Too Far Gone // Carl Grimes

Chapter 23

COMMENT and VOTE

I pull my bag off my shoulders, setting it down on the heavy metal table and look around the shed.

I could hear the light sound of rain hitting the tin roof of the shed. It had a pretty sound to it, and we needed the rain.

There was a hammer setting on a raggedy, makeshift shelf. A old office desk was next to it. A sharp, metal tool was hanging on the wall. I didn't recognize what it was but it looked dangerous. A hole in the shed was blocked by old, wooden planks. A handheld axe sat on the table. I picked it up and put it in my bag.

Now that you have a weapon, you can survive on your own. You need to get those stitches and get out of here.

I look around the shed once more and a plan quickly forms in my head.

I climb on the desk next to the shelf and steady myself out, attempting to reach the hammer. I reach a far as I can and soon realize I can't reach it.

I let out a loud, frustrated groan and rethink the plan. There was no other way out of here. It was get the hammer or die. I back up on the desk and take a running leap towards the hammer, grabbing it as I come down.

I land in a kneeling position, holding the hammer in my hand. I smile and stand up straight.

It felt good to have a plan. Something to look up too. If my plan goes right I could get those stitches and get out of here. Leave this place and find my group. It should be easy.

I quickly make it over to the wood nailed to the wall and put the hammer at the end, pulling the wood. A couple hard pulls and the wood comes off.

"Yes!" I exclaim in a hushed tone. I stand up, grabbing my bag and slinging it over my shoulders.

I crawl through the hole in the shed and see the cabin. The rain that had started pouring harder starts to wet my hair and clothes. I bite my lip nervously and start towards the cabin.

Now for the hard part..

I walk around the house, looking for any way in. The front door wasn't an option and I'm sure the back isn't too.

I crawl under the cabin, clicking on my flashlight. I look above me for any signs of a way in and see a latch. The frustrated look leaves my face and is replaced by a smile as I grip the latch.

I take a deep breath and slowly lift the hatch, looking into a dark basement, the only light being the one coming from the gap under the door. I turn my flashlight off and climb through the hatch, shutting it behind me.

I make my way to the door and lay down flat on the floor, looking under the gap. I didn't see anyone's feet in the next room so I stand up, opening the door slowly, making sure not to let it squeak.

I close it behind me and look around.

The couches looked new and clean. The wooden floors were scratched to Hell and back. I could see the front door and I was standing right next to the stairs. I could hear voices coming from the kitchen so I made a mental note not to go anywhere near there.

I turn to climb up the stairs, careful not to make any noise.

I make it up and look down the hallway. I go into the first room I see. It happens to be a bathroom. The green colored shower curtain was pulled open.

I open the mirror cabinet. There was a needle cushion with a needle in it and some wire laying next to it. I grab them and look through it one more time, not seeing anything I need.

The sound of footsteps coming up the stairs startle me and I turn to the shower, jumping in and closing the shower curtain.

The bathroom door opens and I can make out the form of a pregnant woman. Rebecca.

She turns on the water in the sink and puts her hands in it, splashing it on her face. She looks up at the mirror. "Oh Lord please let it be his. Please." She sighs deeply before leaving the bathroom.

I wait a few minutes before stepping out quietly and stuffing the needle and thread in my bag. I leave the bathroom carefully and quietly, looking down the hallway.

Needle. Check.

Thread. Check.

Peroxide. That's what I need.

I slowly open up a door in the hallway, looking inside.

No one. Thank God.

I make my way in there quickly and shut the door. The bedroom was small. I move towards the desk drawers and pull the open. The first one holds a set of walkie-talkies. I take them and put them in my bag. The second drawer held a small, golden watch. I pick it up and look at it.

There was no use for these types of things these days.

I set it back in the drawer and open the third one. It held some paper towels and peroxide, pain killers, bandages, wrap, and Neosporin. I take all of it and put it in my bag.

I smile, satisfied, and turn back around to leave the room. I open the door and look down into the living room. The older man, Pete, and the dark skinned man, Alvin, were coming out of the kitchen.

"Fuck," I curse under my breath, closing the bedroom door back. I look around the room for a window an spot one. I hurriedly make my way to it and pull it up. My skin meets the icy air and I shiver, pulling my jacket tighter to me and climb out the window.

-

Once I'm back to the shed, I dump the medical contents down on the desk.

This is gonna hurt like Hell, Dixon. You better be ready.

I take the peroxide and start to pour it on the bite, stinging it as soon as it hits. I whimper and drop the bottle, spilling the rest of its contents onto the sheds concrete floor. The peroxide bubbles for a minute but then quits. I sigh, breathing in and out deeply.

Next the stitches..

I take the needle and hold it up, carefully putting the wire through and taking a deep breath. I stick the needle through the opened skin, whimpering then continuing.

My face is hot with tears by the time Im done. I break off the wire and tie it up, stuffing the needle and wire back in my bag. I take the wrap and wrap it around my arm to keep it safe.

I gather my things and take the axe out of my bag, holding it in my hand as a weapon. I zip my bag back up and crawl out of the shed, quickly making my way away from the cabin.

I'll find my group. I'll do whatever I have to do to survive. To make it back to my family. Hell or not.