AN: This will follow the tv show plotline, but with my own added things too. This will be a Daryl and Carol story along with Merle and my OC Mary Kate, or as she goes by MK. There will also be some Carl and my OC Charlie. This will first be told from Riley's perspective, but it will move to other's perspectives throughout the story. I also will have Riley end up with my other OC later on, a long ways away. In this, there is no Sophia. Riley is Carol's son and he is sixteen, Carl is too. This will have self-harm, abuse, sex, rape, and adult langage in it. If you don't like then don't read. It's rated M for a reason.

He had been watching them for a while. He always is watching. Watching the woods for signs of walkers. Watching the water for its rhythmic flow. Watching the kids for any sign of danger given to them like he has always known was given to him. Watching the parents like a hawk, ready to snap the second a hand is raised. Watching the food sizzle while it cooks. Watching the way the water bubbles when being boiled.

But mostly he watches them. The Dixons. They are an interesting group. Merle is the oldest. He seems to be the most dangerous. With his loud boisterous voice, his big muscular body, his thunderous blue eyes. The man had a dirty humor. He was always saying provocative things, moving in a sexual way. And Riley often saw the man eyeing over the women in the group with interest, most of the men in the group did, but he didn't hide his interest. Despite his sexual innuendos he never touched the women, never crossed the line beyond joking and appraising. This is what Riley notices most.

Daryl is Merle's younger brother. He's a good ten years younger if Riley had to guess. He was also nothing like Merle. He was quiet and almost shy. He didn't like to draw attention to himself like his brother often did. He withdrew on himself, keeping a wall between outsiders and himself. It was something Riley did all too often. It made Riley even more interested in the group. The man normally kept his head down, but Riley often caught the man scanning the area, keeping on guard. Riley saw this man as the type to always know when danger arrives. He wasn't big and burly like Merle either. He was leaner and taller, more willowy.

Daryl has a daughter named Charlie. Charlie was an enigma beyond the usual puzzlement of Dixon. Charlie was quiet like her father, but she had the same dirty humor as her uncle. She lacked the 'sexual nature' of him. She was also short, petite, but Riley knew that she could still pack a hell of a punch. Shane Walsh had been the one to experience just how good of a punch that girl had when he had tried to order her around. She didn't like being dictated by anyone but her family and often hated being told what to do. Riley noticed when people told her to do something she did the opposite. She was definitely a defiant girl.

He enjoyed watching the Dixons because they interested him. They had the freedom to do what they wanted, and they did what they wanted without hesitation. Riley always wanted that freedom. That ability to choose his own life. "Riley, honey, are you hungry?"

Riley sighs as he looks at his mother. She had been so beautiful in her prime. He has seen the old photos. Now her hair had grayed, her face grown ashy and wrinkle-filled, her body worn and aged. She had been beautiful once, but he made her look old and as if she was wilting. She looked to be close to sixty, but she was only forty-three. She still has so much life in her, but no freedom to claim it. The years are slipping away on her. At this rate, she won't make it to sixty.

"Riley?"

"I'm okay, mom, I'm not hungry." He smiles because he knows it makes her feel better. He smiles because he know it brings her hope, hope that he won't end up broken like her. He smiles because it brings her happiness. But on the inside that smile feels like a piece of ice in his heart. It's fake. He feels like half of him is fake. His smiles, his laugh, his happiness. All fake. All because of him.

"Okay." His mother smiles, kissing his cheek before grabbing the basket of clothes to wash. Riley's eyes instantly moved around the camp, his heart racing. "He's resting." His mother told him. She must have seen the panic in his eyes. He had to keep the man in sight. If he couldn't see him then he'll panic. It's easier to protect himself and his mother when the man is in his sight at all time. "I'll be back..." She stares at Riley and he can see the worry and pain in her blue eyes. She's too young to worry this much. She's too young to feel this much pain. It hurts Riley to see it. "Stay out of trouble." Stay out of his way. That's what she really wanted to say, but Riley knew this already, so he nods.

"I will." He promises. His mother gave him one last smile before wondering off. His eyes move to the Dixons once more.

"Hey, Riley, did you want to play with us?" Riley pulls his eyes away from the family and towards the teen in front of him. Carl was the same age as Riley and for some reason, he has made it his responsibility to include Riley in everything that Carl did with the other kids.

"Aren't you a little old to play?" Riley asks as he eyes the ball in Carl's hands. Riley never played growing up. I never really was a kid, Riley thought as he eyes the ball once more. He grew up too fast. He never played kickball, never watched cartoons, never colored. He spent his life walking on eggshells and acting more grown-up than most adults acted.

"Riley, we're sixteen, we can still have fun. I used to play basketball in school before all of this. I wonder if Shane would be able to take the time to make us up a hoop or something. I'd love to play basketball again." Riley frowns as Carl says this. Riley never did sports, not because he was not good-he was great actually-but he hated staying away from home longer than needed. He hated leaving her with him. 9 to 3. That was his work schedule. Riley left for school at 7 and didn't get home until 4. That gave the man three hours alone with her. Three hours to do whatever he wanted.

"I'm fine." Riley says as he returns his gaze back to the family, but much to his surprise Daryl's eyes were on him.

"Boy." Riley flinches as he hears him. Freedom over. Reality back in place.

"I can't play, Carl. My dad isn't feel good. Gotta take care of him." Riley says before standing up and start towards his tent. Each step hurt. Each step was like a knife being twisted in his chest. Each step he lost a little bit of freedom. How much longer until he lost it all? Just like his mother.