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Chapter Text

‘Dad! I need to get to dad- and Judith!’

Those were basically the only thoughts rushing through Carl’s head at the moment. He needed to avoid getting shot or eaten alive by walkers- and he needed to find his dad and his little sister.

He last saw his dad getting attacked by the Governor in the field by the fences and tried shooting his way to him but kept having to run back or take cover to avoid gunfire and walkers that swarmed through the breaches.

The last person he actually recognized seeing last was Daryl, who was next to him shooting one minute and poof- gone the next.

He was so overwhelmed and focused on not dying that he even dropped his hat somewhere in the field on his way to find his dad before he inevitably had to race back to cover- I mean seriously a fucking tank?!

He took cover behind a wall of the prison still on the outside just shielded and leaned back against it taking a breath.

’I can do this’ he told himself in his head.

There wasn’t any other choice, it was either you can do this or die, so he could do it.

Carl picked up his gun again re-loading it, taking a deep breath in and out before rushing back to the war zone.

Rushing past a cascade of walkers and the distant sounds of gun fire, he took off to an open breach-way out of the prison. He couldn’t see anyone he recognized or trusted, couldn’t hear them either, no sign of his dad anymore, if Hershel died Michonne probably did too, the bus had already taken off so there goes that escape plan, the point is it was either run out of this hell whole or die.

So again, Carl could do it.

he rushed through, shooting walkers occasionally that got to close, shooting at a few of the governors people when permitted to and racing towards the exit of the prison and straight for the trees. 

he had almost made it when a searing pain welt through his stomach for the second time in his life- a recognizable pain known only as a gunshot wound.

He had been shot.

One if the Governor’s people had shot him.

He had to keep going.

He tried to reach higher ground to try and see if he could spot any of his people- his family with a better view to go to them but he barley had time to try before a herd of the prison ambush walkers smelt him, and the blood seeping from his stomach, and started making their way.

Cornered by what looked to be around twenty to thirty walkers or so- he again had no choice but to run deeper into the woods in fear and worry for his friends and family, he worried for himself, he worried for his dad, Judith, Maggie, Beth, Daryl, Glenn, Carol who wasn’t even here right now for this mess- hell everybody.

He wonders if this is what Sofia felt like when she ran through the woods, chased by monsters and alone with nothing but her fear.

Carl shook that thought and focused on survival, shooting a few loose stragglers who got to close and running even faster away from the herd of monsters- and from the prison, and most importantly, away from the rest of his family as he held his stomach in agony.

Chapter Text

One day after the fall of the prison 

Carl

It had been a day give or take since Carl had escaped the prison, bleeding with a herd of walkers on his tail. He had barley managed to escape the group of monsters relatively untouched by them and flee out of the woods.

Finding shelter in an abandoned house and luckily finding a med kit, Carl tried his best to fix up his wound from the little bit of knowledge Hershel had taught him, while trying not to cry about said mentor.

He applied pressure and slowed the bleeding before using his fingers to pull the bullet out, luckily it didn’t go too deep and he didn’t have a repeat of that day in the woods with the deer.

But let’s be honest, Carls a kid. He’s only around thirteen with barley any medical knowledge to combine. He had no idea if their were any other fragments, if anything had been nicked, it was all a guessing game.

He slowed the bleeding majorly, bulled the main problem, the bullet, out and grabbed a ton of gauze, pressing it into the wound before rapping a bandage over it and around his stomach a few times, it already staining a light red.

He needed to get as far away from here as possibly, as far away from his family as possible if he wanted to avoid any of the governor’s people or the man himself.

And that knowledge hurt.

It hurt to know that he had to run away from the very people he wished he could see the most. Away from his dad, from michonne. The opposite direction from Maggie, Glenn, Beth, Daryl- everybody.

Carl had no idea the state they were in. He knew his dad was being attacked by the governor, for all he knows his dad is probably already dead. His baby sister was more than likely gone considering her lack of being able to defend herself at all, unless someone had her. He really hoped if so that person was a good one. He lost track of Daryl so who knows, Glenn was still not fully recovered from the sickness along with many other people of the prison so. Maggie and Beth, the two sisters full of love- god only knows where they were and what happened to them. Carol wasn’t there in the first place. Hopefully she never comes back to see the wreck that their home became. 

He had no one.

he was completely and utterly alone.

After an hour or so of resting after removing the bullet, after eating some spaghettio’s he found in the cabinet and looting the rest of the house in pain, he continued on his journey.

Eventually he stumbled on a car, luckily with the keys still inside and prayed to anyone who was listening that it would turn on.

It did.

He smiled for what felt like the first time in ages as he threw his bag he had grabbed from the house to store his stuff into the passenger seat, shitting the driver side door in the process.

After a lot of mistakes and fumbling, he managed to start driving the car down the abandoned road, with a lot of abrupt stops and such.

God had apparently decided to give him a break because somehow the gas tank, (his dad had taught him a bit about cars when he begged to learn to drive), was over halfway full.

He began to drive and didn’t look back.

Four days after the fall of the prison

Carl

He had no idea how long he had been driving, seeing tree after tree, walker after walker, stopping ever now and then to rest or sleep until he ended up taking a turn and finding a nicer road, which took him to the city.

Said City or what not didn’t seem to be nearly as overrun as his dad had described Alanta as so he took that as a win.

He had been running on fumes for a bit now when his gift from god died on him. Sighing he grabbed his bag, taking a drink from the one water bottle he still had and getting out of the car, his gun in hand.

Carl started walking Down the street wincing with every step. His gunshot wound curtesy of the Governor’s people had went from bad to worse in the last few days. While the bleeding had stopped mostly, it didn’t look good.

Around where he lifted off the bandage was purple and green bruising. He didn’t need much medical knowledge to know it was infected as fuck.

”shit.” He winced as he got dizzy.

He had toughened it out for a while but he was so tired and in so much pain. Every move of a muscle sent a jolt of pain through his body from his stomach.

He fell to his side catching himself with his hand as he let out a muffled scream, muffled by his other hand.

A walker started towards him, “crap!” He struggled to get ahold of his gun as he shot the walker in the shoulder, then the head with blurry vision.

He laid there for a few minutes after the walker fell to the ground with his eyes half open half closed when he heard the skirting of a car coming close.

Carl knew it could be the Governor me his people, or just bad people in general and that he needed to get up and run but he just couldn’t do it.

His eyes finally closed as he heard the Carl stop, the footsteps of around two people approaching.

”shit it’s a kid. Let’s load him up.” A female voice ordered, the other unknown one approaching faster.

He faded into unconsciousness as he felt himself be picked up, eyes opening one last time to see the blurry image of a police car as they walked towards it, until he closed his eyes again and was out.

Chapter Text

Approximately 5 weeks after prison fell

Grady Memorial Hospital

Carls eyes fluttered open slowly as he adjusted to the bright lights and pestering beeping of a machine in the background of his foggy mind.

’what the hell?’ Are Carls first thoughts as he moves his head to look around the room, taking in the odd equipment and appearance of the seemingly hospital room.

His memory was fuzzy as he tried to recall  what he’d remembered last. Hershel dying, the prison in flames and smoke mixed with walkers and chaos, searing pain to his stomach, blood, loneliness, driving and driving, pain in his stomach, falling, people’s voices and foot steps, police car…

”Good you’re awake.” A mans voice interrupted his thought process.

”how are you feeling?”

Carl just stared at him, “w- what?”

The doctors eyes softened a bit, but not by much, “your pain level? Scale from 1-10?”

Carl thought for a minute, his stomach hurt but more like an old bruise then a gunshot or infection so compared to before he was, “about.. a three maybe..?”

The doctor nodded as he wrote down something in a chart- presumably Carl’s answer if he had to guess.

looking back up he spoke, “You had a severely dangerous blood infection when they found you from what looked to be a gunshot wound, minus most the bullet.” Most.

he continued, “we removed the remaining two fragments out and stitched you up. Loaded you up with antibiotics and such to treat the infection. We didn’t know if we’d gotten to you too late or not. Fortunately we seemed to have found you right in time. The infection is completely gone, though the wound itself, while scarred over mostly is still fresh enough. Take it easy until it’s healed completely. You’ve done most your resting already, you’ve been in a coma for around a month.” He smiled.

Wow that was a lot to take in. He was in a hospital with a doctor, who seemed to be acting like everything was normal and they weren’t in the middle of a goddamn apocalypse.

He almost died, again, but should be okay as long as he takes it easy for a bit longer. 

And he was in some kind of coma for a whole month?!

And now comes the next question, “when can I leave?”

The doctors face turns serious all over again, “You shall stay here with the rest of us. The officers keep everyone safe, i and others heal each other. You are safe here.” He bites out the last part like an insult.

Then the distain on his face disappears and it’s a normal expression with even a slight smile, “I’d like to introduce you to another patient, she’s been here for about a few days or so. She’ll show you around.”

”this is Beth.” He introduced.

