"The Dahlonega Dead" (Carl Grimes FanFiction)

Episode 22: The People In Dahlonega

                “You’re saying…you found fresh walkers? How can you know when they’re fresh? Do, walkers have some sort of, expiration date?” The professor just eyed me after I burst into Vernetta’s office to tell her. They were doing some sort of business.

                “Where was this?” The red head looked at me.

                “Next to the road going down hill.” I glared a little at the Professor.

                “Well, I really don’t see any significance to it. But we’ll keep an eye out.” She assured me.

                That simple huh? I turned around wondering what else I should’ve said.

                “Oh, Audrey? Is Conroy annoying you any?”

                I turned to her. “No.”

                “Good.” She smiled.

                This kind of politeness really confused me. I turned around and just walked out and crossed my arms. The professor soon followed me out.

                “You’ll remember not to bother her again with this kind of stuff.” He said while looking down at me.

                I scoffed. “Isn’t she supposed to be notified about these kinds of things?” I smiled at him in a mocking way.

                “This kind of thing is irrelevant.” He adjusted his glasses.

                “What would you know?” I really don’t like him already.

                “I was a professor at college. I worked with some of the finest. I think I have enough common sense to distinguish useful and useless.”

                “You know I went to college too. All the professors were idiots.” I frowned at him. He just starred me over, then let his eyes examine my neck. I shifted a little after feeling he’d been there too long. Like he was groping me.

                I walked off but was stopped when he called out my name.

                “Audrey!” He just crossed his arms. “Have a nice day.” He smiled then went away.

                I raised an eyebrow then heard another older voice.

                “Don’t pay him any mind.” The granny of the group smiled at me. She waddled over and gave me a lollipop. “Here. It’s lemon.”

                I was about to grab it when I heard a loud a*s pow. I jumped and looked around.

                “Haha. Don’t mind that. It’s just Conroy out hunting.” She laughed as I grabbed my heart. “You ok?”

                “I’m fine. So, uh. What’s up with everyone around here? The professor is as moody as a woman.”

                “Oh him…don’t give him the time of day! He’s awful!” She frowned then smiled. I could tell she was a sweet heart. “Now, the story about Vernetta, is that she’s an ex-lion tamer.”

                My eyes went wide. “Lion tamer?!”

                I suddenly envisioned her with a safari outfit and a long whip in her gloved hands. It totally fit.

                “She once told me she was molested as a child.” Granny looked to the ground as she led me to her rocking chairs.

                “Molested?” That’s right. The world was sick, even before this. “She seems to be fine now.” I smiled. Granny didn’t say anything to that.

                “Now, Stark Leeland, the professor, is a book worm. He’s fixing that car over there with the help of a book he found a few weeks ago.”

                Granny pointed to a beautiful red sports car parked on the other side of the square with the hood popped open. I smirked.

                “Conroy Evic. He’s a nasty one. Ex convict.” She smiled again.

                “Yeah. I knew that.”

                “Then you met, Grant. The talkative boy. I really do like him. I’ve always wanted a son like him. But, I was never married. I’ve been alone most of my life. Now a days, I’m more in touch with people than ever.”

                I felt like crying I was so happy for Granny. But then again sad.

                “Tell me about, Gabby and Roy.”

                “Oh. Both sweet. That Gabby. She’s a strong one. The way she takes care of that brother.”

                I felt like I could trust Granny, so I leaned in and asked… “Can I trust her?” I whispered.

                Granny leaned back in her rocker and smiled. “Oh…dear…You can’t trust anybody.” She went back and forth. She put a finger over her lips as if she’d said too much.

                My face felt hot and my heart couldn’t slow down.

                “Granny!” Grant yelled running over with Roy close behind him. “Granny!” He stopped. “I picked some flowers for you.”

                “Uuuuh!!!” Roy stomped his foot.

                “We both did.” Grant corrected himself.

                “Oh! Thank you boys! I’ll put them in water.” She smiled.

                This should’ve been sweet… But, this place…It was getting creepy.

                “Audrey? Did you hear about the car?” Grant walked over to me after massaging Granny’s shoulders.

                “Oh. Yeah. It’s beautiful.”

                “You know, It doesn’t really belong to Stark. If you ever wanna work on it, the tools are in the  front seat. All yours.” Grant smiled and walked off leaving Roy behind.

                “I might just do that.”

                “Audrey.” Granny looked at me.

                “Hmm?”

                “Tell me about you.”

                I frowned. About me? No. No. I don’t want to. I can’t. She saw I was uncomfortable with her question. Maybe even ashamed.

                “Tell me about the boy.” She grinned.

                I looked at her. “The boy? Carl?” Here it comes. The butterflies. The chills. The warm heart. All of those things I feel every time I think about him.

                “He’s an orphan. But, he’s strong, and kind, even though he’s been through a lot. He’s, the best person I know. Or could ever hope to.” I blushed a bit.

                “Oh. Thanks.” Carl said from behind me.