» Time Is Dancing « | » Carl Grimes «

» CHOKEPOINT «

I Gotta Get Me Some Superpowers

I could barely see a thing in the middle of the woods, my feet moving one in front of the other on pure instinct. We needed to put as much distance between us and the Skins as possible, then make a plan from there.

"This isn't the way back to Hilltop." Henry observed when we slowed slightly, his eyebrows drawn with confusion.

I shook my head, indicating he was right. "We can't go back there, not yet anyway. We just broke the damn deal."

Lydia had been useful to us so far. After spending so much time with her mother, listening and learning, she knew her inside and out. She only confirmed our suspicions about a possible attack, which was why we needed to go anywhere but home.

"You ain't coming with us." Daryl growled lowly, his eyes formed in a glare. He had been reluctant to accepting Lydia, which I couldn't completely blame him for. She didn't mention there would be so many of her people out there.

"Like hell she's not." I countered, frowning at him sternly. "She's with us now, we can't change that. We just gotta fix it." Daryl was my father, I understood that, but he needed to understand I was an adult now and I was capable of making my own decisions. I was a leader in one of the only running communities on earth, I reckoned that was enough proof.

Connie waved her arms for attention, signalling that we should keep moving. While Daryl started one way, she went the opposite, causing a moment of confusion between the pair.

"This way." Daryl insisted, pointing towards the trees. Connie shook her head, gesturing urgently that we follow her. It seemed like she had an idea. All it took was Dog taking off in her direction to prompt the rest of us to agree, our feet shuffling quickly through the leaves and she took the lead.

»« »« »« »«

It was morning by the time we reached a collection of half completed high-rise buildings, Connie stopping at the destination with pride. We watched as she relayed her idea, implying that we took the higher ground to separate the walkers from the Skins. If we could did that, then they would lose their form of protection, leaving them with an unfamiliar exposure which served to our advantage.

"Good idea. Come on." Daryl agreed, encouraging us to go with him. It seemed like it was a good idea until Lydia slowed her steps, reluctance in her features.

"Alpha's not gonna send an army 'cause she doesn't have to. She'll send Beta." She told us, worry evident in her eyes.

"He their best?" Daryl asked, determination written on his face. Lydia nodded fervently, her gaze meeting his with something that looked like fear. "Good. We'll kill him first."

It had been a long time since I was forced to kill someone, and I couldn't help the ball of panic that settled in my stomach. I knew I could do it, I had the skill and courage to do so, but I had changed a lot in the past years. I had become a better person, a kind mother and more considerate leader, and I didn't want something in me to change. It had happened before and it could easily happen again.

The building was pitch black when we entered, dust travelling down the beam of my torch as it peeked through the cracked door. Stacks of tables and chairs were pushed up against staircases, barricading most entrances and exits for us.

The higher floors were much brighter, with flimsy plastic sheets hanging from the ceilings and wooden planks prepared for a construction crew that would never arrive. The world must've ended right in the middle of the job, because there were still various pieces of equipment and tools lying around.