Carls eyes widened with hope that only grew when the familiar girl with a blonde ponytail and cut to the face appeared in the doorway behind the doctors eyes sight. She smiled softly at him before looking to the doctor then back at Carl putting her finger to her lips as a silent, “shhh.”

So they were going the ‘we don’t know each other even though we do.’ Route.

He smiled softly holding back the happy tears in his eyes, “Nice to meet you ma’am.”

The doctor nodded in approval looking to Beth, “make sure he doesn’t walk to fast, if anything happens bring him back to his room and retrieve me, or at worst the nearest doctor.”

Beth nodded, “yes doctor.”

He nodded as he left the room, disappearing from the young boys view. Once they were alone and the door had closed, Beth walked quickly over and pulled Carl into a tight hug from where he was sitting on his bed.

He hugged her back just as tightly for a while until she hesitantly let go, though she looked like she didn’t want to. “Carl.” she said softly with a teary smile, “it’s so good to see you.”

He smiled back, “you too.”

”we’re you with anyone else?”

He shook his head sadly, “you were alone out there?”

he nodded his head, “I- I was shot I think when I was running from the prison by one of the Governors men.”

Beths face darkened at the mention of the man who killed her father and burned their home down.

Carl noticed, “sorry.”

She immediately shook her head and lifted his by his chin, “it’s okay, not your fault.”

When he didn’t make eye contact with her she let go of his chin, “I was with Daryl.”

That got his attention as he snapped his head up to meet her eyes, “Daryl? He made it out, Is he okay?”

”Not for sure since I’ve been here for a bit but, he was okay last time I saw him before they took me.”

Carl let out a visible sigh of relief, “I was with him when the prison fell, before we ran while we were still fighting. He was right next to me shooting one minute, then given the next. I didn’t know..”

She hugged him again before pulling away, “He was okay last time I saw him. And if he was okay, and I got out, and you got out..”

He smiled sadly, “then there’s a change others got out too.”

She nodded, “exactly.”

After a moment Beth wondered over to the counter in his room and opened it, pulling out a ‘Patients Belonging’s’ clear bag and bringing it over to him. Along with a folded pair of clothes, a dull teal pair of pants and a short sleeve shirt, paired with a long sleeve white shirt to go under. 

“My friend Noah wears the same thing.”

He looked up, “better than a gown I guess.”

She nodded. Inside the bag were only two things, his hat, and his empty gun holster.

”I’ll wait outside for you to get dressed” she told him, her southern accent leaking through as she made her way outside the door, shutting it.

He smiled softly as he carefully took the hospital gown off and redressed himself in the patient-like scrubs he had been given. Putting on his empty knife and gun holsters for when he eventually hopefully found them again, lastly putting on his infamous sheriff hat.

Slowly he made his way to the door, opening it and seeing Beth leaning against the wall to the right of his door, waiting for him.

She smiled brightly at seeing him in his hat again as she stopped leaning against the wall, coming closer. “It’s good seeing you in that again.”

He smiled shyly, “yeah, yeah..” he mumbled.

Her look softened once again, “I mean it.”

He looked up at her as she continued, “When I first got here a bit ago, waking up here without Daryl was so strange. When I finally got to take an actual look around, and peeked into the doors of some patients and I saw you..”

”My heart dropped when I saw you, Carl.” She said with glassy eyes, him returning the favor. “After killing my daddy like that right in front of me.. and then getting separated from Daryl, not knowing if he’s okay anymore. Not knowing where most our group is… seeing you I was so happy to know you made it out but.. you were like a ghost. You were so pale and my friend I mentioned, he said you’d been here for almost a month and hadn’t woken up at all.”

Carl looked at her as she sucked her tears back regaining her smile, “what I’m sayin’ is, I’m really glad your okay now, and back to Wearin’ your daddy’s hat.” She flicked his hat upward.

He scoffed lightly as he fixed it back in place, “I’m glad you’re okay too Beth. Really, really glad” 

“can we trust this place?”

Her gaze darkened, “there’s definitely something fishy going on here from what I’ve seen. We definitely need to find a way to leave but I don’t think we’re in imitate danger as long as we stay off their radar.”

He nodded, he expected an answer like that to be honest. Of course they couldn’t be some where safe.

No where’s safe.

Noticing his troubles look she spoke, “hey.”

He looked up, “we’ll find a place. A safe place. We’ll make it safe. And we’ll find our family again. I have to believe that.” Smiling she grabbed his arm gently pulling him along, “i want you to meet a friend. He might be able to get us out of here.” 

Carl sighed, “let’s hope so.”

As they walked she added on, “The friend I told you about, his name is Noah. He’s really sweet, he came here with his dad but.. they saved him and didn’t save his dad because they thought Noah was weak, and his dad wasn’t.”

Carl caught on, “which made him a threat..?” He asked exasperated.

she nodded sadly, “That’s why they saved you and me as well. Pathetic skinny blonde girl, little kid with a cowboy hat.” She joked.

He scoffed, “if only they knew.” Knew how much damage they could do if they tried.

”I’ve met a couple others who seem nice, only a few of them are on the same page as me and Noah about this place. Well only a few out of those we’ve talked too.” She corrected.

“Right. Talk to too many people, risk whoever’s in charge finding out.” He agreed.

she nodded, “right. As I was saying I’ve made a few ally’s, even friends. If we tried to leave we have a few on our side to help us get out, to join us.”

He smiled. Finding good people in this world and making them family is always a good thing, “what are their names?”

She smiled back as they continued walking down the hall, “well I be already told you about Noah. There’s a girl my age, her names Jenny but she likes to be called Jen, she’s got short black hair she cut herself. Strong willed with an attitude, and a quiet boy named Riley who’s closer to Maggie’s age.” She smiled sadly at the reminder of her sister.

Carl noticed, “hey.” He grabbed her attention, “we’ll find them remember?” She nodded, “right.”

”who else?”

”only one more, she’s your age actually. Her names Sophia. She’s been here for around eight months or so. She practically jumped at the idea of leaving.” Beth smiled, “Though she’s on the shyer side when it comes to details. She’s a strong survivor I can tell, smart, though like I said quiet.”

Carl stopped walking, “what’s wrong?” Beth asked him.

”Do you know what her last name is?”

Beth frowned, “no, only Sophia. Why?”

Carl gulped before shaking his head scoffing. He was being way to hopeful, all they had in common was a first name. It wasn’t her after all this time, no way. “Nothing, sorry.”

Beth looked like she wanted to touch more on it but spotted Noah before she had the chance. ‘Later.’ She decided.

They were in a practically empty hallway approaching the young dark skinned man when he spotted them and his smile grew, “hi Beth.” He nodded, then looked to Carl, his smile grew more. “And Carl. Are you ready now?” He asked the blonde.

Beth nodded but Carl looked confused, “what do you mean ready now?” 

Beth and Noah shared a look before Beth cleared her throat shyly, “We’ve had the makings of a plan for around a day now but I told them I refused to leave unless you came with us.”

Carl felt warmth in his eyes, goddamnit he hated being so emotional! “Beth..”

The older girl shook her head, “Don’t Carl. There’s no way I was just gonna leave you here. We’re family.” She said the last part softer.

He nodded, “Family.” He turned to Noah, “and now that includes you.” The older boys eyes widened slightly, “y-yeah, I guess it does.” He smiled.

Another patient walked down the hall causing the trio to quiet down and try to look inconspicuous. Once they passed Carl heard Noah sigh in relief, “sorry. On edge.”

”Don’t apologize.”

They both turned to Beth, “we’re getting out of here. Tomorrow night. It might be more risky escaping into the dark of the night but, it makes it that much more likely Dawn won’t try and find us as quick.”

Noah nodded but upon noticing Carla confused look he added for her, “Dawns one of the main.. leader?” He said uncertainty, “her and a couple others I guess.”

Carl nodded, “I agree then. If going at night gives us better chances then we go at night. That’s what my Dad would do..” he added sadly.

Beth gave him a relating pitying look, Noah eyes flashing that of sadness for a moment before he suppressed it, shaking his head quickly, “anyway, I’ll send the message to the others, you tell Carl the plan.”

Beth nodded as Carl spoke up, “Where do we go after this?”

”right now all I’ve got is as far away from here as possible. We can figure out the rest later. I’d like to check my small community and see if my family are still there. I know Sophia wants to find her group as well. She’s only mentions her mom by name though.”

Beth raises an eyebrow in amusement with a smile, “she talk to you a lot?”

he rubbed his neck sheepishly, “.. I’ve kinda became a sort of older brother for her I guess. I’ve been here a while, she trusts me the most out of everyone here.”

Carls heart leaked into his throat, “Noah.. can I ask you something about her?”

“like what?”

”Has she said anything about how she got separated from her mom?”

Noah raised his eyebrows, “.. it’s not really for me to say.”

