Everything was very quiet the next morning. I was sadly sitting by the fireplace feeling numb and dead. I can't believe my little brother is dead. Just yesterday before we left on that run, he was alive. I wished that I would've talked to him that day. I wished that I would've played cards with him more when he asked. There were so many things that I regret. Now it's too late.

Daryl and Michonne were silently discussing what we would do next. If we should stay here for a while or just leave. We were going to leave eventually, we can't just stay here. My dad walked into the room just then. Everyone looked at him.

"Hey." Daryl said to him. "We was just talkin' about what to do. Should we stay here or—

"No." My dad cut him off. "We should go." He looked down at me. "Abby, are you hungry?"

"No." I shook my head.

"You should eat." He opened a bag of something. "Here, have some chips at least."

"I don't want it." I looked down.

"Eat the damn chips!" He yelled and threw them down on the floor by me. I looked up at him sadly. My dad took a breath, then looked at everyone staring at him. He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Abby, I'm…" He trailed off. "I'm sorry." He said quietly, then walked out of the room.

I put my head down and cried. Daryl got down on the floor with me and held me. "Shh shh." He tried to comfort me.

"My little brother's dead." I cried. He ran his hand down the back of my head. "We just keep getting smaller and smaller."

"I know, I know." He said softly. "C'mere." He held his arms open. I moved into his arms and sat on his lap, he held me while I cried. "Shh shh." He rocked me. I absentmindedly turned my head and saw my dad standing in the doorway, he had tears in his eyes. I didn't want to look at him anymore so I put my face in Daryl's neck. I became really comfortable, which made me realize how tired I was from not sleeping through the night. I fell asleep in Daryl's arms.

Narrator's POV

"So what's the plan?" Daryl said to no one in particular. "We stayin' here or what?"

"No, we should go soon." Rick nodded. "We have all the supplies from yesterday, so we should be good for a while."

Daryl nodded at his friend, then looked down at the sleeping girl in his arms. He pushed the hair out of her face. "Maybe we should wait a little. Let Abby get some sleep."

"No. We should head out." Said Rick. "She can sleep in the car."

"C'mon, man. She's tired." Daryl nodded.

Rick looked at his daughter sleeping and his expression changed a little. "I didn't mean to yell at her like that." He said feeling guilty.

"We know." Said Michonne. "It's okay."

"She might not know." He hung his head.

There was a brief pause. "Yer right, we should go." Daryl agreed. "She can sleep in the car like you said."

Rick gave the man a nod. "Will you drive?"

"Yeah." Daryl said. Rick tossed him the keys.

"The car's already packed. We can go whenever."

"Alright. I got 'er." Daryl started to get up and he picked up Abby bridle style and started outside.

Abby's POV

I felt myself being carried and woke up. "What's goin' on?" I asked sleepily.

"It's alright. We're leavin'." Daryl said. "You can sleep in the car."

Daryl put me into the back seat, my dad was already in there and put his arm out to me. I sat up and scooted closer to him, he put his arm across my shoulders. "I'm sorry for yellin' at you like that." He kissed my temple. I just leaned on him and we started driving.

I must have fallen asleep again because I woke up at some point feeling sick to my stomach. I sat up quickly and looked around, it looked like we were on a highway but it was getting dark so it was hard to tell. My eyes fell on my dad. "What's wrong?" He said.

I hesitated. "…I feel sick."

"You think you're gonna throw up?" He pushed my hair back. I nodded. "Daryl, can you pull over? Abby doesn't feel good."

Daryl glanced back at us quickly, then slowly pulled off to the side of the road. I practically jumped out of the car and ran over to the grass. A sickening feeling took over and all I wanted to do was puke so that I would feel better. I gagged a few times, then finally threw up. I didn't have a lot of food in me so it was mainly stomach acid, which didn't feel great. I whimpered.

Just then, there was a snarl next to me. I looked up and there was a walker coming right at me. My eyes widened, but my dad was there in a second and took care of it. Afterwards, he stood next to me and held me up. "You okay?" He felt my forehead, then breathed out sharply. "You're burnin' up." He obviously didn't keep the concern out of his voice. "C'mon, get back in the car." He guided me inside.

