-Daryl-

Daryl paced around his tiny cell multiple times before slamming his fist into his bunk. Josh was missing. Tyreese and Dave looked everywhere for the man but he was nowhere to be found. Daryl was pissed because he should have seen it coming. What person attacks a woman and would stick around to find out the consequences of his actions? No one that's for sure. Daryl knew he should have at least beaten the man until he couldn't move but Carol had stopped him, she was trying to make him a better person but who knows what Josh is doing right now...

It was dark now and the prison was on high alert because Josh was armed. Who wasn't? It's the goddamn apocalypse! The council made sure there were guards at every exit, in the tower, and in every cell block that was current in use. The entrances of the tombs were getting locked until further notice. No one was going to sleep easy knowing this dude was somewhere in the prison and Daryl couldn't help but feel like some of it was his fault. If he just killed the bastard before he escaped then nobody would be worrying right now. He could hear from the hallway that people were getting ready to turn in for the night. Daryl knew he won't be able to sleep knowing that man was lurking around the prison even if there were guards everywhere... He wouldn't be able to sleep knowing he might come back for Carol.

Daryl knew what he was going to do for now to at least solve one of his worries. He walked grabbed his blanket and crossbow heading into the cell next to his.

-Carol-

Carol was exhausted. She spent the rest of the day in the library with the council after Tyreese came back empty handed. It wasn't safe in the prison because Josh was armed and potentially dangerous. No one knew him besides Carol and even now Carol does not recognize the man she had grew to like. He turned stone cold every warm smile or action turned cold. Something was off about him. Sasha told Carol she could leave the library for the rest of the meeting if she wanted to because she did not look the greatest but Carol refused saying she was okay to stay but wanted some air. To be honest Carol was scared to be alone. She was scared of what Josh might do if he finds her. She only went out to get some air knowing Daryl would follow her. She felt safe around him. the meeting was finally over coming to the conclusion that they were all going to take turns on watch in every possible space like this prison was actually up and running. They were on maximum lock down.

everyone was leaving the library and Carol looked around for Daryl but didn't see him. He must of slipped out earlier without her noticing. She watched as everyone left until she was the only one in the room. She stood their alone for a bit before getting the feeling she was being watched. That feeling scared her beyond any fear of getting torn apart by walkers and she suddenly realized she shouldn't have waited until everyone was gone since she didn't want to be alone but her legs just didn't want to move. She decided to leave and maybe try and sleep or do something that will get her mind away from being alone with a man that attacked her possibly watching her...

she got moving rather quickly her mind racing as it got darker and darker until sue reached her cell block. Everyone must be trying to sleep she thought as she walked past the dark cells trying to reach her own but stopped when she realized there was a light in her cell. Someone had lit the candle in her cell. She felt nervous, who could it be? She approached her cell quietly and tried to compose herself before opening the sheet that was i the way of her and the mystery person in her cell. She pulled back the covers and was relieved to find Daryl sitting on her bunk Cleaning his arrows.

He looked up at her briefly before focusing back on his arrows.

"What are you doing here?" She said, trying nit to sound to relieved that she wasn't alone.

"stayin here the night" he put his arrow down and turned to look at her, "if it's okay with you... I just... It's not safe an all with Josh... I want ya to be safe."

Carol smiled, "Thank you so much." She said sitting beside him on her bunk, "I was terrified of being alone tonight..."

"I'm here now" Daryl said, "Ya safe with me"

Carol nodded, "Okay you can take the bottom bunk. I can have the top"

Daryl nodded and watched as she grabbed her pajamas, "You can change in my cell if ya want... No need ta go alk the way to the bathrooms alone..."

Carol smiled, "Thanks... roomie." She jokingly pushed his shoulder, "just don't be a peeping tom ok?" She chuckled as she left her cell knowing his face was bright red.

-Daryl-

Daryl shifted around the bottom bunk and put his heads into his hands. He thought about how he didn't want her sleeping on the top bunk alone but on the bottom bunk with him. His face was still red from her last comment. She just had the best things to say to him, he thought sarcastically but he really did love her jokes. He stopped thinking and rubbed his hands over his face did he really just think that? he was too busy in thought he didn't hear Carol Enter back into her cell.

"Everything okay?" She asked. He looked at her in her pajamas and sighed.

"i'm fine"

He watched as she took off her Cherokee rose necklace and held it tightly smiling before placing on a small desk in her cell.

"I am really tired.." She said yawning, "Might as well get some shut eye now. What do you think... Roomie?" She tried to suppress her smile but failed. She gave him one more look then climed up onto the top bunk settling down for the night.

god I love your smile, Daryl thought before getting into the bottom bunk amd blowing out the candle surrounding them in darkness. Daryl smirked knowing Carol wouldn't be able to see him.

"Night... rommie"

he heard Carol chuckle," Night Daryl" She sung in a whispered tone.