Carl sighed, “I get that but.. okay I’m gonna guess and just tell me if I’m right or not. If I’m wrong I’ll let it go.”

He nodded, “Did she get spectated from her mom and group running into the woods from a highway?”

Noahs eyebrows skyrocketed in surprise, “I- how did you..?”

Beth’s eyes widened in recognition, “w-wait! Is that Sophia the Sophia from your group you lost before you found my daddy’s farm?”

Carl nodded with teary eyes, he didn’t care if he was being emotional. Sophia was alive. She made it out of those woods, she’s here, he can see her again. “yeah, she’s alive.”

Beth went to speak but Noah beat her to it, “I can’t even explain how happy I am for you guys but- we need to break this off soon. We’ve been talking for to long.” He explained feeling bad but looking nervous as he glanced down the ends of the hall.

Beth agreed, “I’ll try and spot Sophia, make sure the reunion doesn’t happen in front of watchful eyes.” She pointed, Noah nodding with a smile and watery eyes. He really was happy for Sophia huh?

The blonde and the boy were walking down the halls after separating from Noah when Carl heard the sound of a young girl come from behind him, appearing from a patient’s room was a girl, seemingly his age, with dirty blonde hair past her shoulders wearing a familiar headband.

She let out a quiet gasp, “Carl?”

Carls eyes widened comically as he smiled, “Sophia.”

Chapter Text

GRADY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

SOPHIA

Sophia stood there in shock as she awaited an answer from the boy she hadn’t seen in what seemed like forever. Her smile growing as his did the same when he replied, “Sophia.”

She took a quick glance down the hall to make sure there was nobody watching, Beth doing the same the opposite way, before Sophia ran into his arms, pulling the boy into a tight hug.

He held her just as tight, hand in her hair as he whispered almost in disbelief, “your alive, your alive, your alive.”

After a moment they pulled apart, Sophia breaking the hug, knowing anyone could appear in the hallway at any moment. 

She had tears in her eyes as she took in his appearance. He was wearing his father, Rick’s, old sheriff hat. Sophia hoped nothing bad happened to him, he had been so nice , a good leader from what her kid brain could understand at the time, and tried to save her- well he did save her. She would’ve been eaten by the ones chasing her hadn’t he hid her and dragged them away. To bad she got lost anyway afterwards anyway.

She notices his hair had grown much as well, his mother, Lori, had cut it pretty often, it was as short as it could be while still looking nice. Now it was lengthier, almost to his shoulders. 

He was taller obviously, older, though so was she, she assumed. He had an empty gun holster- which she assumed wasn’t empty till he came here. And he was wincing- wait what?

“Are you okay?”

He laughed sharing a look with Beth, “just recovering still.”

Sophia looked confused, “from what?”

Carls face darkened but only for a moment when he sighed, “gunshot.”

Sophias eyes widened, “you were shot?!” She whisper shouted.

”Yeah, not my first time though. That’s actually how I met Beth.” He smiled.

Beth laughed, “yeah, one hell of a first impression you made.” She said quietly.

”you were shot twice?!” 

“yeah, I was shot.. the day you disappeared.”

She was taken aback, “how?”

”well we had been looking for you for a bit when my dad and.. Shane, let me come with them to hunt while also keeping an eye out for you. We found a deer and- Sophia it was amazing, I got so close!” He said before blushing from embarrassment as both the girls watched fondly, “anyway, this guy, Otis, from Beth’s farm didn’t see any of us and shot the deer. The bullet went straight through the buck and into my stomach.”

”I- you got shot because of me..?”

His eyes widened, “what? No! I was the one who begged my dad to let me go with him. It wasn’t your fault Sophia.”

Sophia stood observing him for a moment before Beth ushered them back into Carl’s hospital room, softly shutting the door. She cleared her throat, “and the second time?” She asked pointing to his side.

He sighed defeatedly, “that’s a longer story but, basically, we were taking camp at a prison, and it lasted a while too until this Governor guy came and started stuff. It ended with him bringing a tank and a bunch of people with guns to the prison. They took down the gates and it became a war zone.”

Beth sent him a sad look, she remembered all to well how distressed she felt that day. The smoke everywhere, walkers flooding in from all the gun fire and extra noises. Gun shots flying through the air both from her people and at her people as she lost sight of her sister. All this happening after watching her dad get his head cut off.

”I got shot as I was running from a bunch of walkers towards the woods. I eventually found my way into the city and passed out. Then a cop car pulled up and- well you probably know the rest.” He said shyly, god he hated talking this much.

Sophia pulled him in and hugged him again quickly. She pulled back with her hands still on his shoulders leveling with him. She had to ask. She didn’t want to be insensitive, she cared about Carl a lot. He was basically her only friend from before and besides her mom, was one of the people from the group she missed and thought about the most. “Is my mom alive?”

Beth ducked her head, “we don’t know.”

“She made it to the prison but after that..” Carl explained further.

Sophia let out a breath of pure happy relief. While she didn’t know for sure her mom was okay, knowing she made it all the way up until at least over a month ago gave her hope. Hope she hadn’t felt in a long time.

”At least I know there’s a chance.” She said, the others nodding.

”what about the others? Glenn, Daryl, Dale? Your dad..?” She asked pointedly at Carl.

”Not everyone made it.” He admitted sadly, “Glenn, Daryl, My dad, and your mom are the only ones.”

She nodded before seeming to realize, “wait.” She said looking mournful, “your mom?”

Beth shifted uncomfortably as he confirmed, “yeah she died giving birth to my little sister.. I was there with Maggie- Beth’s sister.”

Beth smiled at the mention of her sister, heart aching.

”I- I’m so sorry Carl.” Sophia whispered, Carl nodding. “Did you say your sister? What’s her name? Did.. did she make it?”

Carl’s eyes were classy as he looked up, “she made it at first but… with the prison… I don’t know if someone got her out or if she was l- left there or-“ he wiped a loose tear before smiling again, “her names Judith. Dad let me name her.” He said proudly.

Beth smiled, “we’ll find them again. Maggie, Rick, Judith, Carol, Glenn- everybody. I have to believe we’ll find them. At least some of them.”

Sophia sighed sadly, “if we ever make it out of here that is.” She wanted their plan to work, really, she did. But she couldn’t let herself Hope too much. For all she knew they’d get caught halfway through trying to escape and his only knows what would happen. Not to mention there’s a good chance not all of them make it out. Even if she did what if Beth or Carl or Noah or any of them get captured before they can escape. What then?

Beth spoke up, breaking her out of her thoughts. “Alright well we better go Carl, same with you Sophia.” She sadly pointed out.

Carl hugged them both one last hug before they left. Beth leaving first, Sophia following after a couple minutes.

He really hoped that their family had all survived. Deep down he knew it wasn’t likely that nobody they cared about died. He really hoped that wasn’t the case.

Hoped.

NOAH

Noah made his way to his, Jens, and Riley’s secret meeting place. A medical supply closet. It was actually roomier than you might think.

He had spotted Jen in the hall and gave her a peace sign, their signs to meet up, and knew she’d pass along the message to Riley.

He opened the door immediately being pulled inside as the door shut softly behind him. “Jesus Jenny!”

She rolled her eyes, “It’s Jen.” She corrected letting go from where she had hennaed a fist full of his shirt to pull him in. “Now what are we meeting about. This is risky.”

”I’m aware of that. It’s about Beth-“

”Is she okay?” Riley and Jen both asked simultaneously looking confused at each other afterwords.

Noah smiled, “she’s okay. The kid she’s gone on and on about? He woke up earlier today. He’s doing really well and we should get a move on with the plan.”

Jen smiled, “damn blondie was right, he actually woke up.”

”Thank god for that or Beth wouldn’t be coming with us.” Riley inputted.

”we all know the plan, Beth explained it to Carl as well. We wait till late at night, all grab something to defend ourself until we’re able to sneak and get some of our- or any weapons. Then hopefully we sneak through that elevator shaft and get out of here undetected. Hopefully by the time they realize we’re gone we’re already as far away as possible.”

Jen snorted, “Amen to that.”

Riled smiles, “right when we doing’ this?”

”tomorrow night.”

The two nodded, “gotcha. Where’s the met up place again?” She joked.

Noahs eyes widened, “seriously? Jen we have to be prepared. The meeting place is obviously by the Elevator shaft, once everyone’s out of their rooms after you and Beth get the weapons. And Carls going with you.”

Jen rolled her eyes, “I was joking I know where the meet up place is dufas. Also, Beth better be right about this kid being a badass or he’ll get himself killed going with us for the weapons.” She said seriously.

Noah nodded, “from what I’ve heard he is. Knows his way around a gun, takes out walkers, he’ll be fine.” Noah said not sure if he was trying to convince himself or her.

With a raised eyebrow “uh huh.” She replied opening the door and leaving. Riley following soon after, then lastly Noah.

JENNY “JEN” CADDEL

After receiving the news from Noah that the kid Beth was attached too had woken up, meaning Beth is ready to finally out the plan in action, Jen was feeling uneasy.