"You okay?" Daryl asked. We started driving again.

"…no." I replied. I felt okay after vomiting but started to feel sick again once the car started moving.

"Why do ya think you got sick?" My dad asked me. He still had his arms around me.

"…the backseat makes me nauseas." I said sickly.

"You get carsick?" Daryl asked me.

"…only if I'm in it for a long time."

Michonne looked back at me. "You wanna switch seats with me?"

"…if you want to." I said.

"Yeah, we don't want you feelin' sick." She said again.

So, Daryl stopped the car for a second, Michonne got out and I climbed up into the front seat. Daryl roughly rubbed my back a few times. Once we were all situated, we began moving again. I started to feel better now that I was in the front seat.

It was getting late and we came across a small trailer park so we decided to stop for the night. After we checked everything and made sure it was safe, we picked a trailer for the night. There were enough trailers that we could split up, but we wanted to stay together. It was safer that way anyway.
We were mainly quiet, the others talked occasionally but I stayed silent. I felt kind awkward around them all of a sudden. It probably has something to do with me being the only kid now. It was different when my brother was here because he was the youngest, which made me feel like I had some leadership with him. Now that he's gone, I am the youngest and suddenly felt out of place. Almost like I didn't belong with the grown ups. I didn't like that. I didn't like that at all.

I walked out onto the porch and sat there by myself. Is this how it's going to be now? Am I going to pull away again? Will I ever feel the same way again? I hope so, but…I didn't think so. I put my head down and watched my tears drip onto the wooden porch. It feels like I've been doing a lot of crying lately.

"Abby?" My dad walked out onto the porch about twenty minutes later. I'm surprised it took him that long. "Are you crying, baby?"

"What's it look like?" I wasn't being completely smart.

He let out a laugh and put a hand on my back. "I know you miss 'im, I miss 'im too." He gently rubbed my back. "I know there's nothing I can say that will make you feel better."

"Feel better?" I asked like he was stupid. "It's only been one day." I almost snapped.

"I know. But you will. You've been through this before. That heartache will go away." He continued to try and comfort me.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm down, then looked up at the stars. "…at least mom won't have to be alone now. Carl will be happy to see her. He's in a better place now." I don't know what made me say that because that's not how I feel at all. "…I take that back." I spoke my thoughts out loud. "He's eleven and he's dead. He should be right here with us."

"Oh, Abby." My dad said like I said something so wrong.

"It's true." I looked at him. "How can you not think like that?" Suddenly angry, I stood up. "He was just a kid, he didn't deserve that. No one does! So, I'm sorry if that makes you upset but I'm not gonna lie and think that—

Suddenly, I was cut off by my dad hugging me. He held me from behind. I just let myself go and cried again, I sobbed pretty hard. "Shh shh. I know, baby." He held me like that for a long time. I eventually began to calm down. He let me go, I sniffled and wiped my tears with my arm. "It'll all be okay in time." My dad told me. I nodded.

"Hey." Daryl walked out catching the end of what my dad said. "What's goin' on? She cryin'?"

"Yeah, she's upset about Carl." My dad said. I turned away and leaned on the railing looking out at the stars again.

There was a brief pause. "…I figured I would take the sofa bed and let Abby have the bunk room to 'erself."

"Alright." My dad said. "Yeah, Michonne and I will be in the bedroom." I heard him stand up. "We should probably turn in." He walked over to me. "C'mon, baby. Let's go inside." He kissed my forehead. "Don't be upset." He rubbed my arm. I sniffled a little.

Daryl grabbed me when I walked passed him and kissed my cheek a bunch of times. I had to let out a small laugh. "She'll be alright." He said. We went in after that.

