"Have you made your choice?" Phil stood in the doorway of our private cell. I stopped my pacing that had become a habit as Daryl laid on the cot, waiting for our release. Phil's face was so… Tense; so serious. I never believed that someone could look like that all of the time, but he managed to do so.

I looked at Daryl because I didn't want to answer Phil's question. He sat up, and then looked at the older man. "We're thinkin' 'bout leavin' tonight when everyone's sleepin'."

"You're sure about this?"

I nodded. "Just don't let anyone else know. I don't want to cause a big scene."

"I admit," he said. "You're mature for your age, but you're also ignorant, like any teenager. What you're doing with this man is grotesque, even if the world has ended. You'd do better to respect society."

"Why don'tcha respect us and get the fuck outta here?" Daryl put his arm around me. "It ain't none of your business what Anna and me do. We'll be outta your hair soon enough." I looked up at his face, which was full of anger. "Do somethin' useful and wish us luck or somethin'."

"And I will do so when you walk out those doors." He nodded in farewell, and then walked away.

I put my hand on Daryl's cheek in hopes of calming him down. "Are you okay?"

"Does it ever go away?" He asked me.

I cocked my head a little. "Does what ever go away?"

"That feelin' of wantin' to kill someone all the time."

"Naturally, no." I said. "But I can show you how to get rid of it."

A smirk lit up his face and that twinkle in his eye made me shake my head. "Lord have mercy. You men are always thinking about sex, aren't you?" I giggled. "No, I'm talking physical exercise." His grin grew even wider. "I'm not helping, am I?"

"Nope." He chuckled, and then asked a random question. "How many scars do you have?"

I was suddenly self-conscious. "A fair few. What about you?"

"Same here." He said, and then asked me, "You never asked me 'bout 'em before. People are always askin' me what happened here." He ran my hand across his chest. "How come you don't?"

"Well," I began. "If I don't like people asking about mine, I don't intrude on anyone else's private stories. So what did happen there?"

"Merle." He said with an angry tone. "Fuckin' bastard sliced me when we's fighin' one time." His face softened a little. "What about the one on your sides?"

"Well, the one on my right was the one that healed after Shane found me, and this ugly bastard on my right is from when I was bitten. Bastard tore me the hell up." When I lifted up my shirt, I smelled Daryl's slight arousal, so I sat on the cot and faced him. "How long do you think we have before he comes back?"

"Long enough." In response, I pulled him towards me by his belt loops and bit my lip as I unzipped his jeans. He ran his fingers through my hair and put my mouth to work.

Daryl and I were eating in the kitchen by the time Tyreese and Michonne came to get us. The soup was cold, but it was better than raw squirrel. I was really nervous about leaving Rick, Carol and the rest of the group, mostly because I had come to think of them as my pack. Even Maggie had earned her place as the stupid snitch. I was worried that they wouldn't last here, that something would go wrong and Daryl and I would be too far away to sense if they needed help. The only thing I could do now was hope and wish for the best.

"Are you guys ready?" Michonne asked.

I was already finished with my small excuse for a meal and nodded. Daryl nodded as well and stood up to face me. "You alright?"

I nodded. "I want to talk to Phil first, though."

Tyreese nodded. "I'll get him."

When he left, Michonne looked at me. "I'm sorry about what's happening. He's a hard man to get along with, especially after what happened to Penny…" Her voice trailed off. "His daughter was the same age as you, Anna. That's the main reason why he disagrees with your relationship. As for the… Werewolf thing, I guess he doesn't know what to think of it, but when Phil makes his mind, that's how things will go. I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it. I didn't expect any less from his reaction."

"I can't believe that girl told us like that. I'm surprised you didn't beat her to a pulp."

I sighed. "I thought about it, honestly, but I'm not that kind of person. Karma will do the job for me soon enough."

Michonne smiled and nodded. "That's a good of answer as any."

Phil suddenly walked in, glaring at me and Daryl. "Tyreese said you wanted to talk to me?"

I nodded. "I want your word on something." He just continued to look at me, so I went ahead and told him what I wanted. "I want your word that you'll protect them with everything you have."

"Why would I do that?"

"They're like my pack, okay? They took me in when no one else would, they gave me a place to stay, food to eat, someone to talk to, and they accepted me when they knew I was different. I owe it to them to keep them safe, and I want your word on it."

He nodded curtly. "You have my word. I can respect a person who thinks about others more than themselves." He held out his hand for me to shake it, and I did.

"Thank you. You don't know how much this means to me." I looked at Michonne with a smile. "If they ask where we are in the morning, tell them that it was our choice to let them stay here and that it's for their safety. Rick will understand, but it may take the others some time to register. And Michonne? Will you tell Carol and Carl that I will always remember them? And that this isn't goodbye?" I felt tears well up in my eyes.

She nodded. "I will."

I smiled at her, and then looked at Phil. "Walk us to the door?"

He nodded, and then we walked through the dark, empty corridors towards the exit of the large prison. When we reached the door, Phil shook my hand again. "Good luck out there. I will keep to my word and promise." Then he looked at Daryl. "Is there anything else?"

"Yeah," He paused for a second. "Will you give my crossbow to Rick? Tell him that he needs it more than me and to be a good man like he always has been."

"I will." Phil opened the door. "Be careful."

I took Daryl's hand and walked out the large door and Phil, Michonne and Tyreese watched us walk out as the gates opened when Phil pushed a button. It was chilly out and the stars were shining brightly in the sky. Daryl and I took a deep breath and the gates slid shut behind us as we walked into the night.

Wow. This is kind of itching for a sequel, huh? Well, it's going to happen! Let me finish my Blade and Cigarette Burns stories first and then I'll get started! If you subscribe to my profile, it'll let you know when I have new stories out and stuff :D I'm so happy that you guys enjoyed this story and I love that you all take time to review! P.S. I'm sorry to let a spoiler loose, but all the good stuff with Shane is in the sequel :D Anyways! Thank you guys for being my support system! All my love goes out to you guys!

Love, LovinNorman'sChestTatt