Tyreese walked around the fence, scanning the area. Ever since he had talked with Joseph, the two had come to an understanding. Tyreese would work for shelter, food, and protection in return for all of him, Mika, and Judith. Micah had started to help the women around the campsite, and Judith was being cared for by the youngest resident at the camp - Malissa.
Malissa was twenty three years old, looking much like Sasha. The only thing different was the length of her hair - Malissa's was longer and curly. Malissa was the only one Tyreese fully trusted - they had met before he had joined the prison group on a raid.
Mika ran up to Tyreese, pulling on his shirt. He looked down and looked at her with worry laced in his expression.
"What's wrong?" Micah frowned.
"When are we going to look for Daryl and Lizzie?" Tyreese hated to admit it, but he didn't think they were still alive. It had already been four hours since Daryl and Lizzie had left when they were attacked, so Tyreese was doubtful.
Tyreese sighed and said, "We're going to search for them soon, but right now, you and Judith are my number one priority right now."
Mika walked away, shoulders down. Tyreese knew that had to start looking, it's just he didn't necessarily think it would be beneficial, if they were already dead.
Joseph walked up to Tyreese and asked, "What's troubling you, friend?" Tyreese looked up, meeting his gaze.
Tyreese responded, "My old group. We left them when we came with you. Mika, the little girl that's with me, she has a sister that was one of the two people we left. I want to go search for them but it seems like if they were still alive, they would have found us by now." Joseph nodded, scratching his beard.
Joseph said, "Okay, if it eases Mika's mind, yours as well, I supposed I could spare five hunters to go out with you and look for them, just to come back and tell Mika what you found." Tyreese nodded. Joseph said, "They'll be ready to leave in an hour. Tack up and get ready."
"Umph."
Traveling with Daryl proved to be a burden for Lizzie. He hogged almost the entire saddle, and what was worse - he didn't like to talk. Lizzie wasn't a big talker, but it was getting plain boring. Wanting to stop, Lizzie pulled the horse to a stop.
Daryl's raspy voice rang out, "Why'd you stop?" Lizzie squirmed in the saddle, wanting to get down.
"I need to pee," Lizzie said bluntly. Daryl sighed, getting off of the horse. Before saying anything, he grabbed Lizzie's waist, carrying her to the ground. Muttering her thanks, Lizzie went into the bushes. Waiting, Daryl guarded the side of the road, crossbow in hand.
A branch snapped. Turning around, Daryl saw Lizzie being held by a man wearing a bandana, covering his forehead. A knife to her throat, Lizzie's eyes watered. Daryl's eyes narrowed, clutching his crossbow.
"Let 'er go." The man cackled. He pulled the knife tighter.
He said, "Give me your crossbow and everythin' you have with 'ya. If I feel generous enough, I might let her go."
Daryl gritted out, "And what if I don't?"
"I kill her," the man smirked.
Lizzie squeaked, "Don't do it, Daryl!" The man sneered, pressing the knife closer to her neck, drawing blood. Lizzie's eyes widened. Gulping, she moved her hand to his, trying to hold it back. Daryl, seeing the panic in her eyes, slowly kneeled down, placing the crossbow on the ground. He then reached to get his knife and gun from his pockets, dropping them to the floor.
He gruffly said, "Hand her over. Now." The man smiled.
"Back away." Stepping forwards, Daryl stepped backwards a few feet. The man, now where Daryl was and Daryl a few feet back, released Lizzie. Running to Daryl, Daryl pulled her into his chest. Lizzie, finally able to breathe again, held Daryl closer than ever. Daryl kept a close eye on the man as he picked up the crossbow and weapons. Daryl watched as he turned around. After walking a few feet, the man then turned back around, pointing it at Lizzie's head.
"Wrong move, shithead." Daryl's eyes widened, turning to shield Lizzie as a final attempt to protect her. Clutching the trigger, the arrow flew the air, driving itself into Daryl's back. At the same moment a gunshot rang in the air. The man was shot, the shooter standing only a yard away. Joseph.
Daryl woke up with a burning on his side.
Eyes opening, he looked around. The room was a worn purple color, a white sidetable next to the bed. Trying to sit up, pain coursed through him, making him flop back on the bed. His head hit a soft substance, a pillow. He sighed.
Hearing a small sound, he looked to his right. There, a little blond girl slept. Lizzie. Her soft breaths echoed through the room, making Daryl smile a little. Obvious that she had bathed, he wondered where he was. He didn't recognize this place. Making a face, he coughed, having to sit up a bit. His throat hurt like hell.
Lizzie's eyelids lazily opened, revealing her dark light green eyes. Once seeing Daryl, she rushed to his side, throwing her arms of him.
Daryl wrapped his free hand, his left, around her back, pulling her close.
Daryl gruffly said, "Somebody missed me." Lizzie pulled back, revealing her tearful exterior. Daryl quirked his eyebrows and asked, "What's wr-?"
Lizzie cut him off and said, "I'm sorry, Daryl, I'm-I'm so sorry." Daryl held onto her, looking at her incredulously. Lizzie said, "It's...the man was going to shoot me and-but he hit-hit you!"
Daryl gently shook her and said, "Either I get injured or you die, I'd rather have the first option. I'm...I'm fine." Lizzie looked down. Her soft finger trailed his side which was now covered by the bedsheet covers. Almost peeling the covers off of Daryl, his sweat shimmered from the light shining through the window sill. Only when he could see himself sweating did he realize how hot it was.
Lizzie trailed her fingers gently across his bandage wound, causing Daryl to wince.
"Ah, fucker." Lizzie retreated her hand, looking down.
"Sorry." Daryl looked up, shaking his head.
"It ain't you, it's the pain. You didn't do anythin' wrong." Lizzie shrugged, moving to sit on the chair.
Daryl said, "'chair is uncormfortable. Sit 'ere." He lightly tugged Lizzie's hand to sit on the bed next to his leg, currently under the covers. Lizzie obeyed, sitting next to him.
Suddenly, Joseph walked in.
A/N: Not a lot, I know, but I had to put something out there. Thank you for all of y'all's kind reviews. Like I said before, this story's pairing is unorthodox. The two people involved are not close in age at all. Warning.