Ok, here is my new story! This is my first time writing an OC in The Walking Dead universe. I've had this idea floating around my head for a long time and finally decided to write it down. Just a heads up this is a Daryl/OC story, because I am in love with Walking Dead's resident redneck. (To the readers waiting on an update in my Captain America story Someday, Maybe, it is coming soon! I haven't forgotten about you.) Anyway, enjoy this first chapter.

Courage Under Pressure

Chapter 1:

I couldn't move. Physically, I was alright or as alright as anyone could be in this new world. Emotionally, I was crippled. I was drowning in grief, lost in my own thoughts. Laying on the forest floor barely upright. My back pressed against the damp bark of a tree, which was the only thing keeping me from keeling over because I couldn't feel my limbs. My hands were stained with blood, not my blood. I knew that my clothes were torn and had definite signs of wear. I didn't need to look at my face, I could imagine the state it was in. The tears had stopped flowing a long time ago, I was numb. The only thing I felt were the pangs of hunger. I didn't move, I didn't try to find shelter, I didn't care. My world had ended and I wanted my existence to end too.

I managed to turn my head to the side to reach over and grab my gun. I stole it from a dead man on the street at the very start of it all. I barely knew how to use it, I had terrible aim but right now my aim didn't matter. I let out a ragged breath as I used whatever strength I had left to lift the weapon to my temple. I felt the cool barrel pressing against the side of my head and couldn't hold back the desperate sob that left my throat. I slowly moved my finger towards the trigger and shut my eyes. Seconds before I pulled the trigger, I heard it.

A scream. A terrified scream. The scream of a child.

"Danny?" I tried to shout but my voice was gruff from disuse.

The next scream had me jumping to my feet and sprinting through the dense woods towards the source.

"Danny! Danny!" I yelled, completely forgetting the dangers that surrounded the woods.

I reached a creek and spotted a small, blonde girl crawling backwards through the shallow water, three of the dead advancing on her. I felt the crippling feeling return to my body because the girl wasn't my Danny. Deep down I knew she couldn't be as I ran to her rescue, but part of my mind fooled itself. It took another scream from the girl to spur me into action. I slid down the mud till I landed on the edge of the creek. I pulled out my gun and shot to the side. I wasn't a decent shot. I wasn't about to risk hitting the girl if I shot the dead ones surrounding her. The sound made them turn towards me. I stuffed my useless gun into the waist of my pants and pulled out my knife. Once they were close enough I kicked the nearest one in the gut, sending it a few steps back. I stabbed the second one and waited for the other to get closer, jamming my knife through its eye. The one I had kicked was still struggling to regain its footing, I took advantage of that, pulling it by the hair I stabbing it on the skull.

I moved over the dead bodies and crouched in front of the girl checking her over for bites or scratches.

"Are you okay? Are you alright?" I asked in a panic. I couldn't watch this little girl turn. She seemed clear from what I gathered but I needed to be certain.

"I-I'm fine…thank you." She stuttered, her small figure was trembling. I didn't know if her tremors were a reaction to the attack, the fact that her clothes were drenched or if my appearance frightened her. I pulled my jacket off from my waist and wrapped it around her.

My eyes locked with hers and I felt the air leave my lungs. How could her eyes seem so similar? Chocolate brown, scared and full of innocence. I released the child as if she had burned me and turned around, my back to her.

"Please, don't leave me." Her gentle voice begged.

I was fighting hard not to break down. It wouldn't help either of us if I became numb again. After a few deep breaths I managed to compose myself enough to turn around and confront the girl.

"I won't leave you…I promise." My voice quivered but from the smile I received in exchange for my words I doubted she noticed.

"What's your name?" I asked.

"Sophia." She told me, her voice was timid and it broke my heart to think what might've happened if I hadn't found her. It killed me that I knew what would've happened.

"I'm Jennifer. Are you by yourself?"

"I was with my mom and a group but walkers came and I got scared…I ran." The girl seemed ashamed by her confession.

"You did right in running." I assured her. She didn't seem very convinced but nodded. Her eyes began to fill with tears as she looked up at me. I looked away once our eyes met.

"I want my mommy." She cried and I took her in my arms, comforting her.

"I'll try to help you find your mom." I promised. I pulled slightly away, pushing locks of her hair away from her delicate face. "Where was your group when you ran?"

"The highway." She answered, wiping her tears with her arms.

"Okay…the highway is pretty long. Do you know where exactly?" I asked and instantly regretted my words when her eyes welled up with tears again and her lip began to quiver. I brought her back into my embrace. "We'll find her." I promised again.

