories were too painful . I can't imagine having to shoot my dad , even if he was dead and I was stopping him from turning . I shiver at the thought of me being the reason for Carl having to do that because of me.