The Walking Dead: 8 months on the road- The Story of Carl
Chapter 11
The weak, winter sun was descending from its midday peak as Carl ran through the forest. His heart was banging in his chest and his breath came in short gasps as his whirling feet tore up dead foliage. After his talk with Rick, Carl had immediately set off to meet Ashley. He wanted to tell her the good news. And now Rick knew where and why he was going, Carl felt less worried about leaving the group. When at last Carl could run no further, he stopped, leaned against a tree and let his lungs gulp the air thirstily. Suddenly a moan filled the clearing.
Carl spun around to see a walker dragging itself lazily towards him. It's clothes were torn and dirty, and from what Carl could make out, it had once been a woman, possibly his mothers age. Sighing, Carl unholstered his gun, and pointed it at the walker. He pulled the trigger. Nothing. Looking down confused, Carl checked for bullets and felt his heart grow cold. There were none. He had forgotten to reload. Panic filled Carl's vision as he backed away from the walker. But it kept coming. Maybe it could sense Carl's desperation, or maybe it hadn't even noticed the guns uselessness. Whatever it was, the walker kept coming. Carl urgently backed away until he suddenly felt a tree trap him. There was no time to move. The walker was upon him. Closing his eyes, Carl prepared to die.
BANG!
The shot echoed through the woods and sent several birds fleeing. Opening one eye, Carl nervously looked for the walker. It was on the ground, dead. Open his second eye, Carl pushed himself away from the tree. Re-adjusting his sheriff hat, Carl saw his saviour. Ashley was stood a few centimetres behind the corpse, her eyes wild and her right hand clutching a gun.
''You...you saved me,'' stammered Carl, feeling a smile form.
''I...I did, didn't I,'' whispered Ashley.
She looked just as shocked as Carl felt.
''I heard it moaning so I followed it. Saw it going after you,'' explained Ashley.
''Thank you,'' smiled Carl gratefully, walking over to Ashley and pulling her into a hug. ''Guess what?''
''What?'' asked Ashley as she removed herself from the hug, and gave the zombie corpse a withering look.
''I asked my Dad. And he said he wants to meet David. Tomorrow!''
''No way,'' gasped Ashley. ''Is that good?''
''Well it shows he's interested, doesn't it?'' pointed out Carl.
''I guess,'' agreed Ashley. ''I'll tell David. I'm sure he'll be very happy.''
''I hope so,'' wished Carl. ''I can't stay long. Dad will probably want to talk to the group.''
''Okay,'' nodded Ashley. ''Let's make this time count then.''
Before Carl could react, Ashley had leaned forward and was kissing him. Carl put his arms around Ashley and kissed her back. He didn't know how long they kissed for but that didn't matter. Because he loved Ashley and she loved him back. When they had finished kissing, they found a patch of grass to lay on, and stretched themselves out, hand in hand. Ashley cuddled herself up to Carl and dragged her free hand across his chest.
''If our groups move in together, you could stay in my RV,'' whispered Ashley.
''I doubt my Mom or Dad would agree to that,'' laughed Carl.
''Me neither,'' sighed Ashley. ''But seeing you every morning would be great.''
''Likewise,'' murmured Carl.
They lay together in silence, enjoying each others company, until the sun began to dip into the land.
''I love you, Carl,'' said Ashley suddenly.
''I love you too, Ashley,'' returned Carl. ''And I want to spend my life with you.''
''That's a deal,'' teased Ashley.
Another moment of silence passed.
''We could have kids,'' murmured Ashley.
''When we're older,'' said Carl quickly.
''Obviously,'' said Ashley, rolling her eyes. ''But we have a future. It's a new world. New rules. We could spend our lives together. And no-one could stop us.''
Carl smiled at the idea. ''I'd like that.''
Ashley sat up and gazed into Carl's eyes. ''We can have it. I'm never going to let you go.''
Carl sat up. ''I'm never going to let you go,'' he repeated.
''Good,'' smiled Ashley, and she quickly jumped to her feet.
Carl followed her example, and holding hands the pair set off to where Ashley had saved Carl from the walker a few hours prior. When they reached the clearing with the corpse still lying on the ground, Ashley turned and placed her lips onto Carl's. They kissed once more, and after a few minutes, broke apart. Carl took a step in the direction of camp and turned to look around. Ashley was already walking away.
''Aren't you going to say goodbye?'' he called.
Ashley turned. ''Nah, I hate endings.''
And with that, she turned and disappeared into the undergrowth. Carl smiled and began the walk back to his camp.
