Carl Grimes [The Walking Dead]

Name: Carl Grimes
Nickname: COOOORL. (Thanks, Dad. -.-)

Age: 15
Height: 5'4"
Weight: 100lbs
Eye color: Blue
Nationality: American (Southerner)
Allience: Good. (Can be a bit of a 'tough guy')
Family:  Parents: Rick Grimes (Father), Lori Grimes (Mother), Judith (baby sister)  







Standing at roughly 5'4", Carl is coming into his own. The teenager is lean with long dark hair that hangs just above his shoulders. He is Caucasian with faint freckles and dark blue eyes. He usually dresses in flannel button up shirts or t-shirts, jeans and a pair of snickers. You will rarely see him without his father's sheriff's hat adorning his head. The kid rarely smiles, so if you ever experience something other than a look of indifference, consider yourself lucky. Being a kid of the apocalypse, his skin is usually smeared with grime or blood, but keeping clean is the least of his concern.








Before the apocalypse, Carl was a very shy and reserved kid that usually only sought his parents' company and that of those he felt comfortable with, but as people and the environment around him began to die, he became hard and some would even say cold. He is loyal and protective of the people he loves, but untrusting of strangers and for good reason. Carl can be stand offish and seemingly withdrawn, and has shown fearlessness in the face of danger. He can be slow to display emotion, and even slower to warm up to people. Brave to a fault, sometimes his eagerness to be helpful can have dreadful consequences. When younger he acted without thinking, something his father has worked tirelessly to correct. Although his actions are sometimes still rash, growing older has helped to level him.


Hardened by the world, circumstances and people, being so young meant that developing a survival instinct came almost natural. He hardly remembers a time before this, where video games and playing with friends was a thing. His childhood was stolen from him, and instead of learning things like play that would be important to most children's development, he learned how to shoot, and how to get a knife into bone. He has a problem with authority, hardly ever listening to his elders. He also has a difficult time conveying his feelings and because of this, often lashes out. He has a lot to be angry about, after all. Being a child in the apocalypse and losing loved ones in horrific ways can certainly be traumatic and resulted in anger issues. It also makes it difficult to get close to anyone for the fear of feeling loss.


The one person that seems to have a way with him is Michonne. Not only is the woman his best friend, but the person he looks up to most. Though in the beginning he did not trust her, Carl quickly formed an unbreakable bond with the woman and she's one of the few that can get the child to smile. There is admiration, respect and a deep love there.



Being able to hit a target with deadly accuracy, even though he is young, Carl is an asset to the group of survivors. He is quick to volunteer for dangerous missions, retrieve supplies, and doubles as a attentive babysitter to his baby sister Judith.


Hardened by the world, Carl's realism allows him to not fall victim to optimism. He is quick and agile, and able to get himself out of sticky and tight situations. Though being small also has it's disadvantages. He is strong for his size, but no match against more savage adult human attackers. After recently losing an eye, he is learning to adapt to limited sight.









 












Pre-Apocalypse
King County, Georgia


Prior to the outbreak, Carl was a 12-year-old boy who lived with his parents in King County, Georgia, where he attended day school. One morning, Carl witnessed his parents arguing about whether or not Rick truly cared about the family. Later that day, Lori informed Carl that Rick had been shot and had fallen into a coma. Carl suggested that he donate blood for his father, as they share the same blood type, but Lori convinced him not to.  





Post-Apocalypse

During the very first stages of the outbreak, Carl and Lori were at home. Shane Walsh, Rick's best friend, and another survivor came to the Grimes' house to take Carl and Lori to Atlanta, which was, at the time, thought to have situated one of the best refugee camps. Shane then told Carl and Lori that Rick is dead, believing it himself. After realizing that Atlanta was overrun, they took refuge at a campsite not far from the city. Carl developed a friendship with a girl slightly older than him, named Sophia, and played with her often during his time at the camp.

