When Isabella woke up she found herself alone in the tent. It didn't surprise her much though, both of her brother's had always been early risers. She quickly changed her clothes and left the tent.
She looked around for Shane and Daryl. She noticed that the jeep was missing so figured that Shane must have done the water run. She was looking all around for Daryl when all of a sudden someone picked her up.
"Mornin' lil bit," Daryl said as he carried her to the back of his truck.
"Mornin' bubby," she replied and gave him a hug.
"Here, eat this," Daryl handed her a granola bar as he set her on the tailgate. "You sleep okay?" he asked as he sat next to her.
"Yeah, I guess. Only woke up once from a nightmare."
"You didn't wake me up?" he questioned while bumping her shoulder.
"Didn't need to, you and Bubs were right there. That made me feel safe. Plus I was too tired to wake you up."
"So, listen Bells, yesterday I know I said a lot of things, but after last night, I really ain't wantin' to be mad at you. Just listen to me from now on, 'k. I ain't gonna regret this am I?" Daryl looked at his little sister and asked.
"No Daryl, I promise. I am really sorry though. I was just wantin' to help Pearly like he helped me. But here give me your hand," she reached out for Daryl's hand, "I pinky promise I won't do anythin' you tell me not to do."
Daryl laughed, ruffled her hair and then said, "Mmm'k lil' bit, I gotta get back to helpin' clear camp. Why don't you go hang out with Sophia a bit. Mr. Ed was bit last night, she might be needin' a friend."
Isabella hopped of the back of the truck and ran towards Sophia. The two of them went to sit beside Aunt Lori and Ms. Carol and decided to use sticks to play hangman in the dirt.
After a few rounds of the game, Isabella looked around camp and noticed that Daryl, Mr. Morales, and Mr. Glenn were removing bodies from camp. Shane was sitting close to the girls talking to Uncle Rick about Ms. Andrea not wanting to leave her sister's body. Isabella felt sorry for Ms. Andrea, if one of her brother's died like that she wouldn't want to leave them alone either.
Daryl came over all of a sudden doing what Isabella called a "whisper yell". "Y'all can't be serious, don't let that girl hamstring us. The dead girl's a time bomb," Daryl said.
Sophia and Isabella stood up, "Why?" Isabella questioned.
Shane looked at the kids' like he had forgotten they were there. "Izzy why don't you and Sophia go play in the tent for now."
They were walking to the tent when Isabella heard Daryl yelling, "Reap what you sow! Ya'll left my brother for dead." She just rolled her eyes at his tantrum and the pair sat down outside the tent to continue playing their game of hangman.
It didn't seem like much time had passed at all when they heard Ms. Jacqui yellin', "A walker bit Jim!"
"Can't we ever catch a break?" Isabella grumbled under her breath. They slowly made their way back up to the RV. Isabella felt bad, she didn't exactly like Mr. Jim, but she didn't want him to die.
The adults ushered Isabella, Carl and Sophia into the RV while they stayed outside and discussed what to do with Mr. Jim. They may have been in the RV but all 3 kids were pressed against the window watching. None of them liked being left out of anything.
Isabella gasped and moved towards the RV door when Daryl started yelling and moving towards Mr. Jim with the pickaxe. Then Uncle Rick pulled a gun on him. Isabella was shocked to hear Shane tell Daryl, "Rick and I may disagree on some things, but not this. You need to put that down Daryl James. Go on." She was more surprised that Daryl listened.
Apparently at the end of the world the Dixon siblings really did need to listen each other.
Isabella went back to sit at the table in the RV and played Go Fish with Carl and Sophia. No one knew what was coming next but at least at the moment they were having a little fun.
Shortly before noon they heard a gunshot and rushed out of the RV concerned that the camp was being attacked again. Except they all saw everyone looking at Ms. Andrea holding Ms. Amy and Isabella knew that Ms. Amy was truly gone now. She felt really bad about that. She didn't want to think about how sad she would be if one of her brothers died; it was bad enough not knowing anything about how Merle was doing.
Isabella decided to sit around the fire pit for a while and just watch everyone. She let herself daydream about what her life would have been like if the dead had stayed dead.
"Hey Bells, we are all gonna go bury our dead, wanna ride in the truck up with me? Bubs is already up there," Daryl came up next to her and asked.
"Sure, Daryl," Isabella replied.
Daryl reached out for her hand, which Isabella took without any hesitation. When they got to his truck he opened the passenger door for her and helped her up. "You gonna tell me what's on your mind? You ain't really one to call me 'Daryl' ever and you usually ain't big on hand holdin' neither. What's up Bells?" Daryl questioned her.
