Isabella's POV

"Hey where's Daddy's Little Girl? Daddy is lookin' for ya, git out here now!" I heard my daddy yellin' for me as I hid in the bathtub. I went in there to hide from him. I couldn't get outside to hide in the woods or under the stairs; Daddy wasn't drunk enough yet.

I was curled in a ball, shakin', and prayin' that one of my brothers would come home before daddy found me. Usually Daddy sleeps most of the time the boys are gone. This has only happened a few times. I never told any of my brothers but I always prayed for them to come home and save me.

All of a sudden the shower curtain was yanked back. There was Daddy starin' at me with the evil grin on his face. He reached down and picked me up with one hand and slapped me with the other one. I knew what was comin' next as he carried me into his room. I started screamin' loudly. Daddy hit me again as he started pullin' off my clothes. I screamed louder. I knew that any second Merle would come in. I knew I had lived through this before. I swear this is just a bad memory. Except, Merle wasn't comin' and daddy wasn't stoppin'. I squeezed my eyes shut tighter and started to scream even louder than before.

"HELP! HELP!" I screamed out.

Suddenly I felt my feet bein' grabbed onto and I was bein' pulled. I started kickin', I was afraid to open my eyes. I couldn't see Daddy, I just couldn't. Then I felt arms around me, and I heard Bubby's voice "Shh….Shh…It's all right Lil' Bit. I gotcha. It's alright."

I slowly opened my eyes and let out a sob. I couldn't help it. I was so happy to see Daryl and to find out that that was just a nightmare. I mean, I thought it was, but it seemed so real. I grabbed onto my brother and started cryin'. Daryl picked me up and said, "Wanna tell me what that nightmare was about?"

"Not really," I replied quietly.

He looked at me with this sad look, kissed my forehead and said, "okay." Then he placed me on the ground and reached out to grab my hand. "We gonna pack up here and head to the farm now."

As we started to walk back to the RV, I pulled on his hand to stop. I didn't want to talk about my nightmare, but I could tell that it bothered Daryl that I wouldn't tell him. Back at the school he had told me I could tell him anythin'. I took a deep breath and said, "Bubby, the nightmare, it was…ummm...it was what Pearly told ya'll about. Except this time he didn't come save me." I looked at the ground as I started to cry again. "I'm sorry I didn't want to tell you. I don't want you to think I'm weak."

Daryl's POV

I stood there silently, chewing on my thumb. I didn't know what to say to my sister. I was speechless. I hated that she was still having nightmares about that asshole. I hated all of this for my sister. But most of all I hated that she felt so weak and thought that was how I saw her.

I knelt down to her level. "Sissy, I ain't never seen ya as weak. I'm sorry that you had a nightmare, I really am. Don't ever be afraid to tell me about them."

She looked from my eyes to the ground and back up at me, "Ya don't think I'm weak cause'a what I told you at the school and last night?"

"Nah Lil' Bit. Not at all. I am concerned about it. But I don't think ya're weak," I told her. Then I stood up and picked her up. "I love ya so much little one. Don't ever be afraid to tell me anythang. No matter what it is, ya can always talk to me. Understand?."

Bells hugged me back tightly, and between sobs I heard, "I understand Bubby, I understand."

After she had calmed down we gathered our stuff and helped Carol set out supplies in case Sophia made her back to the highway. Carol and Andrea had found paint to write a message on a car window for her. When it was decided that we could head for the farm I found Bells sittin' outside the RV. She seemed to be keepin' her distance from Carol, and while I wanted to know what was going through her head about that, I didn't want to be askin' her too many questions.

"Hey Lil' Bit, wanna ride on the bike with me?" I asked her, knowin' she'd say yes.

Sure enough she jumped up screamin' "Yes!" and attacked me with a hug. She threw her bag into the car Shane had been fixin' up, Andrea was gonna drive it to the farm, and then we headed for my bike.

When we got there I got on and then helped Bells get on in front of me; this way she could help drive. I figured it would be somethin' fun for her to do.

I started up the bike, kissed her on the head and we took off down the road. I glanced at her face once on the trip to the farm and saw the biggest, goofiest grin and I was thankful for that.