Time passes, and the truth about his father's fate is revealed when his father if found and brought back by Andrea, Glenn, T-Dog and the group that went into Atlanta on a supply run. During the time before, Carl had become close to Shane, and even though Rick's return put Lori at odds with her brief love interest, Carl remained close to the man, still looking up to him and seeking his approval and attention. Of course Carl was excited to have his father back, but both men held a special place in his heart. The camp was attacked by Walkers and Andrea's younger sister, Amy was killed in the madness. Knowing that the camp was no longer safe, the group took to the road in search of another safe haven. Their journey led them to the CDC, where it seemed things would look up for them. Unfortunately that was not the case nor were they aware that the scientist Jenners was waiting for the countdown for the building to explode. At first he denied them an escape, but then instructed them of their only chance. Using a grenade that Carol had stuffed in her purse, the group managed to escape seconds before the building blew up.

Once again they found themselves on the road. The trip was exhausting and things took a turn for the worse when their path was blocked by abandoned cars on the highway. The group were out scouting the situation when a horde of walkers overran the streets. The group hid, but Sophia was discovered beneath one of the cars and the Walker managed to drive her out and she ran into the woods.

Daryl went on a rescue mission, promising Carol that he would find her little girl. Others from the group soon joined in, and since Sophia was Carl's best friend, he begged to join. Rick and Shane agreed to let him tag along, but things took a turn for the worse during a seemingly  harmless instance when they encountered a deer. Carl was mesmerized by the buck, but little did they know that a hunter by the name of Otis also had his sights on the animal. Otis shot the deer and the bullet went through, shattering through Carl's chest. Given the circumstances, the injury would have proven fatal, but fortunately for the group Otis lived with someone that could help. Hershel, a farmer and veterinarian who's only surgical experience beforehand was on livestock. Fortunately his skills pulled him through, giving the boy another chance.

Despite Hershel's reluctance, the group were allowed to stay on temporary terms until Carl (And Daryl after being injured during a search for Sophia) could heal. Things became even more sticky when Glenn discovered Hershel's barn full Walkers. The situation was contained for awhile, but Shane eventually lost it and opened the doors, releasing the hoarded Walkers. It is then discovered that Sophia had turned, and had been in the barn for some time. She is the last Walker to emerge, causing heartbreak among the group. This is one of the turning points in Carl's life, and after Sophia's burial, a very upset Carl tells Carol that 'heaven is a lie!'


Carl soon finds out that he's going to be a big brother, and this is one of the key points that softens Hershel's resolve and he allows the group to stay.


Many hardships follow. Shane leads Rick into the woods on a search for Randel, a youth he had killed days before. It's a ploy and driven by his obsession over Lori, Shane tries to kill Rick. Rick manages to kill Shane just as Carl shows up. Scared and confused by what he'd witnessed, the kid pulled a gun on his father, but ended up shooting Shane when he reanimated. Hershel's farm was overran and once again they are forced to flee and end up at the prison. It is here that Lori goes into labor, and Maggie is forced to perform a C-section to save Judith. This means the death of Lori, and it is Carl that has to put his mother down before she turns. This devastated the young boy.

Their time there is short lived after the Governor, the leader of 'Woodbury' discovers it and attacks. Hershel was executed as Walkers overrun the Prison. The group was scattered after The Governor was taken out by his former lover. Finding Judith's bloody car seat, Carl and Rick fear the worst and with broken hearts, are forced to leave and search for a safe haven.

Rick was severely injured during the attack and after finding an abandoned house to rest in, he goes into a coma. This takes an emotional toll on Carl and he becomes bitter, blaming his father for their losses and screaming that he didn't need him. His tune changed when he thought that his father had turned and he couldn't bring himself to shoot him. Instead, he begged his dad to kill him, saying that he couldn't do this alone, and admitting that he was scared. Fortunately Rick had not turned, and the moans were from waking from his deep coma.

