Hello everyone! Wow, I can't believe how many Followers this little story of mine has now. I just checked my emails and was like, holy shit! 17 might not seem like much against some of the really popular stories, but it's amazing to me - so thank you all! If you have the time though I would really appreciate a review. I would really love to know what you all thought, of Alice, of the story, of everything! But thank you all again, though. I'm working a lot now, but with my job I do find the time now and then to get a couple of hundred words down, so I'm hoping to post at least one Chapter a day. I hope you're all enjoying it still, and are still up for sticking with me!

Now

The pain was making it hard for any of my muscles to relax, and I found myself tossing and turning, trying to find some semblance of comfort amongst the unfamiliar blankets.

It was all in vain, of course. I knew the moment I opened my eyes that I wouldn't be able to sleep here. Too many nights scouring the silence for threats made it hard to sleep, even when I knew I had been safe. Now I was apparently safer than I had been in months, and yet sleep still eluded me.

I let out a long sigh, throwing off the blankets and shifting myself around to the edge of the bed. My bare feet brushed the cold concrete as I let out another pained breath. My thigh was on fire, burning deep down in the muscles.

My hands cradled the soft bandage as I glanced around, looking for some kind of relief.

Hershel hadn't come back, no one had. I had heard quite murmurs outside the cell, but I wasn't ready to meet them no matter how much I battled the urge to run.

It was unnerving, being kept in a cage with every opportunity to run yet not being able to even move. The worst kind of hell, especially for me.

I pulled off the blankets and studied my legs.

Thin, scratched and dirty, with pale skin and spiky black hairs. I shook my head gently, prodding at the stained bandage. I had to hope that it was my blood staining them rather than just old bandages being used on me. The idea of someone else's blood against my wound had my stomach rolling, but then again my stomach had been at war since I ate that food.

I didn't think the food would have been bad, or poisoned. If that was the case, they would never have given me the food, never mind wasting it by adding some rat poison or something. I knew it was because my stomach hadn't had anything other than tuna and water in weeks, so the rich meaty slop added with the rice was sending my digestive system into overdrive.

Bracing my hands on the bar above me, I tugged with all my might until my feet stood firmly on the ground and I twisted my body to lean against the frame.

Pain ran down my entire leg, the burning intensifying as I tried to keep my stomach at bay. Cold sweat had sprung up all down my back and my legs were trembling dangerously. No way in hell would I be able to make a run for it, not in this condition.

"What are you doing?"

The sudden voice inside the small box had my body snapping taught, which in turn caused me to bite out a groan as the rest of my weight was thrown onto my legs.

There was a flurry of motion and I was powerless to stop the hands as they grabbed my shoulders, turning my body and forcing me back onto the bed. I felt limbs flailing to grab the body that was manipulating me so easily, but whoever had my shoulders had run their hands down my forearms and were holding me still. My breath was coming in quick gulps as I struggled against the attack.

"Hey, hey! Hey, it's okay!"

The voice was talking firmly by my face, and despite the fear singing in my veins, I managed to fight through the panic and glance into their eyes.

"Oh my God," I gasped, the hands holding mine down tightening as my fingers dug into their palms.

"Are you okay?"

The soft, gentle features in front of me were haloed by a mass of dark hair, chopped short at the jawline to make way for easy sea green eyes. I continued to struggle for breath as the young woman knelt down in front of me, watching me with a steady gaze.

"Your… your…"

Tears had filled up my vision and I squeezed my eyes shut, taking deep breaths as the woman's hands in mine held steady.

"Ya'll don't have to be afraid any more. We're not going to hurt you."

Her voice was deep and smooth, so hard to hear with my mind as it was. Scattered.

"What do they do to you," I whispered, shaking my head and pulling my hands away. I couldn't open my eyes, couldn't face her.

There were women here. Kids. Strange, kind and terrifying men. What had I been brought to?

"Do to me?" she asked, obviously confused. I snapped my eyes open as I leaned away, taking the woman in as much as I could.

