» Time Is Dancing « | » Carl Grimes «

» THE STORM PT.3 «

Snow Is A Blank Canvas And I Am The Paint

I wished Daryl's words could've been some kind of miracle cure for the way I was feeling, but I supposed it didn't work like that. I wasn't sure if anything could completely rid me of the depression deep inside my brain, but I was starting to accept that. I just couldn't let it immobilise me altogether.

I think the only reason I was able to carry on now was the fact that I didn't want the burden of any more guilt. Sure, killing myself might've made me feel better, but it would've caused a lot of pain for the people around me. What can I say, I'm a selfless person.

The sun had almost set when we left the Sanctuary, the building finally living up to the name. We had waited for the storm to die down a bit, the only thing left being a delicate swirl of snow in the air.

My boots crunched the frozen white sheet beneath the soles, each footfall soft against the fresh, powdery snow. I took the back of the long line of people, my eyes peeled for any movements in the distance. We could never be too careful.

I only hesitated when we reached the all too familiar hill, the grass invisible with the sheet of ice covering it. I could barely make out the wooden spikes at the top, my eyes trailing across each one as I snapped out of my thoughts. I kept seeing the heads of my family stuck to the top, blood dripping down the length from the fatal wounds. Even if I had no idea who they were, the sight would've been something horrific. The brutal display of power was enough to make anyone's stomach churn.

I marched right past them, not daring to give them a second glance in case it stopped me completely. I had to keep moving now, I had to keep these people safe while we were in Alpha's territory.

It's like the threat hung in the air, circling my lungs every time I took a breath. Each step forward told me I didn't belong here, urging me to go back. But I refused to listen.

The trees around us provided some cover from the increasing storm, my vision almost blocked by the white haze. I could just see the silhouette of the people in front of me, the figures of Nabila and her children huddling along. Their voice were muffled through the hat covering my ears, but I was certain the words were reassuring. She had always been a naturally loving person, even though I didn't know her that well.

We stopped suddenly, my eyes squinting through the snow to find a row of figures several metres away. They were still, in fact, totally frozen. I raised my eyebrows in something that resembled amusement when I realised they were walkers, stuck to the ice. My sword immediately went through the nearest head, the frigid body cracking and crumbling to the ground. I didn't understand the science behind it, but whatever ran through their veins must've chilled so extremely they became frozen.

'Walker popsicles.'

I shook off the stupid name, reminding myself to tell Eugene about it in Alexandria. This would've been something that interested him greatly.

We were almost at the river now, the icy water solid compared to the soft snow. After a quick check for safety, and a nervous murmur through the group, Daryl and Michonne helped the first of us across.

"I'm right behind you, Nabila. I've got Ezra." I reassured her, taking careful watch over her oldest child. With Jerry nearer the front and a baby in her arms, I figured it would be a good idea to keep an eye on their kids.

"Hey!" Michonne yelled, my eyes following the direction she pointed. A hand emerged from the snowy bank, growls erupting from the gaping mouth of a walker as it reached for us. Daryl took it down in no time, but the rest of us weren't so prepared.