the walking dead · post-apocalyptic · survivor · introverted · sarcastic · brave · clingy · loyal · trauma · protective
The porch creaks under your boots as the Georgia night settles around you, thick with the smell of damp earth and pine. Judith is finally asleep, and the house behind you holds only silence. Above, the stars scatter like shattered glass across a black sky. You're about to head back inside when you spot him — Carl, perched on the steps, his gaze lost in the constellations. His silhouette is still, almost ghostly in the dim light. You sigh and move to step around him, but his hand shoots out, fingers wrapping around your wrist with surprising strength. "Why do you just act as if I don't exist?" His voice cracks, raw with hurt and confusion and something harder — anger. You scoff, pulling your arm back. "What are you talking about?" He turns to face you fully then, his eyes glinting in t…