He found her. He didn't know how she'd survived this far, she was definitely worn and tattered, but Daryl had kept his promise. He found Sophia. He picked her up after examining her for bites or scratches. The only marks she had seemed to be from running throughout the words, so he carried a grateful Sophia all the way back to the farm.
She spotted them. Her eyes couldn't be deceiving her. Daryl had found Sophia, and she was all right. It was kind of hard to tell from the distance because Sophia was just lying in his arms but she was all right. She had to be. Running as fast as she could, tears streaming down her face, she met Daryl and quickly took Sophia from him.
"Mommy, mommy,' she kept crying. But there was no doubt that Sophia was all right. This was her daughter, the one whom she'd brought into the world, and nothing could tear them apart.
Tearfully Carol looked at Daryl finally. "Thank you…"
He waved her off then turned around, not wanting her to see the tears in his own eyes. He was a hardened man, but to see a mother who loved their child so much stirred many things in his own mind. Why couldn't Carol have been his mother, instead of the bitch who let his daddy do the things he did to his own kids.
It wasn't until nighttime, where the group gathered around the embers of a flame, where Carol got to see him again. Sophia was happily playing with Carl, so Carol made her way to Daryl.
"You found her."
"I told you I would, didn't I?"
"Everyone gave up. You didn't. Why didn't you?"
He thought about what he wanted to say. He was still emotional from the day's events and was scared about letting his guard down. But now it was just the two of them, everyone else paying attention to the kids. "I guess I know what it's like to be abandoned. I couldn't do that to a kid." He settled on saying.
"You can tell me."
"Tell you what?"
"About your daddy. I know he was a mean man. You didn't deserve it."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"I think you do. We both have a lot in common, you and I," Carol smiled gratefully.
"I don't think you know what you're saying. Why don't you go see Sophia?" he barked gruffly.
"She's fine. She and Carl could wind up married in a couple of years you know," she laughed for the first time in ages.
He liked seeing her laugh, he decided. "What about you? You getting married again?"
"I think everyone here's accounted for. It seems like you're the only one who I might…"
"I don't want your pity." Daryl turned around and started to walk away.
"Don't you see it? We could be good together."
"Lady I think you got bigger problems than landing a man. Like taking care of your kid."
That hurt. "You blame me don't you? For her disappearing, I mean."
"A little."
She could respect his honesty. "I love Sophia and don't think I'll ever forget what you did for us today." she kissed his cheek then walked away,
Then Daryl woke up. He'd find Sophia. He was sure of it.
The end