𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐒, the walking dead (rewrite)

01. beyond the gates

Genesis

[season 4—episode 1]
thirty days without an accident

It had taken some time, but Luna finally managed to wake Carl from his deep slumber. Since Melissa was away and Rick spent most of his time tending to the gardens in the front yard, Luna had taken it upon herself to look after the Grimes children. She vowed to do her best to preserve their innocence and shield them, as much as possible, from the harshness of their world.

It had been one hundred and eighty-one days since the fall of Woodbury. It had been one hundred and eighty-one days since the two communities merged into one, united by necessity and a fragile hope for survival.

One hundred and eighty one days since Carl took one human life for the first time. Melissa had struggled to accept the news. She wrestled with the knowledge that Carl had lost a piece of his childhood, of his humanity, to this violent world. That loss weighed on her, compelling her to take every chance she could to help him and Rick process it. It was one of the reasons she chose to accompany Michonne on her runs outside the prison.

After braiding her hair and slipping into a pair of overalls, Luna took Carl down to the yard just as the rest of the prison began to stir. People were already moving about, falling into their daily routines. Luna's own duties often revolved around helping Rick with the garden, tending to the animals, and managing other tasks in the courtyard. It was there, among the rows of plants and quiet grunts of the livestock, that Rick seemed to find some semblance of peace—a stark departure from his former role as leader.