Chapter One

"Rick… we need to talk about that kid you picked up. Now I know you want to have him join the group, but there isn't anyway that we can do that man, not everyone's that trusting of him.", Shane said trying to talk sense into his best friend and partner.

Rick stared off into the distance not showing any signs that he heard Shane. The boy wasn't, in Rick's mind a danger to anyone, and he didn't know how to just drop the kid off and leave him.

"Rick? You still with me buddy?" Shane asked waving his hand in front of Rick's face, that movement made Rick slowly turn his head to look at Shane.

"He stays…nothing is going to change my mind, that kid needs help and shelter, and he may be able to help us out if we need it" with that said Rick stood up and started walking back to camp. Shane sighed, shook his head and followed.

As they got closer to camp, shouting could be heard from Daryl and the new kid. Rick rolled his eyes and hurried up the rest of the path to the camp.

Daryl and the new kid were on the ground…well the kid was and Daryl was beating the crap out of him. The kid was cursing and trying to get a punch in or to but couldn't get it past Daryl's fast hands. Rick ran over and pulled on Daryl.

"Dammit Daryl get off him!" Rick shouted succeeding in pulling Daryl off the kid.

"Let me go! Rick, this punk needs a lesson in manners and I plan on givin it to him," Daryl said shaking off Rick's hands.

"And you don't?," Rick said as he roughly grabbed the kid, who was still on the ground. The kid had a bloody nose, busted lip and a eye that was starting to turn black. The kid was startled when Rick jerked him off the ground.

"I'll take it from here thanks," Rick said as he half drug half pushed the kid to the RV. Once inside he pointed to a chair in the small kitchen area.

"Sit. And do not get up," Rick said as he pushed the kid into the chair. The kid did as he was told as Rick went and closed the door to the RV. When he came back, he started going thru the drawers, taking out towels and a bag of cotton balls, and then he looked around and grabbed a bottle of alcohol that Dale or someone who had been drinking and walked over to the kid.

"man, he really layed into you huh?," Rick said as he dabbed some alcohol on the kid's face, the kid flinched but Rick gently grabbed his face and held it still and he brushed some more on his busted lip, the boy whimpered and let out a small "ow".

"Almost done…there. Now you have to stay in this RV until I come and get you. No going out and no talking to people. Got that?" Rick said as he stood up. The boy glared at him but shook his head to let him know that he knew Rick meant business.