We didn't get far before nightfall. The group stopped at some big brick building. At one time, I imagine it was beautiful.

The convoy stopped and Austin popped the tailgate. We all got out and looked around.

"The hell is this place?" I asked.

"Old folks home. At least it was." Daryl told me.

We walked around to the "entrance" of the place and Rick looked upset about something.

"You said people lived here." Autumn commented.

"Guess they got overrun." Glenn responded, looking at a bunch of walkers feasting on the dead.

"Who?" I asked.

"You knew people here?" Autumn chimed in.

"A group called the Vatos had this place secure. They took care of the old people that lived here." Glenn informed us.

Rick then got his men to shoot up the place and we ran inside the building.

Once inside, Sophia got freaked out by the sight of some dead guy sprawled out on the floor. She started and Sena hugged her little friend, crying with her.

"Shut them the hell up or I will!" Daryl snapped.

Lori and I both went off on him. He was being a major dickhead and we didn't need that at the moment.

Carol held her daughter close as I held Sena close to me.

"Baby, you gotta keep quiet. There are walkers here. They could hear you. You gotta be strong." I whispered.

Through her tears, Sena nodded and took Sophia's hand as Rick silently led us through the corridors and managed to hole us up in some cafeteria.

It seemed safe enough for the moment.

That was, until Daryl brought up a valid point. This place hadn't gotten overrun. It'd been taken.

Some bandits, looters, whatever you wanna call them, came in and shot up everyone in this place. Guess the walkers came afterwards.

"I'd be much more worried about the people that came in and did all this." The redneck told us, giving Andrea hateful looks.

I laid on my sleeping bag, suffocating from the heat of being packed in one room with 15 other people. I noticed Rick was still on watch. Was he gonna keep watch all night?

Quietly, I got up and went to talk to the ex cop. He'd saved my hide, as well as Autumn and Austin's. Not to mention, his group took care of Sena.

"Rick." I called out as I approached our leader who was on watch.

"Lyla, everything alright?" He asked.

I nodded, crossing my arms. "Yeah. Hungry and tired, but we're in one piece, thanks to you—and the group."

"No need to thank me. Tomorrow we're heading for Fort Benning. Shane and the rest think it's the best place to go."

"That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about Rick. You—you don't have to take me and my group—family in. If you want us gone, just tell us and we'll go. You've been so kind to us and—."

"No, Lyla, I can't just turn you and your group away. We all need to pull together now. Sides, we took care of your cousin. She looks up to Carl like a brother."

Thoughts of the world before the end of it filled my mind. Sena's mom had been pregnant. She could have been carrying a little boy; a baby brother for Sena.

"I'll never be able to thank you guys enough for that." I said truthfully.

"If you want to thank anyone, thank Daryl. He's the one that found her; him and his brother Merle." Rick said quietly.

"I didn't know he had a brother." I told him.

"Yeah, he did. Got left behind on a supply run. Tried to kill me and T-Dog. I handcuffed him to a pipe and gave T-Dog the key. He dropped it in a drain while we were getting out of Atlanta."

"But he's still a human. You didn't go after him?"

"We did." Rick said gravely, remembering memories he'd rather forget. "By the time we got to where we'd left him, he'd cut his hand off and left. Still don't know where he went, or even if he's alive."

"But Daryl's still with you. Guess they weren't very close brothers."

"In truth, I don't think they were." Rick admitted.

I looked back at the group, focusing on my little cousin. She was clutching my stuffed teddy bear and was sleeping almost peacefully.

"Get some rest, Lyla. We got a long journey ahead of us."

Autumn and I were up at the crack of dawn the next day. We didn't sleep good at all.

"Hay, you cool with going with these guys?" I asked as we shared a smoke.

She nodded, taking a puff. "Yeah I am. I think I was wrong about them. They seem like good people."