-Carol-

When Carol woke up Daryl was nowhere to be seen. That was odd considering he slept in her cell that night but she shrugged it off. He must have gotten up early to go hunting or something. Carol got up and walked out of her cell finding the cell block empty.

"Hello?" She called out, "Anyone there?"

She got no reply. Maybe everyone was outside or in the dining area... This was odd to Carol thought usually there was someone wandering around the cell block. she felt nervous but quickly decided they were some where else. They had to be, right? She walked into the dining area and it was empty. Panic washing over her she ran outside also finding it empty along with the watch tower. It was like everyone just up and left her in the prison. Alone.

"Where is everyone?" She said.

Fear struck her as she remembered Josh was still missing. What if he caused everyone to be gone? She ran back into the prison almost in tears. This was her worst fear, being alone. She tried to compose herself knowing everyone couldn't have just disappeared and decided to check the library and down through he tombs. She walked through the dining area to get the library but stopped when she heard whistling. She turned around to see someone she had not seen before when she walked through the room earlier. Actually she has never seen this man in the prison ever.

He was an older man with short almost grey hair. He had a white tank top stained with dirt and sweat on along with a blue shirt unbuttoned. He looked like to be reading an old news paper. He didn't look up or stop his whistling but he gently folded up the news paper placing it on the table. The tune he was whistling was almost jolly, something very rare to find at the end of the world.

She stopped and stared at him. Out of everyone in the prison the only person she finds is some dude she has never seen before? Great. Carol cautiously approached the table and looked at the man, "Excuse me... where is everyone?"

"It's about damn time you showed up" The man said looking at her, "Too busy bumpin uglies with Darylina weren't ya?"

Carol was confused, "Bumping what? Who are you?"

The man stood up and walked up to Carol, "Names Merle, sweetheart" She noticed he was missing one of his hands and it was replaced with a metal contraption.

"Merle?" She questioned the name feeling slightly familiar. Her eyes drifted back to his missing hand, it seemed too familiar.

"Yes Merle. You look like ya don't know me. Mouse whats the deal? No hug for me? God damn woman... Ya never seen a man missin a hand before? Blame officer friendly for that one..."

Carol looked at him with confusion, "My name is Carol... And no, I do not know you... I have never seen you in my life"

"See now you are just plain lyin' ta your brother"

"You're not my brother" She clearly stated causing Merle to laugh.

"Might as well be mouse. You are doin the nasty ta Daryl aren't ya?" He smirked.

Suddenly it all seemed to clicked. She knew who this man was. He was Daryl's brother, the man Rick was telling her about.

"Merle. You are Daryl's brother! Rick told me about you..."

"Ah so ya do remember me... I knew yous was lyin" he sat back down and motioned for her to sit beside him.

Carol decided to sit down, "No i don't remember you but i know who you are. Wait," She said pausing, "Merle... You are dead... You aren't alive."

"So you do know somethin after all... I gave my life up for Daryl... Just so he could chose you over me. It hurt but hes ma brother an I love 'im"

"What do you mean me over you?" She questioned but was interrupted by a high pitched scream.

"HELP!"

Carol got up and reached for her knife. What was going on? Before she could even react Merle grabbed her.

"Let me go!" She screamed, "What are you doing? Someone is in trouble!"

"Woah!" Merle laughed, "Man, you have turned into some fighter mouse! Damn."

"Merle, let me go now!"

"And what if i don't?" He questioned.

Carol felt tears go down her face, "Merle you asshole! Let me go now!" All of a sudden the screaming stopped and Merle let go of Carol. A lone walker appeared out of the shadows and Merle killed it in one swift motion, staining the floor with blood. Carol shut her eyes and pushed back at Merle trying to leave the area.

"This is all in my head. You aren't alive"

She opened her eyes again to find Merle gone and instead Sophia filled her place. Carol rubbed her eyes but Sophia just stood their looking at her mother with no expression on her face.

"Sophia?" She called out walking towards her.

"Mom?" Sophia questioned, "Why didn't you come for me?"

"What are you talking about?" Carol said getting closer to her daughter. When she finally reached Sophia she tried to give her a hug but Sophia dodged it.

"I was lost in the woods and you never came for me... You didn't once come to look and you didn't even bother to know if I was alive or not"

"Sophia..." Carol said falling to the ground. Sophia stood in front of her, "I don't remember... God I don't remember... Sophia I would never do that to you! I love you."

"You don't remember because it never happened... You never came looking for me. Face it you were glad I was gone"

Tears filled Carol's eyes, "I would never think that."

"But you did..."

"No!" Carol protested, "I love with all my heart. I don't remember but I know for a fact I wouldn't give up the search for you"

"Stop lying. Dad told me everything."

"Dad?" She questioned. Just then Ed revealed himself and Carol gasped.

"Bitch. Thought you could get rid of me?" He laughed, "You were so wrong" He stepped closer to her and Carol scrambled to her feet. She back away from him until he backed her into a corner. She feared what he was going to do to her.

The last thing she remembered was waking up screaming.