I laid awake that night, it was really hot in that bunk room so I left the door open and had both windows completely open. Some air came in but it was still disgustingly hot in there and it was keeping me from sleeping. Since I wasn't able to sleep, my mind wandered and of course it went right to my brother. My dad didn't exactly make me feel better with his words earlier. I don't think anyone can make me feel better about this. I missed my little brother and wanted him back and that's all there is to it.

I sat up in my bed and began to cry some more. I tried to be quiet, I even put my hand over my mouth to try and silence my sobs but I don't think it was doing much.

I heard Daryl roll over on his sofa bed. He could probably hear me, there was only a wall between us. "Abby?" He said. "You okay?"

"…not really." I decided to be honest. I mean…he already knew that I was crying.

He walked in there and sat down on the other bed. "You upset about Carl again?"

I sobbed before answering. "…I never stopped."

He kind of breathed out. "Listen, kid…I ain't gonna lie and tell ya that everythang will be okay cuz I don't know that myself. People are gonna die." He nodded. "And there's no gettin' over it. Ya just kinda…get used to it." He shrugged. "It's gonna happen…over and over again. At anytime. Anythang can happen."

I took a deep breath and steadied myself. I took in everything that Daryl told me. He's right about what he said, and I respected him for not candy coating it for me and for treating me like an adult. However, that didn't exactly stop me from missing my brother.

"Now, I know that doesn't really help, you gotta move on yerself when yer ready to." He nodded again.

"No, you're right." I said and took a breath. "Thank you."

"Abby, I didn't mean—

"I know. I get it." I looked down. "There's no…easy way to say it."

He seemed to hesitate. "…yeah…but that don't mean you ain't allowed to be sad. And that also don't mean that there ain't gonna be good times. This world is a lot uglier and more dangerous than the world before, but in a way it's no different. People died before and they die now. So, you gotta enjoy the time ya have now. Don't spend it bein' too upset all the time. Cuz all ya got is right now." He put a hand on my shoulder and looked into my eyes giving me a serious look.

I just had to stare at him for a moment because that lecture was on point. "Wow, Daryl. That was…really nice. And true too." I looked down and thought for a few seconds. He did actually help me. I mean…I still miss Carl, I probably always will, but I feel a little better about the whole thing. It's like how my dad helped me get over the guilt of Carol dying. You honor the dead by living. And like Daryl said, this world is ugly and dangerous. It's not a place for children. My little brother doesn't have to worry about that anymore. He has no problems, he's free. Free as a bird. I looked back up at him. "Thank you." I said seriously.

He nodded. "I'm happy to help. I just hope ya didn't get the wrong idea."

"I think I got it." I gave him one nod.

He stared at me for a moment. "Well, good." He looked down and played with his fingers for a second. "I don't say this very often but…I love ya, kid." He gave me a serious look and nodded. "I love ya." He put a hand on my shoulder. "And I loved yer brother too. I would 'a died fer him, just like I'd die fer you."

I looked down because I didn't really know how to respond to that. So, I just simply said, "I love you, too." I gave him a small smile.

Daryl gave me a small, quick smile in return, then he tucked my hair behind my ears on both sides. "Try to get some sleep." He stood up and was about to leave.

I had a sudden urge to hug him. "Wait." I stopped him. I got up and hugged him tightly around his neck, then kissed him on the cheek. He let out a small laugh and kissed me twice on my cheek.

After we let go of each other, he ruffled my hair then walked out of the room. I smiled to myself as I laid down. I miss my brother but…I'm glad I still have my dad, Michonne and Daryl. I don't know what I would do if I lost anymore of them. I didn't even want to think about it even though it's very possible.

Even though I was feeling somewhat better, thanks to Daryl, I probably still won't get any sleep. It's hot as fuck in here. I sighed and just laid there.

Well, I was right. It was the next morning and I hardly slept at all. I felt like a walker myself. The three of us were sitting at the little kitchen table eating breakfast. We were quiet for the most part, they talked occasionally but I stayed silent again. Not because I was upset but because I was tired.

"Abby?" My dad finally said pulling me from my thoughts. "You okay?"

"Uh…yeah."

"Are you still thinking about Carl?" He asked me again.

