Chapter 14

The sun beckoned welcomingly as Carl and Beth trod awkwardly through the woods. It had been a week since their last walk and now they were once again out of camp. However, this time, they were in silence. Carl was walking slightly ahead, his gun raised in an aware stance whilst Beth trailed a few metres behind, occasionally pausing to pick fruit from vegetation. They needed all they could get.

They continued to head deeper into the woods.

A sudden sound of twigs cracking emitted from the bushes on the left of Carl. He immediately spun around and pointed his gun in the direction of the sound. Silence. After a few seconds of suspicion, Carl continued on walking. Moments passed. His worn boots scraped the dusty forest floor. Beth's gentle tred followed. Then it abruptly stopped.

''Hang on, Carl. I've found some peaches,'' she called.

''Okay, but hurry up,'' he called back, stopping and adjusting his Sheriff's hat. Sweat dripped onto his eyelashes and he blinked to clear his vision.

The hot Georgian sun beat down on the two survivors and Carl exhaled impatiently. It was too hot out there. Then the sound echoed again. Twigs snapping. This time from the right side.

Carl spun around once more and felt the hair on the back of his neck stick up. They weren't safe here. Carefully he lifted his gun and called softly back to Beth.

''Beth, stop what you're doing and let's go. Now. We're not safe here. Okay?''

No response.

''Beth?''

Still silence.

Panic forming in his chest, Carl spun rapidly around and felt his breath turn cold.

Beth was stood, fear etched on her face, as a man stood with a gun pressed to her head and a victorious smile on his face.

''Hello, old friend,'' jeered Mark, his dark eyes glinting viciously.

Months later…

Carl was stood in the prison yard, next to Rick, watching as the prison bus unloaded Woodbury residents.

Carl couldn't believe his dad. All those days and months ago, when Carl had not checked the town and Mark had returned, he had learnt the harsh realities of the new world; you kill or you die, or you die and you kill. Clearly Rick hadn't learnt. Rick had let Andrew live, he'd come back and Lori had died. Now the Governor had to die or who knew what would happen? Enemies had to die; he knew that now. Rick was the leader of the group yet he didn't seem to be. Why would a leader invite enemies to live with them?

''What is this?'' he spat.

''They're going to live with us now,'' replied Rick coolly.

Barely able to control himself, Carl snorted and stormed away. This could only end badly…

Months ago…

''Let her go, Mark,'' growled Carl, feeling hot anger flow through his veins. ''You want me, not her.''

''Well, that's not exactly true,'' sneered Mark, triumphantly. ''I want to see you suffer after what you did to me.''

''What did I do?!'' shouted Carl, throwing his arms in the air in sheer anger.

''You led those walkers to us, didn't you? I know you did! Now everyone is dead. And it's all your fault!''

''I didn't lead them to you!'' gasped Carl. ''Do you think I'd do that? Ashley died because of those walkers. Why would I kill her?''

''Because you worked it out,'' laughed Mark, an insane smile forming on his lips. Beth struggled hopelessly in his hands and Carl felt desperation fill his being.

Mark's clothes were blood-soaked and filthy, and he had long scratches down his face. His hair was nothing but a greasy mop and his eyes glinted with insanity. He barely made it out alive, thought Carl with a shudder. He quickly pulled himself back to the present.

''Worked out what?'' he called, half-nervous, half-curious.

''Don't pretend you don't know,'' shouted Mark. His voice echoing so loudly that birds in the trees took flight in alarm.

''You knew that me and David planned to kill you. James didn't want to, of course, so he had to die.''

''You killed James?!'' gasped Carl.

''You bet,'' smirked Mark. ''But I guess when you discovered our plan you decided you couldn't trust Ashley either. So you led the walkers to us. And the rest is history. Exactly what you'll be soon.''

Carl felt his adrenaline at the sight of danger leave him, and he staggered dumbly on the spot. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. David wanted him dead? How could he? Did Ashley know? She couldn't have? Could she?

''I never knew,'' he whispered, feeling hot tears forming. He pulled himself together quickly; he would not show weakness in front of Mark.

''Liar,'' shouted Mark. ''And now you will die knowing Ashley betrayed you.''

He smiled darkly.

''No,'' bellowed Carl, feeling energy pour into him at the mention of her name. ''People like you don't get it, do you? You're all so stupid! Ashley loved me and I loved her. I trusted her, I still do! But you can't believe in love or kindness because you don't understand it. Because you've never had it. I feel sorry for you. There's no difference between you and the hordes of dead walking the earth. But I will continue to love and feel. And I will survive. Because if I believe in one thing, just one thing, I believe in her.''

Mark's gaze had turned from twisted happiness to unforgiving anger. When Carl had finished a look of darkest evil filled him.

''Well, if Ashley is so amazing, can she save your friend?''

Before Carl could react, Mark pushed Beth away from him, pointed the gun at her and cocked the chamber.

BANG!

A gunshot filled the forest.

Carl stared in horror at Beth who had closed her eyes but oddly she was still standing. Turning his gaze, he looked at Mark and watched as the man toppled forwards, a bullet hole in his head. With Mark down, Carl could see behind him.

Rick was stood, his arm raised and his gun firmly gripped. He gave Carl a sad look before whispering, so quietly Carl was unsure he'd even spoke.

''It's time to go.''