Carl was out looking for the man his father had scared away - Siddiq. Carl was unsure why he wanted to save the man so much, maybe he was just trying to hold onto a little bit of humanity between this whole war with the Saviors and Negan.

regardless, you went with Carl. He wasn't pleased about it, though Carl knew you could take care of yourself, he had this gut feeling it would put you in danger.

but you were stubborn and wouldn't let Carl go out alone during all this, too scared of him getting taken by Negan or killed by Walkers.

and now, standing in a rusting truckbed with Walkers clawing at the sides, Carl cursed himself for allowing you to come along.

the smell of rotting flesh and mud was stagnant and ever-present. There were more Walkers than you two could handle alone, that much was apparent, but you couldn't wait it out. Not when they could smell you.

so, you proposed a plan. One you knew Carl would fight.

"I'll cause a distraction. Lead them away. You run back to Alexandria." your words were firm, hiding the underlying fear of inevitable death.

Carl's eye widened and his head snapped to you, away from the herd of Walkers. "What?" Carl blurted out, his voice defensive and disagreeing.

he shook his head and stepped closer to you, further away from the clawing hands.

"No. That's a suiclde mission." Carl said, taken aback by your offer in the first place.

your eyes softened slightly, taking a different tone. More accepting.

"You have so much to do, and I have nothing ahead of me." the words were true. You knew it. He had a family, you were alone. If the mission went to shit, you couldn't count on any mourners.

Carl's heart sunk. How could you believe that?

Carl's lips parted, preparing to argue the opposite, but he knew how stubborn you were. So he settled on facts.

"It's my fault we're out here. You are not dying today. You got that?" Carl's voice was firm and leaving no room for argument. He couldn't let you die. He wouldn't.