Walking Dead: Unexpected Return
Chapter 7 of my Walking Dead story, enjoy.
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Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: I don't own Walking Dead or its characters.
Chapter 7
With school over at last, Carl did his best to remain calm and composed as he made his way into the hospital.
'This is it...God, I...what am I gonna even say.' He found himself wondering. 'I can't even begin to imagine how Carol is handling this...Do I even have the right to come in and ask her about Sophia, when she's already dealing with so much?'
He quickly shook his head, clearing his mind. He knew it would be fine, his dad had recommended he come and talk to Carol after all. So, calming himself he entered the hospital, approaching the desk, looking up the receptionist smiled.
"Hello, how can I help you?"
"I'm uh...The girl who was brought in last night, Sophia Peletier…" He began.
The receptionist's smile faltered slightly. "I'm sorry, she's not receiving visitors yet."
Carl quickly explained. "I know that. But, her mother's here and I was hoping to talk to her."
"Oh, oh I see." She replied. "Very well um…"
With that she quickly checked her computer and gave him the room number and directions. Thanking her Carl made his way to the elevator and made his way up, despite his outward calm his heart was pounding with the anticipation of what awaited him when he finally made it.
The elevator doors opened and he made his way out and down the corridor, even as he approached he could see it was the right place. Sitting outside one of the wards was Henry who looked up at that moment and saw him.
"Oh Carl, hi."
Carl smiled and walked up to join him. "Hi, how...how are you doing?"
Henry nodded slowly. "It's...it's amazing, surprising to be honest. I just...I heard so much about her, but never imagined I'd ever actually meet her."
"I...I know. I still can't quite believe it myself." Carl replied. "Still, for her to appear like this...she's gonna need a lot of help."
Henry yawned. "I know...I…"
Carl noted this. "You okay?"
"Just a little tired, didn't sleep much after hearing about Sophia." Henry admitted.
Carl sighed. "I can understand that. If I'd been told as early as you, I doubt I'd have slept either. But you know, you can get some rest, I'm sure…"
"No I...I need to be here, help mom." Henry burst out.
Carl couldn't help but smile at that. He had to admit it was nice, seeing Henry, despite his young age, being so concerned about Carol.
"I...Okay, I get it." Carl said softly.
"I have to admit, I'm not surprised to see you. Just that it took so long for you to get here." Henry said with a grin.
Carl rolled his eye, praying he wasn't blushing. "Very funny dude. Besides, you know Sophia's not allowed visitors."
"But you still came here to see mom, right?" Henry fired back. "See what you can find out."
Carl sighed. "Okay, yeah, you caught me."
They both smiled, waiting for Carol to emerge.
It wasn't long afterwards that Carol emerged from the room and her eyes widened when she saw Henry wasn't sitting outside alone.
"Carl."
Carl smiled. "Hi, I...I heard about Sophia."
She smiled softly at that, nodded. "Of course, I'd expect no less."
Henry snickered at that and Carl knew this time he really was blushing.
"Um, yeah. I...Dad said I should come after school and see you. See what's going on." Carl admitted, awkwardly.
Carol smiled lightly at this and went to sit down by them. Any trace of the usual gentle teasing vanishing as she did so.
"She's still got a long way to go Carl. Do you know what happened, how she was hurt?" Carol asked gently. "Being hit with a car brought her here, but she was already hurting, physically, mentally...emotionally…"
Carl swallowed. "God, she…"
Carol sighed. "She's suffered greatly Carl. The injuries she's recovering from here, are just the tip of the iceberg. I'm going to be doing all I can, but I'm not sure how I can even begin to do so."
"She's...she's awake now?" Carl asked.
"Yes." Carol confirmed. "She is, but...She's still in a weakened state and needs rest, it's hard for her, but she is doing her best to move, to keep herself active. Even if it's only in small ways."
"I...I still wish. Urgh, if only we could've found her sooner, spared her from this." Carl sighed softly.
Henry bit his lip before adding. "He...he's still out there, not been found or anything, right?"
Carl glared, knowing what Henry was talking about, Ed.
From the moment it was clear that he was behind Sophia's disappearance, also disappearing himself, Carl hated the man. He'd disliked him before hand but now he downright hated the man.
"Maybe something good has happened...like he was eaten by a wild animal or something." He remarked venomously.
Carol sighed. "I really doubt it Carl...for Sophia to be gone this long, for Ed to be gone this long. He had to have help and for all we know, he is still out there. We just have to hope we can protect Sophia from him and have him brought to justice."
Carl sighed, all three of them lapsed into silence. Finally with a smile Carol stood up and turned to Carl.
"So...I know you can't visit, you can't go into the room. But…" She gestured to the window. "Do you want to at least see her?"
Carl swallowed, hopeful. "I...please."
Carol smiled and nodded, he stood up and they approached the window. Carl looked into the window, his breath shaking as he looked into the room, at Sophia lying in the bed, currently sleeping. His heart clenched at the sight of the cast on her arm. He couldn't help but be amazed.
'It's really her, just like they said. She's really alive, she's back…' He thought in amazement. 'My God, Sophia. What horrors have you been through...I wish there was something I could do for you.'
Still watching Carl became aware that Carol had gone back to sit with Henry, leaving him at the window by himself. He continued to watch her, wondering what would happen when they would finally be able to meet again face to face.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.