The next morning, Daryl had to shoot two more of the staggering dead creatures that had wandered down from the highway. We could see a lot of abandoned cars up there, and it appeared some folks had been trying to flee the state through the northern border. Daryl went closer to take a look, and came back looking grim.

"There's smoke comin' from the direction of the city and I think it's been bombed, which is prob'ly why the power went out. It ain't safe here anymore. We're too close to the road and more of those things are gonna come down. The trailer's not strong enough if we get too many at once, and we can't be locked in here forever if they're outside. We gotta leave."

I shook my head and crossed my arms firmly, "Absolutely not. This is the only place my family knows to look for me. If they start sending in rescue teams we need to be right here. Plus, there's a store and shelter - where are we going to go that has those things and is safer? No, no way we're leaving."

Daryl just shook his head and began emptying boxes and crates of motorcycle parts under the carport. He headed back to the store, and I followed, realizing I still needed to grab my laundry. As I was unloading the dryer, Daryl began clearing shelves of food into his boxes and I straightened up, aghast. "What are you doing? That's looting!"

He ignored me and carted a couple of boxes across the road to his truck where he loaded them in the bed and returned for more. I couldn't ignore it and walked right up to him so he couldn't ignore me, getting in between him and the shelves and putting my hand on his chest. "Daryl! That poor woman and her daughter were killed out there, and you're just stealing? That's wrong and you know it. We cannot act like animals, even if we're in the middle of a crazy plague. Please stop!"

Daryl jerked my hand away and spun me around to face the window, which looked out over the deserted bar and scattering of empty trailers along the road. "Look the fuck around Princess! Ain't no rescue mission comin' for us. The whole fuckin' country's happy to leave us locked in with these freaks and try to save themselves, and there's nobody left around here to help. You wanna stay here by yourself with your fancy clothes and your high ideals, be my guest but I'm lookin' for somethin' better."

His words hovered in the empty space between us and I tried to process them. No rescue mission. Locked in. Something better. I was suddenly overcome with the gravity of the situation and my legs gave out. I sat on the dirty floor of the store shaken, looking with new eyes at what the world had become.

After several moments I spoke quietly. "Why did you promise my kids that?"

Daryl, who had turned to take another box to his truck, stopped short with his back to me. He was silent for several seconds before answering, "My ma died in a fire when I was a kid. I didn' see it so it was like she just . . . disappeared one day." Without further explanation, he left the store.

When he came back through the door, I had pulled myself to my feet shakily. "Okay. Where . . . where are we gonna go?" I asked quietly.

He rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm thinkin' we don't want to be too far out, so we can keep an eye on what's happenin' and get supplies if we have to. But we want to stay away from any highways and towns. There's some campin' areas further south that might work. We can drive back roads for a while, see what looks safe."

I nodded, realizing I just had to trust him with this, a position with which I was incredibly uncomfortable. I was the planner and decision-maker in my family - the one who researched everything down to the smallest detail and told everyone else what to do. I was always prepared and had considered every option before moving forward, but in the most precarious moment of my life so far I was forced to let this stranger make the decisions, and trust that he'd keep me safe.

"Are we leaving right away? I've got all my backpacking stuff, which could be useful if we're camping."

Daryl nodded. "Soon as we get packed. Shouldn' have to go too far to find a spot far enough away that there ain't a lotta those things."

I changed into shorts and a t-shirt, packed my clothes (minus the heels, but including my work clothes - I didn't have enough stuff to be choosy) and all my backpacking gear, and helped Daryl fill some tubs with food. I abandoned my moral high ground and we grabbed everything we could from the store, stocking up enough food for several weeks and cases of bottled water.

I had just done a final sweep of the trailer, grabbing my toiletries and some extra shampoo from Daryl's bathroom when I heard voices outside. I peeked out the window and saw Daryl's brother standing next to a motorcycle. My stomach clenched at the memory of him with those men at the bar and I took a deep breath. I didn't really understand the relationship - clearly Daryl wasn't like those other guys but he also seemed to be on friendly terms with his older brother.

I eavesdropped shamelessly, which wasn't very difficult since Merle's booming voice practically echoed in the trailer. "Well well well little brother! Ya plannin' ta leave without me?" he drawled.

Daryl shook his head. "Was gonna look for ya. Figured ya had to be around here somewhere." This was news to me, and I wondered when Daryl had planned to clue me in. The idea of staying somewhere with Merle was less than appealing, even if Daryl could keep him in line.

Daryl shuffled uncomfortably and looked sideways at his brother. "Ya remember that girl in the bar?" Merle laughed. "Miss CEO? She thank ya proper for rescuin' her ass?"

"Ain't like that" Daryl said gruffly. "She didn' have any place to go though, so she's been stayin' here an' she's comin' with me."

Merle rocked back on his heels, arms crossed. "We ain't takin' some snooty soccer mom along just cuz she looks at ya sweet. She'll get both our asses killed . . . unless ya think she'll be willin' to put out in exchange for keepin' her alive."

Daryl glared at Merle but I stepped out of the trailer before he could respond, eyeing Merle warily, and both men turned to look at me. "Yeah that's not going to happen" I said firmly. I was not going to let this asshole intimidate me. I dealt with men like him every day at work and wasn't going to be cowed despite my unfortunate dependence on his brother.

Daryl was still scowling and Merle had a big grin on his face. "Well lookie-loo! Seems like ya managed to sweet talk your way into my brother's protection darlin'. Luckily yer gonna get ol' Merle here to take care of ya right, since Darylina don't seem to know how. I'm guessin' yer a little more uptight than my usual type, but I'll loosen ya up."

Daryl rolled his eyes. "Shut the fuck up, Merle. She's got kids, I ain't gonna leave her here to get 'erself killed and you ain't gonna touch 'er." Merle tilted his head and looked me up and down, "Whatever ya say Daryl; you always were the sweet one. We gonna go or what?" He swung his leg over his motorcycle and started the engine.

Daryl grabbed the last bag from me and got in the truck while I hopped in the passenger's seat. By the time we pulled out, a few more of the dead were stumbling down from the highway toward the little neighborhood and I watched them grow smaller in the rearview mirror as we drove away.