She didn't know how they lasted so long. In this heat. In this humidity. Travelling roads. Raiding homes. Hiding from others. Just to survive to this hell. To be lowered on the food chain. And yet somehow she found reason to keep going. Her katana in one hand, and her chain in another. The two walkers were her pets to protect them. Her eyes on the road as they walked, looking down as the little girl held her stomach.

"Mommy I'm hungry." She tried to not whine. But it had been two days since they had anything. So much had happened to this world that she couldn't comprehend. Neither could her mom. She tried telling herself that now she lived in one of those horror movies. But this movie could not be stopped. And she no longer could do the things she once did. She would give anything to skip rope and hopscotch.

Michonne put her katana back in her sheath. God blessed her with a strong daughter. She hoped she would grow into a strong woman.

"Me too. We are close to town. Can you walk a little bit more?" The beautiful chocolate skinned, wide eyed girl nodded at her mother.

Unaffected by the two walkers at their sides, she didn't know when she got used to their presence. Their pale green skin did not scare her anymore. Nor did she know how she got used to being hungry. Tired. And scared. And seeing the dead with flesh falling from their bones around them. All these things she had to learn.

Her mother could not preach more about how they were not human. That it did not make you bad if you protected yourself. The first time she shot one in the head, she could not move. Or barely breathe. She just remembered her mother carrying her as they ran. They always ran.

Her hand gripping the gun, she made sure the silencer was secured. And that the safety was on. Grabbing her mother's hand, they continued to walk. At least they were together.

So many times the thought rushed through the mother's head. To kill them both. She would risk going to hell to protect her daughter. She didn't want her daughter to live like this. What mother would? To have to scrounge for food. To force their children to not be children anymore. She had to make her child understand that the two walkers in her hand were not Terry and Mike. The child would never know what it is like to play with dolls. Or wear dresses. Date. Go to prom. Even watch tv .To grow up with cherished moments. Nevertheless, her child always found some reason to smile.

Walking into the town, she gripped her walkers closely as her child kept her hand on the trigger. Her eyes aware. Like mother. Like daughter. Their eyes on the different homes. The wind blowing in the baron town. Finding cars here and there. If only she knew mechanics.

"Stay close Ken." The pigtailed girl obeyed as she took the safety off the gun. Her mother checking door handles. Listening carefully for noises as they entered quietly. Praying she could find some food for her daughter. She was getting weaker and weaker by the moment. Hastily opening cabinets, flies were all she could find on rotten fruit.

Damn it. She had to be calm. To show that there was no need to panic. But she was losing faith. Looking at her daughter hold herself, the child walked slowly to the women.

"There are more houses mommy." She attempted to smile. To hide her fear for the sake of her.

"Then lets keep going." The woman took her hand. Her daughter was the only thing that kept her going.

TWDTWDTWD

"Dad you think the next place we end up will be safe?" She looked at her father as he continued to drive into town.

"I hope so." Daryl stated as his eyes never left the road. No place was ever guaranteed in the world. And for the second time this year, they were uprooted from another sanction. But he knew that no place could be called home. But he always felt like this even before the apocalypse.

And when Merle was taken from them, his daughter was the only thing that kept him going. Shelby was the only thing he had ever gotten right. And it seemed that she was born to take on this world as him. But he had to remind himself that she was just a little girl. And at night when she cried, he would hold her. And in return she would wipe his tears. At least he had someone who understood what it was like to be alone.

"Maybe we can go to Washington D.C. next. It would be nice to see if the monuments we talked about in class still existed." The ten year old glowed. "It would be like the." She paused. "Like it was before." Biting her lip, she didn't like to keep thinking about the way things used to be. Because it would only hurt them now.

At least that was what her father always said. And he was right. She didn't know as much as she wanted to, but she knew she had to protect them with her all. She would not lose someone else she loved.

"Do ya think Uncle Merle would have loved it?" She thought of the man who sacrificed himself so that they could escape the horde of walkers. It had happened months ago, but it was still fresh.

"I know he would have." Daryl said as he thought of the brother who showed them everything that they knew. Though his ideas of bigotry were twisted, he did love them. In his own way. Even if his own was wrong.

Despite that, he could never forgive himself for leaving his brother behind.

Seeing how she played with her fingers, he knew she was just a child. And that he was forcing so much obligation on her. But he wanted her to out live him. Children should always bury their parents. Which was why he didn't hesitate to protect them at all costs. So many stragglers they passed. Not offering a ride.

He couldn't trust anyone these days. Not anyone could be around Shelby. The beautiful child who inherited his eyes and accent.

