Hey guys, apologies for not updating on Monday. I did have the chp done in time (by some miracle) but for some reason I wasn't able to connect to the website to upload.

Daryl's POV

Rick looked at me, probably watching to see if I'd leave. But I don't really care one way or another what happens to this kid. I know Eve does, which is enough of a surprise. She usually doesn't have an opinion, much less on stuff like this.

I been wracking my brain tryna figure out why but everything I come up with don't fit. It don't sound like somethin' she'd do.

"Alright then." Rick looked over the group one last time. "Shane, Daryl, and I will take care of it in the barn, tonight."

I nodded, itching to get outta 'ere and go find Eve.

By the time I got to the door, Eve was halfway to lord knows where and I had to run after her.

"Eve" I called when I finally got close.

She didn't stop but I know she heard me. God it's weird hearin' 'er feet make noise.

"Eve, hold up."

She kept walking and I almost growled at 'er, catching up.

"I said wait god damnit—" I grabbed 'er arm, stopping the woman in her tracks.

"Don't" Eve ripped her arm from my grip but stopped.

I'd be lyin' if I said it didn't surprise me. I ain't never seen 'er act like this before.

"You good?" I eyed her carefully. I don' wanna get stabbed or nothin'.

Eve sighed, running exhausted hands over her face before shaking 'er head. "Thanks for backing me up in there. I know we didn't see eye to eye on this,"

I slowly nodded, still watching her tryna work out what's goin' on. Did she think I'd leave 'er out to dry?

"I can't be here right now. I need to leave." Her eyes turned towards the treeline.

I followed her line of sight and my gut sank a little. "It's gon be dark soon, you sure that's a good idea?"

"It isn't." So she knows it's a bad idea, why the Hell she doin' it then?

"I can't be here for this." She shook her head, not looking at me.

I watched her eyes and the determined set in her shoulders and a more important thought steam rolled everythin' else.

"You plannin' on comin' back?" I tried to keep the urgency outta my voice but a little more than I would've liked slipped.

Eve sucked her teeth, glancing at the rapidly darkening horizon. "Yeah"

That was less than convincing.

She looked at me, watching for a few seconds. She pulled one a 'er knives and held it out to me.

I paused, looking between her and the blade.

'Is she serious?'

She waited, showing no sign of retracting, or walking away.

She would never leave this— oh.

My hand came up by itself and Eve pressed the weighted handle into my palm. The worn grip is warmer than I thought it'd be. It's only been in 'er hand for a minute at most.

Eve turned not a second after I took it, and I didn't try to grab her again.

I hesitated but an image of her covered in mud from that hole I pulled her out of was enough to make me get over it. "Don't go too far."

She waved in acknowledgment without lookin' back, but she's gotta get outta here. That much I understand.

I don't think either of us have ever spent so much time at camp before this place.

We used to spend most of our time wanderin' in and out. Huntin', doin' runs (her mostly). Neither of us spent an entire day in camp before the farm.

"Daryl"

I turned to Rick, glancing at Shane as he passed me; heading towards the shed.

Rick tilted his head at Eve, halfway through the field already.

"Everything okay?" He glanced at the knife in my hand and I tucked it away. I don't know why. It's not like he's gon' take it. "I know she doesn't like this but—"

"It's fine. We doin' this?" I started walking, hopin' for Rick's sake he don't try to go talk to 'er.

I don't know what goes through her head but It sure ain't in his favor right now.

Rick caught up to me and during the two minute walk down to the shed, he kept glancing out into the field.

I looked a couple times, watching Eve disappear into the tall grass. I assume she laid down. For some reason she retreats to the floor. I asked her why she looks at the sky once, but I ain't ever seen her do it durin' the day before.

She's been hangin' around camp too much lately. She gets restless if she don't wander. She used to do it at the quarry too.

I don't think she even notices.

"Leave 'er be." I avoided stepping in a hole in the dirt.

"What?" Rick glanced at me.

"I know ya wanna go over there. Don't." I went into the shed where Shane was already pulling the kid to his feet.

I held onto the back of Randall's shirt, pushing him forward behind Rick who had the light, and Shane, as we approached the barn.

As soon as Randall saw we were headed for it, he started to resist. "Hold on, hold on. Hold on"

Rick pushed the door open, heading in first with the 3 of us following.

"Wait, wait —wait" Randall started trying to move away from me, but I pulled him back.

"Put him there." Rick pointed to a space in the center of the dark barn. It still smells like dead folk in here.

I handed Randall off to Shane who grabbed the kid from behind. "This is all gon' be over soon."

"What? What's gonna be over?" Randall let himself be blindfolded, but he don't got much choice really.

"Hey— hey!" Randall started to panic

"Just relax" Shane's monotone is deeper than normal, but he looks too happy about this; even though his expression is "blank".

Randall started crying, and Shane shushed him like you would for a baby.

I threw a weird look at him while I stood off to the side, but he didn't see it.

Shane let Randall go and the three of us stood in an unintentional triangle around the whimpering kid. Rick at the head with his Python in hand.

"Would you like to stand or kneel?" Rick's tone is appropriately heavy but resolved. I can tell he don't wanna do this but he's made up his mind.

Randall fussed but didn't answer and Rick glanced at me.

I stepped forward and grabbed Randall's shoulders, kicking the back of his knee. He dropped, sobbing as I backed away again.

Rick looked at Shane and I watched him nod before Rick looked back at the kid.

I tried not to shift on my feet but I can't quit thinking about what Eve said. 'A scared kid'

"Do you have any final words?"

The kid cried louder, sobbing "No, please— don't" over and over.

Rick raised his gun to the kid's forehead and as soon as he cocked it, Randall's crying became more frantic.

"Do it dad. Do it."

All eyes flew to the doorway where Carl stood, egging Rick on.

Rick looked at Shane in alarm, and I shifted outta the way when Shane stalked past me to the door.

"Are you kiddin' me? What did I say to you?"

I watched Rick's resolve crumble in a matter of seconds while Shane dragged Carl by the arm towards the barn doors.

They didn't even make it out before Rick uncocked the gun and holstered it.

"Take him away."

As soon as the words left Rick's mouth, Randall gasped in relief.

"Take him away." Rick repeated, turning and I jumped on it.

"Get up." I pulled him to his feet and got him out of there.

Shane shoved the barn door in a fit and stalked back towards camp, clearly pissed.

I walked the kid past Carl, taking him back to the shed.

I almost feel sorry for this kid. Only reason Rick stopped was cause a Carl, and next time, the kid won't there to save this guy.

This is just prolonging the inevitable.

I barely put Randall back before a scream pierced the air.

My eyes shot to the door and I snatched the lamp off the table, already running towards the screaming in the field, without a second thought.

Eve's POV

I bolted upright from the grass as screaming erupted and saw a light moving fast through the field.

I don't even remember standing up before I was flying through the field after it; closing in on the screams, knife in hand.

It wasn't long before two figures on the ground came into view and I watched the light get thrown to the ground, illuminating a person I'd recognize anywhere tackle one figure off the other.

My lungs felt like they were gonna pop as I got closer. Close enough to see Dale on the ground, covered in blood, and Daryl stabbing lanky shirtless walker through the head.