Surviving.

Chapter Nineteen: Captured

We break apart quickly and sprint towards the camp. We arrive at the same speed and immediately I see a tall man in a cowboy hat holding Laken in a headlock. She's struggling for air and I rush forward. Carl steps between me and the man and grabs my braid. I scream in pain at the sudden jerk and fall to my knees. Carl advances towards Conner and they begin circling around each other.

Carl swings his fist towards Conner's stomach and knocks the air from his lungs. Conner doubles over in pain and yelps. I feel a rush of adrenaline and lunge for Carl, seeking revenge. NO ONE messes with Conner. Except ME. He is facing away from me so I end up on his back. I literally growl and claw at his neck. I yank him by the hair and he falls back, pinning me underneath him. By now Conner is up again and he grabs Carl and throws him against the nearest tree. I can see the anger in his eyes as he wraps his nimble fingers around Carl's thin neck. He squeezes his grip tightly as Carl begins turning purple with lack of oxygen.

I still hear Laken struggling against the still unknown man. I pull my eyes away from Conner and catch sight of Laken. I look at Conner quickly and back to Laken. Save Laken or let Carl die? Save Laken. I run into the dark forest, acting as if I was running away. Instead of running straight, I swerve so I am behind Laken and her captor. He doesn't see me coming so I drop kick him in the head. He immediately goes limp and face plants onto the forest floor.

I still hear Carl's weak gurgles from behind me. I turn around and see Conner still squeezing Carl's neck, getting tighter and tighter as he goes.

"CONNER!! Stop! Don't kill him." I yell, grabbing his arm harshly.

He turns his angry eyes on me and I flinch away. I immediately see regret in his eyes and he begins to apologize. Before he can get any words out Carl sees an opportunity and dead legs Conner, making him lose his balance. I reach and help him up, but Carl is already heading to the unconscious man behind us.

"Dad!! Wake up Dad." He says, shaking the man's shoulders.

I step forward and look down at the sad sight, "He's only unconscious. He's not dead. I promise." 

He looks at me with accusing eyes and turns back to the man.

"Is he the leader of your group?" Laken steps forward with a blank expression.

"Yes. But our group is falling apart so we all are leaders at one point." He replies never taking his eyes off his dad. "He is Rick Grimes."

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Hey guys! I'm sorry if this is really short but I'm updating on my friends phone since I'm at vball camp. And it's kinda 12:06 at night and I've had a really stressful day. So I hope you enjoyed anyways.

LOVE Y'ALL <3

~Lizzy