Shane's POV

When I woke up my neck was stiff and I was slightly surprised by my surroundings. Then I remembered everythin' that had happened last night and I quickly stood up and made my way to Carl's room. Once there Rick and Lori nodded at me and I knew that everythin' was alright.

After a trip to the bathroom, I made my way to the porch of the house to sit and wait on my siblings. Glenn had said that the rest of the group was going to come to the farm today and I couldn't wait to see them, especially my brother and sister.

After what seemed like an eternity I heard the distinct sound of Merle's motorcycle and knew that the group was arriving. I looked up and saw that Daryl, along with Izzy, was leading the caravan.

As soon as the bike came to a stop Izzy jumped off and ran towards me.

"Bubs! You're okay!" she yelled while runnin' into me with a hug.

I picked her up and held her in my arms. "Of course I'm fine. I love ya Bella Bug. You doin' okay?" I asked her.

She nodded her head and then laid it on my shoulder. I carried her as I walked over to the rest of our group. I could tell that I wasn't gonna easily be able to put her down but understood it was because she hadn't really seen me much since we found her under the church steps. Dale was askin' Rick and Lori how Carl was doin'. I knew that he was okay so I caught Daryl's eye and motioned for him to come off to the side with me.

Daryl made his way over to me and I reached out with the arm that wasn't holdin' on to Izzy and embraced him. Surprisingly, he returned it without question. "Glad you're okay man," he said.

"Bubs?" I heard Izzy say.

"Yeah, honey."

"What happened to your head? Where is all ya hair at?"

I chuckled, " I shaved it off. Why don't you go get my bag for me so I can change into some clothes that fit?" I put her down and she slowly made her way to the car that I had left my stuff in.

Once she was outta ear shot I looked at Daryl. "She really doin' okay?" I asked him.

"Nah man. Not at all. She might be depressed. I dunno though. She had a nightmare about the asshole that had her screamin' and I had to wake her up. She is worried about us seein' her as weak. Not sure what to do. I think she blames herself for Sophia bein' lost. I ain't talked to her about that yet though. Maybe you could hang out with her some today while I search for Sophia some more and see if she opens up to you any."

I nodded my head at him as Izzy was coming back with my bag. "Here ya go Bubs," she said as she handed it to me. "Why are those clothes so big anyways?" She asked as she came to stand right next to me.

"Well, Bug, they belong to a man who lives here named Otis. He helped me get the items needed to save Carl last night but he isn't feeling too well now."

"How is Carl?" Daryl asked.

"He should make it. Just waitin' on him to wake up. Now I am gonna go change and Iz you should find us a place to set up our tent and stuff okay?"

"Yes Bubs," she said as she gave me another hug. I was glad that Daryl asked me to spend time with Izzy, because she and I needed some time together.

Daryl's POV

Shane took off to get dressed into clothes that actually fit him and I followed Bells and helped her get our stuff out and find a spot. Then she helped me set up the tent.

I left Merle's tent in the case for now. I figured Bells would like all of us in the same tent for at least a night or two.

After a bit of time Shane came back out and he and Rick motioned for me to meet them around the hood of a car.

"Hey Bells, I am gonna go and see what the plan is. I want you to stay here and get yours, mine, and Bubs' beds made up. Can ya do that for me please?" I asked her.

"Sure Bubby!" She responded enthusiastically.

I was glad she seemed okay for the time being.

I got to the "meetin" and it was Shane, Andrea and Rick. Also, Hershel, the man's whose house this was, and his daughter Maggie.

"How long this girl been lost?" Hershel asked.

"This is day three," Rick replied.

Shane spoke up, "Our little sister," he nodded towards me, "was out there for one night but thankfully we found her right before Rick and I ended up on your door step."

"How's your sister doing? Do you want or need me to check her out?" Hershel offered.

I looked at Shane and just shrugged, he raised his eyebrows at me but then I spoke up, "That would be good. She seems real sad. Cain't get her to tell me if she got hurt while she was out there."

Hershel just nodded as Maggie walked up and announced she had a county survey map.

Hershel told Rick and Shane that they could not go out searching today because of giving blood and a hurt ankle. I smirked at how Shane reacted to bein' told he couldn't do somethin'. My brother did not take kindly to bein' told what to do; especially what not to do.