Michonne, the woman that Carl was once skeptical of had become his best friend back at the prison. When the woman manages to find the pair, Rick smiles and tells his son 'it's for you...' After Rick recovers enough to travel, the three set out to search for the others. Unfortunately they cross paths with 'The Claimers', a group of rough necks that Daryl had joined after Beth was taken. Rick had previously killed a few of the leader's men, so he attempted to settle the score by letting one of his mean beat and nearly rape Carl in front of him. Daryl retaliated which almost cost his life, but Rick was able to rip out the leader's throat with his teeth and the group slaughtered the men. Traumatized by the events, it was Michonne that offered the boy the most comfort, taking on the motherly role and holding him while he slept.








After rebounding, Rick, Michonne, Daryl  and Carl took to railroad tracks, discovering a sign for 'Terminus' and directions that would lead them to what claimed to be a safe haven. Unfortunately the refuge was not what it claimed and was a home to cannibals. The trio is captured along with the rest of the group, and nearly slaughtered like animals, but the estranged Carol came to their rescue.


Their next 'home' became a guarded community called 'Alexandria'. There Carl makes friends with Enid and makes enemies with a boy named Ron. Things between the boys only became more intense when Rick killed Ron's father after he attacked and killed Diana's husband. Rick had a romantic relationship with Jesse, Ron's mother, which caused even more animosity between Ron and Carl.

Once again their safe haven was overrun, and during their attempt to escape, Ron's younger brother draws attention to them when he becomes scared and freaks out. The boy is attacked, and refusing to leave her son, Jesse also falls victim. Blaming Rick and Carl, Ron draws his gun, determined to kill the ones that had taken his family, but Michonne intervened. She stabbed Ron through the back, but one final fire was shot. The bullet hit Carl in the right side of his face, directly through his eye. Looking up at his father with blood pouring from the would-be fatal injury, he manages to utter "Dad?" before collapsing.


Michonne quickly scooped him up and rushed him to Alexandria's doctor, Denise. She managed to save the boy's life, but the damage was done, leaving him with one eye.


Months later, Michonne and his father form a relationship. Being so close to Michonne, Carl approves since the woman had practically taken on the motherly role beforehand.


During an attempt to get Maggie to the Hilltop to save her and her unborn child, Carl s captured by Negan along with his father and the group. They are reunited with Daryl, Glenn and the others when Negan has his men line them up, preparing to pick one to unleash Lucille, a baseball bat wrapped in barb wire, on.  






Rick Grimes
"I know we'll never get things back to the way they used to be.... I only clung to that... for you... and Judith. Now she's... gone. You're a man, Carl... you're a man. I'm sorry."
—Rick to Carl

As his son, Rick completely loves Carl and does whatever is necessary to protect him. He shows a desire to shield Carl from the difficulties of the world as made evident by how he discouraged Shane and Lori from arguing in front of him, and by how he lied to Carl about Sophia being lost in the woods.

However, this changes when he realizes that Carl needs to be able to protect himself and that sheltering him from the reality of the world would only hurt his chances of survival. He trains Carl in the use of firearms, and he tries to ready Carl for the inevitable death of both his parents, telling him "no more kids stuff". Carl's trust in his father is momentarily put into question following Shane's death by Rick's hand. Carl briefly fixes his gun on his father before switching his sights to a walker Shane. Following their escape from the farm, Carl is visibly upset upon the revelation that his father had killed Shane.

During the time lapse between the farm and the prison, Carl's faith and trust in his father is shown to have been restored. He is also shown to have become an incredibly adept fighter to the point where Rick allows him to participate in combat against walkers and to guard the group.

Along with caring for Carl's physical well-being, Rick also seems concerned about Carl's emotional and psychological health. After Lori's death and upon realizing that Carl had been forced to put her down, he immediately looks to Carl to see how his reaction to the loss of his mother.

