Walking Dead: Unexpected Return
Chapter 11 of my Walking Dead, enjoy.
Reviews
Boris Yeltsin: Thanks.
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks :)
Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: I don't own Walking Dead or its characters.
Chapter 11
Sophia bit her lip, fidgeting slightly as she waited. She was standing by the bed in her hospital room. The pain was gone, her cast removed, she still had her scars but the mark around her ankle and the blood, the cuts, the superficial wounds, they were gone.
'But even so, everything that happened...it, it still remains.' She thought to herself.
She took a slow careful breath and walked towards the window, it was slight but some lingering damage from the car crash remained, mainly the damage done to her hip, now she walked with a slight limp. Standing by the window she smiled as she looked out, it was strange, seeing things like this, yet feeling differently about them. Before, back after her own father had kidnapped her and took her to that 'place'. She could only really see the outside world from a window. Being tethered with that chain as she had been, it was just long enough to let her stand and look out, a cruel way of showing her what she was missing.
A small smile graced her face. 'But now, now I'm free...I just have to remember that, I'm free. So long as it's not too much, if I wanted to, I get to go outside.'
She knew that was more true than ever as, since the hospital had done all they could for her now, she was being released. Her mother would be back soon with fresh clothes for her, she was going home.
Hearing the door open Sophia started and turned around, but it was just her mother.
"Sophia?"
She bit her lip. "Mom, I...sorry, I just-"
Carol smiled softly, approaching and gently hugging her. "Don't apologize, sweetheart. After everything you've been through, it's still gonna take time."
"Y-yeah."
Calming down she accepted the bag from her mother and soon was dressed, simply in plain jeans and a white T-shirt, simple socks and sneakers finishing the outfit, that was all she wanted. A whole storm of feelings built inside her as she walked alongside her mother, all the paperwork having been completed. This was it, she was finally going home. Henry was waiting for them and smiled warmly at her as they headed out to the car. Getting in and buckling up Sophia was glad for one thing as they drove home. The hospital stay at least gave her time to get to know her step-brother, to get used to his presence and even enjoy it. The fact that her mom had told him so much about her and that he was just as caring and concerned for her well-being as her mother was made her feel even better. They drove in silence for a while until finally, Carol broke it.
"Well, won't be longer now, we'll be home before you know it." She said.
Sophia nodded. "Yeah, I...I can't wait."
She recalled their run down wreck of a home from before, knowing her mom had moved and that the home she was going to was a much better place added more fresh hope. She just needed to keep adding to that hope, to build herself up in hopes of finally pulling herself free of the abyss at last.
Carol finally pulled up at a rather nice, mid-sized house in a comfortable neighbourhood and they got out the car, heading inside Sophia looking around, eyes wide. It felt strange, knowing the level of freedom she had right now.
"Mom, how did you-?"
Carol gently led her through to the living room where they sat down. "After, after what happened, I tried so hard to find you...But in the end, realizing I needed to have a better situation if I wanted to try and give you a proper life when I got you back, I also had to focus on changing my life. Without...without your father there, I was able to get a job…"
Sophia shuddered at the mention of her father. "So...So you did that and-?"
"I was able to eventually afford this place. Moved in, tried so hard, but…" Carol sighed sadly.
"You made it however, you survived, you adopted Henry, you gave him a good life."
Henry nodded. "Yeah, but your mom never gave up on you Sophia."
"I know that."
Seeing the soft smile, hearing the words from her daughter, felt like a true blessing to Carol. Relief flooded her. Her family was complete at last. Gently hugging Sophia she began to show her around the house, to get her used to it, to let her know where everything was. Sophia's eyes filled with tears upon seeing the various old photos of her that Carol still had, all of them on pride of place on the wall of the living room. A testament to her mother never once forgetting her or letting her disappearance fade from people's memories.
A short while later, Sophia looked around the room that had been set up for her. She still was getting used to things and her room reflected that. Mirroring her lack of belongings it had only the essentials. But her mother had reassured her that they'd change that, together. She could have her room the way she wanted it, once she was able to decide on what she wanted to do and implement those changes.
"Sophia, you have a visitor."
"Coming." She called back.
She hurried downstairs, heart racing, there could only be one person who'd visit her so soon. Sure enough, standing there, smiling widely, was Carl Grimes.
"H-hey…" He greeted her.
She stared at him in amazement for a moment before smiling herself. "Hi Carl...My God, you-"
He laughed softly. "I know, I know...I'm so happy to see you again."
"Me too...we've both really grown." She commented.
She had honestly expected Carl to become tall like his dad, to tower over her, but yet here they were looking at each other eye to eye, both the same height.
That was when she realized. "Carl...your...your eye?"
He started. "Wha...you noticed?"
"I noticed it didn't match and well...the only reason I could think of for that was, it had to be a fake. I remember your eyes pretty well." She replied, flushing as she said the last part.
Carl bit his lip, flushing too. "Wow, that's...pretty observant. Let's, let's sit down and I'll tell you."
Sophia nodded and they did so, Sophia so amazed to be in the presence of Carl once more and eager to hear the truth.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.