The quarry camp was quiet.
Too quiet.
For the first time since the world had fallen apart, Rick Grimes sat beside a campfire with his family.
Carl leaned against him, half asleep.
Lori sat across the fire watching them with tired but relieved eyes.
Around them the survivors of the camp talked softly, sharing stories and food.
It almost felt normal.
Almost.
Rick looked toward the edge of the camp.
The masked teenager sat alone on a rock overlooking the quarry.
Ghost.
Even now he hadn't removed the mask.
Shane walked over and sat beside Rick.
"So that's the guy who got you out of Atlanta?"
Rick nodded.
"Yeah."
Shane looked toward Ghost.
"He barely talks."
"That's just how he is."
Shane leaned forward.
"You trust him?"
Rick thought for a moment.
Then answered honestly.
"He saved our lives."
Across the camp, Carol Peletier sat beside her daughter.
Carol Peletier wrapped a blanket around the small shoulders of Sophia Peletier.
"Try to sleep sweetheart."
Sophia nodded quietly.
But her eyes kept drifting toward the masked boy watching the forest.
Carl suddenly stood up and walked toward him.
Rick noticed.
"Carl—"
But Shane held his arm.
"Let the kid go."
Carl approached Ghost carefully.
"You're the soldier guy right?"
Ghost glanced down.
Carl looked impressed.
"You fight walkers like in the movies."
Ghost remained silent.
Carl continued talking anyway.
"My dad says you helped save everyone."
Ghost finally spoke.
"They saved themselves."
Carl grinned.
"I wanna learn to fight like you."
Ghost looked at him for several seconds.
Then said calmly.
"Not yet."
Carl frowned.
"Why?"
"Too early."
Carl kicked a small rock.
"When then?"
Ghost looked toward the dark forest surrounding the quarry.
"When the world gets worse."
Carl didn't understand what that meant.
But Ghost did.
Because he could hear something in the distance.
A faint sound.
Groaning.
Walkers.