Don’t get her wrong, she’s come to care about Beth in the couple days she’s gotten to know her, and from the few things she’s heard about the boy and the way Beth had talked about him, she’s sure if they make it out of here he’ll have the same affect in her, but still.

She was nervous. And she doesn’t so nervous. Or at least she tries not to. It’s just- her life, even before the world went to shut, things didn’t go well for her usually. At least not without a price. Led alone after the world ended. The world ending just seemed to up that cruel claim even more.

As much as she wanted to believe it, as much as she hopes she wrong- there’s no way in hell they all make it out unscathed. There’s absolutely no way that none of them gets hurt or more likely killed. No way that they flee unharmed at least fatally unharmed, everyone in tow, and get away to find their families and live happily ever after.

Nope she’s not buying it.

After everything that’s gone down in her life if she’s learned one thing from it all it’s the solid fact that nothing ever works out perfectly. Something would inevitably go horribly wrong. They’d separate in the flee and loose sight of each other, someone would get really hurt, or but, someone would get killed by dawns people, it’s always something.

Come a day later she would realize just how right she had been as she watched the scene in front of her in horror.

Chapter Text

GRADY MEMORIAL- THE NIGHT OF THE PLAN

BETH

It was officially the night their plan would be put in action. They were set to try and escape very soon. What really sucked was that their plan wasn’t full proof. They had a one shot clearing to the elevator shaft and prayed they could make it through that way under the radar. Smoothly.

In retrospect they probably should’ve realized that things usually didn’t go well for them- why would they start now?

Beth was praying they all made it through this. She had to see her sister again, especially after loosing her daddy. She yearned to see Daryl again, wished to see her brother in law Glenn again, hoping that even though he was still slightly sick he made it out. She believed in him.

She prayed mainly for Carls sake that his dad and baby Judith were alive. Of course she cared for them like family and wished nothing more than to see them again. To hear Ricks planning, or to hold that baby girl in her arms and rock her to sleep like she did in the prison way back when. But to Carl- he was a strong kid but she didn’t know how much more he could take. I mean not knowing is bad enough but atleast there’s a flicker of hope. A chance that they’re okay, safe. If it were to be confirmed that they were gone.. either of them. 

She didn’t think the kid would survive that.

She didn’t think she could survive it if her sister turned out dead either.

******

She sighed away from her thoughts, as much as she wanted to believe everything would be alright, she couldn’t. Not fully at-least. Sometimes her brain brought her back to her way of thinking when she was till on the farm. That day she had cut into her wrists and watched the blood flow, how scared she’d been when the realization of what she had done crossed through her.

The feeling of the blood dripping down her arms as her sister pleaded as she banged on the door.

*****

But she tries to push those back thoughts away. She was alive. She was alive, and with Carl. She had new friends- new family, Noah, Sophia, Jen, Riley. She had a chance. A chance to live. A chance to see her family again, blood, and found. 

That’s more than she can say for her daddy, for Patricia, Lori, Andrea. A couple others that they didn’t know if they had made it. They had disappeared in the chaos much like Beth herself had in the prison. She hoped there was a chance that T-dog was okay. He had disappeared that day in the prison tunnels. They never found a body. She new it was almost certain that he’d been turned and was lurking in the prison still, or eaten alive.

Honestly the thought that, that could be true not just for T-Dog, but for those at the prison? She knew people had died, by guns or by walkers it didn’t really matter. Dead is Dead.

But especially those she cared most about. Thinkin’ of Darl all out there alone, probably feeling major guilt for “loosing” her. She knew Daryl Dixon and if money had any meaning she’s bet a lot that’s what the man was feeling. Guilt.

Thinking about baby Judith, Carol who wasn’t even there at the time. Thinking she may have came back just to see.. that. About what Carl must’ve went through while he was alone out there, hurt, scared, not knowing of anyone was okay… it could be hard to stay positive when you had fact after fact telling you there was no reason to be.

But she had to. So she would.

She needed to be able to believe that they’d make it through this. That their plan would work. Especially since it started… now.

Jen grabbed her shoulder startling her, “sorry blondie. You ready?” She whispered.

Beth looked to her and then down to Carls standing form, the two of them eyeing her cautiously, she nodded as confidently as she could manage, “let’s do this.”

Jen gave her a light smile as she took the lead down the hallway, Beth and Carl following behind as they kept an eye out for any doctors, officers, or patients.

RILEY VENESE

Riley was in position. He had a bed pan- which wasn’t the most ideal weapon but he wasn’t in charge of getting the weapons. He was solely in charge of himself. Of getting to the elevator on time and praying everyone else made it.

Truth be told he wasn’t the most confident. He had tried to escape a couple months ago when he first got here and.. that did not go over well. Noah said it looked really bad, brushing all over. That he had been in a state of shock for hours after and would talk a single word.

He didn’t really remember much of that beating except the pain and the very clear message of ‘try that again and die.’

And he listened, at least for a while.

Now he was doing it again despite how everything in his gut told him this wouldn’t end well. That something would go wrong, something always goes wrong. He’s known that ever since the world ended and he watched his mom and dad be torn apart. He’s known that since he lost sight of his younger brother in the midst of a herd- actually it was more like a horde. They just kept coming and coming from all angles.

He shook out of that memory, he really didn’t need the reminder while he was creeping towards the meet up, praying the others were well on their way to getting the weapons. It was already hard enough to stay out of sight if the few cops that were walking around, standing guard, he could only do it for so long.

He arrived to the shaft and hid behind the wall so hopefully no one could see him from the hallway entrance. He heard foot steps and felt his heart in his throat- shit.

”Rie?” The voice whispered and he recognized it as Noah. “‘S that you?” He could feel how nervous Noah was. He wasn’t the only one.

Noah sighed in relief when Riley revealed himself with a nod, “thank god. Have you seen Sophia yet?” Said girl was the only other one supposed to meet up at the elevator who wasn’t going to find the weapons. Jen, Beth, and the kid Carl had all went in search. Which just gave him more anxiety.

“not ye-“ “guys?” A young girls voice sounded. “Sophia.” Noah sighed in relief again, hugging the girl tight as they all went to lean against the wall, as out of sight as they could be.

”Now what?” Riley asked, his Voice wavering.

”We hope they get here soon.”

Riley nodded gulping, he had a bad feeling.

MISSION: OBTAIN WEAPONS

BETH, CARL, & JEN

They had one thing on their minds: Weapons.

The three of them had figured out from Dawn herself when she had accidentally, not realizing it at the time, revealed the vague location of where she kept all the weapons of those who arrived here.

Their weapons, among others, were supposably locked in an office they had passed in a certain hallway they had passed before. Hallway C to be exact.

It was one of the hallways with only a couple patient rooms, leading to the cafeteria, mixed with a couple offices, closets and such.

Carl would take the first office in the hallway, Beth the one next to it, and Jen, who insisted, would take the third one a couple rooms down from the two.

Carl had been searching his assigned room when he vaguely heard talking. A man’s voice to be exact and Carl froze. No. 

That couldn’t have been Beth or Jen for obvious reasons and Noah & Riley knew not to leave the meet up/escape spot unless they heard screaming or gunshots or something if the like. Basically only in an emergency apparent tot heir group only.

He grabbed a weighted stabler off the office desk and held it in front of him, ready to swing if needed. He missed his gun.

Carl left his room, shutting the weighted door as softly and unnoticeable as possible before making his way towards the room where the voice was coming from. Carls eyes widened as he got closer. It was coming from Beth’s.

******

He appeared in the doorway, peeking through the rectangle glass window and his eyes widened even more in disgust. An officer had Beth shoved against the wall uncomfortably pressed against her stomach as he stood against her from behind. 

He heard the man speak, “Your a pretty thing aren’t ya.”

Carl saw rage.

He opened the door slowly before he went to hit the man on the head, achieving his goal. The officer winced in pain thankfully not to loudly as he let go of Beth’s pony tail, falling to his knees.

”you little-“ Carl hit him in the mouth with the bow bloody stabler, busting his lip as he pulled Beth by the arm. He looked frantic as he shoved her towards the door, “get Jen!” He shouted at a whisper. Beth looked hesitant but seeing the officer seeming to be down and dizzy, nodded and quickly ran to get the other girls help.

Carl turned back to face the kneeling man at the same time the man grabbed his lower leg and pulled, sending Carl straight onto his back. He cried out lowly in pain from the force of the hit, and from the pain in his stomachs t the gesture. Carls vision was slightly fuzzy from hitting his head against the floor. He was dizzy from the hit momentarily.

The man saw that and pulled Carl by his leg again, pulling Carl closer and the man climbed on top of him. He took a knife and cut carls cheek open, the boy wincing. “If I can’t have the girl, you’ll do.” He growled.

Carls eyes widened as he was flipped onto his stomach as the man pushed his head into the floor. Freezing in fear at the sound of a belt being undone and the feel of the Mans other hand traveling towards his jeans.

