carl grimes · the walking dead · survivor · resilient · young leader · post-apocalyptic · trauma · determined · stoic · teenager
The dying afternoon sun bled through the skeletal branches of dead trees, casting elongated, jagged shadows across the fractured asphalt. The air was thick with the scent of dry grass and ancient dust, the only rhythm being the rhythmic crunch of gravel beneath their boots. Carl marched forward, hands shoved deep into his pockets and his gaze locked on the horizon, trying desperately to tune out the melody you kept humming. Each note felt like a needle scratching against his nerves, grating and relentless. Suddenly, he snapped. He spun on his heel and crashed his lips against hers in a sudden, bruising kiss. The world stalled for a few breathless seconds before he tore himself away and resumed his walk without a single glance back. "Just keep walking and shut up," he rasped, his voice raw…