Carl slept badly that night. He tossed and turned in his bed, his thoughts full of what tomorrow would bring. In one moment he was excited, thinking about the possibility that he and Ashley may be living together soon. But the next moment, he was filled with dread, what if Rick didn't trust David and things turned bad? Any number of things could go wrong. And if anyone died, it would be Carl's fault. Another death to add to the ever-growing list. After many hours of restless moving, Carl finally fell asleep. But his dreams were dark. All he could see was death everywhere, engulfing the forest, engulfing the camp, engulfing him. With a gasp, Carl awoke, with the dawn sun filtering through the clearing, and his heartbeat pounding in his chest. The day had arrived. Taking a moment to calm down, Carl felt dread fill his stomach. Today would change everything.
''Good morning, sweetie,'' called Lori, as Carl climbed out of his enclosed section of the camp.
''Is it?'' he grunted.
''Of course,'' smiled Lori. ''We're alive aren't we?''
''I guess,'' grunted Carl, painfully aware that the statement might not be valid for much longer.
''Have some breakfast,'' said Lori, placing some fruit in his hands.
Murmuring a thanks, Carl picked a secluded part of the camp and sat down. He didn't feel like eating, but not wanting to raise suspicion, he gulped down the fruit quickly. Licking his lips to lap up the fruits juice, Carl searched the clearing for any sign of his Dad. He was nowhere to be seen.
''Hey, Maggie, have you seen my Dad?'' asked Carl as Hershel's daughter walked by him.
''I'm afraid I haven't,'' answered Maggie, stopping and tilting her head. ''Did you want him for something?''
''It can wait,'' lied Carl.
Maggie nodded. ''Okay. I doubt he'll be too long.''
''He better not be,'' hissed Carl under his breath, as Maggie walked away.
Several hours passed before Rick returned, and the sun was nearly at its midpoint. By then Carl was pacing the clearing, nervously, whipping his head to the camp entrance whenever he heard a noise. When Rick returned carrying a duffel sack, Carl ran over as quickly as he could.
''Where have you been?'' whispered Carl, angrily,
''Out, collecting food,'' answered Rick. ''Relax, we have plenty of time.''
''You could have told me,'' pointed out Carl.
''Didn't want to wake you,'' sighed Rick, throwing the bag to Glenn who neatly caught it.
''Well can we go now?''
Rick looked Carl directly into his eyes, and for a moment Carl thought he saw fear reflecting back. It was gone as quickly as he saw it.
''Yes,'' answered Rick. ''Let's go.''
After nearly 10 minutes of trekking through the woods, Rick began to prepare Carl.
''If things go bad, then you run. Don't even wait for me, just go. I'll catch up,'' said Rick.
''Things won't go bad, will they Dad?'' hoped Carl.
''I hope not,'' grimaced Rick. ''And just because I've agreed to meet this guy, doesn't mean we're moving in next week. I won't do anything which endangers the group.''
''And I would?'' challenged Carl.
''You're a kid,'' pointed out Rick.
Carl sighed. This again.
Rick watched his son for a moment before pulling out his gun.
''You got your gun?''
Carl nodded.
''Fully loaded? Safety off?''
Carl nodded twice more.
''Good. Then we're prepared.''
''For what?'' asked Carl.
''Whatever comes next.''
The rest of the journey passed in silence. Carl's thoughts were a whirlwind and he could barely force himself to keep walking. He didn't know what was going to happen next. And that terrified him. Suddenly, Rick grabbed his arm and pulled Carl to the ground.
''What are you doing?'' snarled Carl, as he smacked his face against a fallen tree which Rick had dragged him down to.
''Shush,'' hissed Rick, indicating to something over the other side of the tree.
Rubbing his sore nose, Carl gave Rick a glare, and slowly pushed himself to see what had spooked his father. Two walkers were crouched on the dusty ground, growling and snarling as they tore something apart. Carl felt a pit open up in his stomach.
''What...''
He was interrupted by Rick placing his hand over Carl's mouth.
''Let's find out,'' said Rick grimly. ''Stay here.''
Carl nodded and Rick stood, and walked purposely towards the walkers. Carl dropped beneath the tree, and closed his eyes. Two shots filled the air. When at last he felt safe, Carl opened his eyes and followed his father where the walkers had been. Two corpses lay on their sides, whilst Rick stood over what had been their last meal. Carl knew something was wrong. Aside from the dead walkers, Rick was stood rigid, and a silence had engulfed the clearing. Taking a deep breath, Carl walked to his fathers side and looked to the ground. The earth shook beneath him. The blood soaked corpse was barely recognisable, with its insides strewn over the ground, but after a moment of looking at what was once a human, Carl recognised it.
