The Walking Dead: 8 months on the road- The Story of Carl
Chapter 10
''Dad, I need to talk to you,'' said Carl.
A week had passed since Carl had last visited the town. But not a week since he'd last seen Ashley... Two days ago, Carl had met Ashley on the edge of the forest and she had asked him something. Something unexpected. Ashley had asked Carl if his group would take Ashley's group in. She had explained that David thought it would be best if the groups joined together and how they could be stronger together.
At first Carl had been completely against it, but after watching Ashley flutter her long eyelashes at him, he could barely refuse. And he had to admit they would be safer united. The only thing which made him remain completely against asking Rick was his father's reaction. He knew Rick would kill him for spending time with David's group but the idea was a good one, and his dad was no idiot. If it benefited all, then Carl was sure Rick would agree. All would be revealed after this conversation...
''Carl?'' enquired Rick, turning his head to gaze at his son.
''Can I talk to you? Some-place private,'' asked Carl, his heart like a woodpecker in his chest.
''Sure,'' nodded Rick.
Muttering something inaudible to Daryl who stood next to him, Rick grasped his gun, placed it in its holster, and led Carl out of the camp.
When they had walked out of earshot from the camp, Rick stopped, turned and tilted his head to one side.
''So, what do you have to say?''
''Before I do, can you promise me you won't get mad until I've finished? Please?''
Rick sighed. ''Carl, would this have anything to do with your disappearances?''
Carl gulped. No going back now. ''Yes.''
''Okay,'' agreed Rick. ''I won't get mad until you're done.''
''Okay then,'' stammered Carl. Taking a deep breath he told Rick.
He told him about how he'd met David, the alleyway, the camp and how David had asked him to go on runs for him. He then told Rick how it was Ashley who gave him reason to go back. Carl used the term friendship, although he was sure Rick knew what was going on. Finally he told Rick what David had suggested and how it could benefit them.
''It could work, Dad,'' finished Carl. ''It could work.''
Rick was silent for a moment, before tilting his head backwards and closing his eyes. A few minutes passed in silence and Carl felt his heart beat quicken until he was sure Rick would be able to hear it. His shoes tore up dead leaves, as he nervously waited.
''Dad?'' asked Carl hesitantly.
Rick snapped his gaze down to Carl and Carl took a step back in surprise.
''Carl, what have you told them?'' said Rick, each word emphasised like a hiss.
''Um, nothing. Nothing, I swear,'' rushed Carl.
''Are you sure?'' said Rick, lowering himself so that him and Carl were eye-level.
''I'm sure,'' shivered Carl. ''I would never tell anyone anything that would endanger us.''
''You wouldn't intentionally,'' agreed Rick. ''But love is a strange weapon.''
''Love?'' asked Carl.
''Carl, you clearly see something in this girl. Ashley?''
Carl nodded.
''It's natural, especially since you've not seen a kid since Sophia.''
Carl winced.
''But running off with a different group? You're putting us all in danger. And you're giving away food that could help us. Carl how could you be so reckless? You've endangered us all,'' spat Rick.
''I was helping others,'' shouted Carl. ''You and Mom always taught to help others. That's what I'm doing. Just because the dead have risen to eat our flesh, doesn't mean we get to stop being human.''
''That's not the point,'' growled Rick. ''The point is that we can't trust strangers.''
''I trust Ashley with my life,'' snapped Carl.
''It's not Ashley who I'm worried about,'' retorted Rick. ''It's David. Why risk your groups safety by asking strangers to join? He could be using Ashley as a weapon. And that means you're in danger. And is he's putting you in danger,'' Rick leaned forward, ''he's dead.''
''No,'' protested Carl. ''David is a good man.''
''I'll be the judge of that,'' growled Rick.
''How?''
''Take me to him.''
Carl looked shocked. ''You want me to take you to his camp?''
''Yes I do,'' said Rick.
''But, you're gonna interrogate him,'' pointed out Carl.
''Damn right. Either you take me or I'll find him,'' said Rick.
''Fine, I'll take you to him. Tomorrow?''
''Sounds good,'' agreed Rick.
Carl nodded reluctantly and turned back towards camp.
''Oh and Carl,'' called Rick.
Carl turned to face Rick.
''Be careful with Ashley. Nowadays everyone is our enemy.''
Carl gave a half-hearted nodded before pushing through the undergrowth, and heading in the direction of camp.
When Carl had vanished, Rick frowned. A dark look entered his eyes, and he picked his gun up in his hand and gave it a sorrowful look.
''Not again,'' whispered Rick.
2 days ago...
Ashley had been walking for nearly 10 minutes when she caught site of her camp entrance. Putting on a jog, Ashley raced forward until she skidded to a halt just inside the camp, panting. As she stood doubled over, gasping, Ashley noticed David exit his tent and come running towards her.
''Ashley,'' David called, running over to her, excitement evident in his eyes. ''Did you do it?''
Ashley nodded.
''My dear girl,'' cried David, pulling Ashley into a hug. ''You have done a great service to this group.''
Ashley wiggled out of the hug. ''Thank you.''
''No, thank you,'' smiled David. ''Your Dad would be proud.''
''You think?'' asked Ashley, her blue eyes the size of moons.
''I know,'' whispered David.
Ashley smiled and walked happily towards her RV.
David stood watching her go, unaware Mark was stood adjacent to him.
Suddenly Mark spoke. ''Was it worth it?''
David turned around. ''Was what worth it?''
''All the death, the lies, the murder... and using her,'' Mark nodded to Ashley's fading figure.
''She's a pawn in a game,'' pointed out David. ''And I'm the winner.''
''So no regrets?''
''None. I'd be dead if I regretted. Why you asking?''
''Something I remembered,'' said Mark. ''That apparently everyone regrets something in their life.''
''But I'm not everyone,'' pointed out David. ''Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds.''
Mark looked confused, so David walked away laughing.
''But this world has already been destroyed,'' whispered Mark.
The zombie hoard was coming. It had been coming for weeks now. And finally it was here. Death had arrived in the town. And everyone would feel its touch.
Thanks for reading. Please leave feedback. It's so important as otherwise I don't know whether anyone likes it. And if everyone hates it, why would I keep writing? This story is coming to the end but I still have a few twists and turns to keep you guys reading. So please leave feedback. And get ready for Chapter 11. It's gonna be a good one...