She was still watching me, a little crease on her forehead. Her clothes were worn, but clean. Her tanned skin free of blemishes and dirt. Her hair was messy, but unmatted. As I looked further down, I noticed the glint of a ring on her left hand.

"You're safe here," she tried again, but I refused to believe her words. Moving forward, I let my face hover right into her personal space, waiting to see that submissive flinch.

The woman didn't move. Her eyes widened at my sudden proximity, yet she didn't back away from it.

"They hurt you?" I whispered, checking her eyes for that emptiness I knew so well. Her eyes never shifted as she shook her head.

"No."

I bit the inside of my lip, shuffling back on the bed and away from her. She looked far too comfortable in her own skin, and didn't fit the image of a hollowed out soul that I was used to seeing.

"My daddy asked me to come check on you, offer you some pain relief. I brought you these, too," she said slowly, moving to stand again and pick up a small bundle she'd no doubt dropped after our little struggle.

I saw what looked like clothes, clean clothes, and a small bottle of pills that rattled as she moved. I kept my arms wrapped protectively around my bump as she eased herself onto the bed next to me. My glare didn't dissuade her pitying eyes though, so instead I just set my jaw and watched as she put the pile next to me.

"My name is Maggie. I don't know what's happened to you, and I won't ask. But you gotta stop looking at us like we're about to cut you down."

I let out a snort through my nose, shifting my hips until the pain dimmed in my thigh.

"Why would I think you wouldn't? Beard face made it quite clear you wouldn't hesitate if I showed even the slightest inkling of threat."

This Maggie girl let out a rush of air, shaking her head.

"Look at you, the state you're in. You can barely stand nevermind attack us."

I turned to the woman with an eyebrow raised, looking her over once again. She was taller than me, because most people usually were - but I could probably get her down in a couple of minutes if I had to.

"Don't underestimate a cornered animal, Maggie," I said quietly, curling my body a little tighter around my middle. "It'll fight tooth and nail."

I saw the woman cock her head slightly, but I wasn't about to explain my point. I wasn't even sure what I was intending by my words, probably the fact that they had trusted me into their home so easily. I wasn't going to hurt them, but they were lucky, because the next person might. These people had gone soft in their safety.

"Are you gonna fight?"

I turned my head a little, watching her hardened faced. It was quite surprising, the shift in her entire presence. I could read hardship and pain in her face, unlike the sweet softness there a moment ago. I found myself pursing my lips, intrigued. Maybe this one wasn't so soft.

"No."

We held each other's eyes for a moment before Maggie gave me a nod, patting the pile of clothes.

"Here, take these," she said, chucking the bottle of pills into my lap. "We have working showers, too."

The sudden intake of breath had been my own and I glanced up, unsure of what face I was making and yet it must have been hopeful enough to make Maggie smile.

"Showers?"

"Yeah, warm too."

The little moan left my lips before I could stop it, the idea of clean running water over my skin making my insides turn to jelly. I nodded at her quickly. Damn it all, if they wanted to find me a threat, fine. If they wanted to shoot me in the head, so be it. But if I was going to die, then I would die with a clean face.

"Can I go now? Will you show me?" I asked quickly, already grabbing the bars to haul myself onto my feet. Maggie jumped up just as I swayed, wincing at the pain in my thigh.

"Maybe you should rest a little more fir-"

"Maggie," I said, turning to her with a serious expression. The woman snapped her mouth closed, surprised by my sudden shift in mood. "I have brain and dirt and blood and snot and all kinds of horrible things in my hair, and on my skin. There is muck in some ungodly places. I haven't showered in months. Please. Please take me to the showers."

I reached out, widening my eyes pathetically. If the food had teared me up, the idea of shower would crack me open.

Maggie gave me a smile, flashing white teeth and giving me a glimpse of a wicked sense of humour. She had small lines around her eyes, too, and I found myself relaxing ever so slightly in her company. Women were hard to be around, not because I couldn't get along with them but because I had seen so many of them broken.