I heard the groans from the dead nearby and knew we couldn't stay there anymore. I gently took Sophia's hand and started climbing the dense ravine to the top of the forest, pulling her with me. We were halfway up when Sophia turned back around.

"My doll!" she exclaimed, extending her arm.

I turned to spot the fabric doll on the water but walkers were already falling into the creek from above. "We can't, Sophia." I told her sternly.

Her lip quivered but she gave one firm nod and continued climbing. Once we were out of the creek I noticed dead ones all around. I tightened my hold on her hand and ran. I was dodging branches and avoiding confrontation with any dead ones. My backpack was starting to cause strain on my back, my legs were burning and I could feel my lungs constricting. Turning to give Sophia a quick glance I knew she wasn't faring any better.

The sun was setting on the horizon and I knew if we didn't find shelter soon I was signing our death certificates.

"A cabin!" Sophia shouted, making me halt. She eagerly pointed towards a clearing to our right towards a small wooden house.

"Great job!" I praised, excited. I wanted to collapse in relief but knew I couldn't. We managed to get to the cabin quickly and once inside I only had to dispose of two dead ones inside. I left their rotting bodies by the door hoping the smell would bring us some protection.

"We need to barricade the door." I instructed once back inside, as I looked around for what could be useful.

With the help of Sophia, though I did most of the heavy lifting, we pilled the dining table, the china cabinet and a few chairs against the door. With all the curtains closed and the perimeter safe we sat down to eat. I passed her a can of spaghettis while I ate a can of beans.

I could feel myself drifting as the adrenaline left my body. My limbs ached and I felt extremely tired.

"We should sleep." Sophia whispered after she finished eating and curled into a ball on the floor.

"Not there." I told her softly.

She furrowed her brows at me and I had to smile at how grown up the expression looked. The gesture must've been her mom's. I motioned with my head for her to follow me into the kitchen area. I opened a cupboard, placed my two blankets and a pillow inside and helped her get in.

"Why here?" she asked her voice a bit nervous.

I caressed her hair and smiled softly. "If anything, anything at all happens during the night, you close these doors and don't come out till I say so." I instructed motioning to the small wooden doors.

"But what about you? Where will you sleep?" she asked her hand reaching to rest above mine.

"I'll be right there," I pointed at the doorway of the kitchen. "I'll be fine." I added.

She hesitated but nodded and laid down. I waited till her chest was rising and falling on an even beat to let myself close my eyes. I was out like a light.

"It hurts." She groaned as I applied pressure to the wound on her shoulder.

"I know, baby. I know." I shushed as I held back the sobs building up in my chest.

"Make it stop. Please." She begged and I broke down. I felt the tears falling down my cheeks, collecting on my jaw and falling onto her.

"It'll be okay. I'm going to make it better." I lied. The blood had already soaked the shirt I was pressing against her wound and was staining my hands.

"It hurts…" her voice was barely a whisper as her eyes fluttered.

"No! No, stay with me!" I yelled, my heart shattering. "Danny!"

I shot up, drenched in sweat and panting. I felt a hand grab my forearm and flinched away, eyes wide. I locked eyes with Sophia and broke down. I felt her skinny arms wrap around me and I clung to her, desperately. I hated appearing so pathetic and weak in front of the child I promised to protect but the nightmare had left me broken.

Once I managed to stop sobbing, I pulled away and stared at the door we had barricaded. I had no idea how long I slept but the nightmare left me as drained as when I first closed my eyes.

"Who's Danny?" Sophia's voice broke the storm inside my head and I tensed.

I didn't move an inch as the silence filled the room. "You were yelling the name…in your sleep." She continued but I didn't dare speak. I didn't even know if I could've formed words if I tried.

Sophia seemed to get the message because after a few more seconds I heard her sigh and shuffle away to go back to sleep in the cupboard. I waited till I could hear her even breathing to move from my spot. I stood and quietly approached where she slept peacefully. She didn't resemble Danny in the slightest but those eyes could've been identical. I slowly ran the tips of my fingers across her cheek, careful not to wake her.

"Danny's my daughter." I whispered knowing only the night would hear my confession.

A/N

I know I'm not very reliable when it comes to finishing the fanfictions I start so I didn't post this one till I had almost all the chapters written in my laptop. I have 8 chapters already written and only need to lightly edit each one before posting. I also know stories sometimes take a life of their one so it is possible that big changes could be made throughout my time posting this story. I really hope you enjoyed this first chapter and hopefully you end up loving my OC Jennifer as much as I do. Thank you so much for reading!

Reviews give me strength so please leave yours!