Beth volunteered to help those assigned laundry duty. This time, it was Tara, Father Gabriel, and Sasha. Two out of three were able to hold their own; slowly but surely, Father Gabriel was learning. Since Beth knew how to track, courtesy of a grumpy crossbow wielder, she knew how to contribute.

She expected Maggie to come forward and disagree first and foremost. Instead, Daryl approached her and said, "Hold up, I'm comin' with you."

Shaking her head, Beth informed him, "You gotta go huntin', right? I can track; you taught me."

But that wasn't the problem. Beth was never out of his sight. Not once. He sat across her from the campfire. He made sure she slept near him while he was on watch. He brought her hunting and on runs with him.

Beth knew because he was never out of her sight.

However, this was something she could offer. She had to do it.

Although she was struggling to find her place in the group, Beth's relationship with Daryl remained. They didn't continue off what happened at the funeral home because her return and the grief the both of them underwent was fresh. The conversation at the kitchen table was a mystery for now. Despite their feelings on the funeral home, Beth chose to stay by Daryl, and Daryl chose to stay by Beth. Daryl was vague when it came to what he did after their time together; Beth was just as vague. In fact, all she said toward him was, "I had to survive."

Daryl understood, which didn't surprise Beth at all. She was thankful. At least one person (as well as Noah), and God, was she so thankful.

Because Beth couldn't bear to feel that suffocation she had felt at the hospital. After the reunion, she got just a hint of it with the group, and it didn't make any sense. They were her family. But she was different, and they were different. She suffered abuse and mistreatment, but so did they. Michonne summarized what they went through, and obviously left out so many details, but Beth didn't need those details. They were together, and that was all that mattered.

In Daryl's eyes, Beth could see resentment in bitterness. It appeared from time to time, and most prominently around Glenn and Maggie. She wondered at that but didn't pry. She had to take in this adjustment step by step. He'd tell her sooner or later.

Before they left, Rick placed a firm hand on her shoulder. Beth nodded in response.

Maggie didn't hesitate to voice her concern, but after the amount of times Beth left her without a word because of her older sister's incessant questions and worries, she easily backed off. Somewhat. Beth could always feel the worry and frustration simmering off her form afterwards.

Daryl didn't leave until she was fully prepared. He even so much as inspected her body if there was any weapons missing. Before the two parted ways, Beth squeezed his free hand, since the other was holding onto his crossbow strap, to provide assurance. For the both of them.

He squeezed back, just as tight.

Tara, Father Gabriel, and Sasha were an interesting bunch. While Beth guided them to the creek nearby, Tara conversed openly with the three of them about whatever topic popped into her mind with Father Gabriel replying awkwardly and Sasha managing a smile or chuckle, though slight. Beth smiled as she kept focused on her task.

Not only was she in charge of tracking but also protecting them, even if the latter was unspoken or unneeded. Unlike the former, which was to contribute, protecting these three people was a necessity. Even though she barely knew Tara and Father Gabriel, they were a part of her family.

After about fifteen minutes, Beth found the creek. The distance was much too far from camp than the usual. The group was on the road for almost a week, and with Judith getting fussy exhaustion settling in their limbs, there was no choice but to choose a nearby area. Unfortunately, Daryl estimated the creek was a few miles away from the camp.

Tara happily stretched her legs before depositing the dirty laundry from her bag. Father Gabriel quietly chose a spot and kneeled down to do his share of the laundry. Sasha, just as quiet and still grieving over Bob's death, put down her rifle and began, as well. Beth observed her surroundings, remembering clearly what Daryl taught her. Her ears detected no walker sounds or footsteps, so she stepped over to Father Gabriel who began scrubbing the dirt off the shirt.

Kneeling beside him with her weapon held securely in her grip, Beth asked gently, "You need help, Father?"

The priest managed a shaky smile before shaking his head. "It's all right, child," he replied.

Beth returned his smile. She asked Daryl who he was and he merely said, "Stayed at his church. Brought 'im with us." She noticed the priest stayed on the outskirts of their group, unsure where his place was and how to handle the world, and Beth understood.

She knew Sasha wanted her space so she walked over to Tara, who was squeezing excess water out of the boxers with a grimace.

Tara threw the boxers on top of the clean pile building up. "I really don't want to know who this belongs to," she muttered.

The older girl looked up when she saw Beth sit down next to her.

"You need help?" Beth offered.

"Nah, I'm good," Tara grunted while she scrubbed the dirt off a pair of shorts. "You're busy keeping watch anyway. And you're doing all the tracking, which is freakin' cool. By the way, how'd you know where to go? Did Daryl teach you since he knows how?"

Beth opened her mouth to explain when she something caught her eye.

Tracks. The tracks conveyed a purpose; clearly they weren't a walker's. Her blue eyes detected three pairs of feet. Some tracks were old, probably a few days old. When Beth looked to the area a few feet from Tara's spot, her body grew alert.

