Sophia isn't born, but Carol is with Ed.

I kind of changed the age so Daryl and Carol are around twenty five.

Before Carol cut off her hair.

No Walkers Involved.

I do not own The Walking Dead.

Carol's Pov

Ed had left about two nights ago claiming he was going on a business trip. I had been inside most of the time he had been gone trying to hide the bruises that covered my arms. Most had faded at least enough not to be noticeable. I decided with him gone I should be able to go out for a drink with Lori. It's not like I was stupid enough to go to one of the bars he was always at.

After searching through all of my clothing I was allowed to wear I finally found a black tank top I had hid from Ed and slid it on. When I was about ready to leave the house the phone rang and my heart dropped. I hoped it wasn't Ed. I briskly grabbed the phone. I knew the caller id. it was the police station that Lori's husband and Shane worked at. I sighed and answered it.

"Ed was arrested for drug possession." Rick said

"He's going to prison isn't he?" I asked.

"I'm afraid so. He goes to court next week." He sighed

"Okay. I'll try to be there." I said sadly.

"Sorry for your troubles, Carol." He said hanging up

The call didn't change my decision to go to Ollie's Pub. Ed and most of his friends weren't allowed to go there anymore so I'd be pretty safe. I made my way to Ed's 1979 Jeep Cherokee and got in. The bar was about forty minutes away from the house.

Before walking in I pulled hair up in a pony tail and grabbed my wallet. I'd been saving money for a couple weeks now and I guess this was the way I was going to spend it. I wasn't much of a drinker, but since Lori was going to be there I wanted to try and have a good time.

When I walked in I took I look around and saw Lori with Andrea in the corner of the room taking shots. When they noticed me Andrea ran over hugging me. They must've been there for a while by how drunk she already looked. While I walked over to where they were sitting I glanced behind me at a man yelling some racial slurs. It was none other than Merle Dixon. I had seen him a couple times, mostly when picking up a very drunk Ed.

As I sat down the bartender walked over to refill Lori and Andrea's shots. I gazed up at him. He had blue eyes and facial hair above his lip and chin. He was wearing a black T-shirt that showed his muscles perfectly. I was snapped out of my thoughts when he cleared his throat.

"Can I get you anything?" He asked looking right at me.

My heart skipped a beat I was disappointed in myself for acting like a silly teenage girl.

"A beer, I guess." I said quickly

"Alright." He replied.

When he walked to get it Andrea nudged me and started giggling.

"He's pretty cute, don't you think?" Andrea asked and winked

"Yeah, but I'm with Ed." I sighed

"Ed won't be around for a long time, Rick told me he would be away for at least five years." Lori said.

"Still." I said looking to see where he was.

He was over by another person filling their glass with my beer in his hand.

"Come on, Carol just try." Andrea laughed.

"It's not like he'd go for me anyway." I said with a frown

"I think you'd have a pretty good shot." a voice said from behind me.

I quickly turned toward the voice and froze. I didn't know what to say. I could barely breathe.