In the World Ruled by the Dead

THIS IS NOT A FAIRY TALE 

Mara Holt thought she had left her first love behind until Shane Walsh found her again in a world overrun by the dead.

Survival isn't simple. Love isn't safe. And in a world without rules, passion can be just as deadly as the walkers.

Some fires are meant to burn — no matter the cost.

✧ ✧ ✧

🧟‍♀️ CAST

🏹 Mara Holt (née Grimes) 

Played by Crystal Reed

"You burn, I burn. That's the deal."

32/Strong, intelligent, and fiercely protective/Haunted by her past/ Quiet yet capable/A true survivor/Her romance with Shane is passionate and reckless

🦊 Shane Walsh

Played by Jon Bernthal

"I'd put a bullet in any one of those assholes' heads before I'd lose you."

38/Fierce, protective, and impulsive/His love for Mara is passionate, reckless and dangerous

🚔 Rick Grimes 

Played by Andrew Lincoln

"What happened to you, Mara? The girl who believed in true love...the one who nursed a broken bird back to life in a shoebox...the one who dreamed of a fairy tale ending? Where did she go? Where's my sister?"

38/Protective, loyal and morally grounded/Struggles with Mara's choices, especially her relationship with Shane

🕊 Lori Grimes 

Played by Sarah Wayne Callies

"Sometimes love isn't about holding on...it's about knowing when to let go."

38/Compassionate, practical, emotional and protective/Mara's best friend

👲 Carl Grimes

Played by Chandler Riggs 

"Dad...is Aunt Mara going to...you know...go crazy like Shane did?"

12/Sensitive yet brave/He struggles with the chaos of the apocalypse/Admires and idolises his Aunt

😈 Evan Holt 

Played by Sebastian Stan 

"You and her have your little history...but she belongs here, with me. And I protect what's mine." 

35/Before the apocalypse he lived the outlaw life style and ran with a motorcycle club/Handsome and charming, but also controlling and manipulative/Has anger issues and can get violent when he drinks

✧ ✧ ✧

DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own the Walking Dead. All rights go to Frank Darabont, Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, Charlie Adlard, the AMC, and any others that made this amazing show possible. I do, however, own my characters, Mara and Evan Holt, and any other OCs I might add in the future, along with their backstories and their storylines within the show.

GRAPHICS: I MAKE the gifs that are used throughout this book. Although, occasionally I will use gifs I find on google. Any gifs I haven't made, all rights should go to those whom created them. I also do the aesthetics and covers that are made.

⚠️TRIGGER WARNING⚠️: Extreme violence, gore, coarse language, apocalyptic world, various mental health issues, attempted murder, murder, death or talks of death, unhealthy obsession, toxic relationship, abusive relationship, domestic violence, drug and alcohol addiction, drug use and detailed sex scenes will appear in this book.

✧ ✧ ✧

STARTED : October 17, 2025

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON WATTPAD : October 17, 2025

FINISHED : ongoing