CHAPTER 2
I awoke to the smell of rotting flesh. It was dark and Carl and Rick were asleep in the front while I was sprawled out in the back. I lifted my head a little and saw a glimpse of zombie flesh. I put my legs on the floor, my curiosity spiking. I listed all the pros and cons of what could happen if I took a little peak. Well. Some of the things were a little out there but hey. The zombie virus is real so nothing is too far-fetched. I laid on the floor and slowly got up and moved a cloth that was covering the window a little to the side. I gasped and quickly let go of the fabric. There was a herd passing us and somehow… Not noticing us? I looked around and saw guts all over the windshield. Well that would explain the smell. I guess they put the guts all over so the car would smell like death and they wouldn't notice! That's brilliant. Great trick for going out too. I heard a gun cock behind me and I quickly drew my knife. I looked around and saw Daryl amongst our many weapons in the trunk area type thingy. He was laying on a few sheets and he smirked.
"'Bout time you woke up Cali." He sat up a little and I nodded, smiling a little. "How'd you sleep?" I shrugged and my eyes darted to each moan.
"No need to worry 'bout the walkers. We smeared guts around and left the bodies around the car." I relaxed knowing now that they put bodies around the car too. I heard someone inhale deeply and I turned around to see Carl moving around trying to get comfy. I chuckled.
"Ya know he really cares about you. He threw a fit when we were going to wake you. Something about needing your sleep since you barely got any. He said we shouldn't leave you alone either so Rick and I had to gather up the walkers. But apparently you fell asleep on him, so we pulled over while he held you. Then this herd started coming so he laid you in the back and got in the front to help us with ammo. He fell asleep there, as you see." I blushed slightly. Had he really done that? He's such a sweetheart. He laid back down and I did as well. I looked over to Carl and smiled. He took another inhale of breath and woke.
"Hey Cali. What are you doing up?" He asked groggily. I propped myself up on my elbow.
"Oh you know. Same old."
"Nightmare?" I nodded. He stood up and sat down by my legs.
"Wanna talk about it?" I sat up and shrugged.
"Maybe. Or maybe I can tell you later." I said playfully. He laughed slightly.
"Well. Do you want a hug?" I nodded and he pulled me into a hug. Should I ask for him to sleep with me? (Not in that way) Well., maybe. I mean he makes me feel safe and all but would that be weird? I started blushing at the thoughts that run through this head of mine.
"What are you thinking about?" Carl's voice brings me out of my insanity.
"Well. Everything I guess." He nodded and let go of me. He started getting back into his seat.
"W-Wait." I grabbed his wrist. He looked back at me with an inquiring gaze.
"Yea?" I gulped and blinked rapidly. I scratched the back of my head.
"Would you mind… Sleeping with me? You take the nightmares away." I say the last part kind of quietly.
"Sure." He smiled and I grinned.
"Thanks." He laid down and I laid down next to him. He pulled me into his chest and I gasped slightly, startled from his sudden movement.
"Sweet dreams Cali. I hope I can take away your nightmares." I chuckled slightly and I was soon falling asleep to his rhythmic heartbeat. I actually had a nice dream, a memory of when I was little and happy.
Carl woke me up when we arrived at a huge house. Well small mansion. Carl was already sitting up and my head was in his lap, I was looking at him. I shot up at the sound of something making a loud noise and my head collided with his chin. I held my head and he held his chin, but laughed it off.
"Sorry."
"It's fine." I smile and jumped out of the car. I ran to the door to inspect the area. A lady with short brown hair opened it as soon as I was about to open it. She was shocked, I was too, and pulled a gun on me.
"Who are you and why are you here?" I put my hands up in submission and I backed up
into someone. I turn around and it was Carl. I blush slightly. The girl still had the gun pointed at my head.
"Who is she?" I was looking around and saw the car door still open. I guess Carl read my mind because he grabbed my wrist and led me into the mansion, as Rick was explaining why I was there and blah, blah, boring stuff. I was inspecting the place as we walked through it and we ended up in a kitchen.
"Sit." He said pointing to a chair.
"So. I guess I'm a dog now." I replied as I sat down. He laughed while getting whatever he was getting.
"Oh hush." I smirked.
"Woof." We both burst out laughing. He got out a pot and poured two cans of Spaghettios in the pot. He turned on the stove.
"Yummy. Processed." I said sarcastically. He gave me a look that read 'quiet at least it's food.' And I shot him a look that read 'it's barely edible.' And lastly, 'at least it's edible' look.
"Did we just have a conversation by looking at eachother?" I asked while laughing.
"I guess so." He laughed too. This was great. It's the end of the world but we are still able to laugh. I tried to remember when the last time I laughed this much was. It must have been when I was around 8 or 9. I started tapping my foot to a random tune that's in my head. I guess I had spaced out since I didn't notice Carl poking my nose.
"You in there?" I laugh and shove him back a little. He points to the bowl in front of me and hands me a spoon.
"Thanks."
"Let's eat." We started eating. While we were eating the girl from before came in with an asian dude who was holding a child? I feel bad for that child. She sat down.
