This Isn't Real (Carl Grimes fanfic)

Ch.4 prison

The whole car ride was silent. "Where are we going?" I asked. "We're going back to the prison." Rick replied. "The prison?" I curiously asked.

"Our group stays at a prison." Carl said. "Oh." Was all I managed to say.

Our eyes met, but then I quickly looked away. "You can't fall for anyone, not now, not yet." I thought to myself.

We arrived at the prison. A young woman with short brown hair opened the gates. We quickly drove in.

"Come on, you'll get to meet everyone." Said Daryl. I was nervous, but then Carl put a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

I smiled at him, and he smirked back. I looked at his eyes, and I thought, "I can't fall in love, not yet, not now."

Rick introduced me to the group, and I was going to share a cell with a girl named Lizzie, but her sister Mika already shared it with her. I took the cell across from Carl.

I cradled Judith in my arms, and then handed her to Beth. "Do you have any weapons?" Asked Rick. "All I have is this small knife. My gun has no ammo, and I don't know how to use it." I said

The gun was really my dad's. I tried to hold back the tears. "We'll show you how to use it, but we can't actually fire it. The sound will attract more walkers." He replied

"Can I help her?" Asked carl. "You can, but Carol and Glenn will be there to." Rick said in a tired voice.

Carl had a disappointed face, and Glenn and Carol just nodded at Rick. Everyone started going back to their cell, when a heard a cry.

I walked over to Rick's cell, and saw Judith crying in her crib. I motioned for Beth to follow, because she seemed like the only person to calm her down.

I slowly walked to my cell. And brushed my fingertips over the bars of all the other cells. I looked at Carl, who was asleep. "Wow, he's so cute." I thought to myself. "You can like him, but it will definitely stay a secret."

I set down my gun and knife and put my hands over my face. I'm just a thirteen year old girl, that can't defend herself, or anyone else. I just use others to fight for me, to protect me.

I got up, and laid down. The cell was small, but at least it had a thin mattress sort of thing in it. It wasn't very comfortable, but at least I felt a little more safe.

Carol then stepped in, and sat down at the edge of my bed. "Sorry to wake you. Carter...right?" She asked. "Yes, my name is Carter, and don't worry, you didn't wake me." I softly said.

"I know you might feel a little unsafe, or unsure, but our group will always protect you." she whispered.

"But that's what I don't want... I should be able to fight for myself." I replied.

"You may think that you have to fight for yourself, or prove that you can be on your own, and that is true. Even children have to learn to fight in a world like this. But you're still young. Too young to be going through any of this. None of us should be going through this." She said

"I'm going to help you toughen up. I helped Lizzie and Mika, so I can help you." She said in a calming voice.

"Have you had any children?" I asked, way too sudden.

"Well yes, I did. My daughter's name was Sofia. She was being chased my a walker, and ran off. We looked for her for a few days, and then saw that she turned, and we couldn't do anything about it." Carol said, her eyes tearing up.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-" I was cut off. "Don't apologize, you're just curious." She replied.

"How about you get some sleep." Carol said, with her and on my knee.

I nodded, and watched as she closed the cell door behind her, and walked away.

"Maybe I can be safe here, at the prison." I thought to myself. I was meaning to ask Carol if Carl was a good fighter. Even though I knew he probably was.

I closed my eyes, and fell asleep. Then my eyes opened, I shot up, and ran out off my cell.