%20pngg.png)
(I'd love to, hit me up fam! ^^)
Rick took out a small metal plate and bowl and divided all the food equally on both dishes. "This is a very nice meal. I think it's good to get some variety in your diet, if you can. Lately I've been havin' a lot of meat, so a little vegetation's a welcome change."
(The frail little girl was marching up the hill. She was starved, exhausted and weak, kept alive only by the knowledge that her saving grace stood on the other side. The wind lay claim to the stillness of the landscape; her threadbare grey dress whipped her battered frame back and forth with every difficult step she took along the uphill.
Suddenly, a figure crested the summit. The girl’s eyes widened when they landed on the boy above her and she fell to her knees– a shimmering gold reflection on her wrist came into view as this happened. It read a single word: Axel.
She called this name in a trembling voice. With a relieved grin the boy hurtled down the hill towards this girl, whose name had appeared on his own wrist: Charlotte.
The two children met in a desperate hug, Charlotte melting into Axel’s protective arms. “You found me,” she giggled, half-delirious in her hunger.
“Did you doubt it?” Axel playfully shot back, combing a hand through Charlotte’s matted dark hair. He then pulled away from her slightly and examined her: the child was painfully thin, gaunt and filthy. Her lips were chapped and an obvious sunburn was blossoming across her face and exposed shoulders. Axel frowned.
“Can you stand?” he asked quietly. Charlotte’s answer was to shake her head and nuzzle further into Axel’s chest; he was her protector, after all.
But he didn’t hug her back. Instead he let go and stood up. Glancing around, he pointed out:
“Night’s falling.”
Charlotte was curling up in the grass, eyes slowly fluttering shut. The boy roughly set her on her knees and kept her attentive. “Would you know how to build a shelter? Find food? Fight off animals?”
To all of these Charlotte shook her head. Axel nervously bit his lip and let her go. “So you’re a bit useless.”
Suddenly defensive, the girl wobbled to her feet. “But I’m sturdy,” she said as she struggled to stay upright. “And I’m smart, you can teach me things.”
Axel had sat down, head tucked between his knees. His thoughts were racing: Not enough. It’s not enough, she’ll slow you down. But you promised to protect her! Which doesn’t mean anything if we’re both going to die; survival is the main goal, no time for sentimentality. She’s defenseless though. And so are you. Night is falling like you said, make up your mind before you’re both mauled to death. By the time he re-opened his eyes Charlotte was fast asleep, utterly vulnerable and trusting in his loyalty.
It was this girl he ran away from. This girl he left to fend for herself on the edge of a feral forest. Axel, agile and fast as he was, had disappeared within two minutes of his decision. Charlotte only woke when the Brute pounced onto her. )
"Agreed. The diet gets a bit repetitive with limited stock, doesn't it?" she admitted through a mouthful of stew.
(oof sorry I had to go to supper. Gimme one sec, I'll read it and tell you what I think ^^)
"You bet. Sometimes I really miss the cooking back home. We had pie 'n steak 'n baked taters just about every day." He sighed wistfully. "Oh well, I don't mean to be ungrateful. At least we have something to eat. It sure ain't fun when I can't find anything at all."
(Okay I read it and YEESH. What a jerk! Aw man, if Rick could have witnessed that, he would have been so mad XD
But back to the point, it's very well-written! I can visualize the scene easily, and the danger of the situation is pretty clear. I can just barely empathize with Axel's fear and selfishness (not enough to sympathize with his decision, but I think it's a sign of good character building), and I can definitely understand Charlotte's perspective as well. It's a great setup for a long-term enmity between them, and it makes me want to know what happens next! Way to end on a cliffhanger lol XD Thanks for showing me, I enjoyed reading it!)
(oof sorry I had to go to supper. Gimme one sec, I'll read it and tell you what I think ^^)
"You bet. Sometimes I really miss the cooking back home. We had pie 'n steak 'n baked taters just about every day." He sighed wistfully. "Oh well, I don't mean to be ungrateful. At least we have something to eat. It sure ain't fun when I can't find anything at all."
"No. It isn't."
After a couple mouthfuls of stew, half the bag of pistachios and her portion of roots, Charlotte set down her plate.
She went to her bag and started pulling out blankets for the night.
(Okay I read it and YEESH. What a jerk! Aw man, if Rick could have witnessed that, he would have been so mad XD
That's what I was going for ^^'
But back to the point, it's very well-written! I can visualize the seen easily, and the danger of the situation is pretty clear.