"Guess it's just me. I'm gonna head back to the creek and work my way from there," I told Rick.

"I can still be useful," Shane spoke up and said. "Drive up to the interstate and see if Sophia wandered back."

"Alright, tomorrow then, we'll start doin' this right," Rick said.

Shane and Rick started talking to Hershel about keepin' guns but I was watchin' Bells. Carol had walked over to her to offer some help but Bells had just looked at the ground and shook her head. Her guilt needed to be addressed but it would have to wait till I got back. I was hopin' by then maybe Shane or Hershel could get her to open up some.

I heard Rick say, "First things first, set camp, find Sophia."

Shane started shaking his head, "I hate to be the one that asks, but somebody's got to: What happens if we find her and she's bit? We should all be clear on how we handle that."

After a brief pause Rick said, "You do what has to be done."

I started chewin' on my thumb. I didn't like that my brother was thinkin' that way. I mean, I guess it was a possibility but I didn't want to think like that. I couldn't think like that because when that thought crossed my mind then I thought about the possibility that Bells coulda been bitten too. Plus, it would devastate both Carol and Bells for Sophia to be dead. No, she was alive and we would find her.

When Shane and I walked away from the meetin' I asked him, "So you wanna tell Bells she is gettin' checked out by the doctor? She's already goin' to be mad at me for leavin'."

"I guess. Let's go talk to her now," Shane said to me.

Isabella's POV

I had finished makin' up all the beds and had started to drag all the bags into the tent. At one point Carol came over and asked if I needed any help. I just looked at the ground, shook my head and mumbled out a "no thank you." I don't know why she would want to help me. It's all my fault Sophia is missin'. I decided to just sit in the tent and wait for my brothers.

It wasn't too long before they both showed up. They both had these looks on their face and I could tell somethin' was up. "Whad'ya doin' now?" I asked them.

Shane took off his hat and ran his hand over his head. "Listen Izzy, the man whose house this is, Hershel, well, he's got some medical knowledge. Ya know he saved Carl right?"

I just nodded at him not likin' where this was goin'.

"Well, ya see Bug," Shane was obviously nervous, "you were out on your own and…"

"We want Hershel to check you out," Daryl finished for him.

"No!" I yelled, louder than I meant to.

"We wasn't askin' Lil' Bit," Daryl told me. "Bubs'll be takin' you in the house at some point while I am gone today and ya need to let him check ya out."

I looked to Shane who just raised his eyebrows at me and nodded. "Wait, where are ya goin?" I asked Daryl.

"I gotta keep lookin' for Sophia. Don't worry about me, I will be safe and back in time for supper."

"I don't like this at all!" I said while crossin' my arms and huffing. I realized that I was having a temper tantrum, but at the moment I didn't care.

I wasn't lookin' at either of my brothers but I heard Daryl tell Shane, "Why don't ya go get all the guns together, I need to talk to Isabella a minute." I gulped when I heard him use my name. I seriously couldn't be in trouble for this little tantrum.

I felt my cot shift and I looked beside me to see Daryl sittin' next to me. Then he picked me up and put me in his lap. I kinda started to freak out a bit, worried he WAS gonna spank me. I guess he picked up on that because he said, "Calm down kid. Ya ain't gettin' wore out. I just need ya full attention."

I looked up at him and he looked at me. "Bells, I need ya to let this doc check ya out. I need to know that there is nothin' wrong. I know ya don't like doctor's but he seems nice. Will ya do this for me please?"

My brother honestly looked like he might cry and I felt bad. I nuzzled into his chest, sighed, and said, "alright Bubby. I'll do it for you." He leaned down and kissed the top of my head and then let his head rest on top of mine for a bit. I liked havin' time with my brother. It kinda helped me forget all the rest of the stuff in my head.

After a bit he lifted his head up and said, "I gotta get my stuff together and head out. Ya hang out with Bubs today and listen' to him alright?"

I just shrugged back. Truthfully I was mad that he was leavin' and mad that they were forcin' me to see a doctor. I just wanted time with both of my brothers.

Daryl lifted my chin so that we were makin' eye contact again, "Isabella, ya listen to Bubs today or you and me will have a problem. Do ya understand?"

