Hey guys! Well, school's officially over! I have another chapter but it's not really an action-packed one. Kinda an in between chapter but please read and tell me what you think. I hope you like it! :) thanks!

I didn't see Rick or Glenn for the rest of the day. Apparently, they had been cooped up in another cell, mapping their routes, discussing techniques, and identifying possible locations the Governor could be hiding in. Not wanting to be involved, and though I knew I needed to stop them, the only way to cease their plan was to tell them the truth. It wasn't the Governor. He isn't here...I think. Carter did this. They're going after the Governor for something he didn't do. They aren't prepared for what he could really be up to. But if I warned them of going after the Governor, they wouldn't believe me. I would need a valid reason; there's no way in hell that I'm telling them an old man beat the shit out of me. I don't think they would believe me even if I did...

I basically had nothing to do all day. The women in the group were busy cooking and cleaning, and I even offered to help, but they refused and instead insisted that I get some rest. Ignoring their recommendations, I occupied myself by lurking around the prison mindlessly, kind of like a sleepwalker, entertaining my boredom by watching the women tidy up the place. I would sit here, walk there, watch this, watch that; the whole day was wasted doing nothing. It felt bad that my presence was in vain, but on the same note, it felt great to do nothing for once. Almost everyday is spent stressing over survival, worrying over the Walkers, and panicking about death. It was kind of like a vacation to just ignore it, even though the situation still persisted.

Throughout the day, through observations, I took note to the number of times I saw Carol. She promised that she would speak to me yesterday, after a good night's sleep, but she failed to approach me. Often, she would catch me watching her, and upon the realization, she would look away quickly, blushing as she tried to focus on the task she was performing. I didn't mean to make her feel uncomfortable or guilty. In fact, most of the time, I didn't realize that I was staring at Carol anyway. I spent much of the day thinking, wading deep in thought with glazed eyes and a still face. It wasn't until reality bumped into me that I found out my eyes were focused on Carol's fragile face, her rosy cheeks and her pink lips contrasting her pearl-skin, her sleek silver hair framing her head perfectly. I guess it could be accidental, but another part of me believes it was instinct...

What frustrated me the most was, whenever I saw Carol, she wasn't alone. In between cooking, cleaning, and bustling around the prison to complete chores, another person was occupying her presence; Carter. He stood over as she stewed meat in a big pot; he trailed alongside her, like a puppy, speaking eagerly with her as she replied with kind smiles and occasional chuckles; during breaks, they sat at a lone table, Carter just rambling aimlessly. Talking and talking and talking. Non-stop. I would have been fed up if someone followed me wherever I went, especially if it was Carter, but Carol seemed to be enjoying herself as Carter joked, thoroughly pleased with his conversation. God knows what they were talking about, but every time Carter whispered something to her, I could see an embarrassed, yet flattered, blush lighten her cheeks. I had to grip the seat I was sitting in with white knuckles to stop myself from rising and attacking Carter.

Eventually, dinner came around. After I was served a meager ration of stew, its origin from a dented can warning of an expired date, along with a slice of stale bread, everyone started getting ready to sleep. Maggie cleaned the dishes quickly, Beth started her nocturnal routines of tending to Lil' Asskicker, and Carol had left to check up on Glenn and Rick, bringing a platter of food for them since they refused to leave the cell. I ceased the opportunity and followed her quietly, hoping to get a chance to speak with her.

Carol delivered the meal to the cell, entering shyly as the men halted their conversation.

"Thanks," Rick muttered, without looking up.

"Get some rest, you two," she ordered them. "Just...you look like you could use it."

"Not until we thought through everything," Rick explained to her.

"We have to make sure it's fool-proof," Glenn added.

"It could be too risky," Carol warned them.

"That's why me and Glenn should be the ones going. To do this. If something happens, so be it. It's for the good of the group, Carol. Now, we need to discuss. If you would...?"

Carol nodded, though she seemed hurt, and left the room, closing the cell door behind her. The second she turned around, I was inches from Carol, startling her upon my sudden presence.

"Carol," I pleaded.

Her face fell, almost dreading this conversation. I felt a pang of humiliation, knowing that she never wanted to speak with me. It was almost embarrassing.

"I...I don't have time, Daryl," Carol faultered, shifting her gaze away from mine.

I searched Carol's face until her magnificent blue eyes contacted mine. I tried a smile, but she looked away. Remorse swelled in my chest.

"Why are you ignoring me?" I asked her quizzically.

"Look, Daryl. I just don't have the time.."

She tried stepping aside from me, but my hand caught her arm. Though I held her firmly, my grasp wasn't tight enough to strangle her. In fact, she remained standing as she was, even though Carol could have shrugged me off easily. I was thankful for that.

"I wanted to talk, okay? You promised. I waited and waited and you promised."

"You already know about the plan," Carol argued in a strained voice.

"Not just about the plan; about me!"

"What about you?" Carol demanded.

"What were they saying about me?"

"Who? What?"

"Them!"

"Who's that, Daryl?"

"Rick, Glenn, Maggie, Hershel..." I said, counting on my fingers.

"Nothing," she snapped. "We weren't talking about you."

"Then what about Carter?" I challenged.

