"Alright. Everyone's getting new search grids today. If she made it as far as the farmhouse Daryl found, she might've gone further East than we've been so far." Rick started.

"I'd like to help" one of Hershel's people came up next to Rick. I don't know his name, but he sounds like a teenager.

"I know the area pretty well and stuff." He can't be older than Glenn, if he's even that old. If he is, he has a Hell of a baby face.

"Hershel's okay with this?" Rick glanced at us, uncertainly.

"Yeah, yeah. He said I should ask you" B-S

I smiled tightly, preventing a laugh from bubbling up my throat. Oh he is definitely a teenager. You are not a great liar, kid.

Only a teenager would make that sound like he's asking if he can go to a party.

"Alright then. Thanks" Rick turned back to the map.

Wait, really? Did you seriously just buy that?

Damn, Officer, I didn't think you were really that trusting.

"Nothing about what Daryl found screams Sophia to me. Anyone could've been holed up in that farmhouse." Always gotta be the party pooper Shane, don't you? Would it kill you to be positive for once?

"Anyone includes her right?" Andrea retorted. Oooo

"Whoever slept in that cupboard was no bigger than yay-high" Daryl indicated with his hand before returning to the buttons on his shirt.

"It's a good lead" Andrea acknowledged

"Maybe we'll pick up her trail again" Rick leaned against the car on his palms.

"No maybe about it. I'ma borrow a horse, head up to this ridge right here. Get a bird's-eye view of the whole grid. If she's up there, I'll spot her." Daryl pointed to the ridge on the map.

"Good idea. Maybe you'll see your Chupacabra up there too." T-Dog mocked as Dale set the bag of guns on the hood.

Oh lord, are we really starting with this again? You're really beatin' the dead horse on this one. I thought this joke lost it's appeal after the second time, now it's just annoying.

"Chupacabra?" Rick looked at him with a confused 'really' look.

"You never heard this? Our first night in camp, Daryl tells us that the whole thing reminds him of a time he went squirrel hunting and he saw a Chupacabra." Dale handed a rifle over the hood and the kid next to Rick snorted.

"What're you braying at, Jackass?" Daryl scowled across the hood at the teenager.

"So you believe in a blood sucking dog?" Rick, if I didn't know you better, I'd think you're being condescending.

"You believe dead people walking around?" Hah, touche. I think Daryl wins this round.

The kid reached for the gun that was passed over the hood but Rick grabbed it first, "Hey hey. Ever fire one before?"

"Well if I'm going out, I want one."

Daryl scoffed, "Yeah, and people in Hell want slurpees."

I most certainly did not snort, while he stalked off. That would be immature...

"Why don't you come train tomorrow?" Shane shifted his cap, "If you're serious I'm a certified instructor."

"For now he can come with us." Andrea took her gun off the hood and started off, motioning at the boy.

"He's yours to babysit then." Shane called after them.

Phew, for a minute there I thought I was gonna get stuck with him since me and Daryl are splitting up for today.

Rick finally looked to me and I pointed to where I'm going to search today; tracing the area on the slightly gritty map.

Rick nodded as he followed my finger, (I assume)mentally noting my route.

I'm going pretty far from everyone else, the farthest out any of us have gone, in case Sophia's gone farther than we've predicted.

Rick nodded, confirming where I would be searching and I wasted no time in going off on my own trek.

I headed for the woods without delay, and reached the treeline just a few minutes. Before I could enter the forest though, drumming thumps drew my attention behind me.

I turned and flashed an attentive smile at the sight of Daryl on one of the Greene's chestnut horses, stopping next to me.

"Ey, be careful today. I mean it. I ain't gonna be there to come look for ya when ya don't show this time."

I smiled but believe me, this time around I'm taking the warning seriously. I don't want a repeat of yesterday anymore than he does. My clothes still smell like marsh water and although it hasn't kicked in quite yet, my muscles are gonna make me pay for this later; all of it.

I'm not the only one who needs to be careful out there, you know. I pointed at him purposefully, with raised eyebrows.

He rolled his eyes with a scoff. "I ain't the one who almost died in a hole."

My mouth dropped open in (somewhat)mock offense. Really? You have to put it like that? —He's not wrong, but still.

Ohoho, it's on now, Dixon. I will get you back for that comment. One day. When you least expect it.

I narrowed my eyes at him; regrettably the effect may have been diminished due to the smile that's trying to force it's way out. He gave a single nod.

I gave in and smiled, waving as we went our separate ways into the forest; Him to the right, me to the left.

Good lord, it's hot today. I'm sweatin' like a beast.

I smacked my neck for the 3rd time, making the small cut my nail gave me the previous time, sting.

I gotta cut my nails, but these mosquitoes are gonna eat me alive before any walker.

The sun's high and bright, and the day is starting to feel twice as long as yesterday.

It would've seemed tranquil— even safe, if I wasn't out here looking for a lost child in a world full of cannibalistic corpses. And you know...these little shits. I flicked a dead insect off my finger and wiped it on a tree as I walked past it.

I stopped to take a breather, waving my hand near my head in an attempt to rid myself of yet another insect.

I didn't know I wasn't a fan of bugs until now. Learn somethin' new every day. Glad I wore my jacket today, though or I'd have bites all over my arms by now.

I stared out at the wall of green and grey-ish brown, yellow light bouncing off leaves to shine down through the canopy above.

I should be about halfway through my grid if I'm as far as I think.

I took the compass out of my pocket, tapping the cover to make sure it still works.

I don't know why it wouldn't. I haven't used it before now and it's not like I've done anything that could break it. Yet.

It's just...somewhat reassuring to know that at least something's working for me these days.

I don't know what to do anymore.

Walking through the woods doesn't feel like enough. It never did.

I swallowed, kneading my lip between my teeth. I kicked a rock as I started walking again, shoving the compass back in my pocket.

I smacked my neck again— for the love of mashed potatoes— that is the last straw.

I ripped out my hair tie, pulling my own hair in the process and secured the elastic around my wrist, while I shook it out to fall around my shoulders and cover my damn neck.

Stupid freakin' winged syringes.

The breeze picked up and brought my newly loose hair over my shoulder, in front of me.

I jerked as something swayed in front of my face, nearly slicing a lock of my hair off before I could stop. Several seconds passed in slow realization of the "threat" being a band aid tangled in the ends of my hair.

Sheathing a blade, I touched my forehead, feeling a gross almost sticky scab instead of a band aid.

Beautiful.

I scratched my neck before going to untangle it as I continued my mirthless trudge through the woods.

It's starting to feel like a waste of time...a lost cause. Not just the band aid; all of it.

Searching the woods, walking on eggshells with Hershel, getting this damn band aid out of my hair—

I swatted my hair away, refocusing on the trees.

I've been by myself for too long. I shouldn't be allowed to think this much. Since when have I become so easily frustrated, and incapable of being on my own?

I've always been on my own. Just me in this riptide…

A laugh bubbled up from my belly before I knew it; bitter laughter. The kind that leaves you questioning what the Hell you're doing here.

Last time I was this frustrated, I broke my car's windshield and spent the day eating Oreo's and Ben & Jerry's 'Phish food' on the curb, outside a liquor store.

What is wrong with me?