Chapter 1

I could feel my lungs in my chest about to give out as I quickly darted through the trees. I could hear the hungry growls of the dead that continued to chase me through the woods and I knew there was no way I'd be able to lose them, they knew my scent by now.

How the hell did they get all the way out here? I thought to myself, gently pushing a branch out of my way. I sat quietly for a second, getting as low to the ground as possible, simply listening. Twigs broke somewhere n the direction I just came, followed by grunts and moans. Feeling here was a bit of a distance between the walkers and myself, I stood up and hiked my Bow and quiver to a more comfortable position on my back, before stepping cautiously out of my hiding spot.

The sharp sound of rustling branches echoed from behind me and I turned just in time to side step a snarling walker. He grabbed for my arm and I screamed out in terror, plunging harder and faster into the deep woods.

I ran blindly, haphazardly stepping over trees and gopher holes. My breathing was now labored; my calm mentality vanished with the surprise appearance of a walker. Against my better judgment I looked over my shoulder, crying out again as the ground disappeared underneath me.

I tumbled head over feet for what felt like forever, before landing hard with a sickening pop. Covered in mud and soaking wet, I attempted to peel myself off of the floor of the creek bed, pain shooting through my left shoulder. I whimpered, knowing I dislocated it, and felt my heart sink when I realized I could no longer use my bow. Scrapes covered my entire body from my knees to my chin, but slowly I clamored to my feet.

The creek bed was a good 10-foot drop and the only way out was unfortunately up. Holding my left arm close to my body, I grabbed for a system of tree roots with my good arm and began to slowly hoist myself up. It was all for not and unfortunately I slid down the muddy wall. I stayed where I fell, knowing that climbing with a dislocated shoulder was hopeless. Sitting back against the creek bed, I looked up to the other side with tired eyes.

Slowly, the Walker came into view, looking at me hungrily. I felt like a trapped animal, and I could feel the fear building inside of me. I reached for my hunting knife and glared at the beast.

"Come and get me you stone dead piece of shit!" I knew the walker was more than happy to oblige, but before he could make the conscious effort to eat me, an arrow pierced the side of his head, making a nasty sucking sound as it settled into the rotten flesh.

The walker fell, landing in the water next to me with a splash and I desperately looked around trying to see where the arrow came from. To my surprise, above me on the creek wall, stood a muscular looking man. His hair was cropped short, and his stubbled face was dirty from the obvious lack of bathing the post apocalyptic world enforced, albeit he was quite handsome, for an obvious redneck.

His blue eyes were calculating, almost as if determining whether saving me was worth it and I leaned my head back against the wall, breathing a sigh of relief.

"Please don't leave me here like this." I groaned. He ran his thumb across his lips before shouldering his crossbow and hesitantly jumping down in the creek bed next to me.

The man squatted in front of me, throwing a few wary looks over his shoulder, before inspecting the damage I had taken. I knew I looked terrible, I could feel the burning cuts all over, but at this point all I cared about was my throbbing shoulder. The man placed a gentle thumb under my chin, coaxing my head up and clicked his tongue.

"There anymore followin' you?" He asked, reaching over and pulling his bolt from the dead man's skull.

"Yes, but if they were still chasing me they'd be here by now." I watched as he washed the arrow of in the small stream before placing it back into the bolt rack on his bow. He didn't seem like he fully believed me, but he helped me up anyways, mistakenly grabbing my left arm. "FUCK." I breathed in pain. Quickly he released me and went for the other side, hoisting my right arm around his shoulder.

We found a spot where the creek bed was like a ramp and quickly we got to dry ground. After we were out of the creek bed, he hastily removed me from his shoulder and sat me down on a nearby log. The man examined my shoulder with the same calculating blue eyes he had found me with.

"Dislocated?" He said after a long pause. Nodding, I took a shaky breath as he reached for my elbow. I knew what was coming next, I'd performed manual relocation on many a dislocated shoulder. "This is gonna hurt." The phrase wasn't meant to comfort, and he allowed none as he quickly coaxed my shoulder back into place. I gave a slight squeal and bit my lip, feeling the warm sensation of pain ripple through my body.

Without another word, he stood up, briskly walking past me. I wasn't too upset he walked past me. He didn't owe me anything more than what he did, hell, the man didn't even have to save me from the creek. I continued sitting there, flexing my arms for a few seconds and as I went to stand up, I felt a pair of eyes on me, watching me coolly.

"You comin' or what?" I looked at him, confused, weighing the options in my mind. I suppose it wouldn't be too bad to have somebody around seeing as I've been alone for weeks now. If he was offering, I wouldn't feel obligated to return any favors either. "I'd hate to leave you sittin' here injured and all, but I got a buck I'm trackin' and I got people to feed. You can stand here alone, or you can come with me."

"How many people?" I called after him. When he didn't respond I ran to catch up to him. His demeanor showed that he wasn't much for conversation and I didn't push him for words. Quietly he reached into his pocket, brandishing a red rag, and handed it over to me. "Hold this to your head."

"Oh, thanks." Confused, I brought my hand to my forehead and wiped awkwardly. Blood stained my fingers and quietly I held the rag to my forehead. Another awkward silence ensued, but I didn't mind, it gave me time to watch my companion, get a feel for him.

With every step he took in his surroundings, I knew he could figure out a way out of any conceivable situation in these woods, not to mention how quickly he'd picked the buck back up after saving my sorry ass. Judging by the silence, he was obviously a loner, not used to close, constant contact with somebody. It was obvious that's what he wanted, seeing how the silence was only awkward for me. Another thing I noticed was the way he kept stealing glances at me out of the corners of his eyes. He was watching me as much as I was him.

"My name is Beau. Beau Abner." I suddenly blurted out, my own voice sounding foreign to me. "And thanks for saving my ass back there." The man next to me huffed, obviously torn between the polite thing to do, and not wanting to speak to me at all.

"Daryl." There was no following 'your welcome' or 'don't mention it.' Like I said, he didn't embrace his words, who would in a time when actions speak way louder? "I can't afford to take any breaks for you."

I can honestly say I was offended. He said it like that had been all he was thinking about. I never asked for a break, never asked to slow the pace. Hell if he hadn't invited me I'd be going in the opposite direction as him.

"Well," I started, making eye contact. "If I slow you down to much you can just shoot me." I muttered bitterly, quickening my pace so I didn't have to walk in stride with him