All of my low key worrying had been for nothing apparently, as the group returned just before the sun set. They were carrying large duffle bags, that seemed really full. When they had cleared the area around our building again, we unlocked the doors, and they came strolling in one by one, dropping the bags in a pile as they went.

People flocked to welcome them back, give them food and water, and look through their findings. I didn't move from my blankets though, I didn't feel like i had a right to impose on them, so I kept a respectful distance.

One bag was full of weapons, guns and rifles to hatchets. Another had tinned food and random but useful objects like blankets, lighters and rope. And the last bag had clothes. I glanced down at my ratty torn black vest, blood stained jeans and sighed. New clothes wasn't something that I'd get overly excited about, but the women here seemed pretty happy about it.

The people who had returned sat and talked about their day a bit, about how they had come across a heard passing through the forest, and about a small torn apart campsite which was where they had found the tinned food. Everyone listened intently as if taking notes, which I suppose they were. A few of the younger people looked at them with admiration, which I thought was quite sad. All those teenagers growing up in this world. Instead of worrying about college, learning to drive and how to pay taxes, they were learning how to scavenge a campsite, and avoid walkers.

As everyone began settling down for the night, I decided to try to beat them to it. Maybe if I could fall asleep really fast instead of drifting off later on, I might sleep better. Curled up on the floor, I tried to block out the sounds of people talking and walking around. I tried to picture the most tranquil scene I could, but nothing would work . Every beautiful scene was destroyed by people running and screaming, or blood being splattered everywhere.

The sound of someone clearing their voice snapped me out of my disturbing thoughts. Squatting down beside me was Daryl. I hadn't really taken any notice of him since he had returned, he had a bruise blossoming on his cheek, and dark circles under his eyes. I uncurled and went to sit up, but he shook his head quickly.

''Nah, i don't wanna talk or nothing. Got you this today, thought you'd like it'', he said as he dropped a small leather pouch beside me. I picked it up and discovered it was a knife, with a holder that clipped onto a belt. As I examined it, i realized what a personal gift this was. He had seen me wake up two nights in a row, and knew what i had been reaching for. He had noticed. I felt a strange twinge in my chest as I clipped it onto my belt.

''Thank you'' , I whispered , unable to think of anything else to say. His narrow eyes widened slightly, and he nodded silently. Chewing his lip he stood up, he went back over to his sleeping area. I lay back against my blankets, my hand on the cool leather against my hip, and felt more at ease, less exposed. That was the first full night sleep that I had gotten in weeks.

The next morning the leader of the group approached me to ask what my strengths were, and what i could do to contribute to the group. I began listing off things I could do pretty well : hunting, scavenging, killing walkers, all the essential things you needed to be able to do to survive.

''How're you with a gun?'', he asked me as he caught sight of the knife on my belt.

''Pretty good. Don't own one, but I've a good aim. Don't like them very much, they attract what we're trying to avoid. '', I explained.

''That's true'', he laughed , wiping some sweat from his forehead.

''I'm sorry, I haven't introduced myself have I? I'm Rick '', he smiled extending a hand, which I shook.

''Mia'', i told him, smiling back.

''Well Mia, from what I've heard, you're lucky to be here.'', he told me.

''Yeah'' , I replied awkwardly, hoping he wouldn't press me for any information I didn't want to give.

''Well Mia, i don't think you're the type of person who'd be happy with preparing food or cleaning. It's up to you, but I think you should come with us on our next hunt. We'll be going out again tomorrow, if you want to come. Gonna look for a more secure play to haul up'', he told me, shrugging his shoulders.

''Yeah, thank you. It's feeling a little crowded here, I'd love to get out '' , I nodded.

'' I think you're the first person I've asked, who actually wants to go out there, apart from Daryl'', he chuckled.

'' He's the guy who brought me here, right? '', I asked.

'' Yeah. He goes on most outings to find food or whatever we need. You're the first person he's brought back though '', he laughed, adjusting his large cowboy hat. I noticed that it wasn't just a fashion statement, it had a badge on it. He must've been some sort of policeman before all of this happened. The conversation came to an end, and I decided to go talk to some of the other survivors. I hadn't really talked to anyone, which come to think of it, was a bit rude.

I spoke to two women who told me that they had been with the group for a few months now. They had met on a highway, and stuck together since. I remembered how crazy the highways had been when all of this started. Everyone had the same idea: Get on the first road out of Atlanta. I had been one of those fools who thought that plan would actually work. I suddenly remembered my abandoned car.

''hey, do you think there'd be any chance of going by the highway? My cars there, and I'd like to get some stuff.'' , I asked, expecting the answer to be no.

'' Well from what Rick said, we're going to have to cut across that highway anyway , to get to wherever we're going. Ask him, just to be sure'', A woman called Karen told me. She looked like she was in her mid twenties, so around my age. I decided that I liked her, and made a mental note to talk to her a bit more as I made my way to Rick.

''Well, if you wanted we could swing by there tomorrow? we're going be going in that direction anyway '', he told me as he organized the weapons that would be taken out tomorrow, and packed small bag packs with food.

''that would be really really great'', I thanked him.

''Woah woah woah, we're going by the highway tomorrow? Why didn't anyone tell me? '', a rough voice from behind me asked. Daryl was standing, mid packing a bag, gaping past me at Rick.

'' Yeah, daryl , we're going by the highway tomorrow'', Rick laughed as he continued doing what he was doing.

'' Brilliant. Might get a chance to actually hunt something'' , he grinned as he disappeared back into the crowd of people. Looking around, quite a few people were preparing for tomorrow. I didn't have anything to prepare. All I had was my knife. I'd made it this far with mostly just a knife though. Although I didn't want to admit it, I was almost looking forward to getting out there.