''David?'' whispered Carl. The once leader was life-less on the floor, his eyes dark, and his features barely recognisable.
''Look away, Carl,'' said Rick, with no emotion to his voice. Perhaps it was because he hadn't known David, or maybe just because he was so tired of seeing death, Carl couldn't tell.
Obeying, Carl turned and heard a third shot take over the clearing.
''He's not coming back now,'' said Rick, slowly placing his gun away. He then turned to Carl.
''So that was David? Leader of the camp?''
''Yeah,'' Carl whispered.
''I'm sorry,'' said Rick, bowing his head. ''Was the camp near here?''
''No.''
''Hmm,'' said Rick.
Carl turned to look at his Dad. ''What does 'hmm' mean?''
''Why was he out here?'' prompted Rick. ''So far from camp. He was heading in the opposite direction. Like he was running away.''
''Running away from what?'' asked Carl, his heart in his mouth.
Rick leaned forward. ''What do you think?''
Carl realized what he father was hinting at. Panic filled his body and he knew what he had to do.
''Ashley,'' gasped Carl, and he sprinted from the clearing as fast as he could. He was aware of Rick calling him back, but Carl ignored him. Ashley was too important.
When finally Rick caught up to him, Carl had entered the town and abruptly stopped. He knew straight away, that something was wrong.
''What the hell are you playing at?'' snarled Rick, blocking Carl's way.
Carl looked up at Rick desperately. ''I need to find her. If David was running then something must have happened. We gotta find her.''
''Carl, we know what happened,'' said Rick, gently. ''Let's go back to camp and...''
''No!'' shouted Carl. ''You go if you want, but I'm staying here.''
''I won't leave you,'' shouted Rick.
''Then you have no choice,'' retorted Carl.
Rick opened his mouth to reply when suddenly a growl filled the air. Both Carl and Rick spun around and realized the noise was coming from an alleyway. The same one, he'd first met Ashley in, thought Carl with a shudder.
Father and son raised their weapons, and slowly edged towards the sound. They were barely 10 metres away when a shape emerged from the alleyway. It was a walker and Carl felt his trigger-finger tighten, when suddenly he stopped.
''No,'' he whispered.
Rick dropped one eye to his son. ''Carl?''
The shape had stepped out from the shadows now, and Carl could clearly see it's face.
''No, no no no no,'' whispered Carl.
''What is it?'' snapped Rick, his gun still pointed at the walker.
''Please God, no,'' cried Carl.
''Carl, what is it?'' spat Rick.
Carl looked at the previously perfect form. The once vibrant blonde hair, the once ocean-blue eyes, the once beautiful face. Gone now. Completely gone.
''It's Ashley,'' whispered Carl, his voice barely audible.
Rick looked back at the walker and back at Carl again.
''Are you sure?''
''Completely,'' gasped Carl. A black mist formed over his vision and he felt his breathing quicken.
''Carl, I'm sorry,'' said Rick, bowing his head. He looked completely defeated.
Carl shook his head. How could it be possible? The love of his life, dead.
Rick gave Carl a sorrowful look. ''Carl, we gotta end it. Put her out of her misery.''
''No,'' croaked Carl. He could feel hot tears falling down his face.
''We got to,'' gasped Rick. Returning his gaze to the slowly approaching zombie, Rick sighed. ''I'll do it.''
''No,'' growled Carl. Hot anger was filling his veins. ''It's gotta be me.''
''Carl, are you sure?'' asked Rick desperately.
Carl nodded, failing to fight the waterfall of tears. ''It's got to be me.''
Rick nodded, his eyes swimming with sorrow and lowered his gun. ''Very well.''
Carl raised his weapon and pointed it at Ashley. No, what was once Ashley. He felt his eyes well up, and his throat constrict. He remembered everything. How they'd met, their first supply run, the first kiss, the fun they'd had together, the last day and her last words. 'Nah, I hate endings.'
''So do I,'' sobbed Carl, feeling his grip on the gun loosen.
''Carl, you gotta be strong,'' called Rick from slightly behind him.
Carl knew he was right, and besides the walker was nearly upon him now. It's eyes were wild with hunger, and there was no recognition in the cold depths. Carl knew it wasn't Ashley anymore.
Taking a deep breath, Carl tighten his grip, felt one last tear fall down his cheek, and felt his soul burn in anger, denial but most of all, love.
''Goodbye, Ashley,'' he whispered. ''I love you.''
And he pulled the trigger.
Please leave reviews! Hope you like this chapter, and don't worry, this is not the end yet! I predict another 5 chapters at least. And for all those Beth fans, you're going to like the next few chapters...