My dearest Caryl dudes and (probably mostly) dudettes, you have my sincerest apologies for taking such a long time to give you guys an update. I have had absolutely no time, splitting what little I have between applying for graduate degrees and writing my Bachelor's thesis on Firefly (yeah you read that right. I love TWD but Firefly is the greatest show ever made).

This is the penultimate chapter, I hope you guys enjoy it!

The cold night air was whipping his face as they drove.

Rick was racing and both Daryl and Merle had to deal with some rather painful bumps in the road. But that didn't matter. They had to get back as fast as possible.

Daryl could feel Merle stealing glances at him from time to time but he refused to meet his brother's eye. He didn't want to have a discussion about how fucking stupid it was to go right back in there. He knew that. He knew he was putting everyone at risk by forcing them to go back. And yet he didn't feel guilty about it. He couldn't. It sure wasn't smart, but smart had nothing to do with it when it came to Carol. He'd meant everything he'd said to Rick. Nothing and no one was more important than Carol. He would have happily sacrificed anyone else to get her back. It was the kind of shit you weren't supposed to say out loud, but Daryl didn't give a fuck about hurting anyone's feelings. He could feel bad about all that later, when they'd gotten her back.

They had to get her back.

His stomach churned and he felt like he was about to vomit. Never in this life had he been this scared, not even of his father when he had come home drunk and beat the shit out of him. Not for Merle, when the others had left him chained to the top of that tower. Not even for himself, when he had been certain he was going to die in that arena in Woodbury. Carol eclipsed everything.

"This would be the perfect time for a fuckin' drink," Merle said, sighing. Daryl didn't respond. Merle turned to look at him. "I know you think I don't get this."

"You don't," Daryl said simply.

"Yeah," Merle said quietly. "I guess you're right about that. I ain't ever met a woman I'd risk my life for like this."

There was silence for a while, Daryl already sinking back into his thoughts.

"But," Merle added, looking intently at his brother, "that don't mean I don't get going after the most important person in your life, baby brother."

Daryl stared back at his brother.

"And here's the thing," Merle continued, "I know you ain't thinkin' straight, 'cause there ain't no thinkin' straight in this. So I'm gonna be the one to think straight here. I understand what she means to you and I understand why you're doing this. But you ain't doin' it with a clear mind."

"The fuck are you talkin' about?" Daryl said impatiently.

"I know you," Merle said. "You're gonna throw yourself into this. And if we don't find her-"

"We're gonna find her," Daryl hissed through clenched teeth, but Merle ignored him.

"If we don't find her, you're gonna do somethin' stupid."

"What?" Daryl said.

"You know exactly what I mean," Merle said. "It don't even have to be on purpose, but you're gonna do somethin' stupid. And that can't happen, d'you understand? You cannot do anything stupid."

Daryl didn't respond, his eyes fixing on the darkness.

"And I'm gonna make sure that don't happen," Merle added. "Ain't no way you're goin' anywhere."

Daryl stayed silent and Merle didn't continue. Everything had been said.

Daryl closed his eyes, leaning his head back against the metal.

This wasn't about him. This was about Carol. The only thing that counted was finding her and getting her back. It didn't matter what it would cost. Who it would cost. As long as they got her back safely.

And if they didn't…

Daryl banged his head sharply against the metal. Couldn't even think like that. Wouldn't help anyone, least of all Carol. And she would be fucking pissed if she found out he expected her to be dead. Underestimating her all the fucking time. She'd stand with her hands on her hips, her eyes glaring as she berated him. Make him feel like an idiot.

Daryl couldn't help the small smile that crossed his lips. He'd seen that image so often. Carol liked to tell him off a lot. He had to make sure she'd continue to do so.

The truck came to a sudden halt, making Daryl and Merle slide forward abruptly.

"Fuckin' Rick," Merle growled as he jumped off the truck, Daryl following quickly.

"This is as close as we can go," Rick said as the others got out of the car. "We should continue on foot, see what's going on."

He looked at Daryl who gave a quick nod. Not waiting for anyone else, he raised his crossbow and quietly starting walked down the road. He could feel Merle follow him closely.

It was getting close to dawn, the sky had become lighter. He could make out the road in front of him and the trees on either side. Then slowly, something appeared on top of a hill.

"Almost there," Daryl whispered, glancing behind him for a second.

"You see any walkers?" Merle asked, his voice low.

Daryl squinted, trying to see.

"Ain't a herd," he murmured. "Maybe a couple."

They continued to make their way up the hill, getting closer and closer to the house. The stench of the rotting flesh grew gradually stronger, as they walked past some of the bodies they had slain hours earlier. A few strays were wandering around, turning to face them as they approached.