She saw more tracks from the same three people; however, these tracks were fresh. The people were headed north, a couple of miles left where her family was camped out at.

Carol was teaching Noah how to build a fire, Beth remembered, eyes widening. Their presence would get spotted sooner or later.

"Gather your stuff," Beth commanded. She kneeled beside Father Gabriel and began stuffing his share of the laundry in his duffel bag.

"Why? What did you see?" Sasha asked; however, she mimicked Beth and grimaced when she had to shove the wet clothing in her bag.

The 19-year-old slid the bag around the priest's shoulder since he wasn't moving fast enough. She looked over Tara who just finished complying and walked to them.

Although the others' eyes weren't trained to see the signs, Beth pointed to the tracks starting from the spot Tara was at and northward.

"People were here. Not too long ago, either."

Sasha's grip tightened on her weapon. "Are you sure?"

Beth met her questioning glance head-on. "Yes."

The group headed back to their camp, Beth leading and Tara protecting the rear. Beth's fingers pressed harder on her knife holster when she saw more tracks a couple of miles away from their area.

Thankfully, there wasn't smoke in the air. Her pace quickened. She was desperate to inform Rick and the others. With everything they'd been through — with everything she'd been through — she wouldn't take the chance of meeting with other people.

No place is safe.

Don't trust anybody.

Beth truly believed the former, but as for the latter, perhaps she would trust again. For now, she couldn't. She had hope, always will, but the events of Grady were fresh in her memories. Her throat constricted from the thought of the emotional abuse she went through at times. Although her scars have healed, she could feel the force smacking her face. She could feel Gorman's —

Her thoughts strayed away from the dark thoughts once she saw her family. Rick was holding Judith and speaking with Abraham, Rosita, Glenn, and Maggie. Noah was frowning at the fire pit while Carol had her lips folded inwards to prevent a smile. Carl and Michonne were enjoying a granola bar and talking amongst each other, chuckling.

Daryl was probably still out hunting.

This was her family. No. She wasn't going to take that chance of letting other people in right now. There wasn't any room. They all needed to breathe. Seeing their smiles, seeing how temporarily content they are, solidified her decision that she knew Rick and, most especially, Daryl would agree to.

Rick's head snapped up when he saw Beth and the others approach. His face turned hard, and he met her halfway.

"What happened?" he asked. Judith played with his watch, babbling in his arms.

"I saw human tracks. Three people," Beth explained. "Most likely left an hour ago. They headed north, but when we were heading back camp, I saw more tracks nearby. 'Bout a couple miles near here."

Rick's face, though serious, turned inquisitive after she was done explaining. The look disappeared, and he nodded. He turned back to the others, who heard everything Beth said.

Maggie approached Beth once Rick, Abraham, Rosita, and Glenn discussed where to go next with the map while they waited for Daryl.

"Good job, Bethy," she said sincerely. Beth could see curiosity with the warmth and guilt in her eyes.

Beth nodded, smiling slightly.

If only I saw those tracks earlier, she reprimanded herself mentally. I was too busy finding the creek.

Soon enough, Daryl came from the bushes, holding his crossbow with his right hand.

"We gotta go," he announced hastily. "There're others."

They were on the road yet again. Luckily the sun wasn't beating heavily on them, so Judith was safe for now, sleeping soundly in the makeshift sling around Tyreese.

Beth walked side-by-side with Daryl quietly when Tara stopped and waited until they caught up with her. Tara bumped her shoulder with Beth's, grinning.

"You're a badass," she commented. "Daryl, dude, no offense, you're a badass too, but Beth takes the crown today. She found those other people before you, bro."

Daryl grunted but smirked at Beth, who blushed and wrinkled her nose at the compliments.

When Tara went to squeeze herself between Glenn and Maggie, Beth giggled softly.

"She's so cute," she said.

Daryl snorted.

Beth lifted her eyes to look at Daryl and saw that he was looking down at her.

"Ya did good, Greene," he praised her.

She shook her head. "Should've seen those tracks before I found the creek. Like you said, I gotta focus on everything around me, and I didn't. I might've … " She trailed off, unwilling to verbalize what could've happened.

"Hey. You found 'em. S'all that matters." He bumped his hand with hers.

Beth smiled genuinely at him.

As the pair walked down the road with their family in front of them, she basked in the silence and the company of the man next to her.

"Gettin' rusty there, aren't you, Mr. Dixon?"

"Tch, don't get cocky, girl. Got years of experience over ya."

"Nah, just years."

A few people from the group turned back, startled, when they heard Beth squeal and saw Daryl pinching her side.


— Thank you for reading. Feedback is appreciated.

(Heads up: I start the new semester tomorrow, so updates may vary for this story, as well as others you may be following.

Wish you guys all the luck with your studies!)