Afterwards, Rick consoles Carl about what he was forced to do and comforts him. After Lori's death, Carl watches his father slowly lose his sanity. Rick continues to leave Carl, making Lori's death all about him. This coupled with the increasing brutality of the world and The Governor, he begins to unwind, getting colder and colder to the point where he killed a surrendering teenager. Rick shocked and worried realizes just how far his boy is gone, and brings in the people of Woodbury to hope and try to give Carl a sense of normality.

During the time lapse between Seasons 3 and 4 Rick has turned his attention to Carl, no doubt from his realizing of what his son was becoming last season. Rick has taken his gun away and put him on restricted duty hoping to give his son a sense of normality rather then have him get involved in the brutality of their world. Carl becomes a farmer, similar to his father. Carl does struggle with fitting in and trying to be a kid again, no doubt a result from the horrors he's seen and done but he also understands what his father is trying to do for him and thus doesn't fight him too much on his father's strictness.

Carl loves his father and tries to be a good kid by taking his advice such as going to story-time and reading comic books; actually wanting to be a kid again. Carl is still slightly reluctant, and later asks for his gun back, and gets no response. But Rick eventually realizes they're not coming back to their old lives, and hands Carl his gun back. It is shown that Rick is beginning to view Carl more as an equal, as seen when he trusts him with an M4A1 assault rifle and clears out a horde of walkers along side his son.

After the final assault on the prison, Rick manages to find Carl, despite all of the chaos. As the two search for Judith, they find her cradle empty. Assuming she is dead, the two mourn together as Carl takes out his frustration on a walker. Rick stops him, realizing that they must leave the prison immediately. As the two flee the area, Rick tells Carl not to look back, as the prison is completely destroyed.

Following the second attack on the prison Carl is completely hostile toward his father. He is visibly rude to Rick, and verbally slaps him by bringing up Shane. When Rick falls into unconsciousness, Carl seems to still care about his father to an extent (such as keeping his hat and leading the walkers away from the house). However,Carl does lash out at Rick, saying the Governor knew where they were, but Rick just "wanted to play farmer" and how he failed to protect the group (past and present) and would be fine if Rick died. After Rick wakes back up, Carl has thought Rick died and reanimated.

Carl, after realizing that he cannot live without his father and therefore cannot shoot him, resigns to attempted suicide (by trying to let his dad bite him), so he will not be alone, and in the process, admits he was wrong. Rick, however is not dead, and tells Carl to stay safe. Carl admits to being scared. The next morning, the two have breakfast, and have seemed to have made up. Rick tells Carl that he is a man, and then later tells Carl "It's for you." as Michonne is at the door.

Later, Carl is shown to an extent to want to be like his dad, wanting to learn how to trap the animals, and their relationship seems to be on good terms. Rick shows to care for Carl when the Claimers attack, and brutally kills the man who was about to rape Carl, this no doubt hardens Carl. After talking to Michonne, he reveals that he is not afraid of his father, and that he feels his father would be disappointed in him, due to him struggling with dark thoughts. While at Terminus, Carl defends his father saying the other guy deserved to die. Rick also seemed genuinely concerned about Carl, when the people at Terminus held him back for a while, and refused to go into the boxcar until Carl was safe.

After they escape from Terminus, Rick guides Carl and tells him to trust no one. When Aaron, a recruiter from Alexandria, asks Rick and the group to come with him to Alexandria, Rick beats him - with Carl, Judith and the rest of the group's interests in mind - to find out the truth. When they arrive at Alexandria, Rick continues to tell Carl that he should never let his guard down, and also heeds his advice that they should never be unarmed.

During the walker invasion in Alexandria, Carl gets shot in the face, destroying his eye. Rick risks his life to get Carl to the infirmary, crying the whole way. When he gets there, he begs Denise to save Carl. He then rushes outside, in rage, to defend the infirmary from walkers.

Since then, Rick has continued treating Carl like an adult and respecting him and his decisions, and vice versa.






