Red (sequel to TYG)

Chapter 2

Carl's pov:

Dad wakes me up early the next morning to go out with him. We started this a while ago, getting up every couple of days before anyone else. Normally we scout around for anything in the area and we use the opportunity just to talk.

I untangle myself from Anna, being careful not to wake her. I cover her up better with the blanket and then put my gun belt on and grab my hat and coat and walk down the stairs. My stomach grumbles but we can't eat until everyone else is up, with food being so scarce. My watch says that it's only 5:30am.

Dad and I crack open the door and quietly dispatch into the cold morning. Dad nods to Abraham and Tara, who are on watch.

We walk around the area, killing several walkers before we start talking.

"How's Anna?" He asks me, never actually looking at me. Instead he watches around us carefully. His eyes never leave the prize I guess you could say.

"She's coming around." I tell him. I know this because of signs that I've seen from her. Small smiles and giggling with Judith.

"What about you? How are you?" Dad asks me. I think about that for a second.

"The same I guess." I answer honestly. I still miss Mom. I still miss everybody. I still hate this. I know he asks me this question to make sure I haven't turned into a raging sociopath.

A branch cracks from about a dozen yards to the right and we both snap up immediately. A small doe with soft brown eyes is eating a green plant off the ground. I'm surprised there's anything green left.

I pull my gun out to shoot it. I have a silencer on my gun, so it's ok to use it. Dad nods at me and I line my gun up and focus for a second. I let out a breath and squeeze the trigger, and the deer falls to the ground.

We don't talk much on the way back to the house because we're dragging a deer that probably weighs a buck fifty.

When we get back to the house Daryl comes out and helps us hang it from a tree so we can butcher it later on. After that we go in to the house and eat breakfast.

It's quiet while we eat, something we've all grown used to lately. It's just not the same without the Greene family.

For the time being, I think we're staying here since there's really no reason to leave. The house is made out of bricks, which is good against any threat. The fireplace is a plus too.

Afterwards, Dad, Daryl, Tyreese, and I butcher the deer. I'll spare you the bloody details.

Anna watches Judith outside, letting her run around and play on the small slide and swing set in the back yard.

A walker snarling alerts everyone, but before any of us can take care of it, Anna has already whipped out one of her knives.

I watch as she pushes the walker around and cleanly stabs it on the back of it's head. It falls to the ground and she grabs its hands and pulls it into the corner of the woods where Judith won't try to touch it.

"Hey, lover boy, stop watching her." Daryl pretends to scold me. He hands me the head of the deer.

I have gloves on, but even so it's pretty repulsive.

"Go throw that in the woods." He instructs me.

I hold the head as far away from me as I can and walk it over to the woods. After tossing it into the woods I re-join them.

When we finish up, I dispose of my gloves and walk over to the tiny playground to play with Judith.

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