The Life We Live

Chapter 8

The next day I got up early so I could look for Sophia. It's just me today, not even Daryl is coming, he has to stay behind to help Rick with some stuff. I packed my stuff and was about to leave when Carl ran up to me.

"Hey Rain, meet me in the barn tonight after everyone is asleep, and come alone. Bye" he said quickly, then walked away. He didn't give me any time to ask questions so I was left to wonder why he wanted to meet up.

I left to search for Sophia and was absorbed in thought most of the time. Why the hell does Carl want to meet in the barn, alone, at night. Then it dawned on me. He wants to hook up again. Or even worse, he wants to have sex. Hell no, that is not going to happen, my pants will be staying on tonight.

I was so absorbed in thought that I almost didn't see the walker coming straight at me. I quickly pulled out my knife and stabbed it. I returned to my thoughts and decided I'll meet Carl, but tell him I want to take things slow. I was pleased with my final decision and continued searching. When I realized I wasn't going to find anything I headed back to camp. By the time I got back to camp it was dark.

"Oh good you're back. I was starting to worry" said Daryl as he enveloped me in a hug.

"Yeah, I guess I just lost track of time" I mumbled.

I looked across camp and saw Carl staring at me, he gave me a thumbs up and I forced myself to smile. I felt my stomach churn, why am I so nervous about meeting up with him.

When everyone got into their tents and fell asleep I laid wide awake. I waited until I was sure everyone was dead asleep and quietly climbed out of my tent. I looked across the field to the barn and saw a figure standing there, probably Carl. As I headed over he noticed me and started walking towards me.

"Hey Carl, um there's something I need to tell you" I said as I walked up to him.

"Yeah well that can wait, there... there's something I need to show you" he said in a nervous voice. Out of curiosity I followed him as he scaled the barn and entered through one of the top windows. I gasped. Inside the barn were dozens of walkers. They noticed us and all clawed at the wall hungrily trying to reach us.

"Why the fuck is hershel keeping walkers in the barn?" I asked in shock.

"I have no idea" he replied.

"Well we have to tell the group" I said as I started to climb down.

"No, don't tell anyone yet" he emphasized. I sighed, maybe he's right, I guess Hershel is keeping it secret for a reason.

"Wait, is this why you wanted to meet me at the barn? I asked. Maybe he didn't just want to have sex after all.

"No there was another reason, but that can wait" he replied, I felt my stomach drop.

When we finally reached camp I climbed in my tent and sat awake all night, thinking about the walkers and Carl.

When morning finally came I sprung out of bed and started cooking some squirrel meat.

"Good morning Rain" said a voice from behind me, when I realized who it was I ignored her.

"How are you?" She asked, trying to make conversation.

"I'm fine, lori" I mumbled.

"Can I ask you something?" she asked. I shrugged my shoulders, not making eye contact with her. "Why don't you like me?"

"I like you" I lied. Even though I can not stand Lori, I can't tell her I know about her and Shane.

"It's just, you always seem so irritated and sometimes I feel like you're giving me the cold shoulder. I know Daryl can be like that, maybe it just runs in the family?" she suggested.