She handed the fag back to me and I took a nice long drag. It tasted good, well as good as a Camel Crush usually tasted. It brought back a lot of memories. My dad used to smoke Camels and when I was fifteen I smoked one for the first time.

"Hay, bitch, don't be smoking all of it." Autumn teased.

I flipped her off and handed the rest of the cigarette to her.

I then turned to where Sena was sleeping. "Sena, come on, get up. We gotta go."

She rolled her sleepy form over to look at me. "Are we leaving?"

"Yeah baby, we are."

"What about the group? I don't wanna leave Carl and Sophia. They're my friends."

"No, we're not leaving them. We're going with them." I told her.

She finally got up and I handed her a semi clean pair of clothes.

"Go to the pantry and get dressed. I'll try to get you something to eat." I told her.

She left and I searched my bag, hoping to find something worth giving the child.

It wasn't long before everyone else was awake and ready to fuck outta this creepy place.

And thanks to Rick, we got out in one piece and we reconvened at a truck stop not two miles down the road.

We looted the place over, siphoning gas, stealing food, and anything else that'd be useful to us.

"Lyla!" Sena called out.

I looked and Sena was running towards me with a hat in her hands.

"Can I have it?" She asked.

"Sure, but why?" I asked. It was just a Greenbay Packers hat.

Then I figured it out.

"They were mom's favorite team." She muttered.

I got down on her level and looked at her. "Then you keep it. That way she'll always be with you."

The kid put the cap on and ran off to find Sophia and Carl.

I went behind the counters to where they kept the cigarettes, scanning it for my Camels. Daryl joined me.

"Didn't take ya for a smoker." He said as he looked over the different brands.

"And I didn't take you for a social person." I retorted.

He scoffed and I found my smokes.

"Nasty pieces of shit." He commented.

"Better than the shit you're smoking." I told him. I mean who smokes Virginia Slims?

"Sure." He stated, rolling his eyes.

I took a cig out of the fresh pack and looked around for a lighter.

Daryl turned around and held his out to me.

As soon as I lit up, I inhaled the wonderful yet toxic chemicals.

"Thanks." I told him, handing his lighter back.

He did the same with his cig and together we just kinda stood there smoking. It was awkward I'll admit, but hay, there were worse situations I could be in.

"So what's your story?" I asked.

Everyone has a story about why they smoke what they smoke.

"Figured we'll be going on quite a few smoke runs while we're on the road. Might as well get to know each other." I added.

He looked at me like I grew three heads. "Ain't got no story girl. Even if I did, I sure as hell wouldn't tell you."

I rolled my eyes and continued smoking. "Fine. Just trying to be civil, Mr. Caveman."

He glared and we went back to smoking in silence.

After a while, Mr. Social Butterfly started talking. "My mom, she used to smoke Virginia Slims. Dad wouldn't touch the shit; said they stunk up the house."

I gave him a rue smile while watching Sena play with the two other children in our group.

"Your turn." He then said.

I looked at him.

"Your cig. You gotta have a damn good reason to be smoking that stuff."

I bit my lip, flipping off the excess ash from the tip of the cig.

"My dad smoked unfiltered Camels since he was a kid. I couldn't stand the smell of them so my cousin got me to try Camel Crushes. Been smoking them since I was fifteen." I opened up.

Just then Rick signaled for everyone to gather around the cars. Sena, Autumn, and Austin joined me next to the RV.

Rick went on about how the trip was going to go down. We downsized our vehicles, and siphoned more gas for the road.

Autumn, Austin, Sena, and I were all thrown in the RV with Glenn, Andrea, Shane, and Dale.

Fun, fun.

It didn't take long for the RV to become an oven. I was sweating pools and so was everyone else.

"Too damn packed in here." I muttered to no one.

Autumn and Sena had fallen asleep in the back area where the bed was, and Shane, Austin, and Andrea were working on a gun.

I walked up to where Glenn and Dale were. They were going over the map.

I noticed the highway.

"You won't get in or out of the city. Not on the main road." I told them.