"Carter?!" she asked, dumbfounded. "What does Carter have to do with anything?"

"You and Carter," I clarified. "...how you just waltz around the prison, gossiping about everything and everyone..."

"What? No, Daryl. I was just talking with him."

"I see how he makes you laugh. There ain't nothing to laugh about anymore! What could be so funny?!"

"Carter is a very funny guy," Carol replied with a smile. "He loves to joke. They lighten the mood..."

I huffed a nasty snarl.

"All you do is parade around here with Carter, giggling like a bitch in high school..."

"Excuse me? Daryl, I was just talking with him. And it's getting late. Maybe another night's sleep..."

But Rick and Glenn are heading out tomorrow, I thought worriedly. Shit. If they find the Governor, accusing him of a crime he never committed, confusion would be either side. What if the Governor makes a move faster than Rick's?

"Oh, you hafta go? What? You're going to meet Carter in a cell? You guys gonna spend a night together?"

"Stop it, Daryl! No, I'm not."

"I'm not waiting another night for you to talk to me. Talk to me now."

"You're too emotional right now, Daryl."

"I ain't a cry-baby..."

"Didn't say you were."

"I ain't a bitch on a period. I can take it and I've been waiting all day."

"Well, I don't want to talk now."

"Carol!"

"I'm not talking to a pissed-off Daryl!"

"I ain't pissed," I muttered, although my posture and volume of my voice contradicted my statement.

"Daryl? Just get over it. It's nothing. Nothing! Okay? Just leave me alone, like what you always want whenever I come to talk to you. Every time. Every! There's nothing to know, nothing to learn, nothing about you! You should stop being so paranoid about yourself!"

Carol tore her arm from mine and brushed past me, shoving her shoulder into mine. I stumbled backward as she stormed down the cell-room, heading towards the kitchen. She didn't turn to look back or utter a word. She kept walking until she disappeared behind the door, her face tight with anger and her fists clenched.

I stood there like a dork, staring at the same location she had been moments ago.

Had she really shoved me? I thought. Did she push me away? Has Carol ever done that? Has she ever fought someone like that before? Certainly not to Ed. Carol didn't have the guts to stand up to him; does she have the guts now after so many varied yet similar experiences?

Thicker skin...

Above me, I heard a low chuckle, followed by a snide comment.

"Gonna let her push you around too?"

Jerking my head to the top of the staircase, I found Carter standing there, leaning against the railing cooly, wearing a sly grin. I stomped up the stairs, marching after him, insulting him under my breath as he remained still, standing his ground in a gleeful way. His usual, cocky self.

"You...you asshole. You mother-fu..."

The second I reached the peak, Carter extended his arm out towards me and grabbed a hold of my neck, clasping his big hand around my throat. I sputtered, teetering on the edge of the stairs, a horrible fall moments away if my balance shifted even slightly. I clutched the hand coiled around my neck, trying to pull away, but Carter squeezed tighter, threatening to close my windpipe. He held me so close to his face that I could smell his rotten breath, his eyes malicious and full of pleasure as I struggled beneath his grip. He hissed in my face.

"First ya ol' man, now that bitch? You were tougher as a five-year-old, and you couldn't even fight back."

He gave me a shove, releasing my throat, and I fell backwards down the stairs. Blindly, my hand hooked on the railing and I managed to prevent a nasty fall down the flight of stairs. As I recovered, gripping the handle like a lifeline against a cliffhanger, Carter snickered.

"She ain't a bitch," I told him, panting.

"Huh? 'Scuse me?"

"Carol; she ain't a bitch."

"Oh, so you went easy on her?"

"We weren't fighting," I argued irritably. "And leave her alone, you asshole. Enough."

"I'm just getting cozy," Carter joked, rolling his eyes.

I glared at him menacingly, but Carter only laughed. It brought a humiliated blush to my cheeks and I fought to keep my face from flushing beet-red.

"Stay away from her," I warned him.

Carter smiled at me, winking before he turned around and ran down the stairs, entering the same room Carol had entered moments ago. Though the conversation was muffled, I detected his voice, along with a female response.

Carol.

I grunted furiously, debating whether or not to go after him.

I heard high-pitch laughter.

Carter's entertaining her. Cheering her up. Like it's my fault...

I stalked back to my room, my shoulders hunched and my head low so no one could see my puffy eyes. I slammed the door behind me, backed into the bed from the shock of my abrasive action, then slumped to the floor, my face buried in my arms. I didn't cry. I didn't scream. I just sat there, remaining still, fighting the urge to spill tears, which only increased my anger. Trembling slightly, my lip quivering and my jaw clenched, I inhaled through gritted teeth and released a shaky sigh, blinking furiously as my eyes swelled. I remained there for supposedly hours, unmoving, until I eventually stood and settled on the mattress. Curling into a ball, not caring that I was still wearing my shoes, I squeezed my eyes shut, imagining myself years ago.

A filthy bedroom. Dirt and soot staining the furniture. The fragrance of oak wood burning to ash and bug spray wafting in the room. The solitude. The same loneliness I feel now. The aching pain from a recent beating, similar to the injuries I have this minute. The terrified screaming of my mother beyond the locked door...