"The Dahlonega Dead" (Carl Grimes FanFiction)

Episode 16: Should We Stay?

                “Gabby.” She extended her hand as we walked out of the building. I looked at Carl’s red cheek and felt like I betrayed him when I shook her hand. She wasn’t holding a grudge so I saw no reason to be offended.

                “Audrey. And that’s Carl.”

                “How long have you two been here?” She asked as her brother hid behind her and started tapping her shoulder.

                “A day?”

                She became a bit uneasy.

                “How long have you been here?” Carl asked as he walked in front of me.

                I bit the inside of my cheek.

                “Well…you see, we’ve been here for months…and by we, I mean…my brother and I and…others.” She looked around like she was paranoid. “You probably won’t be able to stay here.” She looked us in the eyes.

                “What? Why?” I asked cautiously.

                Her brother started to tap her shoulder a little harder and then shook his head.

                “Listen…you don’t want to stay here.”

                I felt my heart beat a little faster, then suddenly, I felt Carl’s hand touch mine and I couldn’t swallow. My mouth went completely dry.

                Gabby just raised her eyebrows and went from me, to Carl, me to Carl, me to Carl, gosh she just wouldn’t stop looking between us both.

                “Uhhh….” Her brother moaned.

                “I don’t know why you’re telling us to leave, but if it’s ok, we’d like to, wait and talk to the rest of your group. See if we could stay.”

                A sadness overtook her eyes and she slowly nodded. “Ok. You can hang with us till then.”

                I pulled away from Carl’s touch and followed her and her brother.

                “So, why aren’t there any walkers here?” I looked around the town.

                “We figure it’s because not many people go to the mountains, food sources are scarce and the climate. This place is pretty cut off.” She stopped and we all looked down the hill overlooking the college. “Except the college.” She looked back at Carl and I. “No one’s gone in there. We actually think some students passed away in there and were shut tight. Don’t ever go there.” She warned.

                A cold wind blew next and the place became…undoubtedly haunting.

                She kept walking, and my eyes just stayed on the vast college. Carl walked up to me and followed my eyes.

                “Do you think we should stay?” He whispered.

                “I don’t know.” I whispered. “I’m getting a strange feeling from this place.” I bit my lip.

                He looked down. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.” He whispered.

                A shot of electricity hit right through my stomach in a vertical sense. My heart beat was out of control. I slowly started counting in my head trying to calm down. It wasn’t helpful that his eyes were just on me.

                “Nothing’s going to happen.” I could’ve said that with a bit more enthusiasm…

                As we continued up the road, something stopped both Carl and I in our tracks.

                I exhaled and let my mouth drop open.

                There was a huge and brand new structure right in the middle of the square. It was a hangman’s noose. Up a few stairs onto a platform and then the noose just hanging. I looked and saw Gabby and her brother right next to it.

                “What is that for?!” I looked at her.

                “We don’t use it! Sometimes we get bad people over here, and they have to go.” She looked like she was ridden with guilt.

                Carl and I both slowly walked towards her and looked at the thing. “When do you expect your group back?” I swallowed.

                “Maybe a few days?”

                “Why are you back?” Carl looked at her with cold eyes.

                “My brother was slowing them down. We came back early. When we hunt for food, all of us go.”

                “How many are you?” I asked.

                “About 5.”

                This put me at ease, but…

                “Since the place is pretty much paradise, you can choose any of these houses. We have a professor in our group. He even worked a generator so, we have some running water. It’s not that hot though. We have a lake and a few other things so, whatever you need.” She held her brothers hands.

                I felt a cha-ching go off in me. Running water?

                I looked behind me and saw a white house up a hill. Well, many different buildings that looked different but the same.

                It was like this place was closing in on us. Like a death was about to swallow us whole. Gabby just started to back away with her brother.

                “We’re in that house over there…” She looked at us cautiously. “Knock if you need anything.”

                And like that she just disappeared. Carl and I were just standing there now. This place was quiet. Quiet enough to kill you. I looked up at the noose swinging back and forth in the wind.

                I turned and started towards a house that seemed to be untouched and Carl quickly followed. That’s right. We have to stick close.

                This place wasn’t paradise. It was a ghost town. And yet, I didn’t see a reason to leave. Am I being stupid? Am I…killing us?

                I turned quickly and Carl bumped into me. He just kept those eyes on me, questioning my actions. “Do you want to leave?” I asked him.

                He just stared at me. “Do you?”

                It was like…a dream. Like there was no one in the world but us, and, it didn’t have to make sense. It was ok that it didn’t follow logic…because, dreams are supposed to be nonsensical… But…what’ll happen when we wake up?

                I turned around, went up some stairs, walked in, and Carl shut the door.

                We’re home. For now.

_______

Mystery, Danger, and most of all, Love. SO, Comment, Vote and most of all, Share. XD