"I just cain't help but worry about loosing you and bubs. Guess I'm just sick of people dyin' is all. And Merle, don't even know if Merle is alive."
Daryl shut the passenger door and went around and got in and started the truck up. "Bells, ya know only a Dixon can kill a Dixon. Merle is out there somewhere. Bubs and I are safe too. We ain't goin' nowhere. 'sides we gotta teach you how to shoot and protect yourself. So stop worrin' okay sis?"
Isabella nodded her head and Daryl drove the truck backwards up the hill. When Daryl got out, Isabella sat there for a bit watching everyone else walk up. She could hear Daryl and Shane arguing again. She couldn't help but smile at that. At least the two of them were still normal.
Sophia walked up to Isabella, "Do your brother's always argue?"
"Yes, they only get along really if it has to do with me. I don't understand it, but they would argue about everything back at home. They act more like kids than we do I swear"
Daryl, Shane and Uncle Rick along with Mr. Morales and Mr. Glenn were putting the bodies in the holes that had been dug. Everyone else was just standing quietly by watching. Isabella had never been to a funeral before and this was making her very uncomfortable. She watched as Ms. Andrea drug her sister's body to the hole all by herself.
After they all stood there and people said a few words everyone started walking away, leaving the Dixon siblings up on the hill by themselves. Shane walked over next to Isabella. "Hey Izzy, haven't had much of a chance to talk to you today. You okay? Daryl told me that you were worried about loosin' one of us."
Isabella crossed her arms and huffed out, "Of course he did."
Shane picked up Isabella, "What's that mean Bug? Was it supposed to be a secret?"
"No, he just only tells you things, and you only tell him things if you're worried. He doesn't need to be worried, neither do you. I think being scared with the dead walking around is perfectly normal," Isabella said.
Shane kissed the end of her nose. "Now when did you get so smart?" He placed her on the ground. "Come on kid, let's get in the truck and get back to camp."
They both walked over to Daryl's truck. Isabella climbed into the middle so that Shane could get in the passenger seat. Daryl walked up and got in the driver's seat, looking at Shane somewhat surprised.
"I know bubby, we should have a camera to take a picture of the two of you in the same car. It took the end of the world for that to happen. Now if you guys could argue less, that would be great," Isabella said while giving both of her brother's the famous "Dixon glare".
When they got back to camp, Shane went off with Uncle Rick to do a security sweep and Daryl went to start packing up Merle's tent. Isabella followed behind Daryl for a few steps before he turned around and said, "Go on and find the other kids and run off some energy with them, go on have some fun."
Isabella took off to find Sophia, when she found her they went to pick flowers and make crowns and bracelets. By the time they had made all the women of the camp a crown, it was time for dinner and bed. The adults had decided that they would head to the CDC in the morning so they needed to get to bed early tonight so they could get on the road as soon as possible.
In the morning, Isabella helped Daryl and Shane load their stuff into the back of Daryl's truck. Then Daryl put Merle's bike in the back and strapped it down. Before they all pulled out of camp, Shane had everyone get into a circle to give instructions. Isabella stood next to Shane who rested his hand on top of her head.
When Shane asked if anyone had any questions, Mr. Morales spoke up and said that they weren't going with the group. Isabella was a little shocked. They had all become like a family she didn't think anyone should be out there alone.
Apparently Shane agreed with Isabella because he told them. "If you are on your own, you won't have anyone to watch your back."
When it became obvious that they were still going to leave Isabella went to hug the kids and say goodbye. She really hoped nothing happened to them.
When it was time to leave Isabella decided to ride in the jeep with Shane. She knew that he wasn't overly happy about the choice to go to the CDC so she figured she should spend some time with him. When they started driving the wind caused her hair to fly over her face and they both laughed. Shane took off his hat and placed it on her head saying, "It might be a bit big, but at least you'll be able to see." They played a game of "I Spy" and it almost felt like the world hadn't come to an end, at least it did until they heard the RV honk and watch it pull off to the side of the road.
When the jeep came to a stop Shane took his hat back and told Isabella, "Stay close to me or Daryl okay. We don't know what's out there or what's happening."
Isabella nodded and ran towards the RV. Apparently there was a problem with a hose on it. Shane volunteered to run to a nearby gas station to see if he could find anything at the same time Ms. Jacqui said that Mr. Jim was really bad.
