Chapter 1: Carl: Time To Go
I take a deep breath and take in my surroundings. Mom is talking to Carol and Dad is inside along with most of the group. I see Beth sitting on the porch. I feel alone and suffocated; if that makes any sense?
Sophia has been gone for about two weeks now and I have had no one to talk to. I glance towards the woods. I have been banned from going in there since I was accidentally shot Von Otis. Part of me wants to go now and just look for Sophia myself, considering no one else is getting anywhere. That part of me grows every day.
“Carl!” I jump and turn to Mom. “Yes?” I yell back irritated, “What do Du want?” Mom glares at me. “Excuse me?” I roll my eyes. “Yes Mother? What do Du need from me this fine day?” I ask sarcastically. Carol smiles. “Go inside and tell your Dad I need Mehr ammo for my gun.” Mom says. I groan, but walk inside. “Why can’t Du just do it yourself?” I mutter under my breath.
As I get to the porch Beth looks at me. “Who is everyone lookin’ for?” she asks me. “Catch up. Sophia. Carol’s daughter.” I say. Beth is silent, so I go inside. As I arrive to the küche I hear Dad, Daryl, Shane, and Glenn talking. “This is useless, we aren’t gonna find her.” Shane says. “There just isn’t anyway she could have survived this long alone out there.” Glenn says. I clench my teeth to prevent myself from yelling.
Right then I make a big decision. I am going to go look for Sophia myself and I’m not comin’ back ‘till I find her. I march into the küche and say, “Mom needs ammo.” They all look down at me. “Uh, it’s in the bag over there Carl.” Dad says. I make sure to give them all a dirty look before opening the bag.
I grab a bunch of ammo and put it under my hemd, shirt and then stomp upstairs. I grab my bag and shove in my gun, a pocket messer I stole, some clothes, another gun for Sophia when I find her, and the ammo. Then I sneak over to Carol’s room and open the clothes drawer. I get out clothes I am pretty sure to be Sophia’s.
Weiter I walk outside and sneak past Mom and Carol. I am at the edge of the woods when I turn back and take a last look at the farm before I leave. Finally I decide it’s time to go.
Just as I turn I can feel Beth’s eyes on my back…

Dark is falling quick and I haven’t found a place to bett down yet. I can only imagine the panic back at the farm. Let them panic. In about a week if I’m not back, they’ll give up on me too. Let them. For all I care they can all leave and leave me out in the woods. They would forget soon enough…
Eventually I spot a small cave. I say a quick prayer, as I was afraid I wouldn’t find somewhere to sleep. I get out the flashlight I brought and flick it on. I silently creep inside and shine the light around. Nothing is in the cave. I put my bag down and sit near the entrance when I notice something near the back of the cave. A flash of blue is all I see. I squint, afraid to shine the flashlight in that direction. No, not something…someone.
Now I do pick up the flashlight and shine the bright beam in the direction of the person. I have my gun in my hand, afraid it will be a walker. But it isn’t a walker…its Sophia.