Suddenly he heard a loud smack and then a thud, the large weight falling off of him. Carl immediately flipped himself back over looking around frantically and his eyes landed on Jen, beth close behind. The black haired girl had bashed the back of a large gun into the man’s temple- killing him instantly.

******

Beth ran forward and pulled Carl into a hug. She held him tight as he hugged her back, fear and shock we’re racing through his veins.

Jen looked pitifully at Carls shaking form as she spoke, “That thud was loud.. we need to get out of here now.”

Beth nodded releasing Carl and handing him his gun, “thought you’d want it back.” She smiled as she held her own Newley picked out crossbow another patient had left.

Jen rolled her eyes playfully and Carl then also noticed the knifes she had through her belt. “Let’s go.” She ordered patting Carl on the shoulder and making way.

Beth and Carl followed her as they made their way to the others, hoping they were okay too. Beth seemed a bit out of it just as Carl had practically shaken the whole way there, Beth wrapping her arm around the boys shoulders as she noticed, in a way to offer comfort.

He sent her an appreciative nod as he wiped at his cheek, wincing from the sting as his hand came back into view with smeared blood. He had hoped it wasn’t too bad.

THE ESCAPE

Sophia sighed in relief running quietly to pull Carl into a hug while the others talked and prepared to escape, Carl accepting it with open arms. 

She pulled back, “you guys took forever I was worried that-“

”we’re here, we’re okay.” He promised.

“let’s get the hell out of here.”

They joined the others, Riley hugging Jen by the Elevator shaft as Jen teased her friend, “did you really doubt me?” Noah and Beth were smiling at each other. “Are we going now?” He asked.

Noah nodded, “definitely.”

It was decided that the children should go first incase they get ambushed by Dawn and the others- but Jen pointed out that their could be walkers down there- or ‘the dead’ as she called it before Beth got here.

So they decided that Jen would go down first and make sure it was clear, again she insisted, then Sophia, then Carl, then the others.

Carl and Sophia both tried to argue, neither wanted to go first just so that they didn’t get killed, putting Riley, Beth, and Noah on the chopping block but of course no one listened and they were to be sent down first anyway.

They all crowded the Elevator shaft as they waited anxiously for Jen to whisper call out to them that it was clear.

It took a few minutes before she did just that, “I think we’re good. Send ‘em down!”

Sophia grabbed onto end of the floor repelling into the shaft slowly, Jen stood below on dead walkers ready to grab ahold of her. Once Sophia was safely down, Carl went to leave to but stopped when he heard from behind him the sound of a guns safety clicking off and the gasps of Riley and Beth.

He jerked his head around to see an officer holding Noahs head in a headlock, gun pointed at his neck.

The officer, ‘officer Alvarado’, smirked, “Not so fast people.”

Beth glared at the man, Carl could feel the waves of anxiety coming from Riley as he looked to them in shock, but also recognition. Almost like he had expected something to go wrong.

The man was so focused on taunting Beth and Riley while Sophia and Jen stayed quiet below, that he hadn’t even given Carl a glance yet. Underestimating him because he was a kid. Big mistake on his part.

There was a risk that doing what he was about to do could cause the officer to pull the trigger anyway at Noah- or at any of them, but he was reaching for his radio and Carl had to take the risk or they would never have the chance to get out of there.

He pulled his gun from his holster and in one swift move- before Alvarado barley had the chance to see Carl move, aimed it at his head- and pulled the trigger. Clearly taking out walkers had prepped him as he killed the officer with a head shot- Noah jumping out of the man’s arms as he fell to the ground, the gun clattering to the floor.

”What happened?!” Jen shrieked.

they all stood in shock for a minute before Noah cursed, “shit. Thank you.” He pointed to Carl quickly before continuing, “they definitely heard that we have to go now.”

Carl was already on his way down, being pulled to the floor by Jenny, clearly way ahead of him.

Beth was next having no time to protest. Protesting would just stall for time and get someone killed.

Riley helped Noah get down as well before he went to follow, stopping as he heard footsteps running to approach, “Hands up, Venese. Drop the gun.”

The others froze in fear from where they stood below their friend and the officer they both recognized the voice to belong to, Dawn. 

Dawn stood there in the front, gun aimed straight at Riley’s head, a couple officers backing her up. She sighed in frustration, “Do you not remember what happened last time an-“ she froze eyeing Alvarado‘s dead blooding, a gaping whole in his head. She narrowed her eyes, “You killed him?”

From below they could only see some of Riley’s back side, his hands in the air as his gun lay strapped across his front. “I did. He tried to stop me.” Carls heart ached as he heard the man take the blame for him. Inside he was practically screaming at the man, ‘No! What are you doing? They’ll kill you!’ He wanted more than anything to scream and admit it was him, maybe give Riley a chance, but he knew if he did that they would see not just him, but also Beth, Sophia, Noah, and Jen as well. He’d get them all killed probably.

Dawn grimaced before they all heard three shots fire loudly, as Riley’s body came flying down the elevator shaft. They had moved out of the shaft itself and into the hallway to avoid being spotted when he landed.

Riley laid there in the dark, gaping hole’s in his body. Shot three times, once in the head, twice in the chest as he bled out on top of dead corpses.

Beth was holding Carl close to her and Carl stared in horrified shock, Noah held Sophia to him in a side hug, using his other side and hand to hold Jen close and cover her mouth as she tried to scream in despair.

Carl stared into the eyes of the man he had barley gotten to know, into the eye of the man that took the blame and saved them all. Carl almost forgot this numb feeling. The feeling when he saw some one die, or when it was confirmed someone he knew was dead- or dying. It’s like every time it happened his brain just told him, of course, that of course another had died because why would they get a break? It had been a while since he felt this gaping tight feeling in his chest. The last time he had felt it, his mother was screaming in agony, moments later he shot her.

Nodding in respect before he turned around, along with the others, all shedding silent tears if their own, as they made their way out, under the radar.

The same couldn’t be said for Riley.

Chapter Text

2 Days Later

Carl

It had been around two days since their escape from Grady, nothing but walking for ever, scavenging, fighting of walkers, repeat.

And Carl was gonna loose his mind any second.

He’s pretty sure the others weren’t that far behind either.

From behind him a walker had came out of the woods, before any of them could even blink, Jen had driven two of her knifes through the things skull with a shout of profanities.

Yep, definitely not far behind.

He couldn’t blame her though, she was grieving on top of all of this endless, mindless surviving.

Thats all there was so do anymore, survive.

The word felt like poison on his tongue. This sucks shit. As much as he hated being reminded of the prison, it was still better than this. 

____________

The group eventually stumbled onto an old lone house close to the road and decided quickly to take shelter for the night. Seemingly as it was going to be dark soon and they hadn’t rested in a long time, it was due.

Beth, Sophia, and Noah had all spread around the house, upstairs, the others rooms and all while Jen and Carl were closer together in the kitchen and living room.

Seeing as their group were usually always together, he took advantage of the chance to talk to her alone and make his way into the living room, where she was checking behind the couches, gun rises at every turn efficiently.

He clicked the safety of his gun on grabbing her attention as she immediately pointed the gun at him with a fast turn before realizing it was him and lowering her weapon with a sigh, “Don’t do that Carl.”

”sorry.” He sat down on the couch, she frowned joining him slowly as he stared down at his feet.

“What’s going on with you, kid?” 

He looked up at her face to see her eyes showing concern, her brows furrowed, and he sighed. “Are you okay?” He asked.

”what do you mean?”

he gave her a look, to which she relented to, “Okay yeah I get it. And.. I don’t know. Not really, I feel like I know be sad but..”

”But you just can’t will your body to be. You’re angry?” He finished knowing exactly where she was coming from.

She turned to him again, surprised, “yeah.”

he nodded, “I know what you mean.”

”Who..?” She asked knowing what he was referring to.

”My mom.”

She nodded this time, “I- I somehow feel like it’s my fault. Like I know it isn’t but I can’t help but..”

”I thought that too. I still do sometimes.”

She looked at him to continue, so he did. “Back at the prison, a bunch of walkers got in and some of us were forced to run into different cell blocks to hide. My mom.. she went into labor while we were hiding from a bunch of them.”

Jen’s eyes widened, at the information and at the fact Carl was sharing it with her. In the past few days, in hospital and after, the kid was locked up unless he was talking to Beth or Sophia, and even sometimes with them. He wasn’t cold to her, but wasn’t fully comfortable to be open like that. She couldn’t blame him, she was the same way.

“It was just me and Beth’s sister with her, Maggie.” He resumed snapping Jen out of her shocking thoughts. “We had to-“ he stopped abruptly like he was trying to hold back tears. She laid her hand on his shoulder, squeezing it gently to comfort him.

He took a deep breath, “me and Maggie had to do a.. c-section. To save my little sister.”

Her eyes widened again, this poor fucking kid.

