She was alone when she woke up. She had no idea how long she had been sleeping. She inhaled and looked around for him. He wasn't there. Her heart sank when loneliness found her again. She was so grateful he had been there and now that feeling of having company had gone with him. She looked around the barn to get familair with her surroundings. It looked safe enough. He'd done a good job, as usual. She searched if he'd left a note or a sign to tell her he'd be back, but she couldn't find anything other then food and drink he left for her. Her backpack was in the corner. She took a few big swallows from the bottle of water. It seemed he'd saved her and left her on her own again. Like that was as far as his caring went. She knew it was the most she could expect of him. He didn't owe her anything. In fact, it was the other way around. She owed him now. Her heart ached when she thought of all the loss she had suffered over the last years. She couldn't handle losing him as well. It was one of the reasons she'd stayed relatively close to the prison.

She got up out of the makeshift bed and opened her bag for some semi-clean clothes. It was quiet outside and she looked through the window; she didn't see any walkers or people. She wanted to go outside. To see if she could wash herself somewhere and take a pee. She was still covered in blood from the day before. The door seemed to be locked, but there was no key in the lock. Her eye went to the floor and there she saw the key. He had locked de door behind him and shoved the key back underneath the door. Before she opened it, she checked if she still had her knife with her, which she did.

It was daylight, but that was as far as she got. She'd given her watch to Rick. The sun was out. It was a hot and clear day. The crickets went crazy. She shielded her eyes when she stepped outside and glanced at the farmhouse. She remembered this place; she'd been here before. When the men went inside for supplies, she and Lori went round the back to see if there were any fruits or vegetables growing there. There was a stream, perfect for a wash. She walked towards it, looking around as she went along to make sure she was alone. She took her clothes of and left them in a pile. It was uncomfortable and vulnerable to be naked. She stepped into the fresh water and walked in, till she was into it up to her waist. It felt good to clean up. She stank of her own fear. It made her hate her own weakness. Again it had to be a man to save her. Why couldn't she take care of herself?

She put her fresh set of clothes on while she was still wet from the stream. She glanced toward the road hoping he would return. She knew she would stay here at least until he came back to her and they could have a talk.

She sat out the rest of the day. Rick had been prepared when he made her leave. He had packed most of her clothes, some toiletries and a book. She picked it up. It was from the library, she hadn't read it yet. "Might as well do something useful", she muttered. At some point she must have fallen sleep. She was scared by herself in the dark. She knew she could hear walkers and people coming a mile away, but that didn't change her feelings. She was on her own and a situation like the one in the woods would be easily repeated.

Three days had passed and not a word or a sign from him. She had been cooped up in the barn. She'd finsihed the book, had rearranged the shed, washed her clothes and hung them up to dry. She stayed inside with the door locked and the walls began to creep up on her.

Halfway day four she heard the sound of a car engine coming closer. Her heart jumped. He hadn't forgotten about her! She tried to peer out the window to see if it was him. She had to be careful not to show herself to others, so she waited behind the door, knife at the ready. She heard the car door slam shut and he yelled out her name. "Open up, it's me". He sounded tired, maybe even fed up.

She unlocked the door and swung it open. There he was. Still wearing the same clothes he had four days ago. He was gleaming with sweat and covered in dirt. She pulled a face at the sight of him. "Hi Pookie." She tried to make light of the situation. If she hadn't she would just fall apart at the spot. He looked down on himself, shrugged and said: "what?". "You look like crap." "Thanks, feel like it too."

He stepped into the barn and looked around. He noticed the changes she'd made,"I like what you've done with the place."

"Would you like to sit down?", she courtsied towards one of the chairs. She hoped he would stay with her this time. At least for a little while. "Nah, I just came to bring you some food. Check if you were alright.". She couldn't hide her disappointment. Her smile disappeared from her face and her shoulders fell. "Oh. Thanks." He unpacked the bag he'd brought in with him and put some food packed in paper on the table. He made his way back to the car, when she brought up the courage to ask him:"When will I see you again?". It made her feel like some mistress he had to hide from his wife. It made her sound desparate. Which she was, but she didn't want him to know that. Life was hard enough as it was, she didn't want to put more weight on his shoulders.

He shrugged again."Dunno, maybe in the couple of days. Things are pretty messed up at the prison. Virus has spread, there's a whole wing of sick people now.""Oh." That was a far as she came. The last few days she had only thought of herself. She had no idea what he'd been up to and by the looks of it, it hadn't been anything good.

"I'd better go." And he just drove off again.