This story was an idea that I've had in my head since about season four. Multiple Caryl shippers, like I, just want Daryl and Carol together, but I thought that it would be cool to have something that actually brings them together. I wrote this idea down and formed it into a story. This takes place during season 5 when the group first arrives at the gates of Alexandria.
I have to leave to protect you. I will always love you, know that.
Aaron sat beside me talking our ears off, telling us all about his beloved Alexandria. It was nerve-wrecking for all of us, having this chance to start over, but we were all scared that this new beginning would end just like it did back at the prison or at Hershel's farm. I began to go around the RV, going from face to face, looking at everyone in my growing "family" and giving them a reassuring smile. My eyes stopped when they reached Carol's. She deserved this fresh start more than anything. She had been through so much pain and sorrow and I was beginning to notice that it was starting to eat her alive. She needed something to cheer her up.
We rolled up in the RV to the high gates surrounding Alexandria. I smiled as I saw the houses peeking over the top of the gates, this was real. I felt a million feelings at the moment, being excited, but very hesitant at the same time. I opened the door to the RV and as soon as I stepped foot on the pavement outside the gates, a funny feeling hit me and it made my stomach turn upside down.
I pushed this feeling aside and looked up at the top of the gates. I saw a girl with brown hair standing there. I could not make out her face, but she had to be only about 16 or 17. She had a sniper pointed at all of us and was yelling "Hands up now!" I now knew why I had that weird feeling, or did I?
"What the hell is this? You have fucking snipers up here? I thought you swore this was safe" I claimed.
Aaron waved the girl off and she pulled her gun down. Aaron turned to me, "It is safe! This is just Kinsley. Before this went down, she had a step-brother who was going into the army. He taught her how to protect herself and how to shoot. She is not a threat, she is just overprotective of this place. She's got the best shot of all of us, so she volunteered to work the gates. We haven't had an attempted overthrow since she stepped foot on that tower."
Kinsley. That name brought back so many memories. That name that meant so much to me years before the world went to shit. Hearing this name again was refreshing and heartbreaking all at once, but it had my wheels turning.
"Oh hey Aaron. Sorry if I frightened you guys." said Kinsley.
"Come unlock the gates for us."
"Duck!" Kinsley screamed. It took me a minute to realize that she was yelling at me. I was confused when I saw the knife in her hands, but for some reason I felt a sense of trust with her, so I obeyed. As I turned around I saw the knife she had thrown in the walker's eye behind me. I had been so distracted I didn't even hear it coming. I began to like this kid already.
"Hey grab my knife for me" she laughed.
I smiled and joined the rest of my family at the gates.
Kinsley pulled opened the gates for us and as soon as I was able to get a good look at this kid, I stopped dead in my tracks.