Carl couldn't quite pinpoint when he had begun to hate his father.
He thought, maybe, it had started when he was still a kid, right after the farm. With his dad screaming at the scattered remains of the group. But at the end of their time at the prison, that was when Carl knew. Talking? When had the Governor ever responded to talking? And with Michonne's and Hershel's lives hanging in the balance, talking was the stupidest, most idealistic idea Carl had ever heard.
This wasn't a world for idealistic people anymore.
Carl walked along the road, his dad stumbling after him. Carl strode ahead, feeling tall and confident. He didn't want to look at the pathetic, broken man behind him.
He had lost Judith. His weak father had lost Judith.
With no change of expression, a lone tear dripped down Carl's thin face.
"Stay back." Carl wanted to scream at him. Stay back? Carl was a hell of a lot stronger than his dad, would probably clear anyplace faster and easier. Carl couldn't believe his dad was still trying to protect him. Compensation, maybe? For losing everyone else? Incapable, incompetent old man. But he didn't say any of that.
"Wake up!" he screamed. "Wake up!" Carl shook him desperately, not sure of what he was afraid of. He began to cry.
Carl didn't check his pulse. He didn't want to feel how weak it was. As long as the raspy breathing was still there, he could last one more day. Carl didn't realize he was yelling at his father until he stood up.
"I'd be fine if you died," spat Carl contemptuously. He left, to lead the walkers away. He didn't know why. Maybe just to hold on to the strong, honorable leader that used to reside in the man he now held in complete disdain.
He led away the walkers, mind wandering. To his mom. Judith. Michonne. He realized he didn't much care about the fact that he was a killer. The young man that Carl had shot? He had read in books that if you killed someone, they would stay with you forever. They would haunt your nightmares. But Carl didn't give two shits about the boy he had killed. He wondered if that meant that he was as bad as the Governor. Or as his father.
I recently discovered the Walking Dead. Watched all four seasons in less than two weeks. I believe that officially qualifies me as an addict. So, do tell if you guys want a second chapter, where Carl realizes that his daddy is really just a big bundle of rainbows and flowers and sparkles. Definitely look forward to more Walking Dead fanfics, I hearts the show.