"What Merle did fer us." They viewed the ghastly grotesque creatures through the windshield. "We honor him by livin." He smiled at her. "he would want that. It's alright if ya hate meh." The archer drove into town.

A child really teaches you certain things. Things he realized he needed in order to survive. Like emotions and empathy.

"I could never hate ya daddy. Just as long as it's meh and ya." She held his hand.

"Ma and ya squirt." He kissed her hand as she giggled.

"Daddy don't call meh that. I'm not a baby anymore." The man hated that statement. And the seriousness behind it because in this world she was expected to be an adult. Grinning as she held onto her crossbow, she rolled her eyes. "I guess I can let you do it." She teased as the man noticed a few walkers around the area.

"Nothin is in this ghost town. Maybe we can get something in the next town." Looking at his gas tank. He was on "half." "But we can always see if they got gas." The girl only agreed as the man kept driving.

TWDTWDTWD

The warrior looked at her daughter's bright eyes as they spotted the gas station. Maybe God was real. He just seemed as if he was hiding at times. Opening the door, they found shelves nearly baron. But some snacks were there. Their hunger controlling their movements, they raced to them. Finding anything to give them more strength.

"Take these baby." The mother handed her the hostess cupcakes and Vienna sausages.

"But what will you eat? You haven't eaten in a real long time mommy." She heard the woman's stomach growl.

"Don't worry about me." She kissed Ken's forehead as her eyes and ears were alert at the station. Making sure her pets were secure on the chain, she heard her daughter smack loudly. Grinning she placed peroxide bottles and other necessities in her bag. Her hand on her stomach, her vision became blurry.

"What's wrong mommy?" The girl gave her a piece of her food, but she declined.

A child always knew when their mother was lying. The warrior was barely sleeping. Her nightmares woke them both up on numerous occasions.

"Nothing baby." Kennedy reluctantly ate as they saw a van drive into the gas station. A man and girl getting outside. Both armed with crossbows and knives.

Getting on their knees, the two peeked. Grateful that she chained her pets inside the gas station, she watched as they moved slowly. The chains making a constant noise as the two looked towards the store.

"shit." Seeing the father and daughter come closer, she swiftly cut their heads off with her katana. Kennedy covered her mouth as she saw them fall to the floor as their blood spattered on the ground.

"Mike and Uncle Terry." Kennedy bit her lip to keep from crying as the mother held her in her arms. This was a moment between life and death. She didn't know what to expect. She had no time to think about her actions. Taking her hand, they hid in the backroom.

Daryl found it odd how the noise suddenly stopped. Seeing the shelves vacant, he rubbed his hands through his hair as the girl pulled on his shirt.

"We got plenty of food dad." Shelby gleamed as he placed his hand on her head. Their eyes on the dead walkers inside. And the chains on the ground. It was as if it had just happened. But this wasn't important.

"I know, but nothin wrong with pickin up extra." Kissing her forehead, he found a pack of menthols. He didn't smoke like he used to, but he still needed a little time to himself. "come on." The two left as Michonne and Kennedy came from their hiding place.

"They have food." The girl sadly said. "wish we were like them." Michonne hugged her closer.

"Do you understand what just happened?" The mother touched her curly locks as she nodded.

"I know they aren't them. But still. They were close to us." She paused. "But you did it to save us." She hugged her mother tightly.

TWDTWDTWD

Shelby watched her father fill up their van. Her crossbow in her hand, there was always time for practice. Walking to the back of the store, she began to load and aim with her bow. She wanted her father to proud of her. And now that she was older, he began to trust her with more than a knife and gun. Looking out in nearby woods, she focused on a tree trunk. Aiming, she fired.

"Dern." She kicked the ground missing her target. Hearing the noise from the woods, she jumped as she saw two walkers approach slowly. Finally she would get her chance.

The mother and daughter exited the store through the back entrance as they looked at the little girl aiming towards the walkers. Her arrows missing them by just a bit. Unsheathing her sword, the child followed her mother's lead. Taking her stance as she shot them in the chest. Slowing it down as the mother easily slashed their heads.

The brunette child stared at awe at the two of them. Dropping her crossbow as the woman kneeled down in front of her. Where did she come from? Who was she?

"Are you alright?" Michonne placed her hand on the girl's shoulders. "Don't ever do that again. Stay with you father." She chastised as the girl immediately hugged her. Not realizing that the two had been watching them.

"You saved my life. I could have been dead." The girl cried. "I can't leave my daddy alone." They heard her name being called.

Daryl felt his heart drop. He told her to never leave his side. Never. Grabbing his crossbow, he began to search. He was a terrible father. Merle would never forgive for this.

