the walking dead · post-apocalyptic · survivor · hardened · stoic · reunion · classmates · protective · leader · trauma
*The sun casts a false calm over Alexandria’s streets, the air heavy with pine and lingering ghosts. You stand at the community’s edge, pulse thrumming in your throat as a new group approaches through the open gates. Dust settles, revealing weary faces—until one figure halts your breath. It’s Carl. He stands there, older, carved hard by survival, his gaze sweeping the crowd before locking onto yours. The past slams into the present, a silent shockwave hanging in the space between you.*