Can you See me up here, in the Trees?

Chapter 5

Carl walked with a skip in his step after the meeting. He loved the idea of the trade deal they had made, it seemed too good to be true. The four of you had agreed that you would meet in the same spot in a week to deliver items to you so you could get to work. The carrier would also deliver bottles that you would fill instantly and return with them. Carl was waiting for the moment to tell his dad that he wanted to take the delivery. He wanted to get to know Kasa better.

Carl walked in on what looked like an argument between Rick and Daryl, and he paused. Daryl looked cool as a cucumber, but his dad looked like Daryl had just proposed he use Carl as a stripper.

"Whats going on?" Carl asked, closing the door behind him.

"Daryl just said that you should do the first delivery." Rick said, looking at Carl.

"She reacted to him best. She trusts him." Daryl said, using words that would win over if he hadn't had a smirk hidden in them.

"I think he's right." Carl said, realizing that this was his opportunity. "She seemed to trust me. It would make sense that I go."

"No Carl! I was hesitant letting you go the first time, but that kind of trek on your own? Who knows what could go wrong. I think Daryl can handle it."

"What... you think I can't handle this?" Carl said, his patience finally gone. "You keep talking to me like I'm a child, I am not a child anymore. I sent the note, I set up the meeting, I am taking this exchange. End of story."

Rick had a shocked look on his face, Daryl was smirking. He motioned for Carl to follow him into the other room and he did, ignoring his dad now.

"I'm rooting for the two of you," Daryl spoke, gathering the empty bottles they would need. He would be leading a group to the industrial factory tomorrow to get the yarn and other items for Kasa. "But you do need to be careful. Getting pregnant during this time-"

"I know... I remember my mom." Carl said, letting that ring his understanding.

"I understand that. But I do have something for you." Daryl made sure the coast was clear before handing Carl a box of condoms. "Don't feel the need to use them, but be smart."

Carl could feel his face heating up and he nodded, shoving the condoms into his pocket. He wanted to get to know Kasa first.

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Carl stood atop the watchtower, his eye straining to see Daryl and the small group that had left earlier in the morning to go to the factory to gather supplies. According to the sun, they should have been back by now. The group was starting to worry, so Carl volunteered to keep watch.

He stood up quickly, waving to his father as he noticed something on the horizon. He pulled up the sniper scope as his fathers ascended the stairs and took a look at the mass.

"Is it them?" Rick asked, his eyes trained on the mass.

"That's them." Carl answered but slowly lowered the sniper scope. "Looks like they were attacked."

"Shit."

Shit was right. They helped the group in, closing the gate behind them and helped them inside.

"What happened?" Rick asked, hurrying over to help with a wound. "Walkers?"

"Yeah, they seem to be on the move. Not sure why." Daryl said, hurrying over to help as well. "We lost someone today."

"Maybe we shouldn't do the trade yet? Send word?" Rick said.

"Rick, we can't let this stop the trade. We need that trading to survive. We can't purify or find enough water for everyone." Daryl said, adding disinfectant to the wound. "If we let fear run us, then we won't have anything."