His tone of voice let me know that he was not playin' around. Daryl never did when he was givin' instructions. "Yes Bubby. Just please come back."

He pulled me in for another hug. "I will, Little Bit, I will."

Shane's POV

I left our tent and was thankful that Daryl was handling Izzy for the moment. After bein' away from her for such a long time, I really didn't have the heart to argue with her.

I made my way to the RV to get the gun bag. Hershel didn't want us carryin' on his land and Rick agreed to it. It was against my better judgement, but I would be a team player. As I was comin' out of the RV I ran into Lori. We hadn't really talked much since I went off on her about her lack of parenting back on the highway.

There was an awkward silence before I spoke up and said, "I hear he, uh, he woke up."

Lori smiled big, "He's in and out, but yeah, he'll be alright."

"That's good," I told her. She started to walk into the RV and I knew that I needed to clear the air with her. She is my best friends wife, my sister's Aunt, I didn't want it to be uncomfortable for anyone. "Lori, listen, what I said to you on the highway. I didn't really mean it that way. I was worried about Izzy and used anger to deal with it."

"Shane, not everything you said was a lie. Carl does get away with a lot. I am sorry he put your sister's life in danger at the school. I really am. I know you care about him too."

"I do, I really do, " I told her. "So, we okay?" I asked.

"Yeah, we're good."

I walked around and got the guns from everyone that I could find and then made my way to a picnic table. As I set the bag down on the table, Andrea came walking up in a huff. I could tell that she was worked up about this situation. "Give up our guns?" she said as she reached the table.

"Ya heard Rick, we're guests here."

"And you're okay with this?"

"I don't recall bein' ASKED to lay down my weapon."

"You may like rollin' over, I don't," Andrea popped off to me. This chick was cute and all but her attitude was startin' to get on my last nerve.

I took off my hat and rubbed my hands over my head. I was beyond irritated and needed to calm down. "Look, I gotta strip and clean them anyway, ya still want to learn?" I asked her. I wasn't sure if I wanted her to say yes, so I could teach and spend time with her, or if I wanted her to say no, so that I wouldn't have to deal with her attitude.

After givin' me a look Andrea shrugged and put her gun on the table. "Sit down, " I told her. "Unload your weapon."

I watched as Andrea picked up the gun and started to fumble with it. The first problem was she had it pointed at me, "Hey, hey, hey," I said as I moved her hand so the gun was pointed at no one. I gave her step by step instructions as she took it apart.

I looked up and saw Izzy walking towards us. I motioned for her to walk on the opposite side of the table then where Andrea's gun was pointed. As she sat next to me I looked at her, "What's up Bug?"

"Bubby said I had to spend the day with ya. And I won't fight ya on seein' the doc none," she told me as she laid her head on my arm.

I ruffled her hair a bit and said, "I'm glad to hear that. Know what? I am lookin' forward to spendin' some time with ya today. It feels like forever since I got to talk to ya."

"Yeah, the last time we really talked we were doin' the same thing just in the RV," she said.

God, she was right, that was only a couple days ago, but felt like a lifetime. I handed Izzy a gun and she started cleanin' it. We all sat there in silence while we worked on the guns.

Isabella's POV

I kinda liked that Bubs was lettin' me clean so many of the guns. It made me feel like I was useful. Feelin' useful helped keep the thoughts of bein' a burden quiet.

We were almost done with all of the guns when T-Dog and Dale came up to us and said there was a problem at the well.

Bubs, Andrea, Aunt Lori, Glenn, Maggie and I all walked out to the well to see what the problem was. When we got there we all leaned over and saw a big, fat, ugly Walker stuck in the well.

"It looks like we got us a swimmer," Dale said.

The adults all decided that we couldn't leave it in the well. I pulled Bubs off to the side. I wanted to help. Bubby would NEVER let me help, but he isn't here. I knew I could get Bubs to let me. " Bubs, I want to help. I can do this," I said.

"Izzy,no, it's dangerous. Besides, what would Bubby say if he were here?"

"Please Shane," I said, knowin' it would bother him that I didn't use his nickname. "I can do this. I want to feel useful and not like a burden. You guys tried the canned ham it didn't work…I am little and lighter than everyone here. Please, please, please….I CAN do this. And Bubby ain't here, he left, so it can be our secret."