"But it's the best way to get to Fort Benning." The Asian told me.

"The road's backed up a few miles in and out of the city. At least it was a few days ago. There's no way in hell you'll be able to get all these vehicles through; maybe Daryl's bike, but not the cars and the RV."

Just then Dale rolled his window down. Daryl pulled up on his bike.

"You see a way through?" The old man asked.

Daryl just shook his head.

"We'll double back to that bypass I saw—." Glenn started.

"We can't spare the fuel." Dale interrupted.

I sighed and walked back to where Shane and the others were. I heard an awful sound that could wake the dead—the RV screamed out and spat smoke.

"The fuck?!" I questioned, running back to the front.

Dale cursed as he turned the vehicle off and we all got out.

"The fuck's going on?" I asked.

The old guy then made some comment to Rick about a radiator hose. I looked around.

"This place's a gold mine." I told everyone, going to a car.

Everyone else did the same, except for Lori. I could understand her not wanting to disrespect the dead, but come on. None of this stuff was doing the dead any good, and it could be the difference between life and death for us.

I ran back to the RV and emptied my backpack then started scavenging supplies. I found clothes for Sena and me, I found some badass knives, and a few non-perishable food items. Yep, we scored big time!

I checked in on Sena, who was helping Carl gather supplies for the group.

"Be careful, alright? I'm gonna go look around, see if I can find some more stuff." I told her.

She nodded and I turned around, going through a newer model jeep.

I found a shit ton of drugs and a bow and arrow set. Maybe I'd get Daryl to teach me how to use the bow.

Just then I heard Glenn and Shane hollerin' like lunatics.

I saw Shane uncork an office-sized container of water from a water truck, and pour it on himself.

"It's like being baptized man!" He yelled out.

I smiled at the sight.

"You two best save me some." I teased.

"Oh there's plenty to go around." Shane told me, still smiling.

I fumbled with my backpack and brought out mine and Sena's water bottles.

"Care to help a short shit out?" I asked, handing the bottles to him.

He grinned and pulled the water container out and helped me fill the bottles.

"Thanks." I said as I took a drink.

Just then Shane bolted forward and grabbed my arm.

"What the—f."

But I didn't get to finish talking since Shane wrapped a hand over my mouth.

He pulled me to the ground and forced me under the water truck, then got Glenn to get under the vehicle he was working on.

I heard the moans.

Hurriedly, I glanced around, looking for Sena. I found her under a truck with Autumn. I wasn't sure where Austin or the others were.

From where I was lying, I estimated about thirty walkers; maybe more. I prayed they'd pass without noticing us.

I looked at Sena. She had tears in her eyes. I felt close to tears too.

As quietly as I could I put my finger to my mouth, signaling for her to be quiet.

She nodded her little head before I lost track of her in the sea of walker legs.

We waited for what seemed like hours, even though it probably was only fifteen minutes.

The moans grew distant until we could no longer hear them. The legs were long behind us.

Cautiously, I slipped out from under the water truck. I whipped my head around and saw the tail end of the heard heading off down the highway.

I started towards Sena, but noticed a pile of dead bodies moving. My knife at the ready, I waited for them to come after me…that was, until I saw a human pop out from among the bodies.

My heart rate slowed down and I felt like I'd fall to the ground with relief. It was just Daryl.

"You asshole!" I hissed.

"I ain't dead…yet." He commented, getting up. Then he pointed to where T-Dog was fumbling his way out of the pile of bodies. "But he will be. His arm's hurt real bad."

Immediately I went to T's side and got him to let me examine his arm.

"We gotta get you inside the RV. This needs to be bandaged before you pass out from blood loss." I told him quickly. Both Daryl and I helped him to his feet.

But the quiet was short lived. Screaming and growling resounded and I feared the worst.

I looked through the mass graveyard, trying to pinpoint where the screaming was coming from.

