Rapture (Carl Grimes X Reader)

Found.

Think.. Think..

Nowadays, thinking was hard. Thought would hurt you, forcing you to elicit traumatizing memories of when this all began. Terror had just proceeded to wash over your body, as the situation you were in started to sink in.

A herd of the dead ones could be heard shuffling their way towards the humble cabin which you were sheltered in. As they approached, the weary groans and snarls could be heard from the outside.

You squeezed your eyes shut and used the only self-defense matrix system you had. Quietly, you ripped out a lousy wooden plank from the floor. When you heard the slight creak and snapping noise, you squinted your eyes in utter horror that one of the dead ones had heard.

A few seconds passed, and to your relief, none of them heard. Heaving in, you placed the wooden plank inside the door handle, temporarily barricading you off from them. This strategy prevented them from opening the door if they tried. Unless they decide to break the door down.., but you shook that thought away as soon as it came.

Relaxation soared throughout you, and you gently sighed and sat down.

Silence lingered over the atmosphere, the only apparent noise being the trotting and subtle groans from the monsters.

Then, you began to think again. No words, just thinking. Drifting, in a grief so inhuman and demented. But you, a child, bearing such misery on her shoulders? Living in constant vexation, starvation, and thirst? It was, to say the least torture.

You hung your head down; a thought had passed. Your family. Your heart rate speeded up, and dread filled your thoughts. No.., no, no. No more thinking. You scrambled to your makeshift backpack, (It being luggage with sewed on straps.) and ripped it open. You desperately searched for a stuffed animal, something to ease the pain for the moment.

After digging for a good hot second, you pulled out a teddy bear you owned. Once it had begun, and your parents became aware, your mother shoved you into your home and told you to grab everything you needed. This means clothes, shoes, and any personal items. After a minute you returned. Your whole dresser being stuffed into your baggage. Along with that right teddy bears head popping out from the zipper.

Shaking your head from the trance of flashback, you returned to your hell of reality with a sad smile. Hugging your teddy to your chest, and wrapping your arms around your knees, a deep slumber overwhelmed you're worn out self.

You awoke to the sound of a voice. A rough voice, with a thick southern accent. It belonged to a male, and along with that view, you heard a feminine voice. You tuned into their conversation.

"Aren't you gonna.." The female one trailed off.

"Na" He said lightly. "He ain't hurtin' nobody."

To this sentiment, you crooked an eyebrow. Was he referring to you? He couldn't have. First of all, you weren't a he--

"Ain't gonna waste an arrow either. He made his choice, opted out." Confusion has struck you, now you were sure he wasn't referring to you but, somebody hanging? While you were searching for a safe haven, you must've not have taken a closer look at your surroundings.

"Let him hang." This was alarming and quite cruel in your opinion. You wondered how the lady would react to it.

It was silent for a moment, and you could hear the light trotting of what you assumed to be the women. This was followed up by desperate growls from the monster, which made you cover your eyes and duck your head.

"You wanna live now, or not?" He asked her. You put two and two together. You figured that she must've wanted to end it. I mean who wouldn't?. "It's just a question." The snarls grew louder, and you hear her reply with "An answer for an arrow."

"Fair?" She bargained. He gave in with a simple, "Mhm." and she answered his question with uncertainty. "I.. don't know if I want to live.., or if I have to or.. It's just a habit." She trailed off.

He sarcastically mused, "That ain't much of an answer." Abruptly, you heard a sling noise and a plunge. The growling has ceased. "Waste of an arrow."

"Hey, Daryl?" Oh, so that was his name. "Yes'um?" He questioned. The lady pondered for a moment, then asked. "Did you see that cabin?" Your heart stopped, and you held your breath. You cupped your hands over your mouth and shook your head. "Naw, it's late. We really should be headin' back 'bout now." You sighed a breath of relief, then immediately flinched upon realizing how loud it came out.

"If anybody's in there, come out with your hands up. Now." 'Daryl' said firmly. A shiver ran down your spine, and you didn't move.

"Damn it, Shane.." You heard the women mutter. Footsteps were then heard approaching the cabin. You scuffled through your bag, searching for a weapon. You ripped out a hunting knife your father had gifted you. Suddenly, you heard the door handle shake. "Somebody's barricaded themselves in there." He told his partner.

The women spoke, "We aren't going to hurt you." She sounded unsure of that statement. You kept still, ready in case they entered. Before you could react, the door boomed loudly, probably from a hard kick, and collapsed. A hunting crossbow was being aimed right at you by a scruffy looking man. Behind him, a scrawny woman with blonde hair. Those were the only features you could make out.

The mans gaze softened. "It's a kid," he grunted. You waved your arms in front of your thin body. "Please don't hurt me!" You cried. Tears started to prick at your eyes, and soon they began streaming. You didn't know these strangers, what if they robbed you, or.. or killed you?! The lady gazed at you and then approached you slowly.

She hovered over you, and you covered your face with your hands, avoiding sudden doom. Suddenly she knelt, and the man behind her shifted uncomfortably. You peeked an eye open hesitantly, and noticed that.. she was crying. You both were.

"I'm so sorry baby." You heard her hoarsely whisper. You were confused. They.. didn't harm you? The last person that had found you tried to raid you of what little you had. You remember running as fast as you could, leaving most of your precious belongings behind.

The man stepped forward, and had just swept you off of your blistered feet and began carrying you like a baby. He made a small head movement towards the woman, and she nodded abruptly. She picked up your "backpack," and began walking in silence. "Where are we going?" You asked, not even caring that they had just practically abducted you. And for the first time, you realized how broken your voice had sounded.