”She couldn’t survive it. I um.. I put her down.” He summed up quickly, wiping the tears off his face and composing himself. Jen was honestly amazed as she witness a shield form over him almost immediately as he closed off again.

He stood up abruptly making her hand fall onto the couch, him turning around to face her from where she sat now, alone.

”The point is.. I get it and I’m here.. if you need to talk.”

she smiled for the first time in days, “Thank you Carl. I’m here for you too.” She stood up pulling him into a hug. He tensed for a moment before melting into the comfort, only pulling apart when he heard footsteps approaching.

The two pulled apart and turned to see Beth standing by the hall, a smile tugging on her face at her two friends, her family. “It’s All Clear. Noah found a bit of food and water.”

The two smiled, “Good.” Jen supplied following the blonde through the hall, “y’ comin, cowboy?” She teased.

he glared but there was no real malice behind it as he shoved her forward gently, “Not a cowboy.” He rolled his eyes as the two girls in front of him just laughed.

___________

The group ate up a few granola bars that Noah had found, saving the last few that were in the box for another time and having them into Jen’s bag. You never knew when you’d find food or water next, you couldn’t be stingy. Especially not when you’re loving on the road like this. Which brings him back to his earlier thought.

So he spoke his mind one night as they were held up in this tiny little house by the side of the road.

”Guys.”

They all turned to him, great.

”We need to find a place, a big place.”

Most of them looked at him like he had three heads but at least he had their attention now. Beth sat up from where she was lying on the couch, “what do you mean?”

He sighed as he felt Sophia’s grip on his arm tighten in support, “Beth.. we can’t live like this.” The others were listening closely, “on the road twenty four/seven. Walking endlessly for all eternity.”

After a moment Beth nodded in understanding “you want to make a place.. like the prison?”

Carl nodded hesitantly, “We need a place, with some kind of walls, protection, something. A home base or something.. I don’t know.” He shook his head.

”Your right.”

He looked up surprised to see it was Jen that had agreed with him. Though he felt his mouth quirk up in a slight smile at the supportive look on her face, she did say she’d be there for him. He nodded to her in appreciation, she nodded her head slightly back. 

Noticing the rest of the group looking towards her to continue, she did. “I’ve only heard a bit about this prison you guys talk about but.. If we can find a strong place to call home base then I’m all in. We won’t survive out here for long.” She took a drink of her water, saving the rest.

“I know you guys have said my home probably isn’t there anymore but-“

”but we’re going to check anyway, Noah.” Beth interrupted, him smiling in thanks.

”Might as well. If there’s a chance you can see your family again, hell if we don’t take it. Plus if it is what you said it was, we may not need to look for a place to build from.”

”Thanks Jen.”

”No problem, Noah.”

Sophia yawned from next to him, “ ‘m tired.”

Carl smiled sheepishly, “we should probably get some sleep.”

“I’ll take first watch.”

“Shocker.” Noah joked getting a glare from the girl.

There were only two bedrooms upstairs so Noah and Beth were sharing, then Carl and Sophia. Jen was taking watch for now, then she’d switch places with Noah, then Beth. Carl and Sophia tried to argue that they could take a watch too but alas, the older ones told them they could take watches at the next stop. That they should rest for now. So they did.

____________

Carl jumped out of slumber to the sound of a crash from downstairs, a lamp or something must’ve fallen over.

He shook Sophia’s sleeping form awake from next to him, grabbing his gun off the night stand and racing into the hall, Sophia not far behind.

They slowly crept down the stairs staying hidden behind the wall, Carl peeking past to get a look into the living room as Sophia stood behind him further up the steps.

What Carl saw was a small group of people aiming guns at Jen, the girl returning the favor- at a girl she had in headlock. Great.

He could only see their backs but the one red-headed man closest to the front to her spoke up as the two kids snuck carefully behind them, guns pointed sharply.

”listen girl’ let her go or we fill ya’ with bullets.”

Jen only glared at the man, typical. 

“Bite me, ginger.”

He lifted his gun up higher and that’s when Carl and Sophia made themselves known.

The two of them were only a few steps away from the two furthest in the back when Carl spoke up, “not if we shoot you first.”

Immediately the majority of the group turned around now aiming their guns at the two kids before realizing that they were in fact kids. 

The Red-head, clearly the leading type, went to speak again but Carl interrupted when he took a closer look at a girl standing near him.

”you.”

The girl looks confused at him, “I recognize you.”

Again she looked confused.

”you were at the prison.”

That made her eyes widen in recognition and- guilt?

”i-“

he aimed the gun solely at her making the big guy step up in front of her, “Woah now kid.”

Carl glared, “don’t ‘kid’ me asshole.”

He laughed, amused. “Shit okay then.”

The girl spoke up from behind him, stepping out to reveal herself. “I’m sorry.” She said with glassy eyes. “I- I didn’t know your people were good. The governor lied.”

”your damn right he did.” He sneered.

Just then another person came through the door, “Guys I can’t leave Eugene out there for long what’s taki-“ the man stopped at the scene in front of him, “oh.”

Carl recognized that voice, he knew that voice. Carl immediately dropped the gun surprising almost everybody, even himself as he turned around and ran into the man pulling him into a hug.

”Glenn!” Said man hugged him back tight when he realized who he was, “Carl? Holy shit, man!” He laughed.

Carl pulls back, “not just me.” He smiled.

Glenn looked confused before his eyes landed on Sophia, eyebrows quirking up like he was trying to figure it out when his eyes widened, and he whispered, “Sophia?”

She nodded before running to hug him too, to which he returned. From behind them the red head speaks, “well damn ain’t this just sweet as pie.”

Carl turned back to Jen, “Jen, it’s okay.” She looks hesitant, “I trust Glenn and if he’s with these people.. their good people.”

She took a look around the room before sighing angrily and shoving the girl with the two pig tales out of her grip, said girl glaring at her ex- captor.

Carl turned back to Glenn, “Did you see anybody else? My dad? Judith?” He begged receiving a few pitying looks from around the room.

“I’m sorry Carl, I didn’t see anyone. I haven’t been able to find Maggie. I have no idea where anyone is, Daryl, Beth..”

Carl, Sophia, and even Jens eyebrows shot up in recognition. Like they’re just realizing who was upstairs right now.

”what is it?” Rosita questioned noticing their looks.

Sophia smiled brightly, “Guys!” She called up the stairs hopefully waking them.

Soon two new figures appearing rushing down the steps, guns in hand.

Glenn smiled, “Beth.”

Beths face brightened and she even had tears in her yes, “Glenn?” She asked running to hug him before he could even respond.

”Well I haven’t a fucking clue how we ended up finding y’all but hell, good thing we did.” The red- head beamed. Carl really needed to learn this guys name.

”What’s your name?”

His eyebrow rose slightly, “Abraham, why?”

Carl smirked, “Cause’ I can’t keep calling you ‘the big red-head’ in my head.”

The girl in the pigtails laughed at the look on Abraham’s face slapping him on the shoulder playfully, “I’m Rosita, Tara, and we’ve got one more in the truck, Eugene.”

Carl didn’t miss the way the red-head seemed to tense at the mention of the last guy.

”Where’ ya guys headin?” Abraham.

Beth replied, “we just decided on finding a big place’, something to call home.” She turned to look at Glenn, “Like the prison.”

His eyes softened, “I- I have to find Maggie.”

”Glenn.. I get it.”

Glenn turned to face Carl, “seriously. I have to find my dad.. Judith, michonne- everyone too. But- we can’t find them if we’re dead.

Noah cut in, “we’re going to go to my home, see if my family are there. We had a small community. If it’s still standing we could..”

”-we could have a main area. Somewhere to go home to in between looking.” Sophia.

Carl spoke up again, “We go to Noah’s home, see if it’s intact. If not we.. make our own. And then we find them. We find them all.

Abraham whistled, “I like this kid’” 

Carl rolled his eyes as Glenn chuckled at his typical Carl behavior, “I- okay. But we have to find Maggie. I can’t do this without her.”

Beth taped in, “me either.” Glenn and her shared a look, drawing confused glances from a couple of the newbies. Rosita rose an eyebrow and Beth explained, “I’m his wife’s sister. He’s my brother in law.” They nodded.

”not really in-law any more.” Carl jokes about the state of their world, receiving stares for a couple seconds before a few started to laugh.

Abraham took to a leader position again, clapping his hands, “well alright folks’, let’s take some naps and then get the hell on the road.” He cheered as Glenn went out to retrieve the other big guy. 

“what happened to him?” Beth asked quietly with wide eyes, Noah’s mouth was actually agape.

“He lied about a cure, Abraham here wasn’t happy.” Rosita summarized.

Jen sighed taking a seat on the couch, “it’s been a long couple days.”

”and it’ll only be a longer couple days moving forward so rest.” Carl said sternly which, a 13 year old glaring at you to rest is probably a funny sight over intimidating but hey, it worked.