Shane took off his hat and rubbed his hands over his head and looked around. Then he knelt down in front of me. "If'n I let you do this there will be some rules."

"Okay!" I said eagerly.

"First, we are not keeping this from Bubby. It would cause bigger problems and everyone here is gonna see ya doin' this. So we will tell him."

"Ummm…ok," I responded, kinda worried now that this would get me into trouble.

"Second, if you get scared, or think that Walker is gonna attack you at ANY time you call out and it's over. You don't need to prove anything Bug."

"Promise."

"Last rule, quit using my name to get me to do what you want," he said while giving me a look.

I looked down at the ground. I didn't know he knew what I was doin' so I felt kinda bad. But not too bad because I got what I wanted. I looked back at him, "I'm sorry Bubs. I just really wanted you to say yes. It's just…I feel so helpless and like a burden but this is a way I can help."

Shane pulled me in for a hug, "Bella Bug, ya ain't a burden, after we are done here we are goin' to get Hershel to check ya out, maybe he can help with those feelings." Then he released me from the hug and stood up, " Alright, let's get to work before I come to my senses."

When we got back to the group Shane told them the plan. Everyone but Aunt Lori started arguing with Shane about this. No one thought that it was a good idea and I was worried that I wouldn't get my chance to help. All of a sudden Aunt Lori spoke up, "Alright, calm down everyone. If Shane is comfortable with the idea of Bella doin' this then that is good enough for me. I have known Bella her whole life and not once has ANY of her brothers done anythin' to hurt her. It's his call."

I smiled at my Aunt but was still concerned. I knew Shane was only lettin' me do this because I had guilted him into it; he thought it was dangerous. Shane looked at the group, then at me, then at Aunt Lori. I held my breath the entire time. Finally he said, "We will let Iz have her chance but if anything," then he looked right at me, "and I do mean ANYTHING goes wrong we pull her out and Glenn can go down."

I wanted to jump up and down but figured that would look bad. Instead I hugged Shane and then we walked over to the well where Glenn helped rig up a rope to put around me.

After Shane made sure that the rope was tight enough he grabbed my face so that I had to look at him, "Isabella, I am lettin' ya do this, but seriously don't make me regret it. Don't try to do anythin' ya can't do. You understand me?"

"I'll be fine Bubs. I will."

Shane got at the front of the line and held onto the rope.

"Man, you people are crazy," Maggie said. I couldn't really disagree with her.

"You wanna get it out of your well or not?" Shane asked her.

Dale said, "Give us an eye there Maggie." And she walked next to me and shook her head kinda. I just shrugged and slowly eased my way off the side of the well. They were slowly lowering me down.

When I was half-way down I heard Maggie ask if I was doing okay. "I'm fine!" I yelled up. I started to think about what would happen if the Walker got me. I quickly shook my head. Those thoughts cain't be here now. I was close enough that I was able to throw the rope over the Walker's Head-it was kinda like playin' ring toss. As I was starin' at it, I couldn't help but think about Jim and that he had turned into one of these. Then my mind went to Daryl, Shane, and Merle bein' Walkers. I was startin' to panic. I started swingin' the rope after from the Walker convinced it was one of my brothers. Then all of a sudden I started fallin' towards it. "HELP! BUBS PLEASE HELP ME!" I screamed as loud as possible. I was using my feet to try to crab walk up the wall.

I finally got pulled outta the well. I was a snotty, cryin' mess and dove into Bubs' arms. "I am so sorry I wanted to do that Bubs. I never should have done that," I kept repeatin'.

"Shhh, Izzy, your fine. I gotcha. You're okay. You did good." Shane was rubbin' my back repeatin' those things to me. I looked up at him confused and he just pointed to the well where they were workin' on getting' the Walker outta it.

Shane's POV

The pipe that we had the rope around got pulled outta the ground and at that moment my heart lunged outta my chest. I dove for the well head first. There was no way that I was gonna let Izzy become Walker food. We all were in a pile on the ground pullin' her to safety.

