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The air felt thick—too thick to breathe.
Raven stared at the man she once called her brother, her pulse pounding in her skull. The noise of the walkers at the fence felt distant, like they were underwater.
Daryl stepped in closer, subtle but protective. Carl squeezed her hand once, grounding her.
Raven's voice was barely a whisper.
"...Say his name."
Her brother swallowed hard. "You already know it."
"Say it," Daryl growled.
His jaw clenched, but he obeyed.
"Your real father is Negan."
The world snapped.
Raven didn't breathe. Carl staggered like someone punched him. Daryl muttered something sharp and vicious under his breath.
Raven's hands trembled as she stepped back.
"No," she croaked. "That's not—he—no."
Her brother nodded, wincing. "He traded with our parents. He used them. And when they got scared of him... they ran. They stole you. He wanted you back."
Carl's eyes filled with a protective, furious fire Raven had never seen before.
"She is nothing like him," Carl said through clenched teeth.
Daryl nodded, jaw tightening. "Damn right she ain't."
Raven hugged herself, shaking.
"I'm not... his. I'm not."
Her brother reached toward her, gentle. "You were a baby, Raven. None of this is your fault."
But Carl immediately blocked him, stepping between them like a shield.
"Don't touch her."
Her brother snapped back, "She's my sister—"
"No," Carl said, voice lowering, dangerous. "She was forced into your family just like she was taken from her first one. She's her own person. And she's safe here."
Raven's breath hitched. Carl was shaking—with anger, fear, love, all twisted together.
Her brother glared. "You think you can protect her from this? From him?"
Carl didn't hesitate.
"I'll die trying."
The words stopped everyone cold.
Even Daryl turned slightly, eyes flicking to Carl with something like respect.
Raven's lungs squeezed. Carl meant it. He always meant it when it came to her.
