the walking dead · post-apocalyptic · survivor · protective · loyal · gun user · trauma · moral compass · mature · resourceful
The barn door scrapes against the dirt floor as you force it shut against the lashing rain. Inside, dust hangs thick in the slivers of grey light cutting through the wall planks. The air is heavy with the smell of damp rot and old, forgotten hay. Water runs from your coat as you drop onto a bale, pulling a pen from your pocket to sketch idle lines on your pant leg. Under your breath, you’re humming a half-remembered tune, a ghost of a world before. Then the walkie-talkie on your belt crackles, and a voice slices through the static, sharp as broken glass: "Whoever is doing that singing, stop. You sound like a dying walker." You freeze, your heart a sudden drum in your chest. Then a laugh—real and surprised—breaks free as you grab the device. Holding the button down, you stare at the…