When her head came over the top of the well, I could see that she was cryin' hysterically. I rushed to her and pulled her out. She was regrettin' doin' this now. I couldn't blame her, but she had got the rope around the Walker so she did a real good job. I made sure to tell her that.

"Hey, Izzy, why don't we go getcha cleaned up and then see that doctor, hmmm? I will stay with ya as long as ya want. But after this little scare here, I would feel a lot better if the doc took a look at you?" I wasn't sure how she would respond to this suggestion. Izzy just looked at me and nodded, but her death grip on me wasn't changin' any.

"Honey, ya have to let me stand up."

"Please don't leave me," Izzy blurted out.

"Isabella, darlin', I ain't. I am gonna stand up and then I will pick you up." I could see the behavior change that Daryl had mentioned. All of a sudden Izzy had become very closed up and scared, almost of her own shadow. I knew that Daryl was gonna kill me for lettin' her do this. I rubbed my hand down my face and then stood up.

"Hey guys, I am gonna take Izzy to get cleaned up. Then Hershel said that he would check her out since she was lost for a bit, ya know just to make sure she is okay. Ya'll good if we take off?" I asked the group.

Everyone said yes, or shook their heads and I reached down and picked up my sister and started walkin' towards our tent. While I walked I was tryin' to comfort Izzy and think of a way to tell this story to Daryl so that he might think it was a good idea and not kill me.

Daryl's POV

While I was makin' my way back to the creek I thought about Bells. I knew she was mad at me for leavin' her today. I know she's not mad at me for lookin' for Sophia, I think she just needs some time with Shane and I together. I know she is mad at havin' to see the doctor but I need some peace of mind and I need someone to try to help her with the thoughts she's been havin' since she doesn't want to open up to me or Shane.

I reached the creek and started followin' it in a different direction from the other day. I wasn't seein' anything. I was gettin' frustrated that I couldn't find this girl.

I had been walkin' for quite a while when I changed course so that I could make it home like I promised Bells. I knew if I didn't the small tantrum I dealt with earlier would be nothin'.

After a few miles I came to a clearin'. I saw what looked to be an abandoned house and I pulled my crossbow off of my back and loaded the last arrow that I had on me in it. I quickly and quietly made my way to the house, my crossbow at the ready.

I kicked open the doors. Nothin' came for me so I assumed that there were no Walkers in the house but that didn't mean there weren't no people. I made my way through all the rooms on the lower level. When I got to the kitchen I noticed a recently eaten can of sardines in the trash and then noticed that the pantry door was open a bit-kinda like how Bells liked her door at night so she wouldn't be completely in the dark. I was hopeful that I would open that door and find Sophia hidden in there. I wanted to find Carol's daughter for her.

I made my way to the door and pulled it open. It was empty. But then I noticed that a makeshift bed was in the bottom. It wasn't that big so it had to be from a kid. That had to be someplace Sophia had been.

I made my way back to the door and walked outside, "SOPHIA!" I yelled. I walked all around the house yellin' her name. I was feelin' down and defeated when I noticed a flower in the field close by. I walked over and picked the two that were there.

Shane's POV

I carried Izzy all the way to our tent. When we got there I put her down to unzip it and we both walked in. She just stood there kinda in a daze. I walked around her and went and get her a clean shirt from her bag. I picked one out of my bag too. I quickly changed my shirt and sat down on a cot. "Izzy come here," I said.

Izzy walked to me. I used my dirty shirt to wipe her face off. "Come on now, calm down baby girl," I said as I pulled her onto my lap. "What's wrong? You are safe, I wasn't gonna let anythin' happen to you."

She took a couple deep breaths and calmed herself down enough to be able to talk to me. "When I was down there all the bad thoughts came into my head and then I thought about Jim bein' a Walker somewhere. Then I started to worry about Pearly, Bubby, or you bein' a Walker and I…I don't know. What's wrong with me Bubs? Am I broken?"

Man, my heart broke at that. "Nah, Iz, ya ain't broke. Let's get your shirt changed and then we can get ya checked out. Okay?"

"I really want to sit here a for a little bit, please Bubs?"

I sat back on the cot and held her. She was cryin' again, but not has hard. I figured she would probably cry herself to sleep. While I held her I thought about what I could do to help her out.

