"The Dahlonega Dead" (Carl Grimes FanFiction)

Episode 24: Nightmares and Nosebleeds

                Carl stabbed the bed then clenched his jaw. I stood in the corner of the room frightened at what he might do next. Another nightmare. I was in my room just sleeping peacefully when I heard him grunting and gasping and who knows what else.  Like he was in pain.

                I hurried over to his room and saw him having a nightmare. He was gripping his knife, fidgeting in his on his bare mattress after kicking off the sheets and blankets and let out a few whimpers.

                “Uh…no.” He whined. The then gripped his knife harder and stabbed the bed.

                “Carl.” I said softly.

                The moonlight shined through the window and he jerked his head back and forth. “No!” He yelled in his deep voice.

                “Carl!” I walked over and tapped him, then shook him holding down his wrist with the knife. His eyes burst open and he made a sharp inhale almost scaring me away.

                He fought to catch his breath as if he were being suffocated before. I looked him over and saw he was drenched in sweat. The pillow was moist, his hair soaked, his neck and shirt sticky from it.

                “Carl? What’s wrong?”

                He saw his knife, then looked at me with terror. “I’m gonna be sick.” He looked at me terrified as shivers started to shake his shoulders. I got him up, ran him to the window next to us, swung it open and a liquid burst from his lips as soon as he made the window sill. I rubbed his back trying to help him out. He gripped the sides of the window sill and then threw up again.

                I went behind him and wrapped my arms around his stomach and laid my cheek on his back. “It’s ok. Let it out.” I whispered.

                I felt his stomach go weird when he retched again. He was coughing a lot next. I couldn’t help but let tears fall onto his back. After two seconds of trying to contain myself and Carl breathing his way back, his hand left the window, and he placed his palm on my own hand. It was an odd sensation. His fingers on mine. My knuckles under his skin.

                I gave him some water and let him sleep in my bed since it wasn’t so soaked. I didn’t go back to sleep that night. I just led Carl to my pillow, cleaned his face with a small towel and covered him up till he was dreaming again. Only I hope this one will be a good one.

                I walked outside and felt the cool air surround me. My hand felt all tingly and hot though. I wanted to frown but, I also wanted to smile.

                I looked around then spotted the car again.

                Better than nothing. I strolled over and began tinkering with it. With luck this will turn out better than before. But, what should I do about Carl?

                I looked back at our house. How can I help him? What can I do?

                Before long, blood started to drip onto my hand. Nose bleed again.

                I let it drip for a few minutes until it was becoming dominant on my face. I sighed and wiped it away with my forearm and continued work on the car.

                But still the blood fell.

                Drip. Drip. Drip.

                …Drip.