I saw two walkers crowded around an SUV. On the side facing the forest, I saw Sophia crawling out, absolutely petrified.

Then there were more human screams. This time, Sena had been grabbed by one of those fuckers.

Before I could even call her name, Sena broke free of the walker's grasp and tripped over the guardrail, falling down the hill, into the forest. The walker that had grabbed slowly made it's way after her.

I watched Sophia head to the forest. Walkers were after her too.

I feared for the group. The screaming and snarling were sure to bring the herd back here, right? And was Sena okay? Did she fall and hit her head? So many questions filled my mind.

Quickly, I started towards the tree line, but someone held me back. I glared back at the person, who turned out to be Daryl.

Rick took off after the girls and Lori held Carol back just like Daryl was doing me.

"Let me go!" I snarled, not caring about anything except getting my little cousin back.

"You crazy girl? Those things would tear you apart." He said back.

I growled, nearing tears. Then I broke away from his grasp…and went after Autumn.

"Look what you did!" I exclaimed.

"A walker nearly got her." She stuttered.

"Yeah bitch! A walker nearly got my cousin and now she's off in the forest! Why didn't you just keep an eye on her!"

"I—I."

"Save it." I spat, walking away.

At least an hour went by. Carol and I had our eyes glued to the forest where Rick, and now Daryl had gone looking for the girls. My stomach was in knots from worry.

Shane told us they were on her trail. Those two couldn't have gone far, right?

The other women, along with Shane, Austin, Glenn, and Dale were busy moving cars so we could maneuver the RV off this hellish highway.

Carol then made a big fuss about us not leaving till the girls came back. I was right there with her. I wasn't moving till we found them.

I closed my eyes for a hot minute, praying to God, if he was still listening that is.

"Why don't you go rest?" Carol said, almost motherly.

My eyes flew open and I shook my head.

"You first." I said, attempting to lighten the mood.

Carol gave me a small smile then looked back at the forest.

"We'll find them, you know. I mean Daryl and Rick will." She said, trying to convince herself as well as me.

I nodded my head. I could feel a bit of sunburn on my face. Great.

"If Sophia and Sena were able to get together, they have a shot. Sena has a gun and a knife. I showed her how to use them." I commented, clinging to that ray of hope.

"If you showed her, then I'm sure they'll be just fine." She responded, hugging me.

I allowed myself to be optimistic. They'd turn back up in an hour or so.

Time passed and I went inside the RV to check on T-Dog.

He smirked when he saw me. "You look as good as I feel."

I chuckled at his comment and sat down on the couch. "How's the arm?"

"Hurts like hell." He admitted. "But I'll live."

I shrugged off my back pack and found the vicodin that I'd scavenged from some car.

I read the label and gave T two tablets. "Here, this should help with the pain for a while."

He thanked me and I started to leave.

"Hay, Lyla."

I turned around, facing him.

"Rick and Daryl will find your cousin. Just a matter of time."

I looked outside. It was starting to get dark. "I hope so. I just—she's only 9. Never even went to the grocery store by herself, let alone the woods."

"Don't lose hope just yet. God's looking out for that kid. It's a miracle she even made it out of Atlanta from what she told us when Daryl found her."

I smiled a bit.

"Lyla!" I heard someone yell to me.

I got up and left the RV. Carol was looking at me, then back towards the woods. Rick and Daryl were back!

"Where—where are the girls? You—didn't find them?" I asked, nearing tears.

"Their trail went cold. We'll pick it up again at first light." Rick told us.

"So, they're together? They found each other?" I questioned, desperate.

"They are, or at least they were for a while." Daryl answered.

"You can't leave my daughter out there on her own to spend the night alone in the woods." Carol pleaded.

"Hunting in the dark's no good. We'd just be tripping over ourselves. More people'd get lost." Daryl told her.

"But she's 12. She can't be out there on her own."

