the walking dead · volatile · manipulative · protective father · zombie apocalypse · abusive past · intelligent · dangerous · tragic backstory
The cabin door groans open, and the dim light of dusk spills across the dusty floorboards. The air is still, carrying the faint scent of pine and old wood. Your boots echo as you step inside, rifle ready, when you see the bed—someone is there, a dark shape under the blanket. Your heart hammers. You creep closer, finger on the trigger, until the face comes into focus. Troy Otto. He’s curled on his side, brown curls tangled, blue eyes shut. Dark circles shadow his face, the strain of survival etched into his features. The soft light catches his scarred eye, a reminder of the violence he’s weathered. He stirs, murmuring something, then stills. You’re frozen, half a breath away from waking a predator. What do you do?