I woke up in my worn-out tent. Feeling the bites of those awful swarming from the heat of Geogria summer.A warm little body snuggling up against my side. I feel a small smile creep up on my face; I knew exactly who that was. My daughter Sophia. She seems so peaceful when she what its like without Ed. Every other night... It's a new beating...I send sophia to Carl and Shane's tent...i can't let ... Him touch her... Anyway Lori always says ... She's happy to have her...But she insists i get away too...I just cant do that though...The night sky was just breaking a bit. The sun was peaking a bit . Though I could barely see my daughter's smooth blond hair. I began to sit up slowly. Pain shot through my back and arms. Old scars... And new bruises... 'Take Sophia and leave him... Before he does something worse!' Jaqui's words stood up in my thoughts. But if I leave him... There's no telling what he'd do... I quickly shook that thought from my mind. Heat started to slowly seep into the tent as did the smell of pine and wood burning. As it did every morning these days.

Moving carefully I reached for a pair of worn capri's that Ed thought would keep men from looking at my 'ugly' legs. Pulling them on; next for the baggy old T-shirt. Its to hide your saggy ass Tits.' I flinched from the sudden reminder of his voice. I looked down at my hands, pale peach in color. I could never get much of a tan anyway. Then, zipping open the tent carefully, not wanting to wake the sleeping Sophia. Stepping out onto the dark dirt. Knowing i had to get started on the chores. I walked out to the the firepits. Seeing a very proud Old man on top of the old RV.

Rubbing his white fluffly beard as He looked down and squinted at me. That's Dale... Lovable Dale... I felt a smile creep on my lips as I saw Dale wave me to come closer. I ran a hand over the top of my short hair. Walking towards the R.V. Slowly. Hearing the shift of grey stones and gravel under my old boots. Seeing A very pissed off looking officer Shane Walsh move towards the lake with Ed. It sent shivers down my spine. Please... Shane... Be alright... I repeated that in my head several times ,before climbing up the smooth metal ladder. And reaching the top of the RV. Dale helped me up the rest of the way ;along with another rough but smooth hand. As I heard a bit of a hearty laugh come from the old lawn chair on the roof. The sound of birds in the distance made it seem not as loud. My light blue eyes slowly went up the hand that helped pulled me up. Seeing the tan built arms and old sleeve-less shirt. It was Daryl Dixon. My god... My heart started to pick up speed as I felt his hangod lip away from mine. Hands started to get a bit sweatly but I could blame that on the heat. Dale's old tennis-shoes came into my Vision as well. As He spoke in his old wise voice," Carol, you remember are two new members."

I couldn't help but nod weakly. Standing up slowly. Seeing the other Man with bad habits starting to stand up in that leather vest of his. Merle Dixon, the older brother with gets along with Ed. Please... Don't tell me...

" Yer gonna have to come with me huntin' ," That deep tough southern accent told me. It belonged to Daryl.

Dale nodded in approval his old cowboy hat bopped."That's right. I'll watch Sophia and Make sure she reads with Lori."

The sun was just starting to peak out a bit more. A smooth breeze coming through the trees. I felt a little nervous. A Small tint of pink was coming into my cheeks.

"Y-yes... A-alright... B-but we'll be back in time to c-cook? Right?" My voice was so soft and sweet. When I asked Dale. His old brown eyes gave a bit of a hint of something I could not make out. Always up to no good...

"Yeah,You'll be back in time for supper." Dale laughed and patted Daryl's shoulder. I could hear a gruff mumble come from him. The whole camp is gonna be up soon. He might like it better if we head out now. He seemed to know exactly what I was thinking. He shouldered his crossbow and jumped off the RV landing with a thud. Merle called out to him," Watch out for Walkers Baby Brother!"

/ I do not own The Walking dead. Not associated with AMC. Next Chapter is a Daryl P.O.V. ; Thank you for reading. More chapters to come!