(Nix)
I run behind my dad as we come to a church in a clearing. It has no steeple, which Shane has been saying for the past ten minutes, but Rick and my dad are ignoring him and deciding to check it anyways.
When they reach the door Rick signals for everyone to stop and be quiet before looking at my dad. They opened the door together. Walkers are sitting on the seats and turn to look at them. The men grab weapons and walk into the church and head for the walkers. "Can I help, daddy?" I whisper, causing him to look down at me.
"Just wait here, buddy. I rather not risk you getting bit." He tells me as he ruffles my hair and heads towards a walker. Rick, Shane, and my dad take them out one by one. "Carol!" My dad yells as the rest us begin to walk in.
I feel Sophia grab my hand, holding it tightly as we head down the aisle towards my dad. "You, J.C, you taking requests?" I smile as we reach my dad.
"Mom always says that he watches over us, but expects us to be able to handle things ourselves. It makes us tougher." My dad looks down at me as I said that. "He comes when we need him, but not always when we want him."
"Come on, buddy." My dad says just as a bell goes off.
"Dad!" I shout just as everyone makes a break for the doors. We rush out and towards the side of the building where the noise is being made. Attached to the building is a speaker that connects to a box. Glenn opens it and peers inside it. Glenn pulls something, causing it to turn off.
"A timer. It's on a timer." My dad says as I watch Sophia. She stares at the device a long moment, her face void of any emotions.
"Soph?" I whisper, but she ignores me and starts for inside the church again. Everyone watches her go inside, some follow her inside, but I just walk away from the church to the gravestones, taking a seat against one of the big oak trees. I take my backpack off and take a sip from my water bottle. I pull out a granola bar and takes a bit.
"Hey, buddy, are you okay?" I look up as my dad takes a seat beside me.
"Yeah, just taking a break. Want some?" I hold out the bar, causing him to take it and take a bit of it. He hands it back and I take another bite.
"How's Sophia?"
"Losing hope by the minute." My dad sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "I know you're doing everything you can. I'm just saying that we might need to think about what happens if we don't find Carol." My dad nods as he takes a gulp from my bottle.
"Yeah, I know." I look up as the others head our way. "Look, bud, whatever happens, happens. Things will work out. Don't stress, you're too young for that." I smile up at him and take another bite.
"Want the rest?"
"Nah, finish it."
"You sure? I have another in here."
"Where did you get those anyways?"
"Tommy found them. Got a whole box full. Gave me some to put in my bag while we're out here. Said I would need to keep my energy up."
"Fine." My dad takes it as I sip my water. Shane clears his throat as he heads over to us.
"Y'all gonna follow the creek bed back, okay? Daryl, you're in charge. Me and Rick, we're just gonna hang back, search this area another hour or so just to be thorough."
"You're splitting us up. You sure?" My dad asks as he stands up, pulling me up with him.
"If you're staying to look for my mama, I want to stay too." Sophia says, causing them to look at her.
"Sophia, you're dead on your feet. You'd drop from exhausted before you can even walk out of the graveyard. You should head back and get some rest." I tell her.
"Will you stay and help look?" Sophia asks, causing me to look at my dad. "If you're staying to look for her I want Nix to help you. You need a tracker and Nix is one." Sophia tells Rick.
"It's safer for you to go with the group, buddy." Shane says, causing me to glare at him.
"Don't call me buddy, only daddy can and second you aren't my dad, Daryl is. He says if I stay or go." I snap at him, surprising the group. I look at my dad and waits to see what he says.
"Daryl, please." Sophia begs. My dad sighs and motions for me to hold my hand out. I hold it out and he puts some bullets into it.
"Extra rounds, don't use them unless you absolutely need to." I nod and put them in my pocket. "You best watch out for my boy." My dad tells Rick, causing Rick to nod.
"I will."
"I want to stay too." Carl speaks up, causing us to look at them. "Sophia's my friend too. I want to help Nix search for Sophia's mom." Shane looks at Rick, who looks at Lori. Lori is silent for a moment before looking down at Carl.
"Just be careful, okay?"
"I will." I smile at Carl as he walks over to me.
"When did you start growing up?" Lori asks Carl, who only smiles. Lori gives him a hug before kissing and hugging Rick goodbye.
"Here, you should have this if you're going to stay out with us." I tell Carl as I hand him a granola bar.
"Thanks, Nix." He says as he eats it.
"Got some water too if you want. My mom filled two bottles up."
"Thanks."
"Give me a minute?" Rick asks Shane, causing us to look at him.
"Yeah, come on." He tries to ruffle my hair, but I glare at him and walk ahead of him. "You know, I didn't lie to you. You are my son." Shane whispers to me as Carl walks in front of us.
"Even if I am yours by blood you will never be my dad. Daryl will always be my dad. And I'm not as nieve as everyone believes." I look up at him with hate-filled eyes. "I know what you did to my mom."
"Let's go." Our eyes shot to Rick, who motions for us to follow after him.
"I didn't do anything." Shane says, causing me to snort.
"I believe that when walkers fly." I follow Rick through the woods with Carl walking beside Rick.
I keep my bow in my hand and at the ready, in case any walkers come. Carl is silent beside me as we walk further into the woods. Sudden footsteps, cause us to stop in our tracks and listen carefully. Rick motions for us to be quiet and walk slow.
"Oh wow." I whisper as I see a deer standing in the forest. It walks out and stands on a rock, shaking its beautiful coat. I nudge Carl and the two of us slowly approach the deer. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" Carl can only nod as I let him walk ahead of me. He steps up to the deer and runs his hand over it as I stand behind him watching.
A gunshot goes off before any of us knows what to do. A sudden pain comes through my shoulder, causing me to cry out. I look down to see my shirt flooding with pain. "Carl!" My eyes shot over to Carl to see him laying on the ground.