A/N: The last chapter before season 3, who's excited? I know I am. I have the majority of it already written down, and more I have the more I just want to upload it straight away! But I'm trying to be patient. Hope you'll enjoy this chapter and stay tuned for what's coming.

Cheers! :)

Day 269

"I don't understand," Glenn spoke from the driver's seat, making me look up from my book.

"What?" I asked him, confused.

"Why are you still driving with us."

Ah, yes. We were on the road again. Now we were moving every other day, Rick started to get paranoid, about walkers and other people. And I couldn't blame him. We were running out of supplies and out of places to scavenge.

But Glenn was talking about something else.

So, figures, my fever didn't break down straight away, no it developed into the nasty flu, which didn't want to leave me for a week. The majority of the group went on the run to find stronger medications. And I was stuck in that house, with a pregnant woman, a teenager, older man and mother hen who tried to find out all there is about Daryl and me.

But then we had to move, almost immediately after they came back; apparently, they got into the trouble and this time left witnesses. So we were running, west this time. For the past week, I was immobile, mainly passed out from fever at the back of Glenn's car. But pills finally kicked in, and I was feeling much better for about two days, even going for a final run yesterday, before we moved out.

"Are you complaining?" I asked the man, cocking my eyebrow at him. "Tired of my charming personality?"

"I'm just surprised, that's it."

"Babe," Maggie started, putting a hand on her boyfriend's leg. "He doesn't want her out, with the wind in her hair. He doesn't want her to get more ill."

"Aaa, so he's overprotective."

"Now you get it, babe."

"I think I'll catch a ride with T when we stop," I told them dryly, tired of their constant nagging about Daryl and I. Though I wasn't sure if the other man would be a better choice. Probably the same, if not worse.

"Eli, you know we care about you," Maggie told me, twisting in her seat, to look at me, a smug smile on her face.

"You got a funny way of showing it."

"That's what friends do. But watching you two is like a plodding romance novel; you just want to skip to the steamy part."

I gaped at the woman in front with my eyes wide open. I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Clearing the throat, I looked away, watching passing scenery out of the window.

"He doesn't feel like that, so you all can just close the book, 'cause it's not the one you're looking for," I spoke quietly, for the first time not avoiding the subject.

"So, you do feel that way?" Glenn asked me, his voice void of any humor.

"Even if I do, it doesn't matter. If I'd try something, he'd probably run for the hills." I told them, scrunching my nose a little, just imagining what would happen made me uneasy. "I don't want to destroy what we have."

"Eli, you don't see how he's looking at you," Maggie said gently, making me look at her with surprise in my gray eyes.

"She's right," Glenn added, glancing in the mirror at me. "It's like, whenever you're not next to him, his watching your every move, from across. As if he's checking that you're still there and safe."

"He cares. Friends care for each other." I was still skeptical, but I made a mental note to myself to pay closer attention to Dixon from now on.

"Why are you so stubborn and defensive about it?" Maggie sighed, what she said triggered something inside me. Why can't they see the reason why the fuck they keep pestering me about it all the time?

"Because I don't want my heart broken," I sneered at her, looking between two of them. "Because not everything is a fairy tale, like with you two. And the last thing I need is being stuck in the group I care about with a person who rejected me."

Finally, that shut them up, but they exchanged the look, something like pity crossing a woman's face. I crossed my arms and turned to look out of the window again. I doubt it will be the end of that conversation, but for now, I get a moment of peace.

"How much we got left?" I asked Carol quietly, crouching next to her. I passed her the few cans I managed to find in the kitchen. The woman was sorting through our rations, while the others were securing the house we just searched. We haven't been to this town before, but it was looted.

"With today, maybe three days." She replied. Her face was dirty, so were her naked arms. We all looked filthy, from mud and luck of any attempts at washing. Both food and water were a luxury, and we couldn't afford to waste it. I finally nodded, acknowledging that I heard her.

"OK, give me stuff for today, please." Carol handed me three cans with some ready spaghetti in it and two bars of protein bars. Plus, two water bottles. Between eleven people, one of them heavily pregnant and the growing teenager. I pushed the feeling of worry deep down, putting a blank expression on my face before walking into the living room.

Tomorrow we'll move on, check other houses, and we passed a food store on our way here, so I would have to speak to Rick about going there. But the sheriff was more reluctant recently to going into the stores, preferring just to scavenge houses one by one.

