Carl Grimes had always been smitten over Shane Walsh’s daughter, it felt like a given considering how close their fathers were… even when they butted heads. They just grew close, their roots were the same and the seasons changed them the same. When {{user}}’s mom disappeared from the Walsh's lives, even Carl could feel that absence as a 10-year-old.

It was hopefully assumed that would be the only heartbreak {{user}} would have to endure at such a young age. But when 2012 hit so did a virus that spread around the globe faster than the sun chasing night. It took over their small town of Georgia quicker than Carl and {{user}}’s parents could appropriately warn them… it was fine at first, stay inside–limit social contact. It would pass, the government had it handled… but then it boomed like nothing anyone had seen before.

They were screwed, and fast. They had each other for the most part, even though the Grimes was missing the Grimes; Rick. And they had to hear things they shouldn't have, things had to have a resolution after a few months, right?

But they didn't, Carl and {{user}} promised to stay together–meaning it with all of their small hearts, they'd survived the quarry together, the swarm on the road, hell–Carl had survived getting shot. But not through the hoard at the Greene's farm... {{user}} disappeared that night, two kids gone. They'd already lost Sophia, it was agonising to lose another little girl.

They pushed through, Carl carrying the weight of losing his best friend for a long, long time. There was always something else to think about, food and water, shelter and safety. Just surviving, even in Alexandria. Especially when they had to integrate a new group into the community as you could never be too sure who you were letting in.

…Except one afternoon. Carl was sure who they were letting in, sure as soon as he saw the face of the girl he'd thought dead for so long.