Incendiary: Carl Grimes Love Story

Chapter Thirty Five: Strangers

Maya's pov

I could still see the black smoke despite being mile away from Terminus. It practically invaded the sky with it's black shade of smoke. I turned back around meeting the eyes of Carl. He nodded his head at me and I nodded back knowing he just wanted to make sure I was okay. I had to be. I was beyond sleep deprived and hungry, but I had to just keep going. We'll find a place soon and until we did, I just had to stick to feeling exhausted.

" Let's take a short break." Mr. Grimes announced setting his things down and grabbing a bottle for Judith. I placed my bow on the floor before sitting next to them both.

" How's the hand feeling, Mr. Grimes ?"

He looked down to the hand flexing it a bit before smiling." Better." He answered before frowning at me." I never got to ask you. Why do you call me, Mr. Grimes ?"

I tensed a bit feeling my cheeks go red, but whispered a bit." Whenever an officer questioned me, I always said Mr. Since you were a cop, it was a habit."

He frowned even more." Why were you questioned by cops ?"

" Hey Dad." Carl quickly interrupted." Judith is clapping."

" She sure is." Mr. Grimes joyfully said watching his daughter clap her hands vigorously. He laughed at her before turning back to me." You can always call me Rick if you want. Cop is from the past world." He stated before getting up." I'll be back. Watch your sister."

Carl nodded feeding the small girl before looking up to me." Questioned by cops?"

" I tried multiple times to press charges on my mother." I answered.

" They didn't believe you ?" He asked and I shook my head looking back down to the ground.

" They did." I answered." But my mom slept with them and they dropped charges."

He sighed loudly rolling his eyes." Unbelievable." He snapped." What a bitch."

" Watch your fucking language." I insisted before we both erupted in a fit of laughter. It felt good to laugh after being so serious in Terminus.

" Everything okay ?" I heard and looked up to see Glenn walk over.

" Yeah."

" Here, Kiddo." He said handing us granola bars." Eat up. Don't need anyone fainting now."

" That would be cool to watch." I said seeing Glenn laugh before messing with my hair and getting back up. It didn't take long before we all got back up and walked until sunrise. Rick came back seeing the group surrounded around him.

" We'll camp out here for tonight. Rest up to move more tomorrow." He announced before everyone nodded setting up.

By night, I laid on the floor with Carl's arm around me and Judith right between us. I didn't mind it and I couldn't lie that I wanted Judith to be protected at all cost now. I looked down to the little baby and ran my finger over her chubby cheeks. I had hope for this little girl when she grew up. I could see her making us all proud and being badass just like her father and brother.

I turned my head looking over to see Daryl all by himself sitting on a rock and keeping patrol, so I carefully got off out of Carl's reached and covered Judith and him more with the blanket before making my way over. I sat down a bit awkwardly wanting to open my mouth and say something, but I was a bit afraid. I fiddled with my fingers before looking up to him.