I went back upstairs and wanted to cry, But why? I mean we were best friends at camp, But that was 3 years ago.We haven't even talked since then, He did remember me though. He still mattered to me in a way. I put my headphones in shutting the crazy world out with the song " The Sinking Man ".
I slowly fell asleep, But was awoken by lights. Lights of Otis's truck. I ran down the stairs and out side.. beyond happy. But there was no Otis, Just Shane.
He was limping his way out of the truck and over to us.
" I got it, I got everything that was on your list.. " Shane said in a some what happy tone.
" Where's Otis ?" I asked in fear of his answer, He simply just shook his head. " We'll tell Patricia after the surgery .. Just right now I need that! " My daddy yelled as he reached for the bags.
Otis is gone, He's gone.. He risked his life for Carl. I'm in disbelief. The only good news was that my daddy was done with the surgery an hour later and Carl seemed to be just fine.
I walked downstairs at the time My daddy and Rick were telling Patricia and Jimmy. Patricia fell to the floor hitting it and crying, It brought tears to my eyes. Otis was a really good man.
He was a family friend. I just, I'm not believing he's gone. Jimmy is too.. Considering Otis was Jimmy's dad. I couldn't watch her be in pain anymore. I turned the other way running into Shane.
The new looking shane, he had no more hair. His eyes pierced into mine like needles. He was hiding something deep within him. I could see it all in his eyes for those 5 seconds he stood there. He then walked into The room Carl was in. I paid no more attention to him. He creeped me out a little.
I heard crying from the front porch.. But it was different crying.. Not Lori's I'd heard this whole day.
I pushed open the door and outside leaning on the railing of the porch was a short haired women.
" Are you alright, miss? " she wiped tears off her face " I'm okay darling. " she replied to my question.
" You're not crying for no reason, I'm not trying to but into your business. It's just not good to keep things inside". I replied back to her not true answer.
She smiled " I just want to find my daughter.. That's all.. "
What could I say to that?
Carl was all alone, So I figured why not talk to him?
" Hey Carl, I don't know if you can hear me..But I just wanted to say thank you.
Thank you for making my summer 3 years ago really amazing. You were my best friend. You were uh.. My only friend. We literally did everything together. I remember in the middle of the night we snuck out to go to the lake. Oh and how you stood up for me every time Suzanna would torment me.
I continued on while Lori and Rick walked in silently behind listening.
"I remember the last day we hugged for what seemed like years and years.. I didn't want to let go and neither did you. I mean we did eventually let go, But we both knew that's not what we wanted. You're going to be just fine. Your momma and daddy love you.. I can see it, and those people who all came here when they heard what happened to you. Just know that I'm right here, You're old best friend " I teared up a little a smiled.
Lori came and put her hand on my shoulder. " So you were you the girl Carl wouldn't stop talking about for the first 3 weeks back.. " Lori said teary eyed. " he was so worried about making friends". I nodded and a smile approached my face.
" That was me "
She hugged me
We barely knew each other
But she was hurting
And that's the least I could do
Her hugs reminded me of my Momma's hugs..
The next day was Otis's funeral, everybody was there except Carl.
He was in bed on pain medication fast asleep, I walked forward and put rocks onto Otis's grave as did everybody else.
" God, Please Welcome Our Brother, Friend, and Father Otis into your kingdom. Risking his life in hopes of saving a child. Please God.. Do us that Favor " My daddy spoke, Getting kind of chocked up, But it was a funeral.
" Shane, Will you speak? " My daddy asked.. " I'm not to good at this.. " Shane replied back with a really weird look.
Something was wrong, " You were the last one with him, You shared his last moments..Let us know my husband's death had purpose. " Patricia said to Shane with tears flowing out of her eyes.
" We were halfway to the truck, Down to pistols, Ankle was swollen. Limping pretty bad. He sighed loud enough for me to hear. He threw his backpack to me, Go save the boy..Go! Now! GO! "
Shane looked down and seemed as though he was going to let real tears out "I looked back and Walkers Surrounded him , If it wasn't for Otis making that courageous decision, Carl, Otis and me..wouldn't be here right now, He saved us".
Something in Shane's statement wasn't clicking for me. There was more to what he was confessing, it's like his eyes and mouth were telling two different stories.
After the Funeral the Adults went out to talk about looking for looking for Sophia.
" I can take one them horses and go look up this riven and see if I see her". Daryl said tossing his crossbow over his shoulder.
" Wait, You told Carl she was fine". I stated to Rick.
" Sweetie, Why don't you go check on Carl. See if he needs some water or something" The blonde named Andrea told me.
Something was definitely not right about this. I nodded not saying anything. I just went back into the house and saw Carl's eyes opening .
" Carl Carl! " I yelled to my excitement.
" Hey.. " he weakly said " You remember me right? " I asked in hopes again that he really did
"Ella Greene" I added.
A faint smile appeared across his lips. " Yeah I remember you, and summer camp. It's coming back to me."
I chuckled in relief.
" Can I get you anything? " I asked " Throats kind of dry " he answered.. I ran to kitchen, filled up a cup and ran back.. " don't move anything.. I'll help" I told Carl.. I got on the bed next to him, lifted his head and helped him drink.. He leaned forward a little much and put pressure on his wound.. Causing him to shriek a little.. " I'm so sorry did I hurt you?!" I asked scared.. " No no.. It just doesn't feel to nice being shot.. You know ? " He asked sarcastically but playfully.. " no no.. I really don't " we both chuckled .. It was nice seeing his smile.. Or any emotion.. Considering the only time I've seen him he was asleep.. It a seizure.. His pain will soon be all gone.. That gives me a warm feeling..
As the evening slowly approaches Carl and I are joined by his mother.. The three of talked as if we'd known each other for years.. I like Lori.. She was a good momma.. She really really loved Carl.. I could tell.. So could he.. I missed mine.. I missed her a lot..
Lori's head shot straight up as she heard Glenn and Maggie's voice.. She sprinted outside to Glenn.. Carl and I didn't pay any attention.. We just continued our conversation.. " I have to ask you a question that's really been picking at me" he shot right out.. " Go on? " I demanded .. " Is it weird talking to me while I'm shirtless.. " he asked .. I said nothing but giggled till my ribs hurt a little.. " You are such a dork! Really? We went swimming together basically the whole summer.. It's not that weird " I told Carl as I let little laughs out still.. He smiled every time I laughed..
" am I missing something? " I asked a little confused.. " I like your laugh.. It's dorky and cute " he added " Dorky? .. Nice save jerk! " I playfully flicked his shoulder and smiled.. " Hey, you can't flick the injured. " he stated and we both laughed.. " Welp.. Shower time for me.. See you in the morning.. Don't go any where.. I mean not that you have a choice " I giggled... He just kept smiling at me..
Carl fell asleep for a few minutes but was awoken by his dad.. " Hey, I'm like you now. We've both been shot. Isn't that weird? " Carl said to his dad as if was really funny.. " Yeah, I think your mother would rather hear we got the same eyes. So let's keep that between us. Since in you're in the club now, you get to wear the hat. Didn't you know?" his dad added.. " No way..Dad.. " Carl said in the happiest disbelief.. " You do you do.. " Rick told him.. " Listen.. I told you something that wasn't true.. About Sophia" Rick added to his statement.. " I know dad.. Mom told me and Ella ..But you know we'll find her.. " Carl said with positiveness in his voice.. " We will carl.. " Rick said not completely confident .. But Carl didn't need to know that..
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