But for the last few days, it was evident that it wasn't the right call. Safer, definitely, but we are going to starve before hitting the jackpot. Group was quiet more often now, Lori only spoke with Carol and Hershel, mainly about the baby. Beth mostly wrote in her notebook, when not on the road. Maggie and Glenn kept to each other, holding hands, reassuring themselves that everything will be alright. T-Dog was more chatty, but his spirits were dampened as well, especially with Rick's watchful eye and orders to keep quiet, so we don't attract attention.

Daryl went back to being silent, nothing new here, but I missed our conversations. The only time he said more than three words would be in the woods, but I couldn't go with him since I was ill for the past week. But he stayed with me.

For the first few days, when I was struck with a fever, he'd sit next to me, messing around with his crossbow. Occasionally he would gently touch my head to see if it got better, or he'd push lone hair strand away from my face. When I needed water, he always had some next to him, and when I had to go to the toilet, he'd help me walk, waiting for me patiently by the door.

I thought about what a young couple told me in the car. So when I approached T and Glenn, giving them cans to distribute, my eyes were discreetly searching for Daryl.

He sat down by the wall, next to Carl, who was cleaning his gun. When I glanced in their direction, barely lifting my head, I caught hunter's eyes. He was fidgeting with his bolt, but indeed his bright blue eyes were already on me. Trying to look casual, I smiled lightly at him and looked back to the food.

We ate what little food we had for today and had quiet conversations before Rick declared that it's time to go to sleep. In the morning we were going to the next town, hoping that we'll finally find something, anything.

I had the first watch, and the only light was coming from the moonlight, not really entering the small living room. We covered the windows with heavy drapes, whoever lived here before, had expensive decor taste. From my position, I was hidden, to not attract any walkers, but could still see the street.

The only sounds in the room where soft snores from T-Dog and Lori, it was peaceful. I looked around at the sleeping bodies of my family, feeling a sharp pull in my heart. We've been through so much together. Carl didn't deserve to grow up in a world like that, with a constant fear of death. None of them did.

And then there was unborn baby, innocent and utterly dependent on others for the first few years of its life. How are we going to keep it safe? And even if we do, the walkers, infection it will be all this baby will know. He or she won't know how it is to go to school and visit grandparents during the weekend. Won't now what cinema or movies are or restaurants. All babies born from now on will only know the cruelty and survival of the fittest, and it wasn't fair.

I sighed quietly, looking back where I supposed to. A few walkers were passing by, sniffing the air, shuffling their feet without a destination. They came from the direction we did, indeed this same group that kept following us for the past few weeks. Perhaps it was a constant roar of Daryl's bike, echoing for miles, making geeks not changing directions.

When the time for shift swap arrived, I silently moved around the room, waking up T-Dog. After I made sure that he actually was awake and stood up, I moved to the corner where Daryl was sleeping.

My eyes were used to the darkness, so I could see his form, spread on a floor. He was lying on his back, one arm on his belly and the other under his head. I could see the muscles of his biceps in this position, and the top buttons of his shirt were slightly opened, revealing short hairs on his chest. The hunter left space by the wall, as always, with a neatly folded blanket, waiting for me.

I tried to be quiet, but I knew that he would wake up once he'd feel me next to him. His instincts were always on high alert. So I wasn't surprised when I layed down, facing him, and met his eyes. I put one of my arms under my head and smiled gently at him.

"Just me," I whispered, shifting closer to him, covering both of us with a blanket he left. Daryl hummed in reply and moved to his side, his broad back, shielding us from T-Dog's view. He wrapped his arm around my middle, pulling me closer.

Day 276

Shit, shit, shit.

That was the only word crossing my mind while I tried to rack my brain how to get out of the fucked up position I was in now. Cold sweat was slowly dripping down my spine, breathing was labored, and my head was pounding.

But maybe I should trackback, to explain how I found myself at the wrong end of a rifle with unconscious Maggie next to me, on the floor.

The fucking town had no signs of other people whatsoever, as usual, we found a house, disposed of all two walkers trapped inside and set up a living room to sleep in. There was a small convenience store just around the corner. With how desperate we were for food, we had to check it. But because it was small enough, we didn't need the whole crew.

Maggie and I split up from the guys who were going to search the houses next to the shop. I watched how the young couple kissed, almost as if they won't see each other for months, not thirty minutes.

"Be careful, El," Daryl told me before we could walk away, making me smirk at him.

"Always, Big Boy."

We banged on the door, waiting for any walkers to pop up any minute, but all we heard was silence. I put the bow across my back, raising the machete when I pushed the door open.

"Stick together," I whispered to the woman behind me, and we moved forward. It was a tiny store, two aisles, only one register. I was hoping for some cigarettes, both Dixon and I were out for the past few days, and the cold turkey was not doing me any good.