After she was sound asleep I lifted her off of me and laid her on the cot. I left the tent and found Lori. "Hey, do me a favor, Izzy is in our tent asleep. I am gonna take Carol back up to the highway to check to see if Sophia made it back, if she wakes up will you let her know I will be back soon?"

"Yeah, I can do that. Good luck out there, I hope Sophia is there."

"Me too." With that said, I went and got Carol. Andrea decided to come with us too. When we got back to the highway there was no sign that Sophia had been back there. I felt bad for Carol. Andrea tried to comfort her, but I could tell that Carol was startin' to lose faith. I couldn't blame her. If we hadn't found Izzy when he did, I don't know that I would have much faith either.

As we walked some of the field nearby to look for Sophia, we came across a nice, sturdy lookin' fence. Rick and I wanted to find a place to set up target practice so we could assess everyone's ability with a gun. This spot seemed perfect for it. While we were searchin' Andrea asked me how soon before she could start carryin'. I explained gun safety the best I could to her and told her that I would work with her. She gave me a smile that I was quickly finding myself looking forward to seeing.

Isabella's POV

I woke up and looked around. I knew Shane was in here when I fell asleep but I didn't see him now. I changed outta my dirty shirt and then left the tent to try to find my brothers. I didn't see my Aunt or my brothers but I saw T-Dog.

"Hey, T, have you seen my Bubs around?"

He looked at me confused.

"Sorry, Shane, have you seen Shane around?"

"He took Carol and Andrea back up to the highway, they should be back anytime now. So you got a nickname for Daryl too?" He asked me.

"Yeah, Daryl is Bubby, Shane is Bubs, and Merle is Pearly. We usually only use nicknames, I'm sorry. I forgot ya'll didn't know 'em."

T shook his head. "It's all good Bella, now I know. Are you gonna give me a nickname too?" We heard a car pullin' in and T looked back at me and said, "Looks like Bubs is back."

I smiled at T, "I guess you are kinda like another big brother so I will think of one for you," then I took off runnin' towards Shane. I ran right into him and knocked him into the car. "Bubs I am so glad to see ya. I was worried," I told him. "You guys didn't find Sophia?" I asked.

"Nah, Bug. Maybe Bubby will. Ya feelin' better now?"

"A bit. Can we wait til Bubby gets back to see this doctor, Please?"

We started walking back towards our tent. "Izzy ya know that he wanted you to get checked out while he was gone."

"I know Bubs, but I really want both of you there. Please Bubs?" I begged and stuck my bottom lip out. I really was just tryin' to put off gettin' checked out as long as possible. I know I told Daryl I would do it for him, but my fear of doctors was probably bigger than my fear of Walkers.

"Izzy put your lip back in. The minute Bubby comes back you are going to go see the doctor if I have to carry you kickin' and screamin'. You understand?" Shane told me with his hands on his hips.

I gulped. Clearly there was no way outta this for me. "I understand Bubs," I told him. Sometimes I really hated that my brothers cared so much. No, that's not true. I love my brothers. It means a lot that they care, I just wish they cared that I was afraid of the doctor. I sighed and walked back to the tent to wait for Bubby to get back, and to think of some good reasons why I didn't need to get checked out.

Daryl's POV

When I got back to camp the first place I went was the RV. I felt like Carol was the first person I needed to talk to about the search; after all, it was her daughter I was lookin' for.

When I walked into the RV I was stunned: it was completely cleaned and organized. I found Carol sittin' in the back mendin' some clothes. "Cleaned up. I wanted it to be nice for her," she said when she noticed me standin' there.

I looked around and said, "For a second I thought I's in the wrong place."

After a moment of awkward silence I set the bottle down that I had found and put some water in with the one of the flowers I had picked in it. Carol looked up at me confused, "A flower?" she questioned.

"It's a Cherokee Rose. Story is, when American soliders were movin' Indians off their land, the Trail of Tears, The Cherokee mothers were grievin' and cryin' so much 'cause they were losin' their little ones along the way. Exposure, disease, starvation. A lot of them just disappeared. So the Elders, they uh, said a prayer; asked for a sign to uplift the mothers' spirts, give 'em strength, hope. The next day this rose started to grow right were the mothers' tears fell. I'm not fool enough to think there's any flowers bloomin' for Merle, but uh, I believe this one, bloomed for your little girl."