”fine.” she rolled her eyes resting on the couch.

Jen, most of Abrahams crew and Sophia all went to rest, Abraham, Carl, and Glenn were left on watch. Eventually Beth and Noah switched places with Glenn and Abraham, and they stayed like that for the last few remaining hours of sunlight.

Then once it was all clear, they jumped into the army truck looking thing and they were off to Noah’s potential sanctuary. Nothing but a splint of Hope in front of them.

Little did they know what awful things would occur a few days later.

____________

Chapter Text

On way to Shirewilt, Noah’s base.

____________

2 days on the road later.

Carl

The group had now been on the road for a couple days. The vehicle that Abrahams crew came with clunked out after about half a day, it was expected, they honestly were surprised it lasted as long as it did from what the other group told them.

Now they were walking, walking, and walking towards Noahs potential safe base. Which, if it was still is the same condition it was last Noah saw it, could be their savior. If it wasn’t, then it would just be another hit on the checklist of pointlessness. Well, not entirely. At least Noah would be able to know if his family were still there or not, get some kind of closure maybe.

The same couldn’t be said for the others.

Anyway, Eugene eventually gained consciousness. Though both of the group avoided or just outright ignored him, Beth and Sophia had talked to him a bit which wasn’t surprising honestly. From what the two tell Carl about him, he’s not genuinely a bad guy. They’ve seen enough bad people now that they usually know how to differ between the survivors and the bad or evil.

Glenn had carved out short messages to the original group, and to Maggie on trees or signs, whatever he could find. Far and few between until he eventually stopped for the most part. Most the signs said various similarities to, ‘Alive- Glenn.’ or ‘Alive- G C B S’ it was way to much work and time to write much at all and he only did about six or so before like he said, he stopped all together mostly.

Carl knows Glenn hasn’t given up, he’s just tired. Practically hopeless which is unsettling to say the least on a person like Glenn. He really hopes Noah’s home works out, for Noah’s sake, and all of theirs.

Carl was in the very back of the group on the road at the moment, walking along side Sophia. In front of them, mixed together, we’re Glenn, Tara, Eugene, and Rosita further up. Then Abraham, Jen, and Beth leading the way. Carl glanced around, seeing they were surrounded by trees, nothing to be seen, and sighed slightly. It was enough to catch Sophia’s attention though, who had been watching him carefully for a while. She nudged him in the shoulder a bit causing him to look her way, “You good?”

Now he could tell her the truth, could say that he didn’t know what they would do if this didn’t work out. If Noah’s family was gone, they’d have to start all over again and find a different place to make their own. Probably even further away from their family. And Carl didn’t know if he could take that last fact. He didn’t think he could take it if he knew he was willingly walking even further away from their family who for all he knew was alive or dead. Further from his dad, Judith, Michonne, Carol, everyone.

But he didn’t say all of that, “I’m fine.” He said simply, looking away.

She clearly didn’t buy it but didn’t push, “I wonder what my moms doing right now.” He looked over to her again, head tipped downward. He smiled barley, “I don’t know. But I’m sure she’s kicking ass.” He complimented, causing Sophia to smile and laugh a bit, which made him smile more. He was happy he could at least bring some joy.

”Do you think Noah’s home is..” still there? He knew what she wanted to ask, “I don’t know.” He answered honestly. “I hope so.” And he did. He looked back down at his feet, watching himself take one step after the other, kicking the occasional out of place rock that scattered over the road.

Suddenly he heard a groan from behind, pulling his gun out, and before he could even turn around fully, he felt himself be grabbed by his arm by a walker, it going to sink its teeth into him. “Carl!” Sophia yelled from where she laid on the growing, the same walker having knocked her over.

Her yell got the attention of the rest of the group as they all jerked their head completely to face the two kids furthest in the back. “Oh hell!” Abraham cursed as Glenn’s eyes went wide. A herd of walkers followed the one attacking Carl. Speaking of Carl, he was holding the walkers teeth away from his arm with his other hand against the things forehead, gun having fell to the ground out of his other hand.

“Shit!” Glenn yelled racing over as the others went into fighting mode, one skull after the other was shot, stabbed, cut off completely as they fought. Sophia was grabbing hold of the walker from the back pulling it further from Carls form as Glenn shot a hole through its skull. Glenn laid one hand on Carls shoulder and the other on Sophia’s who was standing next to the boy, “you guys good?!” They both nodded grasping their weapons. “Okay.” He nodded rushing to help the others fight.

Carl would have to thank Glenn later, right now, there wasn’t time. Carl and Sophia both ran after Glenn, Carls gun going off a few times as they finished clearing the small herd.

The group struggled to catch their breaths for a moment when Jen suddenly appeared in front of the two kids, grasping Carls shoulders. “Did it bite you?” She pleaded, the last thing she had saw was the walkers teeth about to sink into the boys arm as Glenn raced after them.

He shook his head, “I’m fine.” Jen released a breath of relief at that, nodding slightly before her tight grip on her shoulder resided.

”we’re here!” Noah whisper shouted from the edge of the road, looking into the woods.

The others raced up, “Well shit.”

”Well said Abraham.” Tara cut in, beginning the walk to the gates.

Carl strayed behind a bit, “Here we go.” He muttered before following, holding desperately that it wasn’t empty.

______________

It was empty. 

Noah looked crushed, but still had some false hope that they could be somewhere in the neighborhood. No one was willing to crush his hopes even further, plus they needed to gather supplies anyway so they separated and searched through the town.

Beth, Abraham, and Rosita were a group. The next group was Eugene, Glenn, Sophia, and Jen. And lastly was Carl, Tara, and Noah.

Carl was fine with his group, he had grown close to Noah throughout everything and Glenn vouched for Tara. He wasn’t her best friend considering, felt bad or not, she was part of why his family was lost or dead.

The three of them went left from the entrance looking through the homes together. Noah had went up the stairs, leaving Carl and Tara to search the down stairs for supplies. After a couple minutes of silence, Carl broke it.

”Tara?”

She looked like she had been expecting this moment, but that didn’t make her look any less sick over it. “Yeah, Carl?”

”Back at the prison..” Carl gulped, “did you see anyone else running away? Besides Glenn, I mean.” He asked much more vulnerably than he had planned.

He looked into her eyes, seeing them be slightly watery. He could see nothing but guilt and regret on her face as they carried their supplies onto the porch. She opened her mouth to say something, but before she could, a walker appeared out of nowhere by the one step onto the porch.

Right behind where Carl was standing.

The walker reached, grabbing him by his shoulders and pulling, causing Carl to fall backwards with a panic. “Carl!” Tara yelled racing forward as the walker fell onto its back into the road, Carl being pulled on top of it as its teeth went for his neck, him straining to pull out of the walkers oddly tight grip, “H-Help!” He cried out.

”What the fuck!” Tara yelled as she reached them. Taras eyes widened as the walker bared its teeth, and serged for Carls neck.

Tara didn’t think. she didn’t have a gun, her knife was in her boot, there wasn’t enough time to get it. She had nothing but her hands. She didn’t care. She had caused this kid enough hurt, she wasn’t letting him die here.

Her arm surged forward before she even accounted for what she was doing. She let out a loud scream at the pain as the walker ripped her flesh from her wrist. Blood sprayed over her and even more so all over Carl’s face, who was still caught in the monsters grasp.

”Noah!” Carl screamed through his closed eyes to keep her blood from getting in them, hoping he wouldn’t attract any more.

Noah emerged almost seconds later, having heard the first scream and been on his way already. “Guys!” He yelled in a panic, grabbing his gun and shooting the walker through the head, rushing forward. 

Only more blood splattered over the two from the head shot, and Noah grabbed Tara by the other arm and ripped her away, setting her on the steps, before rushing to him.

He felt himself being pulled away from the dead body. His hands finally free, he wiped the blood pooling over his eye lids, before opening them wide and rushing to Tara, who was still screaming lowly in pain.

At this moment, watching Noah freak out as Tara cried out in pain. Carl thought back to the prison. He thought back to Hershel. Hershel’s leg. Or lack-there of.

“We have to cut it. Now!” Carl demanded as he grabbed Taras large knife from where it lay sticking out of her boot.

She tilted her head back with a wine before looking back to him and nodding. “Your belt.” Noah looped it over her arm, fighting it as tight as he could get it. They couldn’t mess this up. 

They laid tara on her back on the porch, Carl held up the thick knife, “thank you.” She pleaded. Carl shook his head as he cried, when did he start crying? “Thank you.” He corrected her before swinging down.

Tara screamed out in pain mixed with a sob, “fuck!” She yelled.

Carl Grabbed his flannel off from his arms and rigged it around the open nub, tightly securing it and trying to stop the bleeding. “I- I hav etc get the others.” He realized. He’d be surprised if they hadn’t heard the screaming or at least the gun shot and were already on their long way over. 

