Shadow (TWD Carl)

~Chapter 32~

I've never felt free since the start of the walker outbreak, but today was an exception. I felt like a ton of weight was suddenly lifted off my shoulders since this morning's talk with Carl. First step to becoming me...and not giving in to the shadow.

It was peaceful since that talk. No walkers. No hassles. Just the quiet church and the breeze.

But of course, all things come to an end, one of them being that almost half the group was leaving. Abraham had agreed with Rick and the rest of the group that he, Glenn, Maggie, Rosita, Eugene and Tara will leave for DC this afternoon.

After Carl had left to give me some space, the rest of the group came walking out of the church. I stood up and walked over to Glenn. We stared at each other for a few seconds before I gave him a hug, wishing he didn't have to leave. I grew quite close to the original group since the prison and I didn't want Glenn or Maggie to go.

"Stay safe Glenn, I want to see you in one piece if we meet again in the future." I let go of the hug and look back up to him.

"I will, only if you do too." I nod my head and he places his hand on it. "I'll miss you Shadow, you've backed everyone up since the start, even when you knew we didn't trust you. When I saw you hiding when Merle took Maggie and I, I could see potential in you, that you could be a great ally and friend. Thank you Shadow."

"I'll miss you too, and I'd support all of you till the end, no matter what." I give him a smile and he ruffles my hair before moving on to the others. Maggie walks up to me after seeing Michonne and gives me a small smile. "See you later Maggie. I really hope we meet again."

"Yeah, I hope so too." She gives me a hug and a smile before heading over to Glenn. I never got to know Maggie as well as the others, but she was still a friend to me.

After all the goodbyes were given, we stood behind Rick as Abraham and his group stood facing us. Abraham took a folded piece of paper out of his pants and handed it to Rick.

"This is our route to DC. We'll stick to it as long as we're able. If not, well, you got our destination." Rick took the map from Abraham while I moved to get a good view of them. "Once Eugene gets to the big brains left up there, things are gonna bounce back. This group should be there for it." He paused as he looked at Rick seriously but with a hint of hope. "You should be there for it."

"They will be." Maggie stated.

"We will." Michonne added.

Rick looked behind him at us all, nodding his head as he did. "We will." The groups stared at each other for a while before Abraham commanded theirs to go.

Our group, without Maggie and Glenn, went to stand against the front of the church. Abraham and the group hopped into the bus, sharing a few last looks before he drove off.

Once the bus was out of sight, Rick looks at the map Abraham gave him. I moved to get a good look at the map to see their route but I noticed a note at the bottom right:

SORRY, I WAS AN ASSHOLE.
COME TO WASHINGTON.
THE NEW WORLD'S GONNA NEED RICK GRIMES

Rick looked up and I moved so it didn't look like I had seen the map. I look to my left and notice Tyreese was shovelling a hole in the ground. I guess Bob has passed...

I couldn't help but remember the promise I gave him.

"Look...Ethan isn't the same person. He is much less stable." "Do not go after him." "He isn't the Ethan we knew, it's better to stay away and stay safe."

"I promise"

I promised not to go after Ethan, but...what if we could bring him back, make him stable again? I want to take the chance but...