I crouched there in the hollow root, blocking the shallow cave with my body. Sawyer was curled up behind me, fast asleep in the dirt. He was good at keeping quiet, learned quickly for such a little kid. It must have been half an hour since the herd passed, but I wasnt going to risk it until I was sure.

The sun was high in the sky when I cautiously poked my head out from our poor excuse for a shelter. Sawyer was still sleeping, and I wanted him to stay that way for as long as possible. Sleep was the only escape from this shitshow, and it was hard enough to come by as it was. I stood and then froze, listening. I could have sworn…

"Hey."

A low voice made me spin around, but before I could do anything more a crossbow was pointed between my eyes . My heart stopped in my throat, and I cursed myself for being so careless. My knife was in my belt, and from the looks of this guy he wouldnt hesitate to loose that arrow if I did so much as flinch. He was filthy, how old I didn't know. Black unkept hair, hung in front of his eyes, and he sported a ragged leather vest.

Who you with, girl" He said, his voice low.

I didn't answer, trying to think. He was strong, much stronger than me. I could run, I could lead him away.

"I said, who you with?" He was circling down the slope, crossbow held up eye level. if he took 3 more steps he would see Sawyer. "Are you with the governor? Speak up!"

There was a whimper. Sawyer was awake.

"What the- " the man glanced behind me, and his eyes grew wide.

In one move I thew myself in front of my brother, blocking the mans view.

"I aint with no governor, so you best leave us alone" I hissed from where I crouched.

His bow was lowered. I couldn't read his face, but his voice was shocked. "that your kid? How'd you get here?"

"None of your damn business." I could feel Sawyer cowering at my back, quiet as a mouse. My heart was bounding against my ribs.

He cursed, then he said softly, "I've got a place, its safe. Theres other people, some kids. There's good people."

I didnt say anything, I didnt trust him. I couldn't risk both our lives-

A moan sounded from up the ridge, followed by another and the breaking of branches. lots of branches. The dead were coming.

His head jerked up, eyes searching the trees. "Cmon!" He urged, "we gotta get him out, No time!"

I didnt have a choice, I turned to Sawyer and lifted him into my arms, the man had already grabbed by pack and swung it over his shoulder with his own, crossbow raised but his time at whatever was on its way over the ridge. "Go." He huffed, and I ran, Sawyers' arms wrapped tightly around my neck, and I could hear him follow right behind me.

We ran through the trees, jumping over fallen branches with the wind stinging my eyes and hurting my lungs. My breath came in short ragged gasps, but it didnt matter. nothing mattered but the silent child I clutched in my arms. on and on we went, until something caught my foot and I fell with a cry, turning myself so I landed hard on my back and not on my brother. Instantly our dark shadow grabbed me by the arm and righted me again, and on we ran.

We reached a river, and he grabbed by shoulder, stopping me.

"Weve lost em. This way now." He started down the bank, moving west.

I followed cautiously, trying to catch my breath.

He seemed rough. His group was undoubtedly the same. I saw a pattern of angel wings on the back of his vest, and bit back a scoff. Sarcasm was alive and well, it would seem. I debated making a break for it. No. We wouldn't get far. And he had my pack. Trusting him was the only option.

We walked for what must have been two or three miles before he spoke, back still to me.

"How many walkers you killed?"

What sort of a dumbass question was that? This nightmare had started long ago.

"Stopped taking count a long time ago."

"How many people?" His voice had a redneck twang to it. No surprise there.

"Many as I had to."

That didnt seem to satisfy him. He looked over his shoulder at me, eyes dark. "How many."

Why the fuck not. "4" I spat out. Returning the glare, which he dropped.

"Why?"

"I did what needed doing."

He grunted in response and ducked under a low hanging branch.

"big number for a girl so young."

"Like I said, did what needed doing." I shifted my brother in my arms. Whether he was asleep or not I didnt know. Being scared kept him still, probably why he was still alive.

...

A prison. chain linked fence and tall grey walls, with a field of grass enclosed between them. It was a fortress. No dead- heck no living either- could get in there without a say so.

He nodded in its direction, and slide down the ravine in front of us, where he turned and held up his arms expectantly.

"The kid" he said.

I shook my head. "Im fine,"I hissed. I was not letting go of him.

He shrugged and sat back watching. I shifted the wide eyed child to my hip, and grabbed on to a protruding root to my right, slowing myself as I slid down the red earth. I followed him now, as we made our way to his so called safe haven. Praying to God it wasnt a trap.

As we came up to the front I heard a voice from one of the watchtowers, I couldn't see who from. Then a door opened and two figures made their way to the gate, both with rifles up to their shoulders. I stopped.

"s' alright." He turned to me, hand extended like he was trying to calm a skittish horse. "name?"

"Riley." I stated. carefully not to show the fear inside. Sawyer had his face buried into my neck.

He nodded. "Daryl." He said gruffly, "we haven't got all day."

I nodded and followed. As we got closer he called out "Rick! I got us some new people!"

The taller figure I could see now was a man in a once-white t shirt, dark hair. He lowered his gun and said something to a smaller asian man beside him, who ran back into the foot of the guard tower. Rick slid the gate open greeted Daryl with a clasp of the hand as we entered, then turned his attention to me.

"Did you ask her?" he said, watching me with a mixture of curiosity and obvious distrust.

Daryl grunted in response.

"I'm Rick", he said softly, extending his hand.

I didn't accept it, I had nothing left, needing both my arms for Sawyer. I hadn't realize how tired I was, I couldn't remember the last time Id eaten.

"This' Riley." Daryl offered gruffly. "Found her and her boy past the river, right in a herds path."

The tower door opened again and a woman nearly fell out, breathing hard. She looked maybe a couple years older than me, short brown hair framing her shocked face when she saw Sawyer in my arms. "Oh my lord…"

Their faces were starting to swim in front of me. It struck me then how still Sawyer had been, but I could still feel his breath against my neck. "My brother, he hasn't eaten. Please, could..." The world was spinning, spots danced in front of my eyes, and I could feel strong arms catch me before everything went black.