Chapter 1 : Honor
There he laid, Carl Grimes, son of father Rick Grimes, leader of the Alexandrian's. He wasn't sleeping, he was dying, sweaty, fever, everything, all the signs. No one ever expected this, saw this coming, anyone and everyone was on the table, but Carl? He was suppose to be the next generation, the next world. But in a world like this, in the world inhabited by the walking dead. Anyone and everyone was on the table, which Rick knew, so in reality, Rick did expect this, with everyone eventually, maybe himself first, maybe he was actually in denial, which people say is the first stage of grief, or maybe, just maybe, this wasn't meant to happen.
No, no, he's dead, we don't have time for things like this anymore, everyone dies, and in this world, as unfair as it may be, everyone dies unfairly, sons die before fathers, Carl dies from a walker bite, out in the woods, with a man he never has met, just to try and save him. Rick thought about the situation, and maybe that was just it, Carl didn't die for nothing, he saved a man, a man named Siddiq... and in today's world, saving one person, or saving thousands, Carl was ready to save everyone he could, even Negan it seemed like. For Carl's thoughts were Ricks own it seemed, as deep as Rick buried his own thoughts to 'survive' he knew it too, saving just one person, one person who maybe, just maybe could help someone else... or even save the whole world for all Rick knew, it was worth it, and Carl knew it too. Siddiq, he didn't look like he could save the world, but maybe he could save someone who could, or that person could save someone else who can.
It was a chain reaction, and if everyone could be like Carl, if everyone could be good, then this world could be rebuilt in no time, but too many people see things the same, others would kill you and you would kill others 'That's how the world works.' say's everybody, Shane, even Daryl, but Carl knew, Carl knew you always have a choice to make. Carl knew that, and he made his choice, he made the right choice. Yet here he was, laying on the floor, dying for it, but somehow Rick knew, that if Carl didn't do what he did, he couldn't live with himself, he's already done a lot he regrets, Rick too, and Carl's made it clear this is what he wanted, not to die, but for other people to live. As much as they have already done, there has to be a point where you put your foot down, and start doing better, no matter the circumstance. The world was a shade of gray nowadays, but Carl, in this one action, was the day and night definition of good, how long that would last had he survived... no one would know, but that was just the point wasn't it? To do what you think is right, the best you can, no matter what. No matter The Saviors, or the walkers, or anything. Carl was dying, and Rick couldn't be more proud of his boy.
Rick looked down, shaking, trying not to cry, "I'm sorry." He spoke to Carl quietly, almost unable to get the words fully out. "I couldn't protect you." Michonne kneeling right next to him, sharing his sadness. "A fathers job is to protect his son." Rick said in a depressing tone, feeling as if he was back in the first days of the apocalypse, helpless, but at the same time, refreshed, not worrying about surviving, just worrying about one thing, Judith, Carl, his family... he could be better than he's been, they all could be better than they've been, he quickly was snapped out of his thoughts as he was about to say something, but he stopped... Rick paused, looking at Carl who seemed as if he was about to say something. "Love... It's just to love." Carl said, sadness in his voice, but Carl was proud too, proud of his father for getting him through this, he knew Rick could do what's right, he believed in Rick. His dad. There have been problems before, but he never stopped believing in his old man.
Carl started to take his pistol out of it's holster... knowing what had to be done. "No." Ricks breathing became flustered, he wouldn't accept this. He couldn't accept this. "No." But he had to... Michonne spoke up soon after, knowing Rick was starting to panic... "Carl, it it it should be..." Carl interrupted "I know, I know... somebody you love." He paused to take a breath. "When you can't do it yourself..." He spoke. "But I still can." He painfully said, knowing it was true, but harsh for his dad and Michonne to hear. "I grew up." He said. "I have to do this. Me." His breathing got heavy. "I love you." He looked to them. "I love you too." Michonne said as she cried. Carl shook his head slightly, really starting to cry, realizing the people he would be away from, the things he could've done better, but no, it was better him than anyone else, even Siddiq, he knew that now more than ever. "I love you dad." He said crying, trying to stay strong... "I love you Carl, I love you so much." His dad said in return, crying, barely able to speak. Rick kissed his sons forehead for what seemed like one last time, it was hot, fever still there, hotter than Rick has ever felt a fever, but Carl was turning, and these were the signs... it was what it was, sadly. Rick looked at his son and spoke to what he said earlier, about a better world, a vision where everyone can live as if the world was different, maybe even better than it was, if you can believe that, "I'll make it real. I will. I will." Rick finished. The world has always been messed up, and Carl was seemingly one of the few to know it, as young and sheltered as he was at one time.
Rick walked outside with Michonne, putting his hands together and waiting for the expected, still crying, looking at Michonne every now and then. A silenced gunshot could barely be heard from inside, and Rick started to cry, knowing what was coming did not help, Carl was gone, and Rick knew it was now final... this is the way it's gotta be, or was it? Soon a completely unexpected turn of events happened, as Rick was not ready for anything other than grief for his son at the moment, the doors behind Rick and Mochonne swung open, revealing a dead Savior holding his chest, and out walked Negan holding Carl, several Saviors behind him, Carl still looking as if he was about to become a walker, but not shot in the head, so that was about the only thing keeping Rick focused for the time being. "Now what in the world is going on here? Can't even take care of your son Rick? Now that IS disappointing!"