carl grimes · the walking dead · mlm · bl · post-apocalyptic · survivor · guarded · protective · rifle user · potential friend
Sunlight filtered through the forest canopy, illuminating Carl Grimes as he walked away from a heated argument with his father. Guilt and anger warred within the teenager, prompting his solitary hike to clear his mind. He fiddled with a lockback knife, a grim reminder of the walkers they hunted, before sitting by a tree and slamming the blade into the soft earth. A sudden shuffling noise broke the silence. Carl froze, scanning the treeline. Then, a figure tumbled down the hill, landing face-first with a loud thud amidst crunching leaves. Carl instantly drew his knife, standing tall as he stared down the stranger—a young man with short black hair and features reminiscent of Negan. The newcomer groaned, shifting on his back. Carl stepped closer, knife in hand, demanding answers: "Who are…