A/N: So I had someone tell me that they were a little confused by the relationships of Lloyd's group. Just to clear it up, Malory, Brent and Sharona are all Lloyd's children. Austin's only relation was his Marriage to Malory. Austin and Malory had a son Sam, who changed at the beginning of the apocalypse. I'm really sorry if I confused any of you. Love. ~Helen
Carol sat in the backseat of the van, Daryl in the front, with Carl behind the wheel. Carl was nervous and he hadn't even started driving yet. Carol watched proudly as Daryl explained the basics to Carl. Carl nodded in reply, but still looked nervous. He pushed his foot on the gas, causing the car to lurch forward. Carl let out a small cry and slammed his foot on the brake. The car stopped before Carol could catch herself and she hit her head on the back of the driver's seat. She groaned and rubbed her head, just above her eyebrow.
"You okay?" Daryl asked as Carl scrambled out an apology. Carol laughed and nodded.
"It's fine, Carl." She assured him. He smiled gratefully at her.
"Easy this time." Daryl said. Carl nodded and took a deep breath before trying again.
Carl picked up driving pretty easily, though he had quite the need for speed. Daryl had to constantly remind him to slow down as Carl flew over another bump in the road. Carol clung desperately to the seat in front of her as she tried to keep from vomiting.
"Daryl!" Carol gasped as Carl swerved to avoid a walker, sending Carol flying into the door next to her. Daryl took one glance at her and immediately told Carl to stop. Carl slammed on the brakes, nearly making Carol hit her head again. As soon as the car was stopped, she stumbled out and ran for the trees, vomiting the little food she had in her stomach.
"You okay?" Daryl called. He wanted to help, but didn't want to get to close to the vomiting woman.
"Yeah, fine." Carl called back, returning to the road. Daryl stood, leaning against the van with Carl next to him. "I just need to stay still for a minute." She sat on the road, pulling her knees to her chest, and taking deep breaths.
"Carol." Carl's voice caught her attention and she looked up. "You're not pregnant are you? When my mom was first pregnant, she threw up a lot." Carol starred at the boy for a long moment before bursting into laughter. Daryl tried to restrain the laugh that forced itself from him as Carl's face turned a bright red. Carol covered her face with her hands and took a few deep breaths before looking at Carl again.
"No, honey." She giggled. "I'm not pregnant. Just a bit motion sick." Carl nodded and looked at the ground, obviously embarrassed. Carol opened her mouth to tell him it was okay, but Daryl quickly shushed her. Alarmed, she look at him. He was focused on listening, looking at the road ahead of them. Carol turned to follow his gaze, but instead saw the road rose into a hill, obstructing her vision. Daryl climbed up onto the hood of the van, then to the roof so he could see further ahead.
"Walkers." He said quickly. Carl and Carol watched him quietly. "A whole herd of them. Too many to drive through.
"What are we gonna do?" Carl asked. Daryl thought for a minute.
"Get in the van." He said quickly. The others didn't argue as they quickly made their way to the van. "Stay down. Keep yourself out of sight. We'll wait them out, just like on the highway."
"Get in the back." Carol told Carl. "The tinted windows will keep us hidden. Daryl come on!" Daryl climbed from the top of the van. Carol had put the back seat down, giving them more room. Carol sat with her back to the opposite side of the car, facing the door. Carl sat between her and the front seat with her arm around him. Daryl closed the door and moved next to Carol. He instinctively grasped Carol's hand, almost proving to himself that she was there and wasn't leaving.
A good amount of time passed and they sat quietly, listening to the groaning of walkers as they shuffled past. Finally, when it seemed like the last had passed, Daryl let out a relieved sigh. He left go of Carol's hand, suddenly cautious of how tight he was holding it. He nodded to the others and they smiled. He reminded them to stay quiet in case there were a few lingering walkers, then he climbed to the front of the car. Carol didn't dare get out of the van, so she helped Carl put the seat back up, working around him in the tight space. Carl, realizing he shouldn't drive, settled in the back as Carol climbed up front. Daryl started the car and they continued their drive.
~X~
They were almost to the city after what seemed like the longest morning ever. It wasn't even early afternoon yet, and they'd already done so much. Carol was looking over a map of the town as they drove, mapping out their destinations.
"We should hit the mall." She said. Daryl snorted.
"Just like a woman." He said. "End of the world and she wants to go to the mall."
"Just like a man." Carol replied. "End of the world and still stubborn as ever before. It's not like I want to shop for a cute spring top, Daryl."
"Then what do ya need to go for?"
"Daryl, what's in a mall?" He looked at her like she was crazy. "Food, Daryl. Food, supplies, and clothes."
"I wanna go to the mall." Carl spoke up. "I need to get something." Daryl looked at Carol and groaned.
"Fine!" He exclaimed, obviously annoyed. "We'll go to the damn mall!"