The store seemed to be empty, with no walkers anywhere, which actually made me uneasy. I mean, there was not even a single body in here, shelves were only half empty, and the doors were opened.

"I'll get that aisle, you take the other," Maggie told me, and looked over my tensed form. "And get yourself some smokes, you're really on edge."

"Pff, fuck off. Get condoms. We don't need another baby from you and Glenn."

"Bitch."

"Ditto." I crossed the floor to the counter and searched the shelves behind it for anything. Cigarettes were gone, but I found two pouches of tobacco and some paper to roll one. Hopefully, Daryl knows how to do it; otherwise, it'll have to be a try and error.

I shivered slightly, feeling like someone's watching me, so I turned around, ready to tell Maggie off for not packing shit into the bags. But before I could say anything, something hard landed on the side of my head, and all I could see was complete darkness.

"Wake up, sunshine!" Something cold and wet dripped down my face, making me cough. When I tried to open my eyes, throbbing pain pierced my head, making me close them again. I groaned and attempted to move my arms up to touch the sore spot, only to realize that my hands were bound behind my back.

That automatically put me in alert, finally opening my eyes. I could see two dirty faces belonging to equally dirty men. Their clothes were ripped in many places, dried mud and blood was everywhere. One of them was pointing a rifle at my head, while the other tried to wake up Maggie.

"You hit her too hard," Guy number Two said, disappointment evident in his voice.

"We'll have to play with this one first," Commented number One, his face twisting into a wicked grin that made swallow hard. I moved my wrists, checking what they used, cursing when I discovered it was a rope. The knot seemed well made, tight, digging into my skin. I glanced down, noticing all my weapons gone, and then I looked over at the woman next to me. She had a cut on her forehead, still unconscious.

"Hello, sweetheart, what's your name?"

"Fuck you," I growled at One, gaining myself a smack to my face. The back of his hand sent my head to the side, where I could see my weapons and the radio. If only I could get to it.

"She's got fire. It will be fun." Two licked his lips, making me cringe. I had to figure something out, and quickly, otherwise, we are royally fucked. Possibly literally, and that's something I'll never allow to happen, especially not to Maggie.

"What you want?" I asked them, my voice was hoarse.

"Well, you, of course. And your friend when she wakes up."

"Watch the other one, I'll call you when I'm finished." One ordered, grabbing my arm, pulling me upwards. I knew I had to figure something out quickly but had to wait for my opening. So I let him lead me to the other aisle. When we were hidden, from his companion's view, he pushed me harshly to the floor. I landed on my side, and he was on me in seconds, twisting me onto my back. My hands were being crushed by the weight, but it was a better position for me if I was about to do something about this guy.

I flinched when his lips landed on my neck, his heavy breath following the trail, down to my breasts. His hands were grabbing at my stomach and lower, to the tights. I fought the tears that pooled in my eyes, I'd not give this prick a satisfaction. I won't show fear, a weakness. Daryl will realize soon that's something's wrong, and they will come.

One moved lower, his face hovering over my belly, and I knew that's the opening I was looking for. I moved my body up and sent a knee to his face, satisfied when I heard a familiar cracking sound. He winced in pain, but I didn't give him any time to react. Twisting my hips, I wrapped thighs around his neck, trapping his head. He tried to claw at me, but that just sent another adrenaline rush through my body. Pushing my hips up, supported by hands under me, I strengthened a grip on his head and twisted, breaking his neck in a swift motion.

I was panting heavily, praying that the other guy won't come around in the next few seconds. I sat up and wiggled my wrists, trying to loosen up the knot, just a little bit. Leaning on one hip and lifting up the other, I sneaked my bounded wrists under my ass, knees, finally my feet.

Sighing quietly in relief, I clenched my jaw and stood up. Looking down at the dead body next to me, I felt the anger flow over my body. But that will have to wait. I crept around the corner, looking for Two, noticing him bending over Maggie. No time like now. Silently sneaking upon him, I rose my arms to wrapped them around his neck.

But life isn't fucking easy. I stepped on something, making him spin around. Noticing he was without a weapon, I run at him, pushing his body onto the shelf behind, using my shoulder. He pushed me and hit me in the face, sending me backward. I could feel blood dripping down my face, tears blocking my vision.

"You bitch!" He kicked me, but I had time to curl up, cushioning the blow a little. Twisting, I moved my legs under him, tripping Two to the ground. He obviously wasn't expecting that, his head hitting the floor. Scrambling to my feet, I stranded his middle, sending my elbow to his chest in a quick motion. He cried out in pain and struggled to catch his breath.

