Kate's POV

Carl threw a quick shocked glance at me, letting me know this was definitely not part of our plan. Somehow my feet and my brain cells got confused because next thing you know I started to back away. With a resounding pitch the cell door closed on us, leaving us trapped, in a cell, with four hungry walkers coming our way. "Tell me those doors lead to and exit." I said looking frantically between the set of doors on either side of us. It's not like I can't take a few walkers I can, but even after everything I know what's convenient for me, and after the battle at the factory this isn't exactly what I need. Cat-like neon eyes studied us for a second before pouncing on the fact that were food, Carl was able to get two guns from the nearest drawer and honestly I was slightly impressed at his swift movements when it came to danger. "Shame." He whispered as a walker with clouded eyes, nerdy glasses and messy hair came launching our way. Without a second of hesitation Carl shot right through the walkers left eyes. Sadly that just alerted the other three bodies to our presence. Slowly, making my mind race I made a plan. " Carl?"

"Yeah?" His ragged breath answered.

"I think I have something that could work. Go to the left door, I'll go to the right, once they're close enough we'll runoff to the center, to those stairs," I pointed with a shaky finger at the metal stairs, "and we shoot."

As I was giving a rushed explanation, the three monsters coming our way seemed to get closer. Carl met my eyes briefly, letting me see that he knew how low our chances were of escaping yet agreeing to go through my plan, and for that I was grateful, because honestly I don't think I can keep going alone. Not that I'd ever tell him that. He handed me the gun and for a moment our fingers touched. The warmness and emotion coming from that one brush contrasted all of our surroundings. And if even for a moment I got to flavor what this boy in front of me meant. His jaw hung slightly too as he looked at me like he'd seen the best thing ever, or a can of pudding which is the best next thing. Our eyes were locked in a bond that took my breath away, it was so powerfully connecting and decisive that I'd be heartless to not feel something. As I inched towards him, Carl shook his head slightly in warning or in frustration and inched back. I let myself go stiff, maybe I'd judged wrong, maybe he hadn't felt what I had, maybe I was being foolish, or maybe it's maybeline. A coat of determination filled me as I turned towards the walkers and gave a nod to Carl. Whether he was ready or not I did not await a response, putting two fingers in my mouth, I whistled. That caught two walker's attention and I went flying to the right side of the room. My muscles were sore and my knees wanted to buckle but a low groan reminded me that I couldn't give up, not yet. Steadily I forced my fingers to stop trembling, the air was getting heavier and pressure was building in the walls. I steadied my breath and striked. The first went down easy enough, the bullet didn't go through his head though I knew it was dead by the sheer way his eyes stopped gleaming. The second was a harder task as I prodded myself against the wall and kicked it with full force. The gun Carl had given me had gone flying towards the center of the room, just where I needed it. With more speed than I would have thought possible from mine and Carl's part, we dashed to the little metal staircase shining, beckoning us forward. I grabbed hold of one set of stairs and Carl did the same. Together we sent our last bullets flying into the living dead's skull, making sure this time, the creature stayed dead for a long time.

3rd person POV

Kate looked around the shallow and bloodied room, admiring the beauty of disaster. Carl opted to stare at his hands. Both teens silent, in the cold dim lighted room.

"We should try and find a way to get out." Kate said, her hands shaking and her breath uneven.

"Yeah." Was the only response, but neither of them attempted to move.

"What happened to you?" Carl's low voice reverberated in the empty cell.

"Does it matter?"

"Yes."

Kate contemplated if to punch him or say nothing at all but she curled her legs to her chest and sighed, much to her and Carl's surprise.

"I was ten when this whole thing started. I used to have hope that, that the government or something would come and help us. We were in a camp, with loads of people and good stuff. I was ten and even then I knew that me having my family was much more than what anyone could ask for in those times. I heard stories, of people who'd lost and suffered so much it drove them insane, of how they lost control. I remember being scared at the beginning, scared of what could happen, how and who it'd be done to. One night some men attacked, they stole all they could and did...things to the people, the women. That's when I killed first, a girl barely older than me was bloody and on the floor. She begged me to make it stop, she was so sad I..I had to do it. After that I changed. Slowly I lost everyone I cared about. My mom, dad and my brー," Kate's voice wavered and she took a deep breath as she said, "and my brother. I am still scared if you're wondering, the difference is that I just know how to survive now."

