The heat getting worse as they headed down the dusty road towards the farm. Carol glanced at Sophia a soft smile crossing her face, she knew her daughter felt uncomfortable in the small car, yet not once had she complained as they left the outskirts of the city, she had only known.

"You ok sweetie?" Sophia opened the window further, allowing what little breeze, caused by the movement of the car, cool her sweaty skin.

"Yes mama" Carol reached for her hand squeezing it, waiting for the question her daughter constantly asked over the last few hours

"He won't find us will he?" Carol's stomach churned, her thoughts going to Daryl, then back to Sophia. She sent a silent prayer up hoping this fear would eventually leave Sophia, she did not wish her to suffer any more and certainly not like the younger Dixon still was.

"Ya Uncle got me and my bro to look after ya sugar. Ain't no way ya excuse of a Pa is getting anywhere near ya. I promise ya that both ya" Merle had been silently listening to the young girl, in the back of their small car, hearing her fears, her anguish that her daddy would find them. Not on this Dixon's watch and certainly not on Daryl's either, Merle had a feeling deep down that this small woman and child would bring his younger brother back to them all.

Carol had been speaking to Merle over the course of their journey to her Uncle's farm, allowing him to ask questions, without stepping over boundaries. For some reason he felt protective of the small mousey woman, like an older brother, proud that she had believed in herself to get them away from a situation that could only get worse, ended probably in death for either or even both of them.

"You keep saying that Mr Dixon, but my daddy he knows people" shifting his large body around he sat further up leaning towards Sophia.

"And ya Uncle knows people. I know it will take ya time honey to know ya safe, both ya and ya ma. I understand that more than ya know. When ya Uncle took Daryl and I in after the sh... stuff we saw."

Daryl's body was cold and numb even though the heat of the day burnt through the trees. He had no idea how long he knelt there in the one place. His fingers bloody from dragging them through the dirt and rubble of the forest floor. Lifting his head slowly the sweat pouring down his head, beads running down his chest, unnoticed, he looked up towards the bright sun. Lifting a heavy arm to shield his eyes, he felt drained emotionally and physically. His body raw with what he had subjected it too, his skin burning from the sun. Mouth dry as the dessert, he attempted to lick his cracked lips, hell he was damn lucky he came too, any longer and heat stroke would have set in, if it had not already. Pushing himself to his knees, his aching body refusing to cooperate,frustrated at himself for staying out as long as he had. Calling himself all the names he could, and a few his Pa made up, he finally got up on shaky knees. Looking at his hands, Daryl saw the damage he had inflicted, the skin rubbed raw, bleeding in places. The pain now slowly coming through to his brain, almost screaming he forced his shaky legs to move, he felt like he was moving in mud clinging to him pulling him down. No more, he was no longer going to allow the past to pull him down, he had shed the last of his tears for the little boy he was. Now the time had come to be the man that Herschel and Merle had convinced him he was. A few small steps took him to the small shady tree, not far from the babbling stream, that he and Beth sat near only a few days back, laughing. The noise of the water sounded like heaven if that is what you could call it. Cool water was just what his aching body required. Stumbling to the small stream he sank to his knees, cupping his hands to bring the sweet nectar to his parched lips. Gasping with joy as the liquid ran down his dry throat, and heated skin as he splashed himself with the cold water, surprised his skin did not hiss from the contact.

He had to sort it out with Beth, rubbing his cheek where she had slapped him earlier he headed towards the farm his legs and body now stronger, Daryl, slipped inside, hoping she was home. Edging around the corner of the hall leading to the kitchen his eyes glanced up to the clock, shit how long had he been out there?. Damn he should have been out with Merle picking that stupid cousin of Beth's up, he hated her even more now, after all it was her fault that Beth had hit out at him. Her fault the memories had come rushing back in! it was all her damn fault hating Carol for it. It was a good thing he had not driven to pick her up he would have told her exactly what he thought of her, how pathetic she was staying with an abusive bastard, most importantly how she was already ruining the friendship Beth and he had. In turn it would make a him her enemy and for once in his life he didn't care, she would have all she deserved coming to her.

The afternoon sun beat down on the two vehicles that trudged down the gravel roadway leading through the cattle gate to the yard enclosed within the walls of the farm house and surrounding barns. Herschel had surrounded his family with protection from the outside world, with enclosed walls and locked gates. His pride and joy was his farm and he would protect it and his family with all he had. Ed was not the only dangerous person that the Greene family had come across in their lives, in fact to Herschel Greene, Ed was a small ant in a big field, compared to the men he had dealt with over the years. So safety was a priority to him, yet still allowing them freedom of the fields and outstretched lands as far as the eye could see.

As Carol guided her car over the grid, she felt her fear slowly evaporating from her veins, the warmth of safety cascaded over her skin. Looking up at the beautiful walls, covered with hanging flowers, beautiful baskets and climbing roses, the place looked like heaven. She had forgotten how at home she always felt when she came to see them. Pulling the car to a stop outside the large double doors of the farms entrance, she smiled again, she was home, they were safe. Merle climbed from the car tapping Carol on the shoulder telling her he was off to find his brother, and he would see her later. Nodding she thanked him for being there on the journey, as he walked off, she turned to see Sophia curled up in a small ball holding on to the teddy she had been given years ago from Beth.

"Sophia honey time to wake up" Nudging the small girl gently not willing to scare her, she waited patiently whilst Sophia woke up.

"Wow mummy is this? Are we, Is that a stable?" Carol's laughter filled the air, it was wonderful to see her daughter so happy, so excited

"All in good time Sophia, but yes sweetie that's the stables and I am sure Beth will love to take you riding, and there's the old creek down through the small clump of trees, mummy use to swim there, oh Sophia we are safe now darling" Hearing the creek of the steps leading up to the house, Carol reached for the handle of her car door, stepping out glad to stretch her legs, she glanced up to see a large figure hidden within the shadows of the porch, the sun behind making it to difficult for her to see who it was. Shielding her eyes, helping Sophia from the car, she cradled her daughter to her.

Watching as Herschel walked up the steps towards the looming figure.

"Carol honey come on up sweetie want you to met Daryl, Merle's brother" both Carol and Daryl stood to attention, so this was the stupid bitch that all the fuss was about he thought as he looked down at her, his eyes still hidden from view.

Carol's body stiffened, knowing he was watching her from the darkness of the porch, so this was the bastard that had hurt her Beth.