*AUTHOR'S NOTE*

I want to thank everyone who's read the first chapter. This is my first fanfic I've written, so I know it's not the best, but I would appreciate your comments and reviews! Please no hate; instead tell me what I should improve on! I would appreciate it if you follow the story, or leave reviews! Enjoy chapter two!

Nobody really understood what really happened between Shane and Lori, but her husband Rick being back has certainly made things awkward. When night fell we all snuggled up at the campfire, with me resting my head on Andrea's shoulder. Rick, Lori and Carl were all leaning on each other. Rick was telling everyone about his experience. It sounds like he got shot and was in the hospital when all this started. Shane tried to get him out, but the machines turned off and Shane thought Rick was dead. Apparently Rick woke up and made his way into the city, where Glenn and the others saved him.

After that I stopped paying attention. I was so glad that my sister made her way back safely, and right now all I really wanted to do was be beside her. She keeps me living; I don't know what I would do without her.

Something snapped me back into reality. Ed stupidly put another log into their separate fire, and the flames were so high people—or walkers—could see them from a far distance.

"Hey, Ed! You want to rethink that log?" Shane asked. By that time everyone was staring at Ed. Sophia and Carol looked uncomfortable.

"It's cold man!" Ed replied, his southern accent was thicker than most of the survivors.

"Cold don't change the rules, does it?" Shane replied. His annoyance becoming more obvious with each word he spoke. "Keep our fires low, so we can't be seen from a distance, right?"

"I said it's cold!" Ed yelled. By that time Shane stood up and started walking towards their fire. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but I saw Carol get up and pull the log out of the fire. Ed probably made her do it. It was obvious Ed was abusive, but Carol refused to admit it. Shane stomped out the log and walked back to our campfire.

As soon as he sat down Dale said "Has anyone given any thought to Daryl Dixon? He won't be happy to learn his brother's been left behind."

"I'll tell him." Shane replied.

"I dropped the key it's on me." T-dog said.

"I cuffed him that makes him mine." Rick replied.

"Guys it isn't a competition." Glenn said. "I don't mean to bring race into this, but it might sound better coming from a white guy."

"We could lie!" I suggested.

"Or tell the truth." Andrea said. "Merle was out of control. Something had to be done, or he'd have gotten us killed." She looked at Lori. "Your husband did what was necessary and if Merle got left behind that is nobody's fault but Merle's."

"So that's what we tell Daryl?" Dale said, a concerned look on his face. "I don't see a rational discussion to be had from that! Word to the wise, we're going to have a handful when he gets back from his hunt."

T-dog said "I was scared and I ran."

"We were all scared, we all ran." My sister replied. The words finally sunk in. I hadn't even thought since they got back how scary it actually was. I'm so glad she's safe. I snuggled even more into her shoulder and closed my eyes.

"I chained the door. Merle's still up there, alive, chained to that roof. That's on us." T-dog then got up from the fire and walked to his tent. Andrea got up too, so I stood and followed.

When we were inside our tent, I felt a tear fall down my face.

"What's wrong?" Andrea asked me.

"I just… I don't know what I would have done if anything happened to you." I said, trying my hardest to keep my voice steady.

Andrea stepped forward, and brushed the tear away. "Listen, I'm safe. I made it back, and I promise I'll never leave like that again." She hugged me tightly, and I started sobbing into her chest.

"But what if you hadn't made it back?! What if you got bitten, and I never saw you again? That could happen at any time Andrea! It could have happened today, it could happen right now or it could happen tomorrow! We just never know how safe we really are. I wouldn't be able to live without you!"

Andrea was silent for the next few seconds. When I looked into her eyes, they were wet just like mine. She said to me "I promise that I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. We have to stick together in order to survive. I'll always protect you, no matter what it takes."

Then, we both climbed into Andrea's cot. It was cramped, but we were just glad to be together again. We were silent, listening to the crickets chirp outside, and fell asleep in each other's arms.