SAVIOUR ↣ CARL GRIMES [ON HOLD]

Acceptance

I woke up again to find no one beside me. I felt a twinge of sadness but quickly brushed it off. I sat up and winced. I looked at my stomach that was now wrapped in a bandage.

It was definitely bruised. I realized I was only wearing a black sports bra and jeans. I was ok with the sports bra. Most of me was covered with a bandage anyway.

I slowly and steadily got up from the bed and walked out of my cell. I was surprised at what I found outside of it.

Just outside my cell bars, was everyone lined up waiting for me. I stared at them, confused. Suddenly, Carl came out of the group and wrapped me in a bear hug.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Rick give Michonne a look I didn't really understand.

"Carl, ow." I said at the pressure on my bruise. He immediately released me.

"Sorry." He said and turned back to the rest of the group. Rick stepped forward.

"Look, Mikayla, I know you and all of us never really..." He paused to search for the right way to describe my relationship with the group. "Got a long very well." He continued. I nodded.

"We all talked about it and we decided that what happened to you was terrible." He fumbled. I guess it was difficult for him to get point across.

He sighed. "What I'm saying is, we should be treating you like one of us instead of an outsider. Your family now." He said.

I was tough, but to be honest, I was tearing up. What happened to me shouldn't have happened. It was scary.

A tear fell down my cheek. I surged forward and hugged Rick. He was caught off guard but hugged back.

Soon a couple of kids joined in.

Them the rest of the group. Carl. Daryl. Maggie. Glenn. Beth. Hershel. Michonne. Sasha. Tyreese. Bob. Everyone.

"And don't worry, that prick Alex, won't ever touch you again." Daryl said and I smiled.

We just stood there hugging, as I cried into Ricks shirt.

I could trust these people.

I could let my walls down.

I was finally accepted.