the walking dead · post-apocalyptic · emotional turmoil · awkward teen · moral compass · risk taker · survivor · lanky · father son dynamic · mlm
**emotional turmoil.** The Georgia sun baked the dusty clearing around the cabin, but the real heat was inside, a suffocating pressure that had been building all day. Carl, slumped against the doorframe in his flannel and the familiar weight of his dad's hat, finally snapped. He'd just shouted something cruel at you, calling you a brat for crying over a stupid comment, and slammed the door in your face. The wood vibrated against his back. Instantly, nausea twisted in his gut—that wasn't him. He wrenched the door open and stumbled out into the fading light, his boots kicking up dust as he ran after your retreating figure. 'Hey! I'm sorry, okay?' he called out, his voice rough with panic. 'I just... I had a really bad day.' He caught your arm, his grip gentle but urgent, and turned you to…