"Daddy I am here." The girl called him over as the sleeveless man stared at the dark woman and child. "This is Michonne and Kennedy. They saved me."

"they shouldn't have needed tah if ya would have stayed with me. How many times am I gonna tell ya Shell? I can't lose ya too." He hugged the girl as Michonne and Kennedy stared at the love they had for each other.

"Thank you." He extended his hand to the woman as she moved her daughter behind her.

The eccentric beauty said nothing as she held her stomach. The blue eyed stranger awkwardly moved his hand back. It was not odd to be suspicious of others.

Pulling her daughter with her, the warrior found her vision becoming more blurry. Her knees buckling, she fell to the ground as the girl squealed.

"Mommy." She shook her shoulders as the woman refused to wake. Holding her in her arms as the father and daughter joined her side. "She won't wake up." Looking at the man as Shelby held her hand. "It's cause she's hungry."

Daryl couldn't just leave them here to die. Not after what she did for his daughter. Picking her up gently, they headed for his car. Hunger just wasn't her only problem. She was probably dehydrated. The cuts on her arms and forehead needed to be tended to as well. What did he just get himself into?

TWDTWDTWD

Kennedy rested her mother's head in her lap, as the man continued to drive. She prayed that they were safe. And that this man wouldn't hurt them in the future. Feeling her gun in her pocket, she had enough bullets to take them. Kissing her forehead, she smiled when she heard the woman groan. Thank God.

"Thank you for saving us mister." Daryl heard the sincerity in her voice. Just like his own daughter. Naturally kind and timid.

"You don't have to thank me darling." His eyes straight as he noticed the horizon getting darker.

"Yes I do. My mom is kind but she doesn't talk too much. Neither does she trust people a lot. Even before the apocalypse, she thought people. Especially men only hurt her." The child bit her lip as she couldn't fully explain.

"Well I can guarantee you that I won't hurt ya two. How long have you two been on your own?"

"About a year."

"Us too." Shelby stated. Glad she could talk to someone her own age.

"We lived in vacant buildings. Moving from place to place." She informed. "We lost a lot of people." Wiping her eyes at the thought of her uncle.

"We did too. By the way. I am Daryl and this is Shelby."

"Nice to meet you." The man pulled over on the side of the road. Today had given him an unexpected encounter. But his instincts told him it was a gain.

Getting out of the vehicle, the two girls and man got supplies from the car. Kissing her mother's forehead, she left her in the backseat.

Her mother told her to never trust people, but something about these two told her she could. Taking their lead, she helped them set up camp. Feeling Shelby's eyes on her, she turned towards her.

"How do you know how to do the that? My dad taught me." Shelby asked as she watched the other girl set up the tent with them. Her eyes drifting back to her mother. Watching the man head towards the car.

"I was a Girl Scout." Her eyes watching the man pick up her mother from the car. Blushing as her stomach growled.

"Don't worry Ken. We have a lot of food." The brunette tried to make her feel welcomed as she could only nod.

TWDTWDTWD

Daryl laid the woman on the blanket as he made sure the girls were in his sight. Watching them start a fire, he liked how the two were getting along. She needed to be around a child if not but for one night. Checking the ebony warrior, he made sure no bites were on her. His eyes on her sword, he found her weapon of choice interesting. Removing it from her body, her hand grabbed his wrist. Her eyes opening quickly as she moved slowly.

"Kennedy." She jumped up. Panicking. Her body not adjusting to her new environment. Or her unlikely savior who was startled by her movement. She cried out as her child ran to her side. Hugging her as the man observed the two. "Let's go." She demanded as the girl nodded.

"Wait. You guys can't make it out there all by yerself tonight." The archer stated as the woman ignored his statement. Getting up slowly, she didn't have time to register how she and her daughter got here.

"I'm just speeding up the process. I'm not mad. I get it. Not enough food to go around." She stared into his dominant blue eyes as Ken pulled on her pants.

"Mommy. Daryl and Shelby are nice." The girl tried to ease her mother's doubts.

Everyone was nice until they had to choose between you or themselves in this life.

"Baby. I am so sorry. But we can't stay here." Michonne looked the girl in her chocolate eyes.

"Yes ma'am." She hugged Shelby and Daryl. Biting his thumb, his gut wouldn't allow him to just let them leave. Not with their stomachs growling so loud. It could have been him and Shell in their situation. Too bad he just realized this now.

"Ya and yer daughter are hungry. We have enough food. Please. It is the least I can do." He genuinely stated as how the girls held each other. Hoping they wouldn't be separated.

