Walking Dead: Unexpected Return
Chapter 8 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 8
Carol watched with a small smile as Carl left, heading for home. She was still so amazed at how Carl had changed over the years. When Carl and Sophia became friends, he had been a shy, quiet boy, yet now he was a confident polite and friendly young man who cared deeply for his family.
'He's grown so much, despite the trauma of losing Sophia, who was his closest friend...and then his eye. He's remained such a strong person.' Carol noted to herself.
Carol sighed softly as she considered that, for her it had taken adopting Henry two years ago and working hard to give him a safe and welcoming home to finally allow her to do more than just survive after Sophia's disappearance.
She looked through the window again. 'And now my daughter is back...not such a little girl anymore. But she lost four years of her life that she'll never get back. But no matter what, I will help her, I will make sure she is able to have a normal life once more.'
With that determined thought Carol looked over at Henry and smiled again, his sleepless night had finally caught up with him and he was asleep in his chair. Looking back through the window she noted Sophia was waking up again.
She made her way inside the room, cringing at the way Sophia flinched when the door opened. But she then calmed down, managing a small smile upon seeing Carol enter.
"Mom."
Carol made her way over next to the bed. "Hey, you okay?"
Sophia shifted slightly. "A...A little thirsty."
Carol nodded understandingly. "Okay, I'll get you some water, I need to help you up first though. The nurse will be here with some food soon too."
Sophia nodded, looking anxious, but Carol understood. While they were doing their utmost to help Sophia through her recovery, the malnutrition was proving tricky, mainly due to Sophia struggling to eat anything, so they were trying to ease her into it with soft foods at first. Carol carefully helped Sophia into a more comfortable, sitting position, trying not to jolt her or make any of her injuries worse. Once Sophia was seated, Carol got the water cup from the table by the bed and helped her drink.
As she set down the cup Carol bit her lip. "Sophia, I...there's something I'm worried about."
Sophia looked at her mother, nervous. Carol hated the thought of doing this, especially so soon.
"You don't have to say anything, just...nod or shake your head." Carol said, trying to reassure Sophia. "Is...Is your father alive?"
Carol watched worriedly, but although Sophia's heart rate briefly spiked and she breathed shakily, she managed to stay calm and finally nodded.
Carol grimaced, it was as she feared.
"Okay, sorry, thank you." She said quietly, soothingly.
Sophia didn't say anything, but to Carol's relief the monitor showed her heart rate returning to normal. She knew she had to change the subject, to talk about something hopefully more positive.
"You know, he wasn't allowed to come in of course, but...Carl was here." She told Sophia.
Sophia gasped and her eyes widened, and as Carol noticed lit up.
"Carl was here, Carl Grimes?" She gasped.
Smiling at her daughter's reaction, Carol nodded. "Yes, he was so worried about you. He's never given up on you, even after all these years."
"He...He was here, he never stopped, thinking about me?" Sophia whispered, a smile forming.
It was clear to Carol, much to her relief that Sophia clearly still remembered Carl too. She even seemed happier than ever hearing about him.
"Yes. From what I heard the moment he heard about you arriving here he wanted to come straight over to see you. But he had to go to school, but he came right afterwards." She told her.
Sophia bit her lip. "I wish he could've been allowed to come in and see me. I...wish I could see him again."
It wasn't just her words, her reactions made it clear, she was indeed eager to see Carl again. She noted the reactions that made it clear that Sophia still felt so strongly for Carl.
"Hopefully you'll see him again soon." Carol offered. "But remember, please, for your sake, one step at a time."
Sophia nodded in understanding while these reactions she had shown made Carol have hope for Sophia's recovery in the future.
Carol pondered for a moment, but it was Sophia who started the next conversation.
"I. When I've finally, out of here-" She began, sounding concerned.
Carol gently took her daughter's uninjured hand. "You'll be alright, I'm here to help you. I promise I will get you through this and get you back to living a normal life again. After this, you will be able to come home."
"Home." Sophia whispered, the word sounded so foreign to her now.
Carol nodded. "Yes, you'll be helped and cared for, I promise. I'll be there to get you settled in and guide you. Henry will be there too and Carl I'm sure."
"Good...it's so good what you did for Henry mom." Sophia replied. "He's so nice, I'm glad it was you who took care of him after he lost his family."
Carol was touched with that, glad that Sophia was at least accepting of Henry. Hopefully with time they'd be able to form a proper sibling relationship. At that moment the door opened and Denise entered with Sophia's food.
"Here we go." She said softly. "Now don't force yourself, okay. I know we've said we're worried about you needing food, but rushing and forcing things won't help."
Carol nodded. "She's right Sophia, just eat what you can. It's best you recover at your own pace."
Sophia nodded and began to cautiously eat, she was still feeling terrible, but she took solace in what she had heard so far, she knew there was hope for things to get better, that she was now safe.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.