I glanced at Daryl before answering him, we locked eyes. "No. I kinda feel better about that. Daryl talked to me last night, he helped me." I nodded. "But…it's just that…" I trailed off because I was beginning to feel emotional again. "I wish I would've been a better sister." My lip quivered and I couldn't hold it in.

"No, baby." My dad said softly.

"You were a good sister." Michonne said. "You were."

"You cain't thank like that." Said Daryl.

They were all saying things to me trying to make me feel better. I was annoyed at myself for crying, but I just couldn't help it. "I know." I nodded. "I'm sorry." I cried. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay." My dad said. "Don't apologize." He got up and hugged me. After a few seconds, Michonne hugged me too. "Daryl." My dad said. "Get in here." Daryl stood up and the four of us hugged.

It was really nice, all of us comforting each other. We were smaller but we were still a little family. It wasn't my dad, Michonne and Daryl hugging me…it was my dad, my step mom and my uncle hugging me. We weren't family by blood, but that was okay. I would be okay.

There were a bunch of games on a shelf so we played a few that night. We were currently playing Yahtzee. I remember playing that game with my grandparents. My grandpa was real serious about it, it was funny.

We were almost done with the second round. "I still need my small straight." Daryl said.

"Or a big gay." I said with a grin and raised my eyebrows. My dad and Michonne laughed, but Daryl acted as if he hadn't even heard me. Maybe he's taking this game seriously like my grandpa did.

"I still need my chance." My dad said.

"Me too."

"I'm done." Said Michonne. "I'm just waiting on you guys."

"I'm gonna win." I smirked.

"I don't know about that." My dad said with a grin.

"Yeah, I'on know about that either." Said Daryl.

"You'll see." I took the dice and took my next turn. I rolled another Yahtzee on the second roll. "Ha! I told you!" I wrote down my extra points.

Everyone took their turn after that and got what they needed. Now it was time to add up our scores. I got a little over three hundred, which probably made me the winner. I smirked.

"Well…" My dad said and looked around at everyone.

"You go first." Michonne said with raised eyebrows.

"I got 250 since I never got Yahtzee." My dad said. I kept my smirk.

"I got 275." Said Michonne. My dad laughed. I grinned now because I figured that I won.

"I got 302!" I said and laughed.

"Oh, you lucky little…" My dad didn't finish his sentence and shook his head but laughed. Michonne laughed too.

"I got 315." Said Daryl.

It felt like I was punched in the stomach and my smile faded. "Nah uh!" I looked at him.

"Look." He smirked and showed me his paper. I looked at it, he was right.

"Damnit." I complained and put my head down. They all laughed at me.

Well, what now?" My dad asked.

"Uno is over there." Said Michonne.

My thoughts went right to my brother and my smile faded. "I don't wanna play any cards games." I shook my head.

"Okay, well, that leaves battleship." Michonne said again. I thought of us playing battleship and busted out laughing. "What?" She said with a smile.

"I don't know." I said still laughing. "Just the thought of us playing battleship made me laugh. I feel like there's gonna be some arguing."

The others laughed too. "Well, we don't have to play it." Michonne said. "I was just saying."

"Yeah, let's not do that." I said. I started looking around. There were some movies on a shelf by the little TV. I wish the TV still worked but…at least we have another portable DVD player. That gave me an idea. "Why don't we just watch a movie instead?"

My dad and Michonne looked at each other. "Sure, I don't care." Michonne said. My dad just shrugged. I looked at Daryl.

"I don't give a shit." He said.

I giggled. "Well, then why don't you pick the movie out, Daryl?" I smiled.

"Nah." He waved.

"Oh, come on. You never pick the movie or games that we play or anything. I'm making you pick." I put a hand over my chest and smiled.

"Oh yeah?" He had a look of amusement on his face. My dad and Michonne laughed.

"Yeah." I crossed my arms over my chest and smirked.

"Alright. I'll pick one. But this is only for you." He pointed at me and smirked.

I watched him walk over to the movie shelf. "Pick a good one. Oh, pick a scary movie."