Lori Grimes

"You are going to beat this world, I know you will. You are smart, and you are strong, and you are so brave, and I love you. You gotta do what's right. It's so easy to do the wrong thing in this world. So, so, if it feels wrong don't do it, alright? If it feels easy don't do it, don't let this world spoil you. You're so good, my sweet boy. Best thing I ever did and I love you, I love you. My sweet, sweet, boy I love you."
—Lori's last words to Carl before dying-


Lori's firstborn child and only son, she was fiercely protective of him. In addition to her own efforts to keep her child safe, Lori often relied on Dale and other members of the group to watch him. In Rick's absence, she was relieved that Shane dutifully stepped into the father role. While Rick remained the group's reluctant leader, Lori's main focus was invested into preserving Carl's innocence in a world that grew colder and more bleak as days went by. However, she realized, just as Rick had, that efforts to shelter Carl from the blatant horrors were futile. When she was about to die, she told Carl not to be afraid, and that she thought he was brave, strong, clever, and told him to always make choices based on what he thought was right and to never doubt his decisions. She feared that he could become the biggest monster of all.

Her death has caused Carl to look back on the memories he had with his mother and regretting all the mean things he said to her.

On a run to King County for guns, Carl decides to retrieve a picture of Lori, in the hopes Judith could know how her mother looked like. He smiles when he looks at his mother's picture.









Judith Grimes
"Judith. Do you think that's a good name?"
—Carl to Rick while thinking of a name for Judith


Carl appears to be very protective of his baby sister. He was present during her birth and even suggested some names. Rick later pulls Carl aside to give him advice as to what he should do if anything goes wrong while he's absent. Carl asks him what they should name the baby, and suggests naming the baby after his 3rd grade teacher, Judith Mueller, which Rick agrees to. Carl's strong attachment to Judith has shown to alter his judgement when he tries to get a photograph of Lori alone.

He manages to retrieve the old picture of Lori, hoping that Judith could know how her mother looked like. While searching for Judith with Rick, Carl saw a car seat filled with blood. In anger, he empties his ammo at the walker in a moment of rage, anger and sorrow believing his baby sister to be dead. He was completely devastated by this. After escaping from Terminus, thanks to Carol's help, Carl and Rick managed to reunite with Judith after thinking that she was dead. Carl held his baby sister close in joy along with Rick, crying in the process.







Shane Walsh

"You think this is bad, wait till you start shaving. That stings. That day comes, you'll be wishing for one of your mama's haircuts. I'll tell you what-- you just get through this with some manly dignity and tomorrow I'll teach you something special. I will teach you to catch frogs."
—Shane to Carl



Shane and Carl have a good friendship in their days in The Atlanta survivor camp, with Shane trying to be a sort of father figure for Carl. Shane was also Carl's "playmate" during their stay at the Atlanta camp. After Rick's arrival, more time passed, more they became distant, reducing their relationship to a mere group interaction. Despite this, he was still willing to be a protector for Carl, most likely because he is Lori's son.

Shane is the first person Carl tells about his fault in Dale's death, and gives him back the gun Carl stole, saying he needs it to protect himself. Despite the fact that the rest of the group turned on Shane, Carl still looked up to Shane as a good and trustworthy man and was shocked and saddened when Rick told the group that he killed Shane.

When Carl and Rick are arguing about the knot they are using to lock the door, Carl tells Rick that Shane taught him and whether he remembers him showing Carl still has respect for Shane.






Michonne
"I can't be his father and his best friend... He needs you."
—Rick to Michonne, about her relationship with Carl


Carl is initially distrustful with Michonne just like the rest of the group. He's upset when Rick decides to bring her along on a run to King County, looking for guns. Later when he decides to go on a run to retrieve something and get a baby-crib for Judith, Michonne comes along and Carl storms at her. Eventually she gains Carl's trust by helping him retrieve what was revealed to be an old family picture of him, Rick and Lori. This gets Carl to respect and appreciate Michonne more. Later on, he tells his dad that Michonne may be "one of us" which causes Rick to allow her to stay.