Isabella stepped up next to Daryl and grabbed his hand, causing him to look down at her. "Hey little bit, have fun with Shane?"
"He let me wear his hat and we played I spy. Can I ride with you when we leave here?"
"If'n you want to. Ya 'k?"
"Tired of people dying, that's all. Kinda sleepy too."
"Mmmm, let's sit and wait for Shane to get back." The siblings sat down and rested a while waiting on Uncle Rick to talk to Mr. Jim and Shane to get back. Isabella had laid her head on Daryl's thigh and was almost asleep when he nudged her to stand up. He sent her to stand next to Carl and Sophia while he helped with the RV and the adults discussed Mr. Jim.
In the end, Mr. Jim wanted to be left under a tree to die. The thought of him being all alone made Isabella sad. She held tight to Daryl's hand as the group made their way to say their goodbyes. Isabella was trying not to cry, but she was tired of people dying. When everyone had said something and left, and it was just Daryl and Isabella, she watched her brother just nod his head at Mr. Jim. She couldn't help herself, she walked up to Mr. Jim and hugged him and said, "I'm sorry. I hope you see your family again." Then she ran to Daryl's truck, climbed in and shut the door. The tears were running down her face but she didn't care. She just wanted everyone to stop dying.
Shane walked up to Isabella's door and reached in through the window to ruffle her hair. "Everything is gonna be okay Izzy, you'll see." Then he walked to his Jeep.
Daryl got into the truck and started it. He didn't say anything to his sister. There was no need. Unlike his older brother, he couldn't bring himself to tell her it was all going to be okay when he wasn't sure of it. He knew that they would protect her, but her world had changed so much in less than a month. He knew it was going to take some adjustment time. So the siblings sat in silence.
After a bit, he looked over to see that she had fallen asleep curled against the door. He reached behind the seat into the small storage space and grabbed a blanket he kept there and threw it over her. It wasn't cold, but he knew his sister had to be covered with a blanket to sleep soundly.
When they arrived at the CDC it was almost completely dark. Daryl nudged Isabella awake. "We're here Bells. Ya got the pocketknife on ya?"
Isabella rubbed her eyes and sat up. Then she shook her head yes while retrieving it from a pocket.
"M'k, I'm gonna get out and go 'round to open your door. I want you to open the knife just in case ya need it. We will have to find ya a bigger one, but for now that'll do. I don't like the looks of this place and I need you to be prepared. Only use it if something happens to me, Bubs or Uncle Rick. Otherwise stay close to one of us. Understand?"
"Yes bubby."
Daryl got out and quietly shut his door, then made his way to Isabella's door and slowly, quietly opened it and helped her down. After quietly shutting her door he motioned to her to follow him. She had been out in the woods hunting with him before so she could understand unspoken instructions. (She had never actually hunted, but she had tagged along with Daryl and Merle when they hunted. ) She walked quietly behind Daryl but as close to him as possible without running into him. She had to try really hard not to puke; their were too many dead bodies everywhere.
She was so disgusted with the sight. She was also scared that there were so many dead bodies. When they got to the doors, Daryl made sure she was in the middle of the group. No one could get the doors open.
"Walkers!" Daryl yelled before shooting one in the head with a bolt. "You led us into a graveyard!" He screamed turning around and headed towards Uncle Rick.
Isabella saw Shane come around from the other side yelling, "He made a call."
"It was the wrong damn call!" Daryl yelled back at Shane. Isabella was frustrated that her brothers couldn't manage to not fight when there were clearly more important things to worry about.
Shane got into Daryl's face and started pushing him yelling at him to shut up.
Isabella stepped forward and yelled, "How 'bout you both shut up! You're acting like little kids and all the yellin's gonna bring more Walkers. Could ya just stop it already?"
It was suddenly very quiet as both Shane and Daryl were eyeing Isabella, who was standing with her hands on her hips and the glare in her eyes. Then everyone heard T Dog say, "outta the mouth of babes."
Shane took a deep breath and walked up to Rick, "Rick, buddy this is a dead end, no blame."
Aunt Lori then started in saying, "Shane's right we can't be this close to the city after dark."
While the adults were still arguing, and still being loud, Isabella looked at the security camera and mouthed slowly, "If someone is in there could you please help us? These adults are going to get us killed with the arguing."
Then she turned around to follow the instructions that Daryl was giving her. Uncle Rick said that he saw the camera move and started yelling at the camera. Shane tried dragging him away, when all of a sudden the door opened up. They all stood there staring at the door, unsure what to do now.