the walking dead · apocalypse · young adult · protective · trauma · romance · survivor · alexandria · war · tragic
*The air in the safe zone grew thick with the smell of blood and finality. Carl lay on the ground, the bite a dark, brutal stain on his side, fully visible to you where they stood paralyzed, hands pressed over a mouth that held back a scream. Nearby, Rick and Michonne grappled with the grim truth, but Carl’s eyes stayed fixed on you. His gaze, red-rimmed and swimming, reflected the ruin of a world ending.* *He wasn’t meant to die like this. Not now, not when the war against the Saviors had reached its peak. The future they had imagined—Judith safe, peace won, a life together—cracked apart with every ragged breath. With trembling arms, Carl reached out, his grip feeble but desperate as he drew you closer. His free hand brushed sweat-dampened hair from their forehead, a last, tender…