Chapter 2

"Sophia." Daryl addressed me, crouching down and looking me in the eye. "Things have happened since you were gone."

"Like what?" I asked softly. "Lori had a baby," he whispered, "And we had to perform a C-section. Lori didn't make it." "What?" I cried, "Lori's dead? What about the baby? Is it okay?" Maggie laid a hand on my shoulder, and I tensed instinctively. "The baby's fine," she assured me, "Just fine." I shook my head, trying to clear it. That was a lot for me to take in. Lori had a baby, and now she was dead.

"Whatever," I choked out, "Just take me to my mom." Daryl nodded, and stood up, beginning to walk again. I followed, walking in-between the two women. I looked up at Maggie, trying to figure out how old she was. Maggie noticed me looking, a grinned warmly, and I returned the gesture. As we entered the prison, I winced at the loudness of my footsteps. Daryl led me down a metal staircase, then we walked over to a gate. "Carl," he yelled, "Open it up!"

I peered out from behind him, looking at the boy who approached, a set of keys dangling from his hand. "Sure thing," he said, putting a key into the lock. I studied him carefully. He seemed harder, stronger. His mom's death must've hit him pretty bad. "Hi Carl." I said as he opened the gate. He looked at me, gaping as he opened the gat. He was so surprised he didn't even notice the keys clatter to the ground. I smiled, almost shyly, and he grinned. "Sophia!" he cried, running over and wrapping his arms around me. I hugged him back, burying my face in his shoulder.

He pulled back, putting his hands on my shoulder, staring me in the face. "How did you survive?" he asked softly. I rested my hand lightly on my knife. "Found it in the woods," I said, "I'm glad you did," he said, before grabbing my hand, "C'mon! Everybody's gonna want to see you. He led my through the doorway and into the hallway.

"Carol!" he shouted, "Glenn, Dad! Everybody! Come on!" Glenn walked out of one of the cells. "What's going on?" he asked, looking around before his gaze rested on me. "Sophia," he whispered, "You're back." I saw my mom slowly walk out of her own cell, as Beth walked over to her, and took the small bundle from her arms. "Why are you yelling, Carl?" she asked. Carl stepped to the side, revealing me to my mom. "Sophia?" she asked, "Sophia!" I ran towards my mother and threw my arms around her. "Mama," I sobbed into her shirt. I could feel her arms squeezing me, and I relished in her warmth. "Are you okay?" she asked, "Are you hurt, hungry, tired?" "I'm fine, mom," I answered, "Just fine."

"Hi."

I rolled over in my bed to see Carl leaning against my cell door frame. "Hey," I said, swinging my legs around to sit on the bed, "What's up?" "Nothing, really," he answered, "Would you like to meet Judith." I gave him a quizzical glance, and he chuckled. "Judith's the baby," he told me, then grabbed my hand for the second time. "Come on." I blushed slightly as he led me down the hallway. "Hey, Beth," he said, pulling me into another cell, "How's Judith." The girl smiled at us, and stood up. She offered Carl the baby, and he took her.

"Hi Judith," he cooed, "This is Sophia. Say hi." The baby looked at me, and gurgled. "Wanna hold her?" he asked, smiling at me. "Sure," I said, a little nervously. Gently, he handed me the baby, and I accepted her. She looked up at me, and I rocked her back and forth. I looked up, and saw Beth and Carl both grinning at me. I smiled, and handed Judith back to Beth. I smiled at Carl.

"I'm going back to my room," I said, "To take a nap." Carl nodded. "Okay," Carl said. I started walking back down the cell block, and stopped. "Why're you following me?" I asked, turning around. He shook his head. "I'm going to do guard duty." I nodded, and began walking again, and turned into my cell. I climbed into my bed and laid down. "You know," he said, "I'm glad you're back." I smiled to myself.

"Me too."

Yes, I know it wasn't that much longer, but I'm getting there. Thanks again for reading, and also if you're favorite, follow, or like this story. It means a lot. Reviews are very helpful. It lets me know what I doing wrong and what I'm doing right, which really helps me improve as a writer.

Thanks a lot to Wolfwind97, the review was very helpful. It also gave me a pretty big smile.