Carl looked her over. He took in her almond eyes, the brown color they elected through him. He took in the plumb shape of her lips and the way her cheekbones would stand out if she cocked her head to the side. Her brown hair falling into soft waves behind her. She didn't know it, she probably wouldn't believe it either but Carl had the feeling they were here for a reason, something beyond logic or knowledge.

"You don't have to anymore." He came close to her and savored the way her eyes darkened as she looked at him, the way their breaths mingled if he put his head on the right angle.

"What?" She breathed in the question. Her faded cherry scent teasing him.

"To be alone."

Blue met brown and the world stiled. The growing desire that had been pondering both souls started slowly unraveling. Their gazes locked, their breaths hitched unconsciously they had started inching forward. Kate's eyes fluttered and Carl's had found their way to her waist protectively. He licked his lips. If he could just move closer, another inch and he'd be able toー

The door slammed open and a startled gruff came from a deep masculine voice.

"Thought I heard you screaming, guess it wasn't for the reason I thought." Daryl stood on the doorway fully armed and ready to fight but upon noticing the kids warm embrace he'd felt totally out of place. The two teen meanwhile had darted so far away you'd think they bite. Kate's gaze met Daryl's and she slowly grinded her teeth. "No, actually. We were in trouble. Something happened, one of them must have died and well..." she gestured towards the mess of flesh.

Carl took a step forward, taking the lead, "We were stuck so.." he shrugged. Daryl nodded,"Better make the best of it." Carl's warning glare only amused him further.

"I'll leave it to you two lovers to figure it out." Daryl winked at Kate then was gone, but not before his chuckles were drowned by the halls silence.

"We should get going, need to see why this broke out. Too dangerous to assume it was only once, if we find out what caused maybe we'll prevent it next time. Hopefully no more will die." Carl's voice rang in both their ears. Tension between was about to get good.

"What did you want to show me?"

"What?" Kate had taken Carl off guard.

Slowly Kate brought her hand to her surroundings. "This," she pointed around the room, "there was something here, you wanted to show me something I think." Realization dawned on Carl and his cheeks slightly flushed before he grabbed a pair of keys from his pocket. "You were bored." He handed her the keys and pointed to a drawer. "Not sure if you'll like them but, they're the only entertainment I've known."

The drawer made a satisfying click and with a hard pull the it opened. Dust sprang to life and covered Kate's eyes. "Ugh." She made a few groans before clearing it out and inching forward to face the insides of the cabinet. A stack, heavier than you could assume by mere sight, of comics. She picked the first one up. The Flash, was written in big letters at the top. Carl grew uneasy while he watched her study the comic. "It's just you know, there aren't many people my age here and it get's boring and I just thought maybe you'd like it but of course I understand if you don't I mean girls and comics don't exactly mix buー" His rambling insecurities were cut short when he was tackled. "Of course I like comics. They're absolutely amazing and who said girls can't read comics?" Carl held up his hands in defense and gave her a goofy smile. Kate looked at her position and cleared her throat slowly removing their intertwined limbs. A blush crept over her neck and cheeks. "S-so, yeah I like them." A shyness had enveloped itself onto her and Carl. "Yeah." He said somewhat awkwardly. Kate shook her head and made a sprint for the comics again, grabbing piles and collecting a small amount. "I think I can get through all of these in a month if I dedicate enough time, which I have plenty of." "All the comics?" He raised an eyebrow. "No you dwit. Not all of them, only the Flash ones, then maybe the Thor ones." Her eyes were gleaming like fireballs now, each analysing the situation thoroughly. Carl looked at her and then at the slump bodies and thought, at least it was worth it.

He turned and put his hands in his pockets, "C'mon, if we leave now you'll get plenty of time to read before sunset." He smiled at her glowing form and her vigorous nods, yeah it was worth it all right.

Together, Kate with a pile of comics Carl with another, they stepped out of the cell, into a new friendship