There was nothing worse than watching a woman have her soul beat out of her.

"You just pump this a few times… then it comes on."

As her words echoed around the small enclosure, I heard the slight whoosh before the hard splatter of water hit the tiles. My lower lip quivered as I reached out my small hands, cupping the lukewarm liquid and watching it fill in my palms.

"Thank you," I managed, turning to look at Maggie. The woman was smiling gently, her lips pressed together. It had been a long time since I saw kindness. I didn't believe it was kindness, I couldn't, but I could pretend it was. If only for a moment.

"You want me to, uh…?" Maggie gestured to my clothes and I bit back the urge to cower. Instead I gave her a soft shake of the head and watched as she placed the clothes in her arms on a little bench to the side. My body was already trembling with exertion, but I had managed to limp here by myself. I wasn't sure if I could get back, but that was another worry.

Right now I had moved back to the spray, putting my arms under it and choking back another groan.

"Here," said Maggie's soft voice as she held out a small rectangular object. My lips quivered again as I saw the small bar of soap.

"I didn't…I never thought I would see a shower again…" I sucked in another breath, my throat squeezing tight from the overwhelming emotions. "Thank you," I manage to get out, looking up into Maggie's easy green eyes. She was wearing that smile again, and she nodded, cupping my hand in hers and she passed me the soap.

I stood there for a few moments, waiting for her to leave. The shower room wasn't like a small bathroom - it was one massive space with showerheads over every wall, broken only by flimsy bits of plastic hanging from the ceiling to create the illusion of privacy. I was in the farthest corner, shielded by a piece of plastic to every side. Maggie had turned and left, I could hear her footsteps echoing against the tiles. Only when they stopped did I turn.

Limping carefully to the edge of the sheet, I peered round to see Maggie at the far end, talking to someone in soft whispers. They were too far away for me to hear, and I didn't recognise the other figure - they were stood too far to the left and were blocked from my sight by a wall.

Maggie had her arms crossed and was nodding, her face stern. I saw a hand reach out to cup her cheek and she leaned into it, her face melting into a soft smile.

I pulled back from the plastic.

It was hardly believable that there were still people alive. I wasn't stupid enough to think that absolutely everyone was dead, but being on my own for so long, not a hint of another living soul - you kind of started to believe that you were the last one out there.

Then you randomly walk into a group of strangers and end in up their showers. I let out a small, humourless chuckle, the soap still heavy in my hand. It was already bubbling up, and as I brought it to my nose there was a soft fragrance emitting from it. Lavender, I think.

Bizarre.

Worrying the inside of my lip, I hobbled to the bench and placed the soap on the clothes. I managed to balance awkwardly on the edge of the bench, enough for me to pull off my long sleeved t-shirt. It was so caked in muck that the material was stuck to my skin and I had to peel it away. Whatever colour it had been when I found it was long lost to dirt, sweat and blood. Resisting the urge to gag, I threw the disgusting top to the far corner, along with the vest underneath. Sitting there, bare chested, I felt a rush of cold air against my skin.

The vulnerability of bare skin sent a wave of goosebumps down my entire torso, and I wrapped my arms around my chest. My eyes were scanning the bathroom, expecting to see prying eyes.

I sat for a good few minutes, just watching. Waiting.

It had become habit to expect a presence when I was nearly naked. An awful habit I hadn't been able to shift. Finally, as another pang of pain ran down my thigh, I decided I didn't care. I managed to unhook the blanket from around my waist and pull my knickers off before slowly getting back to my feet.

Stepping under the spray was like walking into a corner of heaven, the rivets of fresh water racing over my skin. I tried to take a breath but my throat was all choked up, my body moving to stand completely under the spray. I ducked my head right under, putting my arms against the wall and leaning over, watching the brown water disappear down the drain. My lower lip quivered, my fingers clenching into fists against the tiles.

I felt the first sob wrack my body, silent, afraid to be released. The trembling inhale was soon accompanied by another sob, and even my hand over my mouth couldn't quite stop them. They came, one after the other, my tears rolling hot against my cool cheeks. I turned up my face, trying to breathe through the clear liquid that ran up my nose.

