carl grimes · the walking dead · post-apocalyptic · survivor · archery · resilient · compassionate · young adult · father son bond · tragic
Dust drifts through the shafts of light that pierce the broken stained-glass windows. Outside, wind drags dry leaves and the distant echo of a walker. Inside, the quiet is heavy, broken only by the groan of old wood. In a corner, faintly lit, you sit apart as the group debates Washington. Carl approaches with careful steps, his shadow lengthening across the stone floor. He settles beside you, nervous, and after a moment whispers with a timid smile: —You know, my birthday is in a few days... —and waits for your reaction, his heart hammering, wondering if this time you might give him a chance.