"I thought this was my choice?" He looked at me.

"It is, but I was just helping." I smiled.

Daryl picked a random movie, it ended up being a horror movie after all. It was about a woman who suspects her husband is a serial killer. It was pretty good so far, it was the right amount of creepy.

At one point in the movie, there was a sex scene between the couple. My dad and Daryl were both on the ends of the couch and Michonne and I were in the middle. It was a little awkward, but no one said anything so I decided to be the one. "This is awkward." I said as a whisper and had a slight smile. Everyone laughed, even Daryl. My dad looked around Michonne at me and laughed.

"Yeah, I'm about to cover yer eyes." Daryl said with a smirk and put a hand over my eyes. I knew he was only joking though. I pushed his hand away and laughed some more. I'm glad that we were having fun. It ended up being a pretty good day.

We stayed at that trailer park for the next three nights because we needed to find more gas for the car or just another car. We ended up just finding a new one. We had an SUV now, which was more roomy. And we traveled on.

I was in the front seat this time with my dad driving. I hadn't slept much the whole time we stayed in that trailer. I must have gotten about three hours in three whole days! And I'm pretty sure I almost had a heat stroke the one night, but that's something that I kept to myself. I didn't need my dad and Daryl all concerned about me.

But anyway, I was so tired that I could barely keep my eyes open. However, there was no way I could fall asleep in the car. I had enough problems with sleep without adding movement to the mix. And I was just uncomfortable. I don't know how much more I could take though, I NEEDED sleep.

"Uh." I complained. "This is like torture." I said out loud.

My dad looked over at me. "What is?"

"I need to sleep." I said seriously. "I don't think I slept three hours the whole time we were at that trailer."

"How come?" Daryl said.

"Because that room was hot as hell, I almost had a heat stroke the one night and the bed was hard as rock. I just couldn't get to sleep."

"Well, go to sleep now." Said my dad.

I gave him a stupid look. "I would love to…but there's no way I can sleep like this. I already tried."

"I know." My dad spoke softer. "You never could sleep in the car."

"Pull over." Daryl said and patted my dad's seat. My dad slowed down, then stopped the car completely. "Will you switch seats with her?" He must've asked Michonne. "Come back here." He told me. I didn't know what he was planning to do, but I just did what he said and got out of the car. Michonne and I switched seats, I sat where she was sitting. "C'mere. Lay yer head down on my lap." Daryl directed me. Now I get it.

"Thanks, but…I doubt I'll be able to sleep still."

"Just do it." He said. So, I laid my head on his lap. My dad started driving again. Daryl played with my hair a little and occasionally rubbed my arm. It was very relaxing and I thought it was nice of him. My tiredness took over, and I was beginning to doze off. I felt Daryl put his vest over me as a blanket. He's so nice to me. Was my last thought.

Narrator's POV

Daryl Dixon looked down at the sleeping girl on his lap and moved her hair away from her face, then he gently rubbed her cheek with his thumb. He cared deeply for the girl. "Well, she did fall asleep." He said to the others.

The father of the girl let out a laugh. "She must've been really tired then."

"Well, she did say that she hardly slept at the place." Added Michonne.

"I don't blame 'er." Said Daryl. "It was hot as fuck in there."

"Yeah." Rick said with a laugh. He glanced back at Daryl and his daughter in the rearview mirror, he saw the man gently rubbing her face and playing with her hair. Daryl smiled down at her. Rick liked that they were close and he knew that the man cared about his daughter. It made him feel good that if something happened to him, that his little girl would be in good hands. "Thank you, Daryl." He decided to say.

Daryl looked up, he could see Rick's eyes in the rearview mirror. "It's what we do." He shrugged.

"…no." Rick said after a hesitation. "It's more than that."

Daryl, not understanding at first, was silent. Then, he looked down at his sleeping friend. "Yeah." He finally said and gently caressed the girl's cheek. "I guess the little smartass grew on me." He smirked. Rick let out a laugh. Michonne couldn't stop the small smile forming either.