"We don't need generosity. The only reason you are doing this is because you feel obligated." Daryl took note of her strong nature.

"I don't feel obligated. I feel indebted." He caught her chocolate eyes. Her big brown chocolate eyes. Full of fire. "What ya did for Shelby. I can't thank ya enough. Please. I can't make ya stay but ya can at least eat and rest." He watched the mother hold her child as she eventually agreed.

Watching the two girls talk and laugh, it was these moments she wished weren't so rare in life. Reminiscing of her life, she wished she could give Kennedy more of what she had. Folding her lips, she felt a touch on her shoulder.

"here ya go." He noticed the woman flinch as he gave her some deer meat. Taking in his rough hands. "I told ya before I aint gonna hurt ya or yer daughter. She is really sweet." He calmly stated.

"Yours as well." She hesitantly took the food as she continued to eat. Making sure enough distance was between them. Her eyes observing both him and his daughter.

"Ken told me that ya guys were on yer own for a long time. " She stopped eating at his words.

"Anything else you want to know?" Her sarcasm bit him as he became quiet. She really had been scarred by something. Like everyone else. But her eyes couldn't hide her fear towards him. and her icy mask didn't scare him. "I know I seem ungrateful. I am not. Its nice to know that there are still good people in this world."

"You don't owe me any explanation. You have every right to not trust me. But I am glad that you do somewhat." He saw her alert eyes on him.

"Who says that I do?" The warrior stared him in the eyes. "who's to say I won't slit your throat or Shelby's and steal everything you have."

"Because I know your eyes." He watched her chew slowly. "and I can tell that ya are a good mother to yer daughter. Ya wouldn't want her to turn into someone cold blooded." The two continued to eat in silence as they scanned the area. Grateful that the chill in the air would help keep the area safe for now.

Holding her daughter as she laid on the blanket, she had to admit that this was the safest she had felt in a long time. Even with her walkers. Her brother and Mike. The two men she held dear in her heart were gone now. Their blood on her hands. Even if they were both dead, she killed them over again. Closing her eyes, she let her dreams take her away.

TWDTWDTWD

Shelby sat up as she heard the noise. Frowning, she saw Michonne and the girl packing. Nudging her father, she begged with her eyes as the man shrugged. He couldn't control the strong woman's mind. Even if he did extend her an invitation, could he trust her fully? He knew she couldn't already.

"I'm sorry sweetheart." His twang made her frown even more.

"Well. I am going to try." She ran to the mother. Grabbing her hand as she looked up at her.

"Please don't go. Don't leave me and daddy alone. Please don't go." Holding Ken's hand, the two girls cried. Looking at them, she crouched on her knees.

"Shelby you are so brave and so kind. Just like your father." She stared up at the man.

"so are you and Kennedy. That is why you have to stay with us. Daddy say something."

He couldn't just let them leave.

"look Michonne, we don't really have a destination. We have a car. We have food. We might as well work together until." He stated as the warrior said nothing.

It would be nice to have someone protect them. But who was to say it was this man? His daughter's words were genuine. But what about him?

"If this is some trick. I promise you will regret it." She venomous voice almost made him shutter.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." He thought of his brother. How he wouldn't like the idea of the two finding a companion in this woman and her daughter. But he didn't care. Some things happened for a reason.

The child saw her mother listening, but she knew that her stubborn streak would win. And that they would soon be parted away from any communication. Taking a deep breath, she squeezed her mother's hand. Hoping the woman would take Daryl's advice.

"I wouldn't feel right knowing that a mother and her child were walkin the streets by themselves. With all the loners around. Please." His voice soothed her as the woman debated. She couldn't allow them to get attached. Even if he saved them as well. She couldn't be hurt again. And she damned sure wouldn't let it happen to her child.

"Daryl. I. you are still a stranger to me. I can't trust you around my daughter. Even myself." Flashbacks rushed her mind as she pushed them away. Her prior life. The reason behind the way she was now.

"Michonne. Daddy would never hurt you guys or me." The girl squeezed her other hand as she thought.

"If I do stay." She hesitated. "I want to pull my weight. Me and Ken won't be trouble at all. She is a shooter with good aim. Me too. But I love my katana."

"and we wield a crossbow." He snickered as they laughed. "We hunt. So we can help each other." He found himself even more surprised that he was happy she was there. That they both were there with them.

"so now what?" Michonne looked at the handsome redneck. Her mind told her she was crazy for doing this, but her gut told her to trust this feeling she had.

"Now we clean up and move quickly before the walkers begin to move in on us." Daryl stated as the two girls gathered their belongings.