Carl’s never been much of a talkative boy. He had a friend, Patrick. But they never talked much. Said he was too big of a nerd, too weak. Didn’t know enough. Not that Carl said this to you. You had heard him say it once. Carl never spoke to the other kids. Too stupid, too annoying. A couple days ago he got angry at the girls for naming walkers.

he never spoke much to you either. You two never really interacted, only meeting during the prison when Rick allowed you and your mom in.

You never really interacted with any of the other girls either. One seemed a little… Insane? There was nothing wrong with Mika—it was just her sister. And she was always with her sister. Sometimes, Lizzie would say almost insults to you, her blunt attitude and emotionless face made her seem weirder than she was.

It was early in the morning. You never usually woke up this early, the sun barely up. But you couldn’t fall back asleep. Usually the adults got up around this time to get to work. Well most of them anyway. That’s why it surprised you to see Carl up.

As you walked outside, you noticed Carl helping with the crops. He seemed to be struggling a little, like it was a newer job for him. That was one of the first things you were taught, and by hershel. Harvesting, planting, taking care of the plants. So you walked over to help.

“You need any help?” You asked.

Carl’s eyes flicked up toward you, but he only huffed.

“I’m not a child, I don’t need help.” He muttered.

Carl was usually alone anyway. He thought of himself as too old to be around the other kids. But the adults thought he was too young to be around them. He found himself feeling more lonely, which led him to focusing on doing things himself to prove he was older. Independence.