Hope marched up from the fields with a basket filled with potatoes. The women from Rick's group wanted to make Hershel and his family a dinner in thanks for everything that they have done. Crystal joined in with a ghost of a smile when Andrea invited her. Hope tried to remember when Crystal had last given any hint of a smile, after watching her triplet sisters being blasted away by a shower of bullets from soldiers would definitely have a lasting traumatic impact on one's life but Crystal seemed to take it personal after she shot down three live soldiers when they wouldn't let them pass. Hope shook her head of the memory and continued up the driveway to the house. Glenn whistled catching her attention and shouted.

"Have you seen the axe anywhere?"

"By the barn," Hope replied in a loud voice. "I can get it."

"Thanks."

Glenn rushed over taking the basket of potatoes while Hope trotted over to the barn. She passed Jimmy coming from the shed and walked towards the weather worn barn. As Hope drew closer she noticed numerous locks on the large double doors. She was curious and stepped forward cautiously. Perhaps field equipment was in there and Hershel didn't want it to get stolen. Hope picked up the axe and did a circle check. She found a ladder that ascended and immediately climbed up. A familiar rotten smell ambushed Hope and she couldn't help but stumble back a bit because it was way different than what she was used too. Hope gripped the axe tightly in her hands as she stepped into the barn. Bile rose into her throat but she pushed it down thinking of something else and giving her head a firm shake. Hope coughed as another wave assaulted her senses and she couldn't help but puke right there on the hayloft. The moans grew louder and Hope looked over the edge to see around twenty Walkers all clambering around the ladder trying to get to the living human. No wonder the smell is stronger Hope thought dryly to herself. She couldn't believe this, it was impossible. No one in their right mind would keep such monsters. She thought back to when she was younger, how her parents would check her closet to make sure that there were no monsters, Hope looked over the edge and realized that this was her worst nightmare.

XXXXXX

Inside Crystal was mindlessly peeling potatoes that Glenn had set on the island. The other women were laughing but Crystal didn't join in, instead looking at the dimming bright sky thinking that Mak was still out there.

"Crystal?" Carol cautiously asked. The older woman's voice brought Crystal back down to earth.

"I'm fine," the former trail guide and martial artist said getting back to the task at hand.

"You're worried about him," Andrea said knowingly, it wasn't a question.

"He'll be fine," Crystal tried to convince herself but it failed. Crystal knew she should have gone after Mak as soon as he had left the driveway. No way should a person like Mak be out on his own especially at night.

"I can see if Rick'll go find him," Carol offered. "Daryl's out there too."

Crystal shook her head, but not in rebuking the offer instead of trying to think about something else. She knew that Rick was strong but she didn't want him to get in trouble too.

"Has anyone seen Anthony?" Crystal piped in desperation of changing the subject. It worked.

"Last time I saw him he was by the shed," Andrea answered.

"I'm a little worried about him," Carol frowned, "he seems to have gotten worse after the school."

Everyone nodded in agreement and Maggie entered the dining room with a card table.

"I know my dad might not express it," Maggie said, "but he appreciates y'all doing this for us."

The short conversation about Anthony died down as everyone except Crystal all replied at once.

XXXXXX

Mak shook Daryl harshly. Daryl would give an occasional moan in reply waving his hands dismissively in the air trying to hit Mak but no hand came close.

"Come on," Mak hissed trying to make the hunter move. "Let's go, don't die on me now."

He looked up to see Sophia clinging to a tree atop the slope. She looked down fearfully as if trying to find a safe route to get to the bottom.

"You stay there Sophia," Mak said, Sophia nodded vigorously in reply. Mak turned to see Daryl opening his eyes slightly.

"Merle?"

"Far from it," Mak replied and was about to continue when he was interrupted.

"I lost something," Daryl continued ignoring Mak, he coughed a couple of times before going on. "Lost a little girl."

"No, she's here!" Mak exclaimed. "Sophia is here, she's up at the top of the slope."

Daryl coughed, once again ignoring Mak. "You…since when?"

Mak leaned in and waved a hand over Daryl's face and received no response. He looked at the arrow still stuck out of his side and Mak wanted to take it out but realized that was a horrible idea. Mak had seen this before one of his friend's got it after tweaking out in plus thirty degree weather once. Heatstroke. Mak noticed that Daryl was focusing on him, however Daryl saw him differently in a figurative sense and mistaken him for his dumbass brother. Mak immediately realized that he could use this to his advantage. He looked up to the sky to see that the sun was still high but also that they had to move quick or else night would be upon them in no time.

"Come on now," Mak said impersonating Merle almost to perfection. "Up on yer feet baby brother."

Daryl groaned in both pain and annoyance. He waved his hand dismissively in the air but Mak gave him a firm kick on the foot agitating Daryl.

"Let's go!"

Mak turned and headed towards the slope hoping that Daryl was following. He turned around and let out a cry of surprise. A Walker stumbled towards the still semi-conscious Daryl. Mak unsheathed his Bowie and advanced quickly but Daryl immediately came around full conscious and kicked the Walker in the face. Mak was prepared to give the finishing blow when Daryl brought the stick down on the top of the Walker's head. Blood squirted from the wound and Daryl slammed the stick down one more time and the skull gave a sickening crack as it broke open and blood, brain and other bodily fluid flowed out of the cranium and onto the sandy ground. Both looked up to see another Walker advance at a rapid pace. Mak was ready to rush it when he heard a ripping sound and he turned to see that Daryl had literally pulled his one and only bolt from the wound. Mak winced then turned back, he took out an arrow and threw it at the Walker. It struck him in the lower jaw. Snap. The bolt struck in the centre of the forehead.