Daryl grabbed one of his arrows, sinking it into the first one's eye. He wrenched it out again, thick blood spilling onto his hands as the walker fell to the ground. He could feel the others rush past him as he attacked a second walker with his knife, wrestling him to the ground before sinking it into his forehead.

They were lucky. The herd had moved on after they had fled. Only a few were left wandering around and they were quick work.

"Gotta be careful," Rick said, all of them breathing heavily. "Can't turn your back while it's still dark. We should wait until the sun's up."

"No way," Daryl interjected immediately. "We're gonna look now."

"Daryl," Rick said, grabbing him by the arm. "We came with you, didn't we? And I promise you we'll look for her. But I ain't putting any of us further at risk by having them wander around in the dark. Who knows how far that herd even went?"

Daryl wrenched his arm free, shooting Rick a look that was nothing short of disgust.

He turned to walk away.

"Daryl!" Rick yelled as loud as he dared. Daryl stopped and turned around.

"Do whatever the fuck you want," he said tonelessly. "Ain't no way I'm waitin'."

He turned away again, heading towards the house.

"Let's check the yard and round back first," Merle said as he caught up with his brother.

They made their way around the house, Daryl's eyes focused on detecting the slightest movement. Merle bent down and rolled over bodies to inspect their faces. He caught Daryl looking at him.

"Sorry, baby brother," he said, "can't rule it out."

Daryl clenched his teeth and didn't respond. He wasn't going to look at a single body, lying on the ground. All of those were rotting walkers. Carol wasn't one of them.

Daryl walked around the edge of the house, squinting at the bushes growing at the house wall.

"Carol!" he yelled tentatively. There was no answer.

Then suddenly he heard movement inside the house and his heart gave a jolt.

"It's the others," Merle said, coming around the corner. "Lookin' inside."

Daryl couldn't help but feel angry at them for making him think it was her.

"Let's go," Daryl growled.

They continued to scan their surroundings inch by inch, Daryl trying to locate even the tiniest movement, Merle turning over more bodies.

Slowly the made their way back to the front of the house.

"Don't think she'd be here," Daryl said, nodding towards the house.

"Think she tried to make a run for it?" Merle asked.

"Think so," Daryl answered, looking over at the edge of the forest. If Carol had managed to reach the forest it would have been easier to hide.

"Let's go then," Merle said and they started walking towards the edge of the forest.

Suddenly raised voices were coming out of the house. Daryl stopped in his tracks.

"Fuck's goin' on?" Merle asked, turning back.

"Maybe a stray," Daryl said, but his mouth had gone completely dry. He was gripping his crossbow so hard it hurt.

Maggie burst out of the front door into the yard, looking around. Her eyes landed on Daryl and she unconsciously took a step back, her arms crossed in front of her chest, refusing to meet his gaze.

"What is it?" Daryl asked, his own voice ringing in his ears. Maggie didn't answer. She looked up at him, her eyes filled with tears.

Daryl didn't wait for her to open her mouth. He stormed past her into the house, rushing fron the kitchen into the living room. There was nobody there. Then he heard footsteps from upstairs. He bounded up the stairs and nearly collided with Glenn.

Glenn looked at him, his eyes filled with so much pity, Daryl wanted to hit him. Rick came out of the room at the end of the corridor. Where he and Judith had slept. He looked at Daryl, his eyes betraying no emotion.

All of a sudden Daryl's legs were unbearable heavy. Every step closer to the door where Rick stood took incredible effort. His heart was hammering so loudly in his chest he was sure every walker in a 50 mile radius would hear it. The floor creaked under his heavy boots as he approached the bedroom. A cold swear had broken out across his forehead and his fingers started to shake.

He came to a halt in front of Rick. They looked at each other and Daryl knew that Rick was willing him not to go in. He also knew Rick was aware that there was no way he wasn't going in there. Rick took a step away from the door.

As if in slow motion Daryl reached out and pushed the door open, its hinges squeaking slightly.

It was darker in the room than outside. Daryl's eyes took a moment to adjust. He could make out the large dresser in the corner, where Carol had stored all of Judith's things. He made out a turned over chair lying on top of the scrunched up carpet.

And he could see the bed.

It was messy. One of the pillows had been ripped open. The feathers littering the floor.

And someone was lying on it. Someone small, thin. Someone with short hair.

Someone who was wearing a tank top that had been turned dark with blood.

Someone who was absolutely still. Absolutely dead.

I'll try to have the last chapter up as quickly as possible, but I can't make any guarantees. All my awesome followers, be so kind and leave a review :)