"I'm sorry. It's just that it's kinda know who to trust since we've been through so much." She looks sad. I guess they've been through some shit.
"It's fine really. I understand." I say shyly and I continue eating. She smiled.
"Well. Now that that's over, let me introduce you to everyone. I'm Maggie, that's Glenn," Asian man waved, "And this is Judith. There is a girl around here with blonde hair, her name is Beth." I looked at Judith and she smiled and made baby noises. Aw.
"I'm California, but you can call me Cali." I shoveled the food in my mouth, a little irritated at the questions.
"Is that your real name?" Maggie asked. Carl sensed my frustration and gave me a look that read 'keep eating.' So I happily obliged.
"She doesn't remember her name since she's been alone for a while and that's where she wants to go." I stopped listening to him and my mind wandered to what they could have been through. When I pulled myself out of my thoughts, I stood up to go wash my dish. Carl looked at me and said something.
"I'm sorry, what was that?" I asked with a slight tilt of my head. He smiled.
"I asked if you wanted help."
"Eh. Why not." I say with a smile.
"So. You were spacing out again I'm guessing?" He asked.
"Yeah. Just thinking." I said, beginning to wash my dish.
"You seem to do that an awful lot." He's concerned. I can hear it in his voice.
"Yea. There's just a lot to think about, plus I don't anything to keep me focused so I'm all over the place." I had him the dish I just washed and he started drying it, I decided to wash his too.
"Just be careful okay?" Aw, he's worried. How sweet.
"Alright and oh! Thanks for saving my back there." I say. I handed him the dish I just washed.
"No problem. I figured that since you were eating you wouldn't want to be bothered."
"Well you were right, so thanks." I sat on the counter, drying off my hands with a towel.
"Allow me to show you to your room." Carl said, mocking a butler. I giggled and got off the counter.
"Why thank you, my good sir." I say, playing along. We burst out laughing. After we stopped laughing, I pretended to wipe a tear from my eye.
"Alright, I really should show you to your room now." Carl said. What was suppose to be showing me my room, ended up being a tour.
"This is a game room with board games, sadly. That's my dad's bedroom, Maggie and Glenn's room. Weapon room. There's a shooting range in the basement. My room, and your room." I was across the hall from him. Cool.
"I have a stash of candy next door in the food storage. And there's a couple of towers around with guns and snipers in them if you want to be alone and shout to get anger out. There's also blanket in there in case you want to sleep there." He smiled and I smiled, his smile was contagious. I went into my room and looked around. A huge curtain peaked my interest, so I went over to it and opened it. There was a balcony that overlooked the woods and front door. I took a big breath in and sighed contently, as I laid my hand on my cheek. This reminds me of Romeo and Juliet and the balcony scene. I found it once and I got bored so I read it. Too bad there's no Romeo. I stood there for a while, I even sat on the rail as I watched the sunset. I've noticed quite a few things as I sat there on the rail. I eventually went inside since it was starting to get cold. After warming up under the covers, I walked over to Carl's room and knocked on the door.
"What. Oh.. Hey Cali." His face just went from annoyed to happy real fast. I wonder what ticked him off.
"I was wondering if I could get a towel and some clothes?" I asked shyly. I looked down at my feet, playing with the hem of my shirt.
"I can get you a towel, but I can't help with the clothes… Unless you want to wear boy clothes." He says with a smile. I contemplate wearing boy clothes for a little and I smile.
"Thanks. Maybe I can go ask Maggie." He grabbed a towel and handed it to me.
"Never been used." We laugh and I thank him once again and head over to Maggie's room. I don't know if I had heard right, or if I was just hearing things, but I could have sworn I heard Carl say 'anything for you.' Weird. I was soon in front of Maggie's room. I knocked and she greeted me with a smile.
"Hey Cali. What's up?
"Are you doing laundry? Because I need to borrow some clothes… Mine are dirty." I said in a small voice.
"Well, Rick's doing a load right now, and I don't have anything that could fit you." She said. I sighed.
"Thanks anyway." I say. She bites her lip.
"Wait. There's a mall not too far away. What size are you?" I looked at her and smiled.
"Well, a 0 or 1 for pants, medium for shirts." I say. Then she pulls me into the room and looks around before closing the door.
"And what's your bra size?" I blush. "Sorry but I figured that you don't want to keep wearing the same bra." She explained.
"I-I'm a 36 C." Oh look at that. The floor looks interesting. She looked me over.
"I use gauze since I can't ever find my size." I explain. She nodded.
"Got it. I'll get it for you tomorrow okay?" I thanked her and went back to Carl.
"Hey."
"Hi. Can I borrow your clothes after all?" I ask. He smiles.
"Sure." He hands me some clothes and I thank him. I return to my room to take my shower. Once I get in the bathroom, I turn on the water and get in. This person used some really expensive things that I would have loved to afford. After I shower, I decide that I need to take a bath. My muscles ached so this would help. I look around and see that the closet is open. While the tub is filling up, maybe I could snoop around. I opened the door more and see a butt load of different shampoos and conditioners. There was so much stuff. What is this? Bath bomb? Okay that makes me scared, so I put it down. No one is around, so maybe I could sing. Music helps me relax, so I guess I can just make my own.