XXXXXX

Hope had literally rushed out of the barn at Olympic speed and remained near the ladder. The axe was still in her hand, in a tight grip. She closed her eyes and looked up to the sky to see that the sun was slowly going down in the horizon. Hope looked around the corner to see Glenn talking to Dale, probably seeing if he had seen her going in which direction. Hope took in a shaky breath trying to gain as much composure as possible before turned the corner and walking towards Glenn. They both met at the entrance to the barn's territory.

"You alright?" Glenn asked taking the axe from Hope.

"Yeah," Hope replied with a small smile, she prayed that it was convincing. Glenn nodded he looked like he wanted to say something but decided against it. Hope let out a small sigh of relief and followed Glenn back up to the house. They both went separate ways and Hope immediately headed for the kitchen as soon as she entered through the mesh door. She peered around the corner to see Crystal peeling and chopping carrots. Hope turned the corner allowing herself to be seen by others.

"Crystal?" Hope interrupted.

Crystal wiped her hands on her jeans before following the fifteen year old away from the commotion. Hope led her to the bedroom where Anthony was temporary confined until he was able to move properly again.

"What's wrong?" Crystal demanded sensing distress radiating off the youth.

Hope took in a breath and then blurted. "There are Walkers in the barn."

XXXXXX

Mak watched as Daryl bound the wound before grabbing his crossbow and headed for the second attempt up the hill. Mak went ahead in case he had to force Daryl forward, if he were behind and Daryl lost his footing or grip, both would be injured and Sophia stuck at the top all by herself as it neared dark. He grabbed onto the nearest branch and hoisted himself over the rocky ledge that stuck out marking the three quarter mark. Daryl however wasn't as lucky, he was stuck, the stretch was too much.

"Come on," Mak hissed pounding his hand onto the ledge. "Come on Daryl."

"Shut the hell up!" Daryl snapped back, he struggled again but his foot slipped and Daryl clung to the branch. Mak watched as Daryl attempted again getting his footing right but the stretch was what was torturing him.

"You better shut up…" Daryl tried again but failed. Mak realized that he was still hallucinating about Merle. He was prepared to use the same technique on him when Daryl made the stretch and pulled himself up. He grabbed at the ground and continued forward. Mak watched in fascination as Daryl made it all the way to the top and then once at the top stood straight staggering only a few times before scanning the area.

"You better run!" Daryl shouted into the trees at the imaginary Merle. Mak looked to see Sophia nervous to advance the unstable Daryl, Mak scooped her up and followed Daryl only steps behind as the hunter marched home, his crossbow dragging on the ground behind him.

XXXXXX

Carl woke with less of a start. Both doors were closed and the blinds were pulled down but the faint shade of pink allowed Carl to see his surroundings slightly. He could hear low chatter and the smell of food coming from the kitchen.

"It's almost ready," Beth called from the kitchen. Carl listened to the soft thud of bowls being placed on the table. He rotated his ankle and muscles moved to his command. He experimented with the other and it did the same. Carl smiled to himself as he flexed his fingers and rotated his wrists. He pushed the covered down slightly and he didn't feel any pain in his abdomen. Carl breathed in the cool air and then let it out slowly. Carl was ready to push the duvet down further when a single word rang out.

"Walker!" Chills ran down his spine and instead of pushing the duvet down he pulled it up to his chin. He heard the door swing open and close a few times. Carl wanted to get up to go to the window to see what was happening but his energy was nearly spent just from pulling the duvet up and down. Carl thought that was ridiculous but remembering that he hadn't had any proper nutrition in almost a week definitely made sense to him. He waited and listened for anything. Bang! Carl couldn't help but jump at the familiar noise. He clutched the duvet tightly and then heard someone scream but it was different from the screams he heard – this one was more out of joy.

"What the hell is going on out here?" Hershel demanded Carl could hear him rush down the steps of the porch. Carl gathered up his remaining strength and pushed the duvet off him and swung his legs over the side of the bed. Just those two minor acts made Carl inhale deep for air he blinked thrice before finally pushing himself off. As soon as his feet hit the cool hard wood floor he fell over. Pain brought tears to his eyes but he refused to cry out instead sucked in air and then let it out quickly. He walked over to the window and separated two plastic flaps.

Everyone was spread out as Shane and Rick each had one side of Daryl who was unconscious, he was covered in dirt and blood, Mak was behind holding Daryl's crossbow while speaking rapidly about the events that had taken place. Carl looked to see Carol on the ground, her arms were wrapped around something and it was clear that she was crying. Carl saw a piece of blue shirt and his eyes widened and his jaw dropped when he finally had a clear viewing of what Carol was holding. Sophia was covered in dirt too but she was in better condition than both Daryl and Mak which made him happy. She was crying too along with every other female in camp including Maggie and Beth. Carl couldn't help but feel happy too, he knew that they would find Sophia it was only a matter of time. She looked fine in general minus the dirt. Carl moved from the window and immediately felt dizzy it was as if all the blood had to his feet making it difficult for him to even shuffle back towards the bed. His breath became laboured and his vision started to blur. Carl felt hands fall on his shoulders and guide him towards the bed. With difficulty Carl managed to get into bed and pull the covers up to his chin.

"Let's try and stay in one place this time," Shane whispered.

Carl tried to speak but nothing came out. Shane drew up a chair from the corner, sat down and then clasped his hands.

"Oh don't worry boy, all is forgiven," Shane reassured with a sickening smile. "So get some rest, Hershel said that you'll be able to walk in about a day or so. Also no need to worry about intruders, I'll be here all night."