"The Dahlonega Dead" (Carl Grimes FanFiction)

Episode 37: Freedom, Is An Illusion

                “The only time my sister was a good person, was when she kept my father away from me.” I croaked out.

                Daryl just stayed still with his head slightly down.

                “Oh. I’m sorry.” I said as a tear ran down my red cheek. “You, don’t have to say anything.” I was about to take another bite, but the apple dropped from my hands and a vocal cry came from my mouth. I buried my face in my hands and then my knees soaking my gray pants.

                “I’m sorry!” I cried again and took a moment, looked into the sky and waited for a few seconds. “I’m alone now.” I wept.

                Daryl looked at me beside him, awkwardly lifting his hand and put an arm around my shoulders. I just gave up and let it all spill out, then turned into his shoulder and continued to hide my face.

                “You’re not alone. Not anymore.” He silently replied.

                Those words kept repeating in my mind over and over again.

                The only other sounds I heard was the fire crackling in the distance until it sounded into nothing. And nothing still.

                But…wait… that…isn’t true anymore. This was over a year ago.

                You’ll never have anybody but me Audrey.

                My father whispered in the dark as I tried to make my way to my room.

                Is that true?

                I love you.

                Carl?

                I want it to be true. But…nothing is the same. It never stays the same. It’s all…fake.

                My eyes burst open and I saw snow coming down once again out the window. It was late afternoon, sun white in the sky, and everything quiet.

                It’s been almost 2 months since I found out the truth about this place. It’s been a little, numb, ever since.

                Carl and I still stay in the same house together, but after that day, I’ve been shy towards him. At least it looks that way.

                More or less, I’ve just been…shrinking into myself. Strangling my feelings that made anything bearable. In truth, I was so scared by the way we felt for each other, I could never allow myself to be alone with him. I knew it’d only make things worse. Carl was mad at first, but left me be after the first month.

                I straightened and pulled on a large black winter coat that was in storage and slowly braided my longer hair, then walked over to Carl’s room.

                He’s already gone.

                I lowered my head and went down the stairs.

                This is what I deserve. No love, no affection by the only one I care about.

                I opened the front door and the cold air increased all over me. It was white as an albino out here. I slowly went down the steps hearing the snow crunch beneath my new combat boots.