 
After the first prison assault, Carl and Michonne's friendship has developed further with Michonne which is showed by her bringing back comic books for Carl from one of her runs. Along with his father, Michonne has took a special liking to Carl and she even respects Carl to a certain degree, no doubt a result of him being the first person to give her a chance, to accept her as one of the group. This is further proven by their relationship in the post-prison period, where they seem to greatly enjoy each other's company, Rick recognizes that saying he can't be Carl's father and best friend, and that Carl needs her. Michonne reveals to Carl that she had a son, something no other survivor ever knew about, even Andrea.

When Carl is injured in Alexandria, Michonne, along with Rick, risks her life to get Carl to the infirmary. When they arrive, Rick goes back outside to fend off the walkers attracted by the light of the infirmary. Michonne goes too, and before she goes, she kisses Carl on the forehead, begging Denise to save his life.

Two months after the events of 'No Way Out', Michonne and Carl continue to bond, and a great friendship develops between the pair. Carl tells Michonne, that if she turned, Carl would want to say a final goodbye to her. The two embrace and hug.

Michonne has not only become a best friend to Carl, but also a motherly figure. She trusts Carl with her secrets and darkest memories, showing she has genuine trust and respect for him.




 Daryl Dixon
"Hey, don't you worry about your old man. I'm gonna keep my eye on him."
—Daryl tells Carl not to worry about Rick[

Carl and Daryl didn't get along well during their time in Atlanta and the campsite, but as time goes on they have established a brotherly like bond. After the death of Lori, Daryl consoled Carl when even his own father would not. He shared a story on how he lost his own mother, to try and get Carl to open up, and they exchanged their sorrows. Daryl has repeatedly looked out for Carl since the loss of Lori and has acknowledged that he is a tough kid.

During the Governor's attack, Carl tells Daryl that he can shoot the Governor, though Daryl manages to talk him out of it, saying that the rest of the governor's militia might begin to shoot at them, and tells Carl that his dad can handle the negotiation with the Governor.








[i]


* Comic books. -It does not matter what kind, comics are a good escape from the harsh realities of this new world. Michonne puts effort into finding some every time she goes out on supply and scouting runs.

*His Father's sheriff's hat.- Carl knew that he couldn't be a kid anymore, and the hat constantly reminds him at that. And though he will not admit it, there's a sense of comfort in wearing it, feeling that connection to his father since feelings are sometimes difficult to express.

* Chocolate- just like every kid before the apocalypse, Carl loves chocolate. It's a rare treat in this day and age.


* Video Games- though, he has not played one since before the world went cold and dark.

* Michonne- probably his favorite human being and the person he's most likely to confide in whenever things became too much. The woman had taken on that motherly role long before Rick made their relationship bluntly obvious. He love and shows her more respect perhaps more than anyone else.


* Guns- Carl learned to handle and shoot at an early age, despite his father's hesitation. He knew it would be crucial for his son's survival. Carl did not always handle them responsibly, but has grown into his own and knows when to use it, and when to walk away.


* Judith- His baby sister. The only thing good and truly innocent in this world, Carl has become extremely protective of the infant and doesn't seem to mind being the official babysitter.










*Walkers- for obvious reasons. Having your world destroyed at such an early age isn't easy.

*The Governor- for taking his home and murdering Hershel in front of them.


* Being told 'no'.

*Being told to 'stay in the house!' Do not demand this of him, it will not work!

*Being reminded he's a kid! Not a good idea, especially considering that he has been through more than most.


*The Claimers- for stripping away the last of his innocence and making him feel like a monster.


* Ron. What a fucktard!

* Negan and his group.  











Michonne knew that she would have her hands full. The task that she had so lovingly taken on would prove to be challenging, but she had never backed down from a challenge, and for once, her efforts would be invested in something worthwhile. Rick had trusted her with this role, to become the best friend of his angsty son. It seemed fitting, after all. Out of everyone, Michonne was the person that Carl trusted the most.