They fucking cornered us, disarmed us, hit Maggie hard enough that she's still unconscious. Wanted to fucking rape us.

Growling with the anger, I grabbed the guy by his head, lifting it, only to smash it against the hard floor. I heard the cracking and Two screamed in pain. Lift, push down. Lift, push down.

"Eli," Maggie's scared voice came from behind, breaking me out of my bubble.

"Mags!" I got off the guy, crawling to her. She looked at me, my face, clothes, hands and then at the guy who layed on the ground.

"Is he-" She couldn't finish the sentence, but I nodded sharply, changing direction and going for my knives.

"Yeah, there's another one. He'll reanimate any minute." I got to our weapons and grabbed my hunting knife. I stood up and plunged the knife in Two's head, just for good measure.

"I don't think he had any brain left," Maggie said in a weak voice, attempting a joke.

"Well, you can never be sure." I walked around the corner, repeating the process on One. Strolling back to Maggie, I cut through my binds and did the same to hers. She touched her sore wrists and probed at her forehead.

"Are there more of them?"

"No, just those two pricks. Come on. Let's grab the shit we came for and get out off here."

"Did they- you know?" Maggie bit her lip, grabbing hold of my hands, squeezing gently, comforting. I blinked a few times to get rid of tears that threatened to pour down my cheeks.

"No. But they tried." I told her quietly, closing my eyes, trying to calm myself down. Her arms wrapped around my neck, into the hug, and we stayed like that for a moment. It was close, and she experienced for the first time how cruel other people can be.

"Come on, we need to move, Mags."

It took us two minutes to throw everything into a bag. Firstly because there wasn't too much left. Secondly, because we didn't really look at what we were packing.

"Rick, where are you?" I spoke to the radio when we stepped out of the store.

"Already back at the house. Question is, where the hell are you?" The sheriff sounded agitated when walkie-talkie crackled into life.

"Great, on our way. Five minutes." I replied, avoiding the question.

"They gonna be pissed," Maggie said, her eyes scanning the road for walkers or other living people. She was still shaken but tried to stay alarmed.

"Yeah, don't worry. I'll explain it." I told her, smiling reassuringly in her direction.

"Well, I literally missed all of it, so there ain't another option."

I smacked my lips at her sarcastic comment, but truthfully I was glad that she was unconscious. Who knows what the other guy would do to her. And my little self-defense lesson didn't include how to fight a rapist with your hands bound behind your back.

When we came to the house, I pushed Maggie forward. I suddenly realized that I am covered in blood, so I tried to wipe at least some of it from my face, but I think I just made it worse. Rick was the one to open the door, urging us inside.

"Where the hell have you been?" The sheriff asked, looking mainly at Maggie, I still tried to hide my appearance behind the taller woman.

"God, baby! Are you alright?" Glenn rushed to his girlfriend, hovering a hand over the cut on her head. He pulled her for a hug, showing my humble self to the rest of the group. Daryl jumped up from his seat on a sofa and got to me in three long strides.

"Is that blood?" The hunter asked me, his eyes looking over my bruised face, split lip, blue wife-beater that was half-covered in red liquid. The sleeve of my shirt was ripped, hanging off my shoulder.

"No?" I asked, in a slightly pitched voice, taking a step back from the man.

"That's not a question you're supposed to answer with another question," Rick commented, making me turn to him. I sighed and dropped the cocky attitude.

"Two guys in the shop. They had to be hiding, cause we didn't see them." I started, running a hand over my face, wincing a little when I touched the sore spot on my cheek.

"Do we need to go?"

"I don't know. I didn't really have time to chat." I told him dryly, sighing when he rose an eyebrow at me. "They hit us on the head. Maggie, a little harder, cause she didn't gain consciousness until it was over."

"But why are you all covered in blood?" Carl asked, fear in his voice. I wasn't sure it was for me or of me.

"Um, so- we had hands bound behind our back. One of them pulled me away when I woke up. He tried, well, you know." I looked Rick directly into the eyes, and he nodded sharply, clenching his jaw. "I stopped him. Then got into the fight with the other. And here we are."

"They dead?" Daryl growled in a low voice, I shifted to look properly in his eyes and nodded slowly. "Good."

"Let's get you cleaned up a little." Carol pulled me with her to the kitchen, Daryl right behind us. In the meantime, Rick was already organizing our departure. He didn't want to risk staying here any longer, just in case there were more of them. I didn't blame him, I just wished that our life would look different. Lori was so close to term, she could go into labor any moment, and having a baby on the road was a dangerous idea.

We needed to find something soon.