The final moments of Carl Grimes
A short one shot of Carl's final moments of life. I do not own anything!
-Rick Grimes is completely numb. He still can't process the moment he saw Carl's bite. One of the few things that tethers him to sanity is slipping away. He wants to cry and scream, but no sound escapes from his mouth. Michonne stands next to him in tears. Losing another son is something she never wanted to deal with again. All Rick can do is pull Carl into his arms, never wanting to let go. Michonne joins the hug too, and they grieve together as a family. After what seems like an eternity, Rick feels Carl's body growing hot. The fever is starting to set in, which means time is running out for Carl Grimes. Rick desperately wants to get him back to the Hilltop where he'll be comfortable, but he know it's still too dangerous to leave the sewers. He hugs Carl even closer.
Rick remembers how far Carl has come since the outbreak. Just an innocent young boy in the beginning, the experiences of their new world hardened him. He went through so many hardships, but always emerged as a ray of light. To Rick, Carl is still his little boy, and he always will be. He'll never see his son grow again. Judith won't remember who her brother is. She'll only hear stories about her brother's legacy. Rick's tears are starting to flow now. He lets out weak gasps as he holds onto his son tighter.
Michonne gently rubs her hand against Carl's burning head, her own tears flowing. After losing everyone she loved, she never expected to find a family again. Rick and Carl broke the cold, hard shell she was living in. They taught her that love in their dark world was possible. She was proud to call Carl her son. Every moment with them filled her heart with joy. She now rocks Carl in her arms as Rick cries.
Carl can feel himself becoming weaker. They lay him down, trying to make him as comfortable as possible. He looks up into their grieving eyes as tears fall down his face. He doesn't want to die yet. His mind flashes to everything he's been through. Losing beloved members of the group, shooting his mother in the head, Judith's birth, it's all racing through his head at lightning speed. As his breaths become more shallow, he remembers the words his father told him back at the farm.
"No more kids stuff."
"People are gonna die. I'm gonna die. Mom. There's no way you can ever be ready for it. I try to be, but I can't. The best we can do now is to avoid it as long as we can, keep one step ahead. I wish I had something better to say, something...something more profound. My father was good like that. But I'm tired, son."
Carl smiles up at Rick and Michonne, his heartbeat starting to fade. They smile back through the tears, holding his hands tightly and kissing his burning forehead. A peaceful silence surrounds them. Carl stares at them with nothing but love and admiration.
"I love you both." he manages to say weakly. Those are his last words.
Carl's eyes close slowly, as his heart beats for the final time. As he drifts away, Rick falls sobbing into Michonne's arms. His son is gone. He's now with his mother and every other beloved member they've lost.
Goodnight love.
I listened to Carl's theme on Spotify, and I was inspired. Hope you enjoyed it!