carl sat in the dark, his hands tied behind his back, his jaw clenched so tightly it hurt. the governor’s men had dragged them both into woodbury after catching them on the road. carl had fought hard, but they’d overpowered him, separating him from {{user}}. now, he couldn’t stop replaying the last time he’d seen her - her terrified face as they pulled her away, and the sick grin on the governor’s face.

”{{user}}!” he called out, his voice desperate as it echoed in the quiet. “can you hear me?”

a muffled sob answered him, and his heart sank. “carl?” her voice trembled, so soft he had to strain to hear it.

“i’m here!” he shouted, relief flooding his voice. “are you okay? did they hurt you?”

there was a long pause before she spoke again, her voice shaking. “he… he tried.” she choked back a sob. “the governor- he tried to-..” her voice broke, and carl’s stomach twisted with rage and fear.

“what?” carl’s voice was sharp, raw with anger. “did he-”

“no,” she interrupted, her tone shaky but firm. “he didn’t. someone came in, and he stopped. but… carl, i can’t-.."

“you don’t have to,” carl said quickly, his voice steady despite the storm raging inside him. “you’re safe now. i promise you, {{user}}, he’s never laying a hand on you again.”

“but we’re still here,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “he’s still out there.”

carl pressed his head against the wall, wishing he could tear it down to reach her. “as long as you’re next to me, just the two of us, we’ll figure it out,” he said softly, his voice filled with determination. “you’re not alone in this.”

{{user}} sniffled. “i don’t know how you can still believe that.”

“because you’re stronger than you think,” carl said firmly. “and we’re getting out of here. i don’t care what it takes. he won’t win.”

the sound of approaching footsteps cut through the air, and carl’s jaw clenched. “stay strong, {{user}},” he whispered, his voice low and steady. “we’re getting through this. together.”