He stood up, blood on his two hands placed in front of him, “s-stop the bleeding. I’ll be right back.” He saw the panicked look in Noah’s eyes, “you can do this. You have too.” He reassured, looking down at Tara. Noah looked at the hurt girl and then back to him before nodding, still looking a bit panicked but more determined.

Carl raced away, running back towards the gate where they came from, praying he finds any of their group soon.

______________

Glenn, Sophia, Jen, and Eugene had sent the right side of the neighborhood, separate from the others as well. It had been pretty quiet, one or two walkers in the whole twenty-ish minutes they’d been searching until out of nowhere from across the neighborhood they heard a faint scream of panic, then another.

Sophia had been gathering some good food from the kitchen and shoving it into her bag, Glenn assisting with the other two down the hall when they heard it vaguely. “Carl!” 

Sophias heard dropped along with the Cans she was holding. Looking over to Glenn he seemed to be in a similar state. Carl was in danger. Was he hurt?

She didn’t give herself the time to spiral any more before she was yelling through the house, “guys Carl’s in trouble!” And racing out the door.

There was another yell for help that she barley heard from how far they were apart, which she could only assume to be Carl as she only ran faster.

There was a couple more yells that she barley picked up on as her mind only focused on running towards them, not even noticing the three others of their group rushing behind her as well, all with panicked, terrified faces.

Then Carl appeared. She almost thought he was a walker.

His face had blood pooled everywhere, his hands were stained in blood. His body had splattered of it mixed in with what looked like darker blood. Walker blood. Whose blood was the other? Was it his?!

Sophia stood shocked for a moment when Glenn and Jen racing over to him shook her out of it. She ran forward and pulled him into a hug. He was shaking.

she pulled away and looked into his eyes. He looked so.. so not Carl. Glenn held his hands over Carls cheeks, making him face him gently. “Carl? Are you hurt anywhere.”

Carl shook his head, clearly in shock. “T-tara.” He managed and only then did Sophia notice the dried tear marks on his cheeks.

Glenn began to panic, “is she hurt?” He tried to stay calm but failed miserably as his voice shook a bit. “What about Noah?” He asked.

Carl finally managed to shake out of his shock enough to get the point across. “A walker it.. grabbed me.” He saw the panicked worry on everyone’s faces and we elaborated, “I didn’t get bit. It was about to bite my neck and, tara got bit instead. She saved me. We had to cut…” he trailed off.

Glenn was already running in the direction Carl came from, Jen seemed to battle between comforting Carl and following after Glenn to help.

Sophia pulled said boy into a hug nodding to Jen. I’ve got it. Go. Was silently said in some way before the older woman followed after Glenn.

Eugene stayed behind the two kids, obviously in shock as well. Sophia held Carl tightly, who held her back just as tight.

”What  ‘n the hell happened?!” Abraham yelled from where he and his section of the group appeared.

Carl let go of Sophia and turned to face the others. Every one of them looking shocked. Beth ran forward and checked him over. “Tara. But. cut arm off.” He summarized point forward, completely ignoring the part where he almost died.

”Shit.” Rosita rolled her eyes. Not at them, more so at God himself.

Carl led the way to the others, everyone stressing more at every minute. Tara was laying there, unconscious. Though her arm had stopped bleeding through nearly as much, Carl noticed as he watched the rise and all of her chest.

the rise and fall of her chest.

Tara was alive. For how long? Time would only tell.

Chapter Text

ONE WEEK LATER

____________

Tara

It’s been a week. Maybe. It’s kinda hard to tell nowadays but according to the rise and fall of the sun it’s been around 9 days if she had to guess. Taras arm is heeling nicely, not much bleeding, a lot less pain. Beth and Glenn managed to find some pain meds on one of their loots which helped a lot. She seems to be doing well mentally too, for the most part. Loosing your arm elbow down at all is hard enough, loosing an arm in the apocalypse? Harder.

But, Tara knows that if she hadn’t done what she did, Carl wouldn’t have just lost a limb like her, he would’ve died. That Walker was going for his neck- he would’ve been lost, in a painful, horrific way. And after everything with the governor, there was no way she was letting that happen. Especially to Carl. He’s just a kid.

Besides, she’s still hot. (This is coming from Tara herself and Jen too.) The rest of the group (some more than others) fussed over her a bit earlier after she lost her arm but soon enough she got them to tone it down. They didn’t need to fuss over her, they all needed to focus on surviving. Focus on finding a place to call home. A place that a person like the Governor can’t break into, can’t target, can’t ruin.

If there’s anything she can do, two arms or not, it’s make sure of that.

And now here they all were, held up in some old, run down one story house for the night. They decided to spend the night tonight, get some rest, and recoup before continuing the journey. They hoped to find their new base soon. A real home. Not a stop along the journey like this one but an actual home. A home like none of them have had in a long while.

Just as she was closing her eyes for some rest, a few of the others on watch, she heard the back door opening. Her eyes flew open. Jen was asleep next to her, and so was Beth. The others on watch were closer to the front and outside the entrance to the living room so they didn’t see it. Just as she was about to alert the others the door finally opened revealing a bald- headed guy with dark skin.

He stepped in and closed the door quietly and Tara grabbed ahold of her knife and cautiously stood as quiet as she could. Then she was behind him with a knife to his throat, “Drop it.” She demanded watching as he slowely inched down to sit his gun on the floor.

Tara was shaking inside but couldn’t let it show, “kick it away.” When he didn’t she pressed the knife slightly against his throat drawing some blood, “kick. It. Away.” She said again and he listened this time.

”Who the hell are you?”

”Listen girl I was just looking for shelter. Didn’t know this place was taken.”

Tara watched his face from the side, keeping her grip on the knife. “What’s your name?”

”T-dog.” Interesting.

She made sure to press the knife again slightly, warning him not to do anything before she called out, “Beth, Jen! Wake up!” loud enough to wake them but not to loud to attract walkers.

Jen practically jumped off the recliner once she regained consciousness, Beth startling awake vefore their eyes landed on Tara and T-dog, both jumping into action. Jen looked about ready to snap but before she could take more than a few steps-

“..T-Dog?” Beth.

T-Dog carefully aware of the blade to his throat turned his head to look at her, “.. Beth?Holy shit dude where’s everyone else? Did they make it? Carol? Why aren’t you at the prison?” He started questioning. Tara flinched at the mention of the prison and took a look at Beth’s relieved face and upon making the same connection Jenn seemed to be making, released the blade slowly before stepping away.

Beth gave T-dog a quick hug and one of her signature warm smiles before answering his questions. “We’ll I know that you saved Carol that day but I’m not sure where she is now.. the prison was attacked by a group and taken out, we were all separated. The only ones here are well, me, Glenn, Carl and …Sophia.”

”Y’all found Sophia?!” She nodded and he released a small smile. “Damn cowgirl.” He said in shock.

Tara stood, “I’ll go round up the others.” And then she was off.

She made her way through the house and stopped upon seeing Abraham and Rosita. “Guys.” She jerked their attention to her, on high alert. “What is it?” He asked.

Tara gestured to the living room with a jerk of her head in that direction, “another one of their friends showed up. T-dog. He’s back there talking to Beth, thought I’d let everyone know.” The tow shared a look and nodded making their way there, “Glenn’s in that two bed- bedroom with Eugene and Noah.” Tara nodded at Rosita and headed that way.

She knocked on the startling all 3 of them instantly. Glenn jumped up on alert worrying about an attack, tara shook her head, “nothing bad don’t worry. Another one of your friends showed up- not Maggie I’m sorry- but uh he said his name was T-dog.” And the surprised look on Glenn’s face was kind of funny to her.

Their group was gathered in the living room listening to him share his story and planning on where to go from here. Apparently  after T-Dog had pushed Carol onward and went after the walkers knowing he'd likely get eaten, he managed to fight them off enough to get a head star on running. He was being chased by a group of them with now no weapon and managed to find his way out of the prison and was forced to keep running as they gained on him, causing him to be driven away from the prison. He tried to find his way back to no avail and had to accept the fact he was on his own now, and hope that everyone else made it okay. He was so relieved that he'd found at least some of the group again, it was exhausting being on his own with no one to cover his back or to just be close to.

Glenn put his hand on his shoulder and told him that he didn't have to woory anymore because he was with them again and they'd cover his back, drawing a smile from the man.

Now they were planning on where to head next. "Shit, I say we head east, towards that ol' gas station and further." All heads turned to Abraham, and eventually everyone agreed and they decided to head that way in the morning, after those who didn't got. some sleep. Tara whp didnt get to sleep before T-Dog showed up, and the ones who were guarding, Abraham and Rosita.

"Alright ya'll lets get some rest and prepare to head out in the morning." Rosita rolled her eyes at Eugene. They all headed to either go to sleep or to sit down with guns, resting slightly, but still awake, alert, and keeping watch just in case.

They rest tonight, and then tomorrow they'll find a place to set up permanently. 

And oh would it be perfect.