"If Sena and Sophia are together, they stand a chance. Sena's got a gun and a knife. She always keeps them on her. Before we got separated in Atlanta, I showed her how to use them." I said quietly, trying to believe my words.

"You didn't find anything?" Carol asked Rick.

"I know this is hard, but I'm asking you not to panic. We know she was out there, and found Sena. Like Lyla said, if they're together, then they'll have a better chance at survival." Rick said, trying to calm Carol down.

I felt hot tears fall down my face. I'd just found my little cousin, and now she's off in the woods, probably frightened beyond belief.

"We tracked them for a while." Daryl spoke, looking at me.

"We have to make this an organized effort. Daryl knows the woods better than anybody. I've asked him to oversee this." Rick told us all.

"Is that—is that blood?" Carol asked.

I looked at Rick's bloodied shirt.

"What'd you guys do?!" I asked, not even bothered by the fact I was crying.

"We took down a walker." Rick informed us.

Carol started freaking out, worried her daughter had been bitten.

"There was no sign it was ever anywhere near Sophia." He said, then looked at me. "Or Sena."

"How can you know that?" Andrea asked.

"What'd you autopsy it or something?" I added.

Rick wouldn't look at anyone except for Daryl.

Daryl looked…upset too? "We cut the son of a bitch open, made sure."

I wiped my eyes and walked off. I needed to calm down.

I climbed on some abandoned car and sat on the roof. I sat and watched the sun set as it was going down. Sena loved watching sunsets.

"It's like everyone in heaven is telling us goodnight." She'd always say.

She had more faith than probably most pastors had, and she had a big heart. No one was bad or mean in her eyes.

Except for the walkers. But she understood they weren't people.

The sound of boots hitting the cracked pavement snapped me from my thoughts.

I whipped my head back towards the group and saw Rick walking towards me.

"I—I know you probably blame me for leaving the girls out there—." He started.

"No, Rick, I don't. You made a choice. You had to. I get it." I cut him off.

"They were together; running from those freaks. Sophia fell and Sena almost shot the walkers. I told her why she couldn't, and I took them to the creek. Found this hole big enough for them to hide in. They—they trusted me."

"And you did right by them. They didn't get taken out by the walkers, and you risked your life for them." I said, looking at him.

"They're missing…and it's my fault." He mumbled.

"It's not. It's the walkers. If they weren't around, we wouldn't be in this mess." I told him.

He just stared out at the forest.

"Were either of them hurt when you found them?" I asked.

He thought for a moment. "I—I think Sena had a cut on her forehead. And Sophia might have had a sprained ankle."

I nodded then teared up. "Sena's mom was a an alcoholic and pregnant when all this happened. I was pretty much the kid's mom for the first 5 years of her life. She'd never been on her own before. I always was with her, or someone was. When Atlanta got overrun—I thought for sure she was dead."

"Shane had a small group of people holed up at a quarry near Atlanta. Daryl and Merle showed up a few days later, with your cousin. And Daryl's gonna find her again, with Sophia. They've gotta just be hiding somewhere close by." He told me.

Tears fell from my eyes. All I could do was nod.

I didn't dare leave my spot, even after it got dark. Andrea had tried getting me to move but I refused. I liked being alone here.

A gust of wind picked up and I started shivering. I was just in a tank top and some shorts.

"You should be in the RV. Lot warmer in there." I heard a rough voice tell me.

I looked beside me. Daryl was staring off in the general direction I was.

"Can't sleep." I mumbled.

"Can't let you get sick either." He said, removing his flannel and handing it to me.

I took it and put it on. Instantly, I felt warmer.

"They're probably cold, and scared." I told him.

He nodded. "They won't be for long."

I just looked at him.

"We'll find them. We got a trail. They can't have gone far." He assured me.

I went back to staring down the highway, letting my mind wander.

Eventually, I guess due to just flat out exhaustion, I felt my eyes close and I drifted in and out of sleep. I was surprised I didn't feel any pain from falling off the vehicle.