Walking Dead: To Be Loved

Chapter 28 of my Walking Dead chapter, enjoy.

Reviews

Wolfgirl2013: Yeah, but in what condition.
Boris Yeltsin: Yeah, still, he's home now.

Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Walking Dead or its characters.

Chapter 28: Overcoming

Carl wasn't sure what to think, what to feel, his mind was a rush of conflicting and turbulent emotions.

'Why did he, Mikey…why?' He thought, dismay filling him.

He had come to the hospital the following day, hoping at long last to be reunited with his boyfriend. Yet Mikey, upon seeing him, had panicked and freaked out, it had caught Carl off guard and when he tried to approach Mikey to calm him, Mikey flinched away from his touch.

He bowed his head, still seeing the image in his mind. 'What did they do to you…?'

Whatever had happened at the camp, it had clearly left its deep scars on Mikey, so much so that he was terrified of being touched, even by his own boyfriend. Carl still couldn't shake the sight of Mikey tearfully asking him to leave, then apologizing before breaking down in tears again. Now he stood, dejected, outside Mikey's hospital room, all the hope he had been carefully holding on to, the desire to finally see his boyfriend again and to finally have confirmation that the nightmare was over, it was crushed. Mikey had been returned, but he hadn't been saved, it was clear, mentally at least, Mikey was still at the camp and it was heartbreaking to see.

Carl sighed. 'Especially when I can't even comfort him, can't even get close to him.'

"Carl."

He started and turned to see Nicholas standing there, looking at him sympathetically.

Nicholas looked back to the room where Paula was hugging Mikey, trying to calm him down.

"Don't give up on him Carl, please." Nicholas said quietly. "Mikey needs you."

"But he, I-" Carl stammered.

Nicholas shook his head. "Paula and I can only do so much, it's only you who can truly help Mikey through this. What's going on right now, he just needs a little more time. Trust me."

"But, how will I know when it's the right time?" Carl wondered aloud.

"Leave this to Paula and me, we'll help Mikey as much as possible and then, once we get him home and calmed down, come over and meet with him." Nicholas explained. "He'll likely still panic, but just, be calm and do your best to reassure him. He won't get past this until he opens up and he won't do that to anyone but you. I know it."

Carl nodded slowly. "I...okay Mr. Carr. I'll try. Just, let me know when it's time."

Nicholas nodded and Carl left, making his way home, he could feel the hope building again but he quickly pushed it back down, he wasn't going to let himself get carried away again. He had to be ready, in case things did not go as he hoped again.

Carl had already spoken to his parents and they had approved, so, when he got the call from Nicholas and Paula that night, Carl readied himself and made his way over the Carr house. Paula let him in, smiling softly.

"Thank you for this Carl." She said. "He's upstairs in his room."

Carl nodded, worried that her thanks were a little premature, he hadn't managed to do anything yet. Still he made his way upstairs, reached Mikey's door, which was ajar, and composed himself.

'This is it...just reassure him, help him...don't get too close or try to touch him unless he specifically wants you to.' Carl told himself.

He then knocked on the door and carefully entered. Mikey was lying on his bed, clad in just boxers and a tank-top. He was almost curled in a fetal position. He slowly turned around and tensed upon seeing Carl.

"C-Carl, I...please, no-"

Carl gently held up his hands. "Easy, it's okay Mikey. Look, I'm not gonna hurt you. Why would I?"

Mikey shuddered, but swallowed, clearly trying to calm himself down from his panic.

"I just, they…" Mikey choked out, tears spilling from his eyes. "God Carl, I'm so sorry, I...I just can't get it out of my head...They, they kept saying terrible things, how disgusting I was, how I deserved all I was suffering…"

"You know that's all lies Mikey, you don't deserve anything like that." Carl insisted.

"They raped me!"

Carl froze, eyes wide. "M-Mikey…?"

"They used, I don't know...objects of some kind and raped me with them…" Mikey managed through his tears. "They told that's all I'd get from being...you know and, and that if you and I…"

Carl could only stare in horror at the realization of the horrific truth.

It now made sense why Mikey had reacted the way he had, as well as revealing exactly how Mikey had suffered at the camp. He'd been tormented and led to believe that his relationship with Carl would bring him only pain.

"Mikey, you don't really believe that do you...that I'd ever hurt you?" Carl said softly.

Mikey sniffled. "I don't want too, but, it just…"

Carl nodded, trying to give him a reassuring smile. "It's alright. Yeah, it's horrible alright, but you're alive and you're here now. You're safe and you have your mom, your dad...you have me and I swear, I would never hurt you. I wouldn't do anything without your complete consent."

Mikey finally turned to look at him, eyes wide, but slowly Carl could see the fear melting away. Finally, he broke the silence. "Stay with me, tonight?"

Carl glanced back through the door, to where Nicholas and Paula stood, they both nodded, confirming their approval. Carl also knew they'd be sure that the police heard about what Mikey had just confessed, that those who hurt him would face the full punishment for their actions. Carl finally allowed hope to fill him again as he approached Mikey's bed.

"You're sure now, you want me here, you want me to hold you and-" Carl confirmed.

Mikey nodded. "Yes."

Smiling softly, Carl undressed until he was down to his boxers and T-shirt and climbed into the bed, pulling the blanket up as he and Mikey held each other. It had been terrible but Carl knew there was hope now, for things to finally get better as he comforted Mikey, letting him recover and begin to heal at last.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.