𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝟐. carl grimes

26 - ALWAYS

Rick made a deal with the Hilltop people. He told me and Carl all about it when they came back, and now he's at the church with everybody else, discussing it.

The people from Hilltop are giving half of what they have to this man named Negan and his men. The deal is, we get half of the food Hilltop owns and we kill Negan and all his men. I don't necessarily agree with this, there's been more than enough killing that happened. But, if Rick and the others don't do it, Hilltop will take back what they gave and eventually, Negan and his men will find us and enslave us just like the people from Hilltop.

"If they're going tomorrow," Carl starts as we sit on his bed. "Will you go?"

I sighed and shook my head. "No. I'll stay here and keep Alexandria safe. Keep Judy safe. You?"

He released a breath. "Well, do you want me to?"

I don't want him to, I don't want anyone to have this fight, but it's not my call. Even if we don't fight, Negan will find us. I don't know if there's another way to solve this. Daryl, Abraham and Sasha already took down some of Negan's people that they came across along the road, so Negan's probably hunting us down as well. There's only one choice here, and that's to fight to kill.

"No." I told him honestly. "But, it's your choice. I don't wanna stop you if you want to help."

Carl takes my hand in his, kissing it before sighing. "I'm not going. I'm staying here, with you and Judy. My dad will understand. He probably won't let me come anyway."

"Kids, come on down!" We heard Rick's voice from downstairs.

We stood up and rushed downstairs, seeing my mom, Rick and Michonne all down there.

"So?" I asked.

"We fight tomorrow." Rick states, making me sigh. "You two are staying here, keep everybody safe just in case."

Carl and I nod at the same time, before I turn to my mom. "Can I sleep over?"

My mom nods. "Of course, it's still your house."

I nod before they all disappeared into the kitchen. I told Carl I'm gonna be with him tomorrow, I just want to be with my mom before they leave, just in case things go south. I'm not saying she'll die, but I think they won't come back fast. Carl understands and we kissed quickly, before I followed my mom out the house. I don't know why, but I'm getting this feeling that I should sleep at my mom's.

Later that night I sneaked into my mom's bedroom and sleep next to her. It's not the same warmth and comfort that Carl gives me, but it's alright. I was on the verge of falling asleep, when I felt my mom moving. I saw her get out of the room, but I didn't stopp her, too sleepy to even move. I just closed my eyes and went to sleep.

— next day

They left pretty early, I woke up to them loading up in their vehicles. I'm glad I had the chance to see my mom before they left. I figured that Carl's still asleep, so I went to the house and up to his room. I was right.

He was laying flat on his back, mouth slightly open as soft snores escaped his mouth. I smiled before taking off my boots and getting on top of him, laying my head on his chest and wrapping my arms around him. Carl stirs and wakes up, I laid my chin on his chest as he sleepily smiles down at me.

"Good morning." He greets with a husky, raspy voice.

"Sleep more." I said before laying my head down again. "I love you."

"I love you more." I heard Carl say and a soft smile plasters itself on my lips, before I fell asleep to the steady beating of Carl's heart.

— later