The run in with 'The Claimers' had taken an emotional toll on the boy. Being beaten and ...nearly raped... it was too much even under normal circumstances, but throw in the fact that there was no redeeming elements  to the world since the infection, it would be increasingly hard to rebound.



"Slow down, Carl. don't go too far ahead of me!" Michonne whispered in a hushed tone for the umpteenth time. Sword held at the ready and prepared to take out any Walkers, or lingering 'Claimers' that may be staked out in the woods. Carl was a bloody mess, and despite the boy's earlier protests, Michonne had finally convinced him to let her clean him up. True, they were used to being covered in blood and gore and dirt, but seeing him so injured and knowing the reason, it needed to be dealt with.


"I can take care of myself!" The boy angrily huffed back. Angry, hurtful tears burning at his eyes. He was strong, but last night he had felt so weak and helpless. To have that man's full weight on top of him, large uncaring hands ripping at his clothes as the rest of the pack hooted for a good show... a burning reminder that humans were far worse than the walkers. Monsters...


So lost in his thoughts, Carl was surprised by the Walker that was suddenly in front of him, rotting teeth chomping mere inches from his face. There was no room to maneuver his gun into position for a clear shot , but within a split second, the Walker's head was sliced in two, separating between the jaw. The heap of rotting corpse crumbled to the ground and Michonne angrily pulled Carl back, frustrated that he hadn't listened to her. One look into those reddened, tear-filled eyes quickly softened her demeanor and she pulled him into a hug. One thing she knew, actions meant so much more than words with Carl, and he needed to be reminded, she was there for him.


It was okay to cry, but she would not tell him that. Instead she would be there when the tears finally fell, and would do her best to ease that pain. To hold him as he needed to be. He was a child that had not been given the opportunity to grow up. A man too soon. But still a child in her eyes. A son. A best friend.


The stream wasn't too far away and they made it there in silence, Carl allowing Michonne to keep him held to her side. He welcomed the warmth and comfort, just as he had in the old car the night before. He has slept with his head resting in her lap, a sign of complete trust. A rare gesture for him.


The contact only broke when they finally reached the bank of the stream and she lowered him down into a sit, taking a spot directly in front of him, facing him. Her intense and concerned gaze meeting his, witnessing the silent release of tears, wanting to hug him, but giving him that moment of space. Her eyes searching, there to greet his whenever he allowed that contact.


"Hey. You don't have to anymore..." She told him softly, removing a rag from her bag and dipping it into the chilled stream water and wringing out the access water. "I know you can take care of yourself, Carl. You've had to. You've had to grow up and it isn't fair..." And she carefully placed the washcloth against his bruised and bloodied cheek, gently working at cleaning away the dried blood. "But you don't have to do it alone anymore. I'm here now. I'm your friend and.... I love you. I love you as much as I loved my own son.." And with that bit of truth, she could feel her own tears begin to burn.


It had been so long since Carl had felt that connection. Despite his initial feelings about Michonne, the woman had become his best friend, and now something more. Swollen lip lightly quivering, he no longer seemed to fight the tears. He had held them back for so long, afraid to be weak, but knowing he could completely expose his raw emotions to Michonne. "He wasn't there. Dad wasn't there when I needed him the most... when mom died. I had... I had to put her down and I needed him.. but he wasn't there. He lost it... he went crazy... and... he wasn't there..." That weight had become too much and finally he had someone to confide in.


No longer able to allow him his distance, Michonne pulled him into a hug that Carl easily melted into, just as he had the night before after being so savagely attacked. "He should have been there..." Michonne agreed, rocking gently and squeezing carefully. "But your father was hurting, too. That gives him no excuse... but it just proves you were the stronger one. And you still are, but you'll never have to deal with anything alone again...I won't leave you.... I promise you...."


 

~Finished~

^_^ so informative! Very nice!

What currently lurks beneath the bandage.