I looked at her shocked "but Sophia I already taught you-"

"but you haven't taught Carl," she said "and besides even though I haven't seen you use one I'm sure you must have used a gun at some point and can teach us," I stood there for a moment contemplating. Yes she was correct about me knowing how to use a gun but I didn't really like using them because of how loud they were. I was more of a silent weapon kind of girl. I sighed "alright but I'm going to need a gun,"

"Leave it to me!" Carl said causing me and Sophia to jump not realizing he was there. I gave him a look "are you sure?" I asked because if either Lori or Shane found out about this they would most likely murder me although Carol probably wouldn't mind. I hadn't really met Rick yet so I was uncertain how he would react. Carl nodded "yeah you can count on me and besides," he said looking at me before blushing "I want to help," I looked between Carl and Sophia who seemed to be smirking before sighing again "alright but don't tell anyone," I said sternly causing them to nod. Sophia and I hid behind a tree while we watched Carl walk in the rv before exiting. When we noticed the slight bulge under his shirt we exchanged grins. Carl had succeeded. All our hopes however came to a standstill once we noticed Shane approach Carl. Sophia and I held our breaths during their conversation and almost let out a sigh of relief when Carl turned to walk in our direction. However according to the panicked look Carl had sent us he had been discovered. Shane looked at the gun before looking in our direction causing us to freeze. Not wanting Sophia to get in trouble I quickly hid her from Shane's line of sight. Shane's face turned red at the sight of me. Before he could come over here and drag me I decided to walk over to them. "Wait here," Shane hissed before walking off probably going to find Carls parents. "I'm sorry I messed up," Carl said looking at the ground. I shook my head "you didn't mess up Carl you were doing well until Officer douchbag came into the picture," I said causing him to smile. Shane returned with Lori and a man who I assumed was Rick. Shane and Lori looked angry Rick on the other hand looked concerned. "How did this happen?" Lori asked taking the gun from Carl's hand. Shane gave me an angry look "why don't you ask her," he said causing Lori to look at me. I gave him a glare before turning to Lori "Carl and Sophia wanted to learn how to shoot so since nobody else here thought to teach them I thought I'd step in," I said. Lori glared at me "so you convinced my son to steal from us!" she yelled. I glared back extremely ticked off at the accusation "I didn't convince him to do anything he offered to do it," I said

"She's telling the truth," Carl said coming to my defence "I know a gun isn't a toy to play around with so please mom can I learn?" he asked. Her and Rick argued quietly over it for a couple of minutes before Rick turned to Carl "alright you and Sophia can learn but only if Shane is the one to teach you," he said. Carl looked at me silently asking if I was okay with it. I shrugged not really caring. Everyone walked off and I was about to leave "could you stay for a minute?" I heard Rick ask. I stopped walking and turned to face Rick giving him my full attention "look I understand what you were trying to do back there and trust me I'm grateful that you were trying to teach my boy how to defend himself but next time could you please not do it behind our backs just come talk to me," he said. I looked at him surprised. I was honestly expecting him to give me some sort of lecture about it but here he was telling me it was cool. I think I like this guy. Rick motioned to the direction Shane and Carl went "you know you're welcome to join the class is for everyone," he said. I shook my head "I already know how to shoot but thanks for asking and besides your friend doesn't like me very much," I said. He chuckled a little bit "well Shane doesn't really like anyone right now but please try not to wind him up he has a bit of a temper," I motioned to my red cheek "yeah I noticed." After my talk with Rick I noticed Daryl heading in the direction of the woods crossbow in hand. Curious I ran after him slinging my backpack on. I fell into step behind him "where you going?"

"Hunting," was the short reply. Okay then

"Can I come?"

"Too dangerous," I raised an eyebrow

"I can take care of myself,"

"I'm not sayin that-"

"Then why won't you let me come?" he stopped walking and turned to face me causing me to walk straight into his chest. He stared at me for a couple of minutes before he sighed and continued walking "keep up." I grinned before running after him. He crouched down on the ground "see this?" he asked pointing to the ground

"Leaves?" he rolled his eyes

"No their tracks,"

"Who's tracks?" Daryl smirked wide

"Dinner." We followed the tracks and noticed a squirrel casually sitting against a tree eating a nut. Daryl raised his crossbow about to shoot it but then he looked down at me and dropped his crossbow. I looked at him confusion evident on my face "why aren't you shooting it you have a great chance of hitting it from this distance-"I said but was interrupted by Daryl getting behind me and handing me the crossbow. Now I was really confused "what are you-"

"Place your hands firmly on the crossbow," he said pushing my hands onto the right places. My eyes widened. Daryl placed his hands firmly on my shoulders. "Now you just gotta line up ya shot then pull the trigger," he said keeping me steady. I did my best to aim it at the squirrel before pulling the trigger. The arrow flew out and hit its desired target. I grinned at Daryl getting a small smile back before we walked over to the squirrel. "Nice shootin kid you're a natural," he said causing me to beam at him. We shot a few more squirrels well Daryl did because the crossbow got really heavy after a while before heading back to the farm. I really like spending time with Daryl despite his rough personality I felt oddly safe in his presence like nothing could possibly harm me with him by my side. I hadn't had this feeling of safety since my brother. The thought of opening up to any more people terrified me. Because I knew all to well how easily I could lose them.