The sobs wracked my chest, my body, even as I grabbed the soap and started to lather up my skin. It wasn't real. It couldn't be real.

Who were these people, to offer a hand so lightly? Didn't they know that a feral creature, no matter how tame it seemed, would bite them in the end?

"She's resting. I don't think that girl has seen another human being in a long time. Looked like a wild creature when you brought her in."

Hershel moved steadily around the bench, sitting quickly on the end and placing his plate in front of him. Maggie leaned against Glenn, a mug of steaming coffee in her hands.

"Should have seen her face when I told her about the showers…" Maggie bit her lower lip and shook head head, glancing thoughtfully into her cup as if it held the answers.

"I wonder what happened to her," piped in the gentle voice of Beth as she moved to sit at the table.

Daryl was focusing on shovelling the food on his plate into his mouth without choking. He kept his eyes on his food, but his sensitive ears were peaked at the conversation just a table over.

"Nothin' good," said Maggie softly, sighing. "I dunno if we can convince her to stay. She seems terrified by people. Even asked me what they did to me."

"What do mean?" asked Hershel over a mouthful.

"When she saw me, was like she saw a ghost. She came right close to my face, staring, looking for somethin'. I dunno what she saw, but she just looked so sad. I didn't know whether she was gonna hit me or hug me. Somethin' real bad happened to her."

The conversation went still as Daryl scraped up the last of his beans, shoving them between his teeth as he got to his feet. No one paid him much mind as he put his plate on the far counter, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand as he slung his crossbow over his shoulder.

Just as he turned to leave the dining hall, Daryl nearly collided with the one person he'd been trying to avoid.

"Been looking for you. I think we need to talk."

Daryl ran his tongue behind his teeth as he lowered his head slightly, keeping his expression blank. He nodded and moved with Rick through the halls and around corners until they stepped into the sunshine outside.

Rick didn't even try to bring it up casually, and that was why Daryl liked him. There was none of that fake talk, just right to the point.

"That girl seems to think you deserved being attacked. I wanna know why."

Daryl bit the inside of his lip, deliberately not looking at Rick as he tried to find the words to explain.

"Found her a while back and we got separated. Guess she's pissed we didn't find her again."

He shrugged, holding the strap across his chest and waiting as Rick seemed to think on what he'd said.

"When?"

Daryl glanced down, looking away from anyone who was around, trying his hardest not to remember the kid they'd stumbled across.

"Back when it was just me an' Merle."

Rick put both his hands on his hips and glanced at the sky, turning back to give Daryl a side glance.

"Think she's dangerous?"

Daryl let out a snort, drawing Rick's keen eye again.

"She's a kid. We've faced worse."

The silence that stretched out after Daryl's words was deafening, Rick just staring at him. Thankfully the man didn't push, instead patting Daryl's shoulder awkwardly.

"We can't let her go in her condition, so maybe it's worth trying an apology. Just an idea."

Daryl let his eyes flicker to Rick's face, seeing the hard lines under his eyes. He gave the man a sharp nod before Rick turned and wandered back into the prison. Daryl let out a long breath as he started towards the tower, climbing to the top before running a hand through his hair. He found himself digging into his pockets, pulling out the half smoked butts he kept for when shit got bad. He lit the biggest one, sinking at the edge of the tower and looking over the forest. He inhaled the smoke deeply, letting it out in a rush.

Somehow, he didn't think an apology would really hit the spot. Not with what he did to her.

A/N: So, revealing little bits slowly - I think this is the most info I've given away so far haha - nothing like a slow burn! I hope it's not too boring though, and I know there's not a load of things going on but I hope the emotional connection to the character is forming. I just felt sad with this one, especially when she cries in the shower. How horrific must that be, to convince yourself you'll never have these things again? Terrifying thought. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed, next chapter up soon!

Please review! Takes a second and means so much to me!