Chapter 3

The night passed, not a lot happened after Daryl and I had our talk. Dale invited Kaeleb to stay in the RV with a few of the others. I felt bad for him, being left alone with strangers for the night while I got to catch up with my only remaining family member; it seemed so cruel that Kael had lost his nearest kin but I had found mine.

I awoke in the morning to the sound of Daryl stringing his boots up. Sitting up, I groggily looked around; Daryl looked over at me and spoke, "rise and shine."

He saw me roll my eyes; gazing out the tent window I realized it was sunrise. "Where are you off to this early," I said in a weary voice.

Daryl looked down at me, "there's a little girl missing from our group. Since no one else 'round here knows how to track, I'm the one who's done most the searchin'. I'm sure if you ask Rick he'll fill ya in on details and what have you."

With that I slipped on my boots and followed him out of the tent, only a few of the group were awake at the time from what I noticed. "Let me go with you," I said tying my hair into a pony tail.

"Nah, I've got this. I know the area, you'll just slow me down."

I scoffed, "seriously?"

"Dead serious," he said without turning around.

"Whatever you say," I rolled my eyes, a little frustrated, but figured it was for the best that I stay at camp with Kael. I wandered over to the main part of camp to join whoever else was awake.

"Good morning Ashlyn," came a voice from near me, "sleep well?"

I turned to see Rick emerging from his tent, I gave him a nod, and said "I did, thanks," I scratched the back of my neck, I had several questions but didn't know where to start. What happened to the little girl, how did the group find this place, was it really safe, who could be trusted? I mean, Daryl had filled me in on a lot of things, but stubborn as we is he'd leave out a lot of the story. He never liked talking about things as serious as such. "Hey, uh Rick…" I began, I knew I was going to sound like a moron.

"What is it?" his voice was considerate, something I noticed was persistent with him.

"What are the chances that I could leave camp and go retrieve some of my belongings," I looked to see him give a disapproving look, not directly at me though. It was like he was pondering, looking out to the horizon. "If it's too much trouble I understand, I can go myself."

"What's the trouble?"

Of course, it had to be Shane; Rick turned his attention to him. Shane was walking up from the field behind us, probably scouting I assumed. "It's nothing, forget about it" I said, my arms crossed. I avoided eye contact, remembering Daryl's advice. I walked ahead toward the RV, I noticed Dale standing outside of it.

The rest of the morning was quiet, Kael was out like a light, I figured it was the stress of the day before. He needed the rest. I had decided to help Carol with laundry, something I had been accustomed to back home. She told me more about her little girl Sophia and how grateful she was to Daryl for working so hard at trying to find her. Daryl kept her hope alive; I was proud of my older cousin, he was always the one with a big heart, unlike Merle.

Merle and I never had a good relationship. Nearly every time we had seen each other we were at each other's throats. What set me over the edge was the last time I had gone to visit him and Daryl. I was eighteen at the time, just graduated high school. It was the middle of summer and decided to run some moonshine down to Daryl and Merle; a couple friends and I had kept my parent's business alive. The thing I hated most about Merle was his offensive personality; every other thing he'd say to me was either an insult or inappropriate. Daryl knew it bothered me, but always kept his mouth shut. That's what initially caused our falling out; I hated Merle with every fiber in my body but there was never a chance Daryl would go against his big brother.

I remember the day I left their place in Georgia, vowing never to go back. Merle had finally pushed me over the edge. Daryl had come in from a hunt to find his brother and me in another shouting match, he had apparently heard us from outside.

"I swear to God, if you touch me like that ever again," I threatened Merle.

He bellowed out laughing, "you'll what? Hit me? I dare you, you little cunt."

"Say it again, asshole," I gritted my teeth. Merle leaned close, the scent of alcohol on his breath made me cringe.

"You. Little. Cunt," he enunciated each word, slowly and clearly. I lost it, and slapped him as hard as I could. Obviously, he wasn't going to take that. He shoved me, causing me to hit the table. I grabbed an empty bottle and smashed it, ready to use it as a weapon. Merle just laughed again, "you wanna play like that? Bitch, let's see what you've got."

He hit the bottle out of my hand and pushed me into a wall nearby, causing me to yelp. By now Daryl had ran in, screaming for us to break it up, he pushed us apart. He had to hold me back, as I kicked and screamed profanities at Merle. At that point I stormed out of the house, slamming the screen door. The sound of Merle laughing got to me. It was a joke to him. As I stormed out I shoved everything off the patio table, knocked over anything I could, and proceeded to walk to my truck. Daryl followed me and grabbed me by the wrist, "Ash, what the hell!"

I stopped and turned towards him, pulling my hand away, "seriously, this again? You always side with him."

"Come on, just settle."

I found no reason in his request; all I wanted was for him to stick up for me this once. If it had been anyone other than Merle, he would have knocked their skull in without a second thought. "Either tell you're excuse of a brother to clean up his act or you'll never see me again."

He looked away, silently.

I turned back around, "fuck you, Daryl," I spat as I opened my door. He scoffed and slammed it shut with one hand.

"Care to say THAT again?" his eyes narrowed. It was rare for him and I to exchange words, we had always gotten along. This was different though.

I was shaken from my thoughts by reality, a voice to be precise. "Let's go," I looked up to see Shane standing in front of me, I shot him a questioning look.

"Where and why," I said coldly.

"To get your stuff, Rick said you had to grab things from your camp. Figured it best not for you to go alone."

"I'll deal," I said standing to walk away; he stepped in front of me.

"Look, girl. I know you don't like me, and I don't much like you. Let's go, and get it over with," he said with hands on his hips. I looked behind him to see Rick watching us intently, that same look of concern. I moved my gaze to Shane, staring down at me.

"Fine," I sighed, knowing I'd probably regret it later.

Shane just nodded, and led me to the car, I noticed him and Rick exchange looks as we passed. There was an obvious tension between them. I couldn't help but notice. Whatever it was, I wanted nothing to do with it.