I walked that fence for hours with my gun in my hands. My eyes cruised the fields and never tired. The only thing I saw were the dead ones bumping into the fence over and over, but they never saw me. I thought about taking a couple of them out, but I knew as soon as I started with one, I would have the whole herd coming after me. It just wasn't worth it.

Before I knew it, the sun had risen and was scorching my uncovered skin. I knew I should have went to grab a new outfit, but I just stayed there. For some reason, I felt that this was where I needed to be.

Maggie came out once telling me to go to bed and that it was her shift, but I insisted that I stay out. Going back inside was not an option. Besides, I wasn't even close to tired. I could see in her eyes that she was exhausted. She needed sleep more than I did. I was happy to take over another shift for her. She tried to fight me, but in the end, I prevailed.

Once the sun was out, it was time for the other group members to wake up. I had no doubt many of them would come to talk to me about going to bed and whatever. It was going to be annoying having to say that I was fine over and over again, but I was prepared for it. What I wasn't prepared for was when Shane wakes up and sees I'm not there. There was no doubt he would start freaking out wondering where I was. He would be out here so quick, trying to drag me back inside. I just wasn't sure how I should respond to him.

Rick's voice sounded quietly behind me. "Been out here all night?"

I didn't look at him. Instead, I stared out at the walkers that trekked through our field. "Mhm."

"You should get some sleep."

"I'm good."

"Ariel-"

"I said I'm good, Rick."

"Alright." He walked and stood directly next to me. "We're getting ready to head out. If you start to get tired, let Maggie know right away. We don't need you passing out from exhaustion."

"I'm not gonna pass out. Trust me. I've gone longer without sleep out there. I'm used to it."

He stood there without speaking for a second. I knew there was something he wanted to ask.

"Shouldn't you be leaving?"

He answered my question with another question. "Do you trust Michonne?"

Without hesitation, I answered him. "With my life." I finally looked over at him. He seemed truly concerned about taking Michonne on a run with him and Carl. "Listen, don't threaten her in anyway and you'll be fine. She's one of the bravest women I know and once she gets to know you a bit better, she'll risk her life for your's. You just gotta give her a chance, man. Give her time."

"We don't got time. She's either with us or she's not."

"She hasn't left yet? She's with you. Trust me."

Rick nodded. "I do."

"Good. Glad I got you back on the Ariel Dixon bandwagon, too."

Rick's eyes scrunched.

"Never mind. Be safe out there please. I don't wanna have to schedule a search party to come find your asses."

He didn't say anything after that and just left me to my silence once again. To be alone was all I asked. It's not that hard.

It did concern me that he didn't really trust Michonne. She was one of the most loyal people I knew. She wouldn't do anything to jeopardize the mission. If he came back without her, I'm not sure what I would do.

It didn't come as a surprise that the next person to show worry for my wellbeing was Daryl.

"Out here all night?"

I sighed heavily. "Yes and I'm fine. I want to stay out here."

"Okay. No need to bite my head off."

"Sorry."

"You're good."

I leaned against the fence. "Aren't you supposed to be keeping an eye on Merle?"

"He's still sleeping. I just wanted to make a couple rounds, check on things."

"Check on me?"

He shrugged his one shoulder. "You've been at this all night. I figured I could offer a hand."

"I don't need it."

"Alright."

"You can continue your rounds now."

Daryl nodded quickly. "If you need anything-"

"Let you know. I know. Go finish."

I knew he meant well, but man. Go when I ask you to. It's hard for me to think when I have people hounding me all the time. I just want to be alone. That's it. Be alone with my thoughts and try to figure out what the hell is wrong.

The morning drew on. The birds flew overhead. I was jealous of them. They could fly and avoid any danger on the ground. Their lives were basically unchanged by the start of the end.

I was finally starting to enjoy the morning. I was able to see the sunrise, the birds wake up, and felt the remaining warmth of the summer months before the fall. I knew it wasn't going to last, but I just needed a few seconds before everything started blowing up again.

"Ariel!" And there it is.

I took a deep breath and blew out air quickly. I knew this was coming, but I still didn't want to deal with it. I spun around slowly, spotting Shane marching my way.

The fence rattled behind me as the walkers pushed against it in response to the noise. I didn't pay it any mind.

"Where the hell have you been?" he yelled.

I guess now wasn't the best time to be a smartass, but I chose to be one anyway. "What is with this group and screaming. You know there's walkers over there right?"

"Cut the shit. I woke up and you were gone. Wanna tell me what happened to you?"

"I came out here last night to get some fresh air. I didn't know I had to report to you."

"Last night? Ariel. How long have you been out here?"