"Did you think that I, did you think that I? Would fall down flat on my face. Did your smug remarks ever reach the heart? Pretentious poised in place. OMG look at me, all I wanna be, is just like him. Filthy mean filthy scene slowly spiraling down into the drain. Two sleepless weeks is all that it takes to find, foundations worth the time of our lives." (Song is Reply by set it off.) I heard someone knock. Oh no. Did they hear me singing? Probably. Hopefully they don't ask.
"Cali? Was that you singing?" It was Maggie. I should probably get out, I'm pruney. So I wrap the towel around me and drain the tub. I quickly dress into the clothes that Carl gave me and I comb through my hair, parting it. It was a harry potter t-shirt that looked like it hadn't been worn and sweatpants. I guess the guy who lived here liked to be comfy, or his son did at least. I walk out and Maggie stands.
"Was that you singing?" I nod sheepishly.
"Yea. Sorry was I loud?" I asked. She nodded.
"Carl and I heard it. You're really good ya know." She says.
"Thanks." Then I walk out to the balcony. I need to be alone. That was kinda embarrassing. I know that he said something about towers. I hop over the rail and gently go down the ivy by the doors. I ran to the closest tower and went up. I had to go through a few flights of stairs and a ladder until I opened a hatchway to the top. I found a couple guns, a pillow, and blankets. There was a lot of ammo, that's always good.
I put the box of guns over the hatchway, it was heavy. I started to shoot the fleshies that were coming out of the woods. I shot each of them twice, double tap. I ended up laying down on the pillows, I was tired. I eventually fell asleep.
I woke up in a cold sweat. Damn nightmares. There was a blanket on me. I don't remember grabbing a blanket. I looked around and saw that Carl was sleeping. How did he get here? I looked at the hatchway and saw that the guns were everywhere. Guess he's stronger than I thought. I put my blanket on him and grabbed a gun. I put a silencer on it and looked around through the sight. There were quite a few walkers around the entrance gate, maybe I should kill them? Yea. Once that chore was done, I put the gun down and lean against the rail. I'm looking out at the woods. It's really pretty. I close my eyes and small breeze whips my hair back. It's quite peaceful. I heard Carl's footsteps and he appears next to me.
"Hey." I say. He rubs his eyes.
"Hi." He says. His voice is husky since he just woke up.
"How'd you sleep?" I asked him.
"Okay. How about you?" I played with my fingers.
"Fine, I guess." I say. He looks over to me.
"What's wrong?" He's worried.
"Nothing."
"Really?"
"Yup." I say popping the 'p'. He stands up straight and takes a few steps towards me. I stand up straight as well and face him. He was making me anxious, what was he going to do?
"Are you sure?" His voice is just above a whisper, as though people could be listening.
"Mhm." I say. Hopefully he doesn't see through me, but I'm pretty sure he can.
"You can trust me Cali." He says, stepping closer. I can feel his breath on my skin and I have to look away. I need to calm my heartbeat. I'm not used to people being that close to me, well boys.
"I know, but I really don't want to voice my thoughts." I say quietly. Carl sighs and backs up a little bit. "But thanks for caring." I say. He smiles a little bit. When Carl is about to say something, we hear a scream. We look at eachother, and run to the rail. The gate is open. Fleshies are getting in. But how? Did someone leave it open? I clench my jaw, I have to help. I have to make a plan.
"What are we going to do?" Carl asked turning towards me.
"Go help everyone defend the house. I will see how many more there are. I'll help close the gate." I say. He nods, grabs the things he needs and goes down to fight. I grab the roof and lift myself up on to the roof. I'm happy I still work out. I take out a sight that I took and looked for where they were coming from. Woah. There's a huge herd. I look up and see a helicopter going over the house. So it led them here? I gotta buy us time, I need to tell them. What's in the yard that I can use to stop them from coming? Small car. Shed. Garden supplies. Truck. Bus. Tress. Wait… Bus. It's big enough to cover the gate. Now to get over there. I have to wait for the small break in between the two groups of fleshies. There it is! I jump on to the wall and I bolt to the gate. I close it with some help from everyone.
"Kill the fleshies while I get the bus!" I say. They looked confused, but there's no time to explain. Once I get to the bus, I pry open the door. The keys are still in it. I try to start it, but it's dead. Dammit. Not good. I get out and look under the hood. How can I quickly jump start it? The little car is close. I look in it and find cables in the back. I hook it up to the bus and start the engine. While that's going, I start the bus. The engine is alive. Yes! I unhook the cables. I put it in reverse and honk. Yes I taught myself how to drive. Everyone moves and I turn quickly. As soon as I do it I regret it. Why can I never think my plan through? I'm so reckless. The bus flips and the last thing I remember is someone screaming my name before I black out.