where the graveyard blooms - carl grimes

IX

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ix.

far from any road
"the looming shadow grows"

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Dawn creeps through the trees. My legs are shaking, and my breath comes in ragged bursts. The whole night feels like it's been one long blur—Carl's hand in mine, our shadows cutting through the darkness, the herd crashing behind us. Now the quiet is almost too loud.

I always hated the quiet.

Daryl glances around, his eyes sharp, taking in every detail of the woods. I can't tell if he's looking for danger or just used to living like this, constantly on edge. He finally turns to us, jerking his chin toward the woman with him.

"This is Connie." He tells me. "She's deaf. Reads lips. If she's got something to say, she'll write it down."

I blink at her, taking her in—curly hair pulled back from a pretty face, calm eyes, sturdy stance. She doesn't look rattled, even after everything. How does she understand him? I mean, Daryl barely moves his mouth when he talks. Hell, half the time I can't make out what he's saying. But Connie just nods like it's no big deal.

My mind flashes back to second grade, when we learned God Bless The USA in sign language for some school assembly. That's about all I remember, though, and I doubt it'll be much help now.

Connie raises her hand, giving a little wave, and I wave back, unsure if I should say something. What the hell do you say after the night we've had?

"They'll be coming for us." I warn. My mother, Beta, the rest of them—they'll hunt us down, tear us apart if they have to. I know that much.

Carl's voice cuts through my thoughts. "We can't lead them back to Hilltop."

Daryl shakes his head. "We ain't going to Hilltop."

I look at Connie again, wondering if she's used to this—being on the run, living without a place to call home. She doesn't seem scared, just steady. Like this is just another day. Makes me feel weirdly at ease. She offers me a gentle smile. She seems kind.

Carl shifts beside me, and I can feel his eye on me. I don't know what he's thinking.

Daryl's eyes cut to me, sharp as ever. "How does your group travel? Fight?" He is blunt, no hesitation. He wants answers, and he wants them now.

I freeze for a second. If I tell him, that's it. It's a betrayal to my group, to the way I've been raised. Alpha drilled it into me from day one: never betray your own. But standing here now, next to Carl, after everything... I'm not sure who 'my own' is anymore.

I bite my lip, my mind racing. If I spill, I'm tearing the last thread that ties me to them. But when I glance at Carl, who's looking at me with that soft, determined gaze, something clicks. I've already made my choice, haven't I? The second I cut his ropes and pulled him through the chaos. The second I left Alpha's world behind.

So, I breathe out slowly and decide.

"We travel in the herd. Usually in groups of five or so, mingled with the walkers. Keeps us hidden. Alpha will send Beta after us."

Daryl's brows furrow. "Who the hell is Beta?"

Beta, the unstoppable force, the brute that keeps everyone in line with nothing more than his presence. I meet Daryl's eyes. "He's the biggest. The best fighter. He's never lost a fight."

Daryl's lip curls in a faint, almost-smirk. "He'll lose this one."

I want to believe him, want to take some comfort in the confidence that rolls off of him. But Beta? The thought alone makes my stomach twist. Still, I can't deny there's something different about Daryl, something solid. Maybe Beta will lose this one. Maybe this time, it'll be different.