Thank you v much, that's a little hard for me so that's good to know
I can just barely empathize with Axel's fear and selfishness (not enough to sympathize with his decision, but I think it's a sign of good character building), and I can definitely understand Charlotte's perspective as well.
They're two characters I love so I've got an idea of who they are, more so than others.
It's a great setup for a long-term enmity between them, and it makes me want to know what happens next! Way to end on a cliffhanger lol XD
I'm glad that's clear actually, so thanks
Lot of cliffhangers in this story. Its last line is literally "She whirled around, and screamed."
Thanks for showing me, I enjoyed reading it!)
I thought it it was fitting for our rp XD
(Glad to help! Lol cliffhangers are the perfect tool to make readers wail in anguish
cackles)
Rick took another minute to finish off his meal, then pulled out some bedding of his own from his backpack and laid it out near the fire. "I guess we should probably take turns keepin' watch, just in case somebody unfriendly passes by. I can go first, if you want."
"No, I'll take first watch," she said somewhat forcefully, already settling into a comfortable seated position.
Rick shrugged. "Your call. Don't wait too long to switch places, now." Pulling off his boots, he stretched out with his back to the fire and closed his eyes. "Night. Just gimme a kick if I start snorin' too much."
Charlotte silently nodded. Night had completely fallen now, blanketing the fields in a cool darkness. It was a peaceful environment, interrupted only by twinkling stars and the occasional animal rustle. It was wilderness, something Charlotte hadn't experienced in over 3 years. It was essentially bliss.
Rick fell asleep almost instantly despite the loveliness of their surroundings. He rolled onto his back and sighed deeply, seeming completely comfortable despite the hard, bumpy ground.
Charlotte watched Rick sleep for a while, mildly amused at how completely at ease he seemed. It was strange, his optimism— she'd never seen the likes of it in any one else.
All the more reason for her to be thankful for its presence: it already seemed to her like it would be the only thing to keep her going as they approached the dreaded destination.
A couple hours went by and she made no move to wake Rick.
After a while, he stirred and opened his eyes, almost as if he'd set a mental alarm clock. He took in his surroundings silently for a second before slowly sitting up. "Is it my turn yet?" he asked, still a bit groggy. "The moon rose quite a ways since I last checked."
Charlotte jumped at the sound of his voice, previously lost in thought. "Right, yes. It's your turn."
Without another word she lay down and curled up in her bundle of blankets, closing her eyes.
Rick stretched and used a stick to stir the fire a little, admiring the stars. He couldn't help but smile a little at Charlotte's determination to remain distant. During his travels, he'd met plenty of people that had built walls around themselves, and although he still couldn't quite understand it, he was no longer surprised by it. He hoped that, if nothing else, he could eventually demonstrate to her that it was okay to relax sometimes–
He stopped himself. No, he shouldn't meddle. It was her decision to act however she pleased, and she no doubt had her reasons. Just because his choices worked for him, didn't mean they'd work for anyone else. Sighing, he settled back against a cottonwood tree and focused on keeping an eye out for danger.
It took about half an hour for her to fall asleep. Now, lying down with her eyes closed, the tiredness kicked in.
So she fell asleep and dreamt of war, betrayal and grief. The twisted dreams affected her, causing to twitch and frown in her sleep.
Rick noticed her apparent discomfort and was reminded of his brother Finn. The younger man had always been plagued by nightmares, ever since their first real mission. It saddened Rick to see anyone tormented by their own dreams, even though he'd never had that problem himself. He rubbed his scarred arm, wishing there was something he could do for her, but guessing she'd probably refuse his help either way. Maybe her dreams would settle down in an hour or so.
They only got worse as the night progressed and she delved deeper into her subconscious.
Standing alone in the middle of a smoking battlefield, watching her mother run and run and run towards a figure long since disappeared, Charlotte bit down on the inside of her cheek in fear.
The jolt of pain and the tang of blood woke her and her eyes flew open.
Rick was watching her with concern at this point. "You all right, Miss Charlotte?" he asked quietly.
She hurriedly sat up, combing a shaking hand through her ruffled hair. "You can go back to sleep if you like," she offered after a few steadying breaths.
(brb)
He didn't take her up on her offer right away. "…Is this somethin' you have to deal with a lot? Is there anything I can….do to help?"
"Yes, and no."
Except talking about it— but that was not an option, it never was. "I'd suggest you just sleep," she told him harshly.
"Okay," he said softly. "I'm sorry to bother you about it." He laid back down and closed his eyes. "I hope you feel better soon."
She tucked her head in her arms, breath hitching every exhale. She felt guilty, of course, but kind as he was the only way to put Rick off was cruelty.