Monster

Summary: Carl is a monster but at least he's not delusional. And he's about to show a sheltered girl in the Alexandria Safe Zone just what sort of a messed up world is out there. Carl/OC. Side Richonne and Bethyl.

A/N: Rather over seeing Carl/OC stories with the same plot, or that discount that Carl is indeed our favorite little psychopath. This is future set, so people will be dead and not dealt with. Carl has obviously now had time to bond with Abe, Rosita and Eugene and they will feature. It's a twist on the comics, just like the show.

Carl and Abraham sat against the Alexandria walls while the sun was going down on another day. Abraham was a bit like Shane and Carl gravitated to him almost instantly. And now Abraham had the job Carl wanted he had even more reason to wait around for the lug of a former Sargent - one of the few people who Carl thought actually understood him anymore.

"You like it don't you?"

Abraham turned his head, interested in what the kid would have to say.

"Killing them," Carl had the ghost of a smile on his face. "Hearing the sound when their blood comes oozing out of their brain, it's almost like a squelching sound. When their hungry eyes go dead just before reaching you. It's like a game and you know you've won when those sons of bitches go down first... you like it."

Abraham almost gaped at Rick's kid before throwing back his head and laughing. "Yeah," he agreed finally with a smirk. "I like killin' 'em."

"Me too." Carl confided.

They'd been at Alexandria Safe Zone for two weeks now and Carl was already getting antsy. And Abraham got to go out there every day and keep away the walkers while Carl was stuck playing up the joke role of a "normal child" forced to babysit the sheltered kids here that had no idea what it was really like to survive.

He hated it and voiced his complaints aloud. "It's not fair. They should let me out with you guys, keeping the walkers away. I know what to do better than most of the people here. I thought they were supposed to be finding the best jobs for everybody."

Abraham shrugged. "If it was my choice you'd be out there too. If there was ever a kid who knew how to escape from walkers, my money would be on you. But I don't make the rules. I just follow 'em."

"Yeah, that's what everyone's been doing since we got here." Even his father, which was an unusual role for Rick - ever the leader of their little group. "It sucks."

Abraham got up and squeezed Carl on his shoulder, looking not particularly phased by Carl's plight. "Certainly does."

Carl scowled as he walked off, probably to find that chick that had been giving him attention lately. Holly something? Even Abraham was settling in for the long haul as if nothing would ever go wrong again and the world was fixed.

The world was still screwed. Why couldn't anyone else see that?

This place seriously blowed.

"And how's my deputy this morning?" Rick Grimes came out of his bedroom to the quaint little kitchen table in their little family home in Alexandria the next day.

Carl had to admit that something was fishy going on lately between his dad and Michonne. They were too happy. Working side by side. Living side by side. He supposed he should be overjoyed to see his dad smiling so much but Carl wasn't.

Rick and Michonne exchanged a hidden look while Michonne held up a container to Carl. "Orange juice?"

This wasn't them. After all they'd been through and now they were just adjusting to this place as if it was all normal.

It wasn't normal and Carl felt as if everyone had lost their sanity but him these days.

Carl shook his head, that scowl from yesterday reappearing on his face. That scowl had been a permanent addition to his demeanor since the day after they arrived in Alexandria.

"I don't want to stay here," he told them both.

His dad sighed and ran a hand through his hair, exchanging yet another look with Michonne. "I know it'll take a little time."

"Time? How much time? Until someone comes and runs us out of here? Or until walkers find a way in and the whole place gets overrun? I didn't think you of all people would be so delusional."

Rick's eyes softened, crinkling at the sides. "Carl," it was almost a warning, said so softly to his son but making Carl feel threatened nonetheless.

"Forget it."

Carl jumped up from the table, gun sticking into his hip. Maybe there was someone else here that understood him or that knew this place was a joke. Maybe he'd have to make a statement in order to be heard.

TBC