Carol wiped her tears away. I wasn't tryin' to make her cry, but maybe it was a good cry. Before I left the RV, I told Carol that I thought Sophia would really like it in there. Then I made my way outta the Rv and towards my tent.

I found Shane sittin' outside of it. "How'd it go with the doc?" I asked him.

"I gotta talk to you about that brother," he replied and I stopped dead in my tracks.

"She didn't go did she?" I asked.

"No, she said she wanted to wait for you."

I shook my head. I was tryin' to be understandin' but I knew what Bells was up too. Shane was always a big pushover when it came to her.

I stalked into the tent and found Bells sittin' on her cot. "What did I tell you about gettin' checked out lil' missy?" I asked her.

I noticed that she jumped a bit because she wasn't expectin' me to yell. "Ummm, well I was real upset and I wanted to wait for you," she told me.

I narrowed my eyes at her and then at my brother. "What was you upset about?"

They both looked at each other and then Bells looked away and Shane looked nervous. He was my BIG brother and he was nervous to tell me somethin'-I knew I wasn't gonna like what he had to say. I turned to face him and asked again, "What was Isabella upset about?"

Shane's POV

You know that feelin' in your stomach right before you get into trouble…that is how I currently felt. I knew Daryl was gonna kill me. I ran my hand down my face and sat down. Daryl sat across from me and next to Iz.

"Okay, just try to stay calm. After you left Izzy helped me clean a bunch of the guns. She did real good too." Daryl just nodded at me to continue. "Then we got called out to the well because there was a Walker stuck in it. We tried a canned ham and that didn't work so we thought sendin' someone down there would be a good idea."

Before I could finish the story Daryl was up and had grabbed me up. "You sent our baby sister down a well with a Walker?"

"Man, she wanted to do it!" I told him. Then I groaned. I completely threw Izzy under the bus.

"I don't care, she is eight years old, you are the adult. Tell her NO!" He let go of me and turned to look at Izzy.

"What the hell were ya thinkin' Bells? What'd ya say to Bubs to make him agree to let ya do that, huh?"

Isabella's POV

I knew Daryl would be mad and that is why I wanted to keep it a secret. I also knew he was gonna be less than happy that I guilted Shane into lettin' me do it. "I just wanted to help; to be useful," I told him. Then I lowered my voice a bit and said, "And I called him Shane."

Daryl knelt down in front of me. "You can find other ways of helpin' out. And what I am hearin' is you guilted him into sayin' yes, huh?"

Daryl and I have had conversations in the past about me usin' guilt to get my way. I knew he was not goin' to be pleased. "Yes sir," I responded.

I started to cry. I felt bad that I had disappointed my brothers. All I wanted to do was make the bad thoughts in my head quiet down, and now they were stronger than ever and all because I made a bad choice.

I was so caught up in my feelin's that I didn't notice that both Daryl and Shane had sat down next to me until they both wrapped me up in a hug-which just made me cry more. After a minute I calmed down and said, "I'm sorry guys. I really am. I just want to be like you guys and be helpful. I want the bad thoughts to stay away. I am sorry I guilted you Bubs I really am, please don't hate me."

Shane said, "Bella Bug, I don't hate'cha and we already talked about you callin' me 'Shane' just to get what ya want."

Then Daryl said, "I don't hate ya neither. Let's make a new plan: the rest of tonight we will hang out together. Some good Dixon family bondin' time BUT first thing in the morning, you little missy are gettin' checked out by the doctor. No if's or and's or it's your butt…got me?"

I looked up and him and smiled. "I got ya Bubby."

I was excited to finally have some time with both of my brothers. We spent the rest of the night playin' cards and they showed me some fightin' moves, which just ended up with all of us laughin'. I guess I look funny tryin' to beat up on my brothers. By the time it was bedtime, I was tired but happy. As my brothers tucked me in I made sure to tell them how much I loved them and how much fun I had. I think they had a good time too. And if I am honest, I am not as worried about seein' the doctor in the mornin' because both of my brothers will be with me-so nothing bad will happen.