"Lost track. I covered the last hour of Carl's shift-"

"You've been out here since Carl's shift? Did you sleep at all last night?"

The rattling grew louder and the snarls matched. The walkers were getting restless.

"You wanna lower your voice before that fucking fence comes down and we have worse problems to deal with."

He stepped closer to me, his nose about a foot from mine. His voice didn't lower. "Did you get any sleep last night."

"No. I didn't get any sleep. Are you happy?"

"Ariel, you can't live without sleep. Get back inside and catch a few hours."

"I'm not tired."

"Jesus Christ, Ariel. Can you not argue with me?"

"I'm not fucking arguing Shane. I'm telling you I'm not going anywhere. I'm fine. Now, stop telling me what to do."

"I want you to stay alive. You're not gonna be useful when you pass out from exhaustion. Now get your ass inside."

"Shane, that's enough."

"No, it's not enough! I lost you once, Ariel. I'm not fucking losing you again. Now, stop arguing with me. You just got back and every time I see you, we have to argue about something. For once, just do what I say and get in there and get some fucking sleep."

"For fucksake, Shane!" Unfortunately, I wasn't able to finish my thought. More walkers had heard our little quarrel and they started gathering in one place. The two of us instantly changed from couple to survivors. "Son of a bitch! Shane get on the other side. Draw as many of them as you can."

Without questioning, Shane started screaming at them and not me. "Hey! Over here you ugly bastards! Come get some fresh meat! Come on! Over here!"

I took the other side and followed his callings. "Hey! Over here! Come get me you fucks!"

The walkers started splitting off in both directions, releasing the pressure from the fences. They were focused more on us now, so we needed help in getting rid of them.

Just like he knew I needed help, Daryl came running to the rescue. "What the hell is going on?"

"Looks like our little sister is having a party and didn't invite us." Unfortunately, he brought Merle as company.

We didn't have time to argue. I just started shouting out orders. "Daryl! Go down to Shane, Merle follow me. We gotta start killing these things through the fence before more of them realize we're over here! Go!"

I was shocked that both of them listened to me. Daryl and Shane worked as a team, completely eradicating the walker population on their side in minutes. Merle and I had a little more trouble. More and more kept coming our way, but there wasn't a reason. Merle and I were both trying to stay quiet to avoid drawing in more. Eventually, we got through them and rushed back behind the boards ensuring no more walkers would see us.

"You and I make a good team." I ignored Merle. He was the last person I wanted to talk to. There were more pressing matters to attend to anyway.

Shane and Daryl waited for us back where we started. I planned on thanking Daryl later. Right now, Shane was the priority. "What the hell? I told you to shut the fuck up."

"I don't give a shit what you said."

"Clearly."

"You know what. Stop making me the bad guy."

"Then stop being the bad guy!"

"I'm not."

"Then stop acting like it!"

"Ariel, listen. We need to stop this and you need to get some sleep. You're more bitchy than usual."

"For fucksake, Shane. I'm not tired. I don't know how many times I have to say it."

He took a deep breath and stared at the ground. "Trust me. Once your head hits the pillow, you are going to pass out."

I closed my eyes and tilted my head toward the sky. "Shane, just go."

"No. I'm taking watch."

"To hell you are!"

I didn't realize that Daryl and Merle were still standing there until Daryl finally spoke. "Alright, that's enough. Ariel, go inside. Shane stay out here. I'm tired of hearing the bullshit. It's like you're little kids."

Shane just turned away and looked at the fence. I couldn't leave things where they were. "Daryl, you can't be serious."

"Ariel, shut the fuck up and get inside." Daryl used a tone that I hadn't heard since we were kids. He was the one that basically raised me. He would have to use his stern adult voice with me only a couple of times. It was when I really messed up.

I didn't want to make it worse, so I just started walking inside. That is, until I heard Merle's voice. "Aw, little baby got yelled at by dad."

Something in me had had enough. "You know what Merle." I turned to him, clenched my fist, and clocked him right in the mouth. "Fuck off!" When he stumbled backwards, I turned my back to him and started walking back to the cellblock.

Of course, Merle couldn't take getting punched out by a girl, especially his little sister. "Get back here you little whore. I'm gonna beat the shit outta you."

I ignored him as Daryl held him back. "Merle! Stop! You're making it worse! Just let her go."

Shane somehow managed to fall into my path. "Ariel," he whispered softly as he held his hand out to grab my shoulder.

I was fuming. I didn't want to be seen or heard by anyone. I moved away from him. "Don't fucking touch me." I stomped back to the cellblock and the thing was, I still wasn't tired.