"They're taking a long time aren't they?" Mary sighed pacing beside her car. It had been a while since Merle, Julius and Cedric had gone in to town, Jenika wasn't entirely sure what they were getting but Merle had said something about tents so she assumed it was that, if they were going to continue how they were then tents would be a good thing because nights were starting to get colder and sleeping out in the open was a dangerous game.
"It just feels long because we're not doing anything" Norma explained pushing some stray bits of hair away from Ellie's eyes. They didn't have much concept of time anymore and no one had a watch, so god knows how long they had been gone but it did feel like it had been a while. Jenika sighed shifting Nikolai slightly as she glanced around her making sure there were no walkers, apart from the ones Alfred had killed earlier there hadn't to their fortune been any more nearby, they could see some in the distance either end of the roads and a few in the forest across from them but the walkers hadn't noticed them so they were fine. But where are they? Are they okay?
Waiting on someone's arrival that may never return was a horrible thing. There was always a chance they wouldn't come back, always a chance something had gone wrong, always a chance... No they will come back there okay Jenika shook her head to rid herself of the thoughts, she had to have faith that they'd be okay or she'd driver herself insane.
"It's a camera"
Jenika turned her head to the side watching Noah hand Michael a camera, Michael looked it over before taking a picture of Noah who was crouched in front of him. She laughed quietly as Noah blinked a few times shaking his head in a comic way to clear his sight from the flash; he then took the photo that came out of the camera shaking it for a few seconds before handing it to Michael, Michael's face brightened, he looked the happiest she had seen him in a while, it was a pleasant sight.
"I wanna see" Ellie called running over to them, she took the photo with a giggle, her little hand covering her mouth. "You look funny Nono, me nex me nex" Ellie grinned at Michael who after a slightly hesitation took a photo of her, Noah shook the developing photo again then handed it to Ellie who giggled again.
"Look Nanny Look, it's me!"
"I thought Michael would l-like it" Noah explained seeing Jenika watching them.
"You are a good boy Noah" Jenika smiled, the camera soon turned to her and she turned Nikolai to face it pointing towards Michael so he'd look at the camera then she pulled Noah closer to, with a click Michael took a photo this time shaking the developing photo himself a small smile on his face. Jenika mouthed another thank you to Noah before turning back around when she heard Mary utter 'finally' She watched Merle, Julius and Cedric had towards them, large backpacks on their backs.
"How'd it go?" Alfred questioned pushing off of his car.
"Pretty damn good, it's Christmas kiddies" Cedric grinned "Ho Ho ho"
"Yeah weren't many walkers there, not that we saw anyway and we got some good-"Julius cut himself off blinking slightly at Michael.
"The fuck you get that?" Merle questioned raising an eyebrow at Michael who was shaking another photo.
"I er found it" Noah waved scratching at his neck. "It's okay r-right? Michael likes it"
Merle shrugged uncaring, moving passed everyone and pulling the boot of the car open and heaving in the two large backpacks, Jenika eyed them curiously but moved over to the car when Merle opened the driver's door with a 'let's go'.

It was night, they had moved in to the woods to set up camp, the tents were a welcomed sight when Merle and the guys set them up. They weren't the largest each was a two man tent but they were easily put up and easy to take down which was perfect for them to travel with. Merle, Julius, Cedric and Noah had their own tents; Alfred and Mary were sharing, Norma, Jenika, Michael, Ellie and Salem were also sharing, they had spare tents enough for everyone to have one each and more but they weren't needed yet, they had there blankets and enough tents, they had a camp with tin cans surrounding it and Merle had organised watch duties, between him, Alfred, Julius and Cedric, but there was still the matter of where to head, which was the discussion they were on.
"A prison?" Cedric questioned with a raised eyebrow before taking a bite of his food, squirrel and rice, the squirrel curtsy of Merle's hunting skills and well placed traps, he had caught three squirrels would have been four but Salem had retrieved the last and ate it himself.

"Yes a prison, the state one is nearby isn't it?" Norma questioned. "Well if the newspapers and news were right they had the best reputation for a good security system and for being impossible to break out of"
"Nah wasn't impossible but certainly difficult" Merle nodded bringing attention to him.
"I'm going to take a wild guess and say you were a resident of this prison?" Cedric grinned earning a chuckle from Merle in return Merle nodded biting at the squirrel bone taking all the meat he could get off of it.
"Four times I was, my last was the longest, sixteen god damn months"
"Sixteen months? Gee what did you do rob a bank?"
"That's one thing I didn't try" Merle smirked chucking the finished bone in to their small fire pit, despite the fact it was chilly they weren't going to have a big fire they didn't want to attract walkers, they had little security in the middle of a forest.
"It's a big place though, housed a lot of inmates in the different blocks think there was four buildings to six cell blocks, all doors key operated, fences are pretty high and strong, might need to reinforce them but we'd haveta clear out a block but it could be a good place to hold up in" Merle nodded scratching at his chin in thought. "Does depends on the state of it now and how many walkers are inside"
Jenika sat down beside him leaning against the log, placing Nikolai on the ground in front of her, he had his outer clothes Merle had picked up for him on, the jacket and trousers slightly to big, but they'd have to do, too big was better than freezing to death.
"So you think we should go for it?" Julius questioned, Merle shrugged in return, bringing his gaze away from Nikolai as he randomly smacked at the ground, picking up twigs and dirt much to Jenika's annoyance.
"Scout it out tomorrow"
It was too dark to do anything now but tomorrow they'd check it out and if it didn't look too bad they'd go for it. Despite the fact Merle wasn't too eager to get back in to a prison cell, if there wasn't many walkers inside it would be a safer place to hold up in especially with a baby. He glanced over at Alfred and Mary as they waved good night taking their baby in to their tent, thing cried a lot all babies cried way too much in his opinion and in the apocalypse it was a dangerous game, but there was nothing they could do but be careful that's why Merle set up watch duties, they didn't want any nasty surprises.
A small thud on his chest made Merle snap out of his thoughts, he lowered his gaze slightly to the little face in front of him, little hands grabbing at his chest to pull himself up in to a standing position.
"What you want?" Merle questioned watching Nikolai grin up at him nattering on nonsense. "Learn English, ya as bad as ya ma" Merle muttered his hand snapping out to grab Nikolai's arm when he nearly slipped. There was a flash in his direction, without looking up Merle knew Michael had taken a photo, Kid aint put that thing down since Noah gave him it earlier. Personally Merle didn't see the point in having a camera or why Michael would want one, but it was keeping him happy and he was doing something over then moping.
"Yeah I'm going to hit the sack if I have to wake up for watch in a bit" Julius yawned putting his empty bowl in the empty cooler box, they were using it to hold the cooking utensils.
"Yeah same, well my own bed not yours but yeah" Cedric added standing as well. Merle lifted his hand in acknowledgement while everyone else said goodnight. He had first watch, then it was Julius and Cedric, and Alfred had the early morning watch as he had a baby he was usually awake for it anyway. During the day everyone was alert so they didn't really need watch duties then plus they were usually traveling in their vehicles.
"Would you stop smacking me" Merle muttered as Nikolai Smacked him for the fifth time.
"Bababababa"
"Yeah bababababa to you to"
"For someone who's supposed to be a prick and not good with children you're doing pretty well"
"I may know a few things aint stupid" Merle shrugged awkwardly lifting Nikolai up and handing him to Jenika to avoid looking at Norma. Jenika muttered something in Russian as she stood to take Nikolai and Michael to their tent, Noah moving off to his with a goodnight. Leaving Merle with a nosy Norma.
"You raised your brother didn't you?"
"Yeah…"
"Tell me about him"
"Like what?"
"Well his name, what's he like?"
"Daryl, he's well" Merle paused slightly thinking about his brother. "He's Daryl socially awkward, quiet boy"
"I'd say like you then, but your quite loud"
Merle snorted.
"Were you two close?"
"Not really, I spent most of my time trying to get away from home, didn't really stick around to know him" Merle sighed "Now I aint gonna get the chance"
"I'm sure he's fine, and doing pretty damn good, if he's anything like you"
Merle shook his head a small barely noticeable smile on his lips. "Daryl's not like me at all. He likes people to believe he's an asshole like me, but he's a good boy he can't help it, it just comes natural to him, he's awkward though, terrible with people but if he's alive if that group give him a chance he'd prove himself to them that he's a somebody they'd see, they need him. They'd love him. He's nothing like me, not a worthless redneck that fucks everything up, he's a somebody"
"You love your brother a lot"
"Course, he's my baby brother, I still remember when ma told me she was pregnant she was arguing with Pa at the time and I got home and she sort of screamed it at me, I was excited always wanted a little brother or sister, thought I wouldn't be so lonely, ma had gotten pregnant lots before, but she kept losing them because of her drinking so I was determined to make sure she didn't lose Daryl. I'd switch her vodka for water, I'd accidently spill any other drink's she'd have and hid her cash so she couldn't buy any, I even cooked for her so she'd eat something, then when Daryl was born, I raised him, but I royally fucked up didn't I?"
Much to Merle's annoyance he could feel a sting in his eyes.
"You said he's a good man and that's on you, you raised him that way, so how can that mean you fucked up? You're a good man Merle you like people to believe you're an asshole" Norma quoted as she walked off to her tent a sleeping Ellie in her arms. "But you've proven you're not and your certainly not worthless"

Merle watched her go, before dropping his eyes to the ground. I'm turning in to a pussy, getting feeling and shit Merle sighed rubbing at his face, he had never in his life told anyone how he felt told anyone his deep thoughts he always kept them to his self but lately they just kept slipping out, it annoyed him but he couldn't deny it made him feel a little at ease, for once people were here for him, they cared and they listened. Cared…Merle groaned slightly leaning his head backwards to stare up at the sky.
"What the fuck is happening to me?"
"Merle?"
Jumping Merle's hand dropped to his knife his eyes in the direction of the voice. He relaxed when he noticed it was Jen, he nodded to her, which she took as a sign to move closer and sit beside him.
"Norma say you no happy"
Merle snorted slightly staring at the flames that flickered in the fire pit. "I'm fine Sugar" He replied after a few seconds Got stop being a pussy though he silently added. Jenika shuffled closer to him, pulling her coat tighter to her and knees up to her chest.
"You no burr?" Jenika questioned tilting her head towards him; Merle raised an eyebrow in reply an amused look coating his features. Burr?
"No I'm not cold" He chuckled silently. "Thick skin" Truth be told he was a little cold, but he couldn't be bothered to get up to get his coat and he wasn't going to admit it, been a pussy enough tonight.
Salem trotted out of Jenika's tent and over to them, laying himself down beside Merle.
"He good you" Jenika smiled reaching over Merle to stroke him. "Me err" Jenika paused moving her hands around as she tried to think of the word. "No brother err"
"Father?"
"Yes yes, me father err he say" She pointed to Salem who rested his head on Merle's leg.
"Dogs?"
"No no all"
"Animals?"
"Yes yes, he say Animols err good" She pointed to her head.
"Have a good sense about people huh?" Merle guessed eyeing her, Jenika nodded in reply with a smile.
"Yes yes, if animols good you, you good"
Merle chuckled soundlessly nodding in reply her English was bad, but he understood what she was trying to say, he had heard the saying many times himself though said a little better and it was something he couldn't really disagree with or agree with he hadn't had many experiences to judge it on, all he knew was dogs just generally liked him and some cats but he didn't like cats.
"Just cause' the dog likes me don't make me good sugar, shoulda seen half the shit I got up to the drugs, the booze, the fights" He could remember most of what he did, for pretty much most of his adult life he had spent it stoned or drunk, was easier that way…
"You no bad I err" She pointed towards her eyes.
"See?"
"Yes yes, I see bad you no bad, I see you, you good, you err you me" She sighed rolling her head backwards struggling to find the words. "Superman, batman?"
"I'm your super hero huh?" Merle chuckled.
"Yes yes you me hero"
He paused shock overtaking his face as he stared at Jenika; she had just called him her hero. She had to be kidding.
"Honey I aint no hero, I'm the bad guy, I'm the kind of guy that people cross the street to avoid, the one that would beat the shit out of someone who'd look at him funny, the one that would drink and get high till he no longer knows what he's doing, the bad guy"
Jenika stared at him in return before shaking her head, she stood and disappeared behind him, Probably scared her. He settled back against the log behind him, his eyes gluing to the fire he knew he had to do a round of the camp and grab his jacket but too much was filling his head, before he could get in to his thoughts, a jacket was placed around his shoulders as well as two arms, he raised an eyebrow he didn't need to turn to see who it was, he knew who, the arms around his shoulder gave him a squeeze before soft lips kissed the side of his forehead. Soon the arms let go and the person moved away it happened so fast Merle wondered if it actually happened, but as he watched Jenika slip in to her tent he knew it had, he snorted slightly slipping his arms in to his jacket. You got problems sugar if you think I'm a hero….but thank you sugar…