I'm starting this journal so that the people of the future know our story. So they know what we went through in the years following the Outbreak. Because if someone doesn't write it down, no one is going to know.

Daryl taught me how to write these last couple months. He says I'm getting better at it everyday. So I'm going to write it all down, for the world to see.

My name is Lucy Marie Smith. I don't know how Daryl remembered my middle name after all these years, but he did. He only calls me by my full name when I'm in trouble. I'm 9 years old and living through the Zombie Apocalypse. My mother and father were killed 6 years ago, along with my older brother, my dog, and all of our friends and family. Except Daryl and Judith. Daryl is the only dad I really remember. And Judy is the little sister I never had.

Judith is 6. She's a sweet, short girl with long, dark brown hair and dancing, bright brown eyes. She's kind. Gentle too. She loves to help wherever she can. And she's tough. She gets it from Daryl. We both do.

Daryl…well he's a mean, strong man who doesn't mind telling you how it is. He's always carrying his crossbow and he never misses a shot. He's always telling us to be careful and to keep up. He doesn't slow down for no one.

We've been running for the last 6 years. Avoiding the Walkers, finding shelter, and making our own food and clothing. The three of us, and the two young wolves Judy found last spring. The five of us are a little family, out here in the woods, just trying to survive.

The Walkers are starting to pop up again. Not as many as before, but more than there have been these last two or so years. They come in random bursts. They're unpredicteble unpredictable.

Now, you'll get to hear our story. One day at a time.

Yours truly,
Lucy


"Lucy, put that damn thing away," Daryl grunted from where he stood, just outside of our tent. I tucked the ratty, dirty journal deep in my small knapsack and quickly pulled on my way too big boots. After tying the laces around my ankles, to keep them from sliding off, I pulled the thick deer-hide blanket around my thin shoulders, tying it in the front.

It was a cold winter morning, and I knew Daryl wanted to find somewhere warmer to hold up. Even though we often slept in the van when it was cold, we tried not to waste the gas on heating it all night. Instead, we all pile into the tent, Judith between Daryl and I, the two wolves at our sides. The thick deer-hide blanket served as a blanket and a coat, as well as a wind breaker, a pillow, just about anything. It was starting to thin, but it was still warmer than nothing.

Judith was already outside, her little body clad in my old jacket and jeans. Her hands were buried deep in her pockets, and from the pink tone to her cheeks, I knew she had been awake for a long time.

"Come here Judy," I said brightly. She rushed over, clinging to my warmth.

"We're moving on today," Daryl informed us. We both nodded. The wolves ran over to me, their wet noses sending a chill up my spine. Carly, the smaller, dark furred female had a thin, stringy rabbit in her mouth.

"Carly brought back breakfast," I told Daryl. He nodded once and looked over at the dead fire. It snowed that night, so the grass was cold and crunchy. "I'll go get some wood," I added as an afterthought. I took off the deer-hide and wrapped it carefully around Judy's shoulders. It was too long for her, but it would keep her warm, and since the ends were frayed already, I didn't care too much. I tucked the ends and secured them with a pin I'd had for the longest time, before grabbing the long, leather like lead I used whenever I went out to get wood. I quickly tied one end to Darry's collar, and tied the other end to my waist.

I quickly ran towards the trees, the cold giving me enough motivation to move quickly. Darry followed close behind, his tail held high. I watched him for a moment as he sniffed the air, his ears perked. Once he relaxed, I carried on, picking up small twigs to use as kindling, before moving onto the downed tree we'd been using for larger pieces of wood. Once I piled the wood up neatly, I untied my end of the lead and quickly tied the knot Daryl had taught me, securing the wood to the lead, before giving Darry a quick slap on the rump. He pulled forward, pulling the pile of wood along with him.

It was funny to watch a wild dog do simple tasks, but the wolves were good. They carried their weight as well as the rest of us. While I was following behind, something to my left caught my eye. I whistled once, signaling Darry to halt. He stopped and looked at me expectantly. I walked over to a small bush, my fingers reaching for a piece of cloth that was caught in its branches. I looked at the cloth for a moment, and then felt a chill run up my spine. With the cloth clutched in one hand, my other reaching for the small knife I always carried, I scanned the clearing, looking for any sign of danger.

Darry's low growl made me snap into action. I had always been quick on my feet, but the snow slowed me down. I had to be extra careful not to get tripped up as I jumped over the fallen trees, the twigs and the roots.

"Pack up!" I hissed loudly as soon as I broke the trees. Daryl looked at me once, then began throwing our things into the van, no questions asked. I made quick work of the knots, before tossing the lead aside. I'd retrieve it after everything else was packed. I quickly went over to our bags and began dragging them over to the van, my heart racing in my chest.

"Don't panic," Daryl hissed as he came up beside me, helping me with the heaviest of the bags. "Get Judith strapped in the van and get the wolves inside, then grab as much of the wood as you can. We'll beat them out of here. Don't worry," he said calmly. I nodded once, then did as he said, scooping Judith up in my arms.

"What's wrong?" she asked innocently.

"Walkers are coming," I said calmly. "We'll be outta here long 'fore they catch us though," I added. She nodded and crawled into the van, her small fingers fumbling with the seatbelt. I snapped her in, before leading both wolves over to the van.

"In," I ordered. They jumped up, both baring their fangs. Their fur stood on end, and by the way that Darry was snarling and growling, I knew they were fast approaching.

"Daryl!" I hissed urgently. I could see the first of them breaking the trees.

"In, now!" he said quickly, coming up beside me, carrying the last of our supplies. He threw them in the van before shoving me in, slamming the door behind me.

He was behind the wheel a moment later. The van stalled once, then turned over, roaring to life. We hit the road moments later, and as soon as we pulled off, I felt a sense of relief. Carly laid her head across Judith's lap, her tail wagging slowly. Darry looked out the window, his flake relaxing the farther away we got.

"Remember, Lucy, the woods are never safe, the key is to stay calm," Daryl said for the millionth time.

"I know," I said with a nod. I looked back at Judith, who was hugging Carly to her chest. "You good, kiddo?"

"Lil' Ass Kicker over there is always good," Daryl said fondly. I smiled at his petname for her. Judy beamed brightly, her eyes dancing with excitement.

Sometimes, just sometimes, I'd kill for her innocence. Daryl had done good at protecting us, but I'd seen a lot more than Judith had. I had to fight for my life before. She still had that childlike innocence. Something I could never get back.

There are very few close calls now that we're older. Daryl knows we can carry ourselves well, even under pressure. But I could tell he was worried. Something was bothering him that day. I wish I knew what.


A/n - Continuing 6 years after the end of "The Outbreak" Daryl, Judith, and Lucy, along with two wolves the girls had befriended, will face new challenges, as the supplies they once took for granted, begin to diminish. With supplies and shelter being so limited, how will this unlikely trio find refuge from the Walkers